DK45s - Remove cab to replace shift forks? +13.5 hours!

[billboe]

Hi All,

My DK45s is in the shop to get the shift forks replaced. The dealer just told me that they needed to remove the cab to do it (an additional 13.5 hours). That is over twice the time they told me to replace forks. That adds up to 3x the quoted price...

So, did they really need to remove the cab to replace for forks? And if so, does 13.5 hours sound reasonable?

Oh and they did NOT call to let me know that they were adding 13.5 hours onto the service until they had already removed the cab...

Thoughts???

Thanks!

Billboe

 

[VictorW]

This must be the first time they had to replace forks on your model or they would have known the cab needed removed. If it really does, I don't know but they should have called and given you a new quote once they believed they needed to remove the cab.

 

[Kioti Paul]

I think it depends on which shift fork(s) they replaced. I think it would be true (having to remove the cab) for the forward/reverse (shuttle) fork, but not the 1-2 / 3-4 forks. I had to replace the 1-2, 3-4 shift forks (600 hrs) & it was a very simple, straight forward job, everything coming out a side cover on the transmission. Before I found the problem, I was very worried about having to remove the cab...seems like a very large job.

I agree with VictorW... it sure seems any dealer would realize whether or not the cab would need to come off before they quoted you the price. Seems like they may be a little shady (or we don't know the whole story.

 

[billboe]

Thanks for the reply guys... To be fair, when they quoted me the 6 hours over the phone they may not have known it was a cab model. But, I still think they should have called before they pulled the cab (and tripled the quote)...

13.5 hours still seems like a lot to remove and replace the cab...

oh... and it was the forward/reverse fork...

 

[Looking4new]

My dealer told me that it was going to take 8 hours to install my cab when I bought my tractor. So 13.5 to R & R the cab isn't bad.

 

[Hope Caper]

Cabs have their advantages and disadvantages. I opted to go without mainly because I don't spend hours on my tractor, I'm off and on a lot, and I work some in the woods. So I don't work in the rain or when its really hot. I haven't blown much snow with it yet so I may change my tune when that happens. Hopefully I'll be somewhere there is no snow so I won't have to find out.
As for your dealer changing your quote you are right he should have called you to let you know but keep in mind it has to be fixed and did you want to waste time having him call you, giving him permission and then waiting for the repairs? Personally I'd have a conversation with him so that going forward that misunderstanding doesn't happen again. As one dealer told me, we don't want to screw our customers around because that's how we make our living.

 

[billboe]

just to close the thread... the dealer split the cab removal labor with me which i thought was fair. that said, the shifting fork repair was $2300 (which included some maintenance as well; perhaps $300 worth?!?!).

a separate invoice for a starting issue (it didn't start when they went to load it on the trailer) was $560 (all but $100 was labor trying to track down the electrical issue). they ended up replacing a timer that controlled the fuel shutoff solenoid (which i could not for the life of me find when i was trying to debug the issue!)...

thanks to all!

p.s. i don't know why i'm not getting notified when someone replies to my threads!??! as far as i can tell, i'm "subscribed" and they are not showing up in my spam folder...???

 

[Looking4new]

p.s. i don't know why i'm not getting notified when someone replies to my threads!??! as far as i can tell, i'm "subscribed" and they are not showing up in my spam folder...???

Don't feel bad I don't get notified either.

 

[ritcheyvs]

Out of curiosity, which shift fork(s) were replaced: shuttle, 1-2-3-4 gears, or H-M-L?

I have no way of knowing what all your dealer actually had to do but ... the no-start relay fix sounds (very) high. Assuming you have the newer engine (with SS on front vs on the right side), many owners here have experienced "stop solenoid pull relay" failure and replaced that $10 part themselves, sometimes with advice shared here.