GC parking brake popped out! Damage pics.

rjmack · Aug 5, 2010

sounds like maybe they billed for a frame re&re and decided to just tweak the one that was already there and pocket the diff.

i would look for signs that it's still sitting on the original frame. do they know about this forum?

btw, assertive doesn't mean yelling. if they are trying to screw you, that will play to their favor.

Mike476 · Aug 5, 2010

A lot of good advice Wacky. At the end of the day it's time for you to start asking for copies of all invoices, for both parts and labour.

Make sure they are copies of the original invoices, not a "list" generated for your reference. The invoices will include part numbers and quantities, prices may or may not be referenced. Review the list, ask to see all the components that were replaced (including all sub-assemblies etc).

As has been mentioned, tone and attitude have little positive effect at times like this. Difficult I know but you need for them to understand that, although patient, you have an expectation that everything will be above board and the tractor will be refurbished to its original state. All you're looking for is to make sure everything you're being told has been replaced has an invoice for it, the component that has been replaced is there for your use and if not, why not. If for no other reason than for warranty purposes you will want the information, for that reason alone they should provide you with what you need.

If the dealer has any sense they'll do what they know is right. If not, keep what they gave you for future use should you need to pursue further. Having someone with you to witness what transpires is not a bad idea.

Wish you all the best, keep us posted.

Wacky · Aug 5, 2010

Thanks for all the helpful insight. I just did a little researching on my own today and found that the "loader kit", according to 2 different dealerships, is part number 4238026 lists for $2800. Which includes, mounting brackets, grille guard, 2 bucket cylinders, and 2 lift cylinders. I called my dealer and asked for the part number they used. They did not give me one, they said to go look on agcopartsbook.com and look up the "loader built" DL100. I just tried that but they did not give me a login code I need to use that service. They told me that the loader they quoted was different than what they used. WHAT???

I kept my cool and asked if the price is much lower than, they said no it is about the same, $3200. I then asked if you could buy a loader COMPLETE for $2800, why in the world would you put just a frame and spend time switching everything over for $3200??? They said that is what they thought would be best, without informing me, no less.

At this point I told him I would go online tonight and see for myself and call back tomarrow, no luck, of course. I called the AGCO rep. again to see if he could make sense of this. He said he never saw a new "loader kit" ,which he was also told was on the tractor, that didn't come with cylinders or hoses. He is going to meet with the dealer and I Monday. Right now I am in the process of making a check list of everything that NEEDS to be done. I will have him and the owner sign off on. I doubt I will ever return to this dealer after I receive my tractor. I am close to consulting a lawyer....I will wait until Monday to see the results of this visit. I am sooo not looking forward to this. All I want is the tractor restored to pre-wreck condition. Why is this so hard to understand

. After the deal Wednesday I would expect a little honesty from them. I am going to find out also what their warranty on there work is. Probably, end of the driveway type service warranty...

mustangsallysdad · Aug 5, 2010

Wacky...don't be rude to anyone, but stand your ground assertively...I would be leaning on this AGCO rep really hard. You are the end user, customer and the ONE person that should come away from this satisfied. Insurance or not, you are ultimately paying for this. Your dealer has, on more than one occaision, I gather, dicked you around. I would not trust them. Due dilligence is the name of the game. If you feel you are getting unsatisfactory results, request that a different dealer perform the repair. I know that would probably take longer, and you already miss your tractor. But, if it gets haphazardly repaired you are never going to be happy with it. Again, good luck. I'm hoping for the best results for you.

rjmack · Aug 5, 2010

it's interesting that the rep has pushed the meeting back to monday. the shop at that dealership might end up being a busy place this weekend

might not hurt to make a surprise inspection saturday afternoon (with a friend) just to see if there isn't a frame replacement (that is supposed to have already been done) underway

btw, i would take a camera and tape measure along too. if the machine is still as you described earlier, at least you can get pictures of it. if they replaced the frame, then things shouldn't be crooked... right? it might not hurt to check the underside of the hood to see if there is any evidence of damage repair... maybe they just fixed the original hood and put the new one in stock. for that matter, maybe they put the new loader in stock too. does the loader on your machine have any signs of paint on top of grease? what about soot signature?

also, it might not hurt to take the loader/mower off and put them back on, just to see that there aren't any hidden mounting problems that you would prefer to find before you get it home. part of the utility of these machines is the easy mounting/dismounting of attachments... that is another thing you will be paying for over the years, it should be demonstrable, and may help point out other unresolved problems.

btw, you know how paint crinkles and cracks where a piece of flat bar has been bent... right?

on the other hand, maybe the machine was just sitting on a crooked/heaved piece of concrete? it's probably better to assume the best than the worst, that will help put you in a better state of mind for the inspection. if they have no objection to you taking your time inspecting the machine again, that is probably a good sign. maybe there is a legitimate explanation for the issues you have had so far.

Wacky · Aug 5, 2010

rjmack said:
it's interesting that the rep has pushed the meeting back to monday. the shop at that dealership might end up being a busy place this weekend

might not hurt to make a surprise inspection saturday afternoon (with a friend) just to see if there isn't a frame replacement (that is supposed to have already been done) underway

btw, i would take a camera and tape measure along too. if the machine is still as you described earlier, at least you can get pictures of it. if they replaced the frame, then things shouldn't be crooked... right? it might not hurt to check the underside of the hood to see if there is any evidence of damage repair... maybe they just fixed the original hood and put the new one in stock. for that matter, maybe they put the new loader in stock too. does the loader on your machine have any signs of paint on top of grease? what about soot signature?

also, it might not hurt to take the loader/mower off and put them back on, just to see that there aren't any hidden mounting problems that you would prefer to find before you get it home. part of the utility of these machines is the easy mounting/dismounting of attachments... that is another thing you will be paying for over the years, it should be demonstrable, and may help point out other unresolved problems.

btw, you know how paint crinkles and cracks where a piece of flat bar has been bent... right?

on the other hand, maybe the machine was just sitting on a crooked/heaved piece of concrete? it's probably better to assume the best than the worst, that will help put you in a better state of mind for the inspection. if they have no objection to you taking your time inspecting the machine again, that is probably a good sign. maybe there is a legitimate explanation for the issues you have had so far.

I actually have the old parts home already. They loaded them on the trailer when I was there to get the tractor. As a matter of fact they are still strapped to the trailer. I have the old hood setting beside the frame, the more I look at the frame and measure it, I cannot see any damage, twists or bends. That makes me even more uneasy that they changed it for no reason!

Mike476 · Aug 5, 2010

Wacky, aside from the 4 rams, bush guard and the other items you listed I have to believe that most of your issues are related to the level of expertise at the dealership to perform the repairs necessary. As an aircraft mechanic, a lot of the major components come to us milled / extruded with pilot holes and rough geometries that are left that way to enable a proper fit to the aircraft, each one is just that little bit different and mating to each aircraft is best left to the installer.

If that is the case with the mounts, mower deck supports etc it may just be a workmanship issue, which unfortunately means "try again", either at that dealer or another as Mustang pointed out.

I know comparing a tractor to an aircraft makes little sense when it comes to tolerances, just putting it out there as a possible explanation for what seem to be issues stemming primarily from poor fit / rigging. Whether there is adjustment built in or not is another question.

ray66v · Aug 5, 2010

Wacky said:
the more I look at the frame and measure it, I cannot see any damage, twists or bends. That makes me even more uneasy that they changed it for no reason!

If you recall, I did not expect it would be bent.

They did change the frame for a reason, The dealer got probably 70% of the labor cost, and a nice mark up on the part, in his bank account.

BruceWard · Aug 5, 2010

I am shocked that a rolling accident did so much damage.

I drive my B21 into and through stuff all the time. I thought that was what tractors were built for.