how to get Boomer to dealer for warranty work

[Anonymous Poster]

I'm trying to figure out a no cost way to get my TC29D to the dealer to have them find out what's wrong with my PTO (see "TC29D rear PTO lever moves"). I just can't blow over $100 on having them transport it for me. I have a 6x10 tilt trailer that's rated at 2900lbs gross (no brakes, single 3500lb axle). The tractor weighs 2500lbs and the trailer weighs 700lbs, so I'd go over the rating if I tried to use it to transport the tractor. My brother and I looked the trailer over and concluded that it could be beefed up by adding some bracing, but right now I'm flat broke. The dealer is about 20 miles away. So, I was wondering how crazy of an idea is it to drive it there? It has a top speed of about 15 MPH, so I could make it in about an hour and a half. The down side is that it would put more wear on the tires in one day than I'll otherwise put on them in years! Would any of you even consider doing this? I have to admit that I didn’t read the warranty closely when I bought it and thought I was all set for 2 years, so this business of having to pay anything for warranty work is a real shocker to me.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

<font color=blue>...so this business of having to pay anything for warranty work is a real shocker to me. ..</font color=blue>

No offense Dann Y... but it's basically the same thing as buying an automobile or just about any product... towing/transportations costs to/from the dealer/factory are usually not covered... /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif

Now once you get it there... that's a different story... then everything should be under warranty... /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[TerryinMD]

Dann Y,

I don't think I'd want to drive it 20 miles. Whoa... that would be a heck of a trip. /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif

Can you entice them to try to fix the problem at your house? That way, there's still no charge. At worst case, they can then haul it the shop, if necessary.

Or do you know anyone with a larger trailer that you may borrow?

Terry

 

[Anonymous Poster]

John,

Well, I've never owned a new car or truck (and probably never will). I guess I'm surprised to hear that IF I did buy a new car and it broke down while still under warranty, that it would be up to me to get it to the dealer? At least that would be easier, since I could just tow it with a tow strap!

 

[Anonymous Poster]

...Can you entice them to try to fix the problem at your house? That way, there's still no charge....

Terry,

That won't work either. I had a problem with the tilt steering (the stabilizer shock sprung a leak) and they came out and put on a new one. A month later I got a bill in the mail! I was not charged for the cost of the part or the labor to install it, but I was charged their shop rate for the time that it took for him to drive to my house and back, plus some mileage rate per mile for the truck he used! The total came to around $75! I called and very politely, but persistently, convinced them that I should not have to pay for warranty work. I never got mad, but was on the phone for over half an hour. They told me that they would take it off this time, but next time I would have to pay it. So, I can't even get them to come out and test drive it without having to pay a fair amount of money.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Danny Y...

Actually,my "warranty auto" may have been a bad example... 'cause most mfrs do have "free towing pkgs" when you buy a new vehicle... and the tractor dealer's is sometimes a roll of the dice... if you didn't beat them up too bad {price-wise}, maybe they can swing by if in the area and have a "look-see"... and if they can make a quick adjustment or something...

I didn't read you're other post, so I don't know what problem you're having... but maybe a phone call to your dealer could convince him to drive by your home and see what's wrong... and go from there...

 

[DVerbarg]

Dann Y,

Driving your tractor that distance is viable, a little wear on the tires but far less than $100 worth. Besides it gives you some quality time with your baby /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif!

A year ago when I was building a new house I would drive my tractor back and forth from the "old" house to the "new" house every few weeks. This was about 8 miles. I had a trailer that I could have borrowed (and did a couple times) but thought it would be fun to take a country drive in the "convertible".

The drive was a little boring (but how boring can driving a tractor be /w3tcompact/icons/love.gif) punctuated with a few exhilarating moments when a dog chased me. Its kinda funny to see the psychology involved when a dog accustomed to chasing vehicles suddenly has the tables turned when the vehicle chases the dog! Poor dog probably is suffering from some problems with self-esteem. After that first time whenever I came by on the tractor the dog would come running out and then as soon as it saw who it was would turn and run with its tail between its legs. Maybe I'm a little sick but after all the times I've been chased by dogs on my bicycle it was kinda fun seeing one of them run...

 

[Robert_in_NY]

You can drive it there as it will not tear your tires up as bad as you think. The constant driving where the tractors are used for hauling hay and other implements 20-30 miles from the field to the barn time after time will eat up a tire but if you make the trip just this once I wouldn't even worry about it.

 

[beenthere]

That's not a very long trip driving your tractor. My JD dealer will pick mine up, no charge. I think it is more the dealer (as the company won't pay the dealer to do it) as he has to figure out how to pay for that service. I would gladly pay mine, as I don't want to lose him (going out of business) because he is giving away his services. When I need him, I want him to be there.

 

[Bulldogger]

Check with your local tool rental place and see if they have a larger trailer for rent. I have rented a 16' double axle trailer from the local tool rental place for $35/per day.