JD3520+ICY ROAD+CHEVYSUBURBAN=

[LBrown59]

Radman, the tractor frame is twisted due to the torque that was exerted from the way Suburban hit the blade. The part number LVA14582. $400.00 If you look it up on the Deere parts site you will know what I am referring too.
Because I have an old style JD 390 front blade and mounts on the 3520 when the Suburban hit the front blade it bent the front blade frame,left rear blade mount and the tractor frame itself. I'll take some pics the day the insurance adjuster gets here. It aslo apears that the left front axle was shoved 1/4 inch forward. The hood won't close and latch unless you shift it to one side. I'm even thinking the tractor frame might even have somewhat of a slight S bend in it because of the way the forces where transfered from the blade through the mounts and into the tractor frame.


Needless to say..............I'm not happy!

Sincerely, Dirt

I'd say this totaled the tractor.

 

[gemini5362]

I tend to agree with you but I do not know that much about tractor frames. If you can get one for 440.00 it might be that they can repair it. If however it is totaled then I would hold out for the right to buy it back. It is amazing how good a job someone can do with a frame straightener if they know what they are doing. If you can straighten the frame then that would bring the cost of repairs down a lot.

 

[sseelhoff]

I tend to agree with you but I do not know that much about tractor frames. If you can get one for 440.00 it might be that they can repair it. If however it is totaled then I would hold out for the right to buy it back. It is amazing how good a job someone can do with a frame straightener if they know what they are doing. If you can straighten the frame then that would bring the cost of repairs down a lot.

Whether the tractor is declared a totaled loss will depend upon the cost to repair vs. fair market value immediately before your wreck. Different carriers have different breakpoints on that, but it is typically where cost of repairs is greater than 60% or so of the value. It will vary by insurance carrier. The calculation will include labor, so while the part may only be $400, if the labor cost to do it drives the price up, then you're getting closer to a total loss. With all the damage you have done, and the amount of labor that it will take to make all of the repairs, you have to be getting close to the magic number.

If they do declare it a total loss, they will determine a salvage value, i.e. what they think they can get selling it as is for parts. You can request to retain the salvage, and they will deduct their estimated resale from the settlement check they give you. Don't be afraid to negotiate their salvage price down-They are looking to recover whatever they can, and their values are based on averages. They are great on autos, as they do this all the time. They probably won't have a good feel for the value of a tractor because they are likely a rare type of claim, which you can use to your advantage (unless you get that rare adjustor with tractor experience).

 

[dirtworksequip]

I had only looked at the frame on the Deere Parts Site. Today I looked at the tractor as I myself wasn't all that familiar with how the tractor frame was set up. It actually only goes from about the loader mount forward to the weight bracket. I really don't know how much work would be entailed to jack up the front of the tractor remove the front axle and then tear it down to remove the frame. I am assuming the engine mounts are on the frame, so the engine would have to be supported somehow to unbolt it from its mounts. Maybe its not all that tough a job.............then again maybe it it?
I doubt that even with the bent frame it will be considered totalled, but thats just my guess. Of course there still could be things wrong that I am not seeing.
Heres a couple of pics of the broken 3pt and I'll post more pics of the front of the machine later.

Sincerely, Dirt

 

[sseelhoff]

Ironically, there does not appear to be any snow or ice anywhere in the photos.

 

[NewToy]

Dirt, It doesn't look too bad in the pic's. Hopefully they'll be able to get you up and running soon. Being on that slick surface probably saved you from getting pretty banged up. Taking that hit on nice grippy asphalt could have thumped you around pretty good. It's hard to tell someone they are lucky right after they get hit by a car, but you know what I mean. It could have been lots worse.
John

 

[dirtworksequip]

sseeslhoff, our snow doesn't stay on long this time of year. We usually get our big snows in February,but they melt off pretty quickly. That particular morning it was rain at 5am. Then the temps dropped and the rain froze on the road. By 7am it had snowed about 1/2 an inch on top of the ice covered road,giving some late morning risers the false sense that there was only 1/2 an inch of snow on the road and nothing to worry about.

NewToy, if it were only the 3pt draft arm,the side hood panel and the front blade frame it would be an easy fix. The tractor frame is what is the big unknow in repair cost. I can throw on a new 3pt draft arm and the hood panel in no time. I'm not worried
The other questions are what is causing the hood to have an uneven gap back at the cab glass, why is the radiatior fan hitting the left side fan shroud. Where is the problem? I don't have those answers yet.

I have not determined if the hood gap at the cab is off because the radiator and hood latch being shoved to the right or because something is messed up at the hood hinge.

Heres a few pics.

Left side hood panel.$260.00. I can change this out in 1/2 or 45 minutes.

Rear of hood where it meets the cab glass on the left side. Two tight fingers on this side.

Rear of hood where it meets the cab glass. One tight finger on this side.

 

[NewToy]

It looks like it's been tweaked out of line some, you won't be able to "buff " that out of there. That was a mess on the road last week, same deal we had here in Cambridge. It was 62 degrees here yesterday with a few bangs of thunder, now it's snowing again and in the teens tonight. I never remember having thunder showers in Feb, strange weather.

John

 

[LBrown59]

It looks like it's been tweaked out of line some, you won't be able to "buff " that out of there. That was a mess on the road last week, same deal we had here in Cambridge. It was 62 degrees here yesterday with a few bangs of thunder, now it's snowing again and in the teens tonight. I never remember having thunder showers in Feb, strange weather.

John

I'm just down I 77 from Cambridge here in Marietta.

 

[LBrown59]

In this picture you can see that both rear wheels are bent.
Either that or the axles are twisted.
It may even be both.