Just arrived and hour meter is broken

[rScotty]

The hour meter is one small component of the overall tractor. If you are putting that much effort into the hour meter, ask yourself if it is because you are assigning too much importance to that meter.

Just looking at a tractor closely and listening to it run and work will tell you far more than the hour meter about the future of the tractor. . Last tractor I bought had almost 6000 hrs on the clock. It's worked well for ten years now. I just helped get some hay in using a friends IH with 2500 hours on the clock and that tractor is old and used up in every direction.

rScotty

 

[Torvy]

Ouch. This should be a case study on why buying used isn't always the better idea...there's a thread for that.

If you were more local to dealership, they may be more willing to work with you on a resolution. The bad press would be worse for them than a lawsuit.

I feel your pain, OP. In a fair world, they would take it back and pay shipping one way. You'd still be out the $1100.

 

[Torvy]

The hour meter is one small component of the overall tractor. If you are putting that much effort into the hour meter, ask yourself if it is because you are assigning too much importance to that meter.

Just looking at a tractor closely and listening to it run and work will tell you far more than the hour meter about the future of the tractor. . Last tractor I bought had almost 6000 hrs on the clock. It's worked well for ten years now. I just helped get some hay in using a friends IH with 2500 hours on the clock and that tractor is old and used up in every direction.

rScotty

It is not the meter, per se, that is at issue. The tractor was priced as if it was 1500 hours, not 6000 or ? Whether the tractor will work going forward is a crapshoot. If the dealer didn't correct something simple like this, what else is wrong that he cannot see?

 

[4570Man]

It is not the meter, per se, that is at issue. The tractor was priced as if it was 1500 hours, not 6000 or ? Whether the tractor will work going forward is a crapshoot. If the dealer didn't correct something simple like this, what else is wrong that he cannot see?

The dealer didn’t make any claims of fixing anything. That’s why it’s a 2006 used tractor for 1/3 the cost of a new shiny one. Maybe the tractor is a little rougher than the op envisioned. All of which could have been avoided had he actually looked at the tractor. But the tractor is currently working as advertised which would make any claims of being scammed pretty hard to convince on a judge. The OP ultimately failed to inspect his purchase and now he’s trying to make someone else eat the cost of his dissatisfaction.

 

[Atypical_decorum]

It is not the meter, per se, that is at issue. The tractor was priced as if it was 1500 hours, not 6000 or ? Whether the tractor will work going forward is a crapshoot. If the dealer didn't correct something simple like this, what else is wrong that he cannot see?

This here is the exact issue.

If the price per hour is calculated at 6000 hours instead of 1555, the deal becomes poor/bad.

However, I spoke to the dealer just now. They called the guy that owned the tractor and spoke with him. He said he's been keeping track and said it was right at 2000 hours.

The dealer apologized for not seeing the hour and for miscommunication in the ad and with me. I told them I wasn't trying to be a d!ck, but Im not able to trust him as much as they are. I said the issue is if he didn't track it well or it's a guess, there could be 4000 or 5000 hours or more. I said there's no way of telling and that puts all the liability on me as the hours are not correct.

The dealer agreed and we spoke about options. I said I'm OK keeping the tractor at 2000 hours, but I'm concerned that if it's more and I'm way closer to major maintence, that burden should be shared due to the "miscommunication" of the hours and me already buying into the issue.

He agreed and they are discussing the solution and will call me in a day or two.

 

[4570Man]

My dealer has equipment that’s basically scrap on their used lot or as I call it the boneyard and they have basically new equipment that only has a few hours on it and everything in between. Thinking every piece out there is going to be in perfect working order just because a dealer owns it is insanity. I bought my mini x, a skid steer, and a backhoe from them used. I don’t remember if I demoed the skid steer or not but they allowed me to haul the mini x and backhoe to my place for a demo before I bought it.

 

[rScotty]

Ouch. This should be a case study on why buying used isn't always the better idea...there's a thread for that.

If you were more local to dealership, they may be more willing to work with you on a resolution. The bad press would be worse for them than a lawsuit.

I feel your pain, OP. In a fair world, they would take it back and pay shipping one way. You'd still be out the $1100.

I don't think that this situation tells us anything at all about buying used or buying new.

What it tells me about mostly is that a buyer should always inspect anything - whether new or used - to make sure that it is what he wants.

And maybe a little bit about the real value of using price as the determining factor in a purchase.

Condition is what matters,
rScotty

 

[Atypical_decorum]

For all the harping on going to see the tractor prior to purchase. 2 points. 1 is that I'm a nurse at a very understaffed hospital. That many days off in a row doesn't happen. 2 is that it is incumbent upon the seller to accurately represent their item, point blank - full stop.

What youre all eluding to without enunciating it is physically looking at the tractor as part of a "wise" action. Without the inspection, small things can slip through, but representing the major components is part of the sale, not a paint scratch.

 

[4570Man]

For all the harping on going to see the tractor prior to purchase. 2 points. 1 is that I'm a nurse at a very understaffed hospital. That many days off in a row doesn't happen. 2 is that it is incumbent upon the seller to accurately represent their item, point blank - full stop.

What youre all eluding to without enunciating it is physically looking at the tractor as part of a "wise" action. Without the inspection, small things can slip through, but representing the major components is part of the sale, not a paint scratch.

Maybe you should have bought a tractor for a local dealer, paid a 3rd party mechanic to inspect it or bought a new tractor. Point being you should always inspect used items prior to purchase.

 

[NoTrespassing]

I'm sure there are other ways of estimating the number of hours on a tractor short of an hour meter. Does anyone have suggestions as to what to look at?

 

[Rustyiron]

I'm happy that it seems like a happy (or happier ) ending is close for you.

 

[Atypical_decorum]

Maybe you should have bought a tractor for a local dealer, paid a 3rd party mechanic to inspect it or bought a new tractor. Point being you should always inspect used items prior to

Read the post right above yours.

 

[4570Man]

I'm sure there are other ways of estimating the number of hours on a tractor short of an hour meter. Does anyone have suggestions as to what to look at?

If it was a computer equipped model you could probably look there. Anything else would just be a guess.

 

[NoTrespassing]

If it was a computer equipped model you could probably look there. Anything else would just be a guess.

I agree, that's why I mentioned estimate. I suggest that a person can make an educated guess. Unless a seller makes some effort to hide wear on a tractor I would think a person with a lot of experience could make an educated guess. Maybe someone has some suggestions. I would think a tractor with 1500 hours would have original tires, original pedal rubbers, maybe an original seat, maybe not. Storage will make a big difference on some things too though.

 

[paulsharvey]

Wear can vary drastically based on how and for what it was used. 1555 hours could mean about 30% thread on the rears, But if it was used in fields vs on a concrete or asphalt pad, would drastically change that. Peddle wear, steering wheel, all that is very subjective. The loader (I think he got a loader on it, irc), could still have good paint or be half worn through, if used on rock or scooping material out of concrete floored bins. With 1555 hours, I would expect the seat to still be in pretty good shape, but again, that depends.

My main worry, if I really thought this was drastically over 1555 hrs, would be, did it get fluid/filters regularly, even when hours didn't call for it.

My assumption, still, is we aren't talking 1500 vs 9000 hrs; but the OP feels screwed, and whether he was or not, he wants a way out. That's not wrong. I wouldn't buy a car, sight unseen, but wife did (think she had 36 hrs to return, with a transport fee, if unhappy). If there was not that build in, off ramp, she would not have bought it.

Now, hopefully he gets good news; or finds evidence that maybe it's 1650 hours... The loose steering wheel, that's not an undisclosed problem, torn seats, whatever,

A dealer has very little obligation to advertise faults. Leaky lines/seals/gaskets; that's not on them to advertise or repair; unless they made a claim that it didn't leak.

On wear, brakes, might be the most telling; but truth is, I would expect very little wear in 1500 hrs, and a helper whi drove with brakes on, could cause significant wear in 500 hrs

 

[TimberFarm]

I thought the guy who owned it was a mechanic at the dealer?
If true, 1) he admitted right off the bat that maybe it had "2000hrs".
2) the owner of the dealership can't be too happy that his employee is going to cost him something.

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

This here is the exact issue.

If the price per hour is calculated at 6000 hours instead of 1555, the deal becomes poor/bad.

However, I spoke to the dealer just now. They called the guy that owned the tractor and spoke with him. He said he's been keeping track and said it was right at 2000 hours.

The dealer apologized for not seeing the hour and for miscommunication in the ad and with me. I told them I wasn't trying to be a d!ck, but Im not able to trust him as much as they are. I said the issue is if he didn't track it well or it's a guess, there could be 4000 or 5000 hours or more. I said there's no way of telling and that puts all the liability on me as the hours are not correct.

The dealer agreed and we spoke about options. I said I'm OK keeping the tractor at 2000 hours, but I'm concerned that if it's more and I'm way closer to major maintence, that burden should be shared due to the "miscommunication" of the hours and me already buying into the issue.

He agreed and they are discussing the solution and will call me in a day or two.

I have a question. Do you have a Kubota dealer near you?
To me, based on what the dealer said it's turning out better than I expected. I would have my local dealer check it over, they should know if it has 2000 hours or a lot more.
It sounds like the other dealer is willing to make it right. Whatever the offer I'm thinking better than a legal hassle, lawyer, etc.

 

[Yander]

My dealer has equipment that’s basically scrap on their used lot or as I call it the boneyard and they have basically new equipment that only has a few hours on it and everything in between. Thinking every piece out there is going to be in perfect working order just because a dealer owns it is insanity. I bought my mini x, a skid steer, and a backhoe from them used. I don’t remember if I demoed the skid steer or not but they allowed me to haul the mini x and backhoe to my place for a demo before I bought it.

If "your" dealer has equipment that only has a few hours on it, how do you know that? How do they know that? If no one is checking the hour meter, because it takes time and money, how do you know what their equipment has on it.

You ask, why would someone take the time and money to run a tractor to check a meter. I ask, why wouldn't they? It doesn't take that long to check this.

Flip the scenario around and you bought a tractor for $30k and got it home and realized the hour meter wasn't working? Would you absolve that dealer of all responsibility? I sure wouldn't.

 

[4570Man]

If "your" dealer has equipment that only has a few hours on it, how do you know that? How do they know that? If no one is checking the hour meter, because it takes time and money, how do you know what their equipment has on it.

You ask, why would someone take the time and money to run a tractor to check a meter. I ask, why wouldn't they? It doesn't take that long to check this.

Flip the scenario around and you bought a tractor for $30k and got it home and realized the hour meter wasn't working? Would you absolve that dealer of all responsibility? I sure wouldn't.

A dealer really doesn’t owe you anything for a faulty piece of used equipment unless they stated that part in particular does for sure work. If you want the quality that comes with a new machine you should pay a lot more and buy a new machine. I said checking that the meter works is basically a waste of time because what’s it going to change if it doesn’t work? You still don’t know how many hours it has on it. Even if you verify it does currently work that doesn’t mean it’s the original meter. And the dealer isn’t stopping you from verifying the meter works. If it’s so important to you go crank the thing up and see if it works.

 

[Torvy]

I don't think the point is the faulty equipment so much as the incorrect stated information. If anyone at the dealership did even a basic review of the machine, they could/should have stated the hours were undermined as the meter stopped functioning.

I avoided used for this and other reasons. Just an entire different level of unknowns.