labor for 50-hour

[ovrszd]

I dont see how these dealers can stay in business for $65.00 per hour. I was charging that 10 years ago. True it was on printing equiptment not tractors but my expences and theirs are close. Tools, electricity,supplies, someone to answer the phone,some one to order the parts, a bookkeeper, phone bill, frieght charges, labor, taxes, ect. ect. ect. my rates vary now from $129.00 per hour to $250.00 per hour, depending on the equipment and the distance from the shop. Travel charge is $30.00 for across the street to $125.00 for >100 miles. If they dont like it get some one else. Oh and I charge from the time I get in your shop until the time I leave. If I have to change chemistry or oil, your payin me to watch it drain.

Yep, that's the point I was trying to make as well. It's business. If you think the local dealer is ripping you off, put up a shingle and go into business and then you can get rich like you think the dealer is doing!!!

 

[N80]

I'm not defending the mechanic either, just trying to be realistic. N80, in your comments above you clocked 5 hours.

No, 4 or 5. And I'm NOT a mechanic and I don't have the same tools, knowledge or experience! When I hire a mechanic I'm not just paying for having someone move a wrench or pick up a can of oil for me. I'm paying for experience and expertise. If they aren't bringing that to the table then I'd be paying more for less!

As for the valve adjustment, engines that require manual adjustment almost always recommend the first adjustment during low hours, then the additional adjustments are spread out.

Really? I must have some special type of engine in mine. It says something like 1000 or 2000 hours for the first valve adjustment. Maybe its 800. But it isn't 50.

So again, bottom line, when you take your tractor, car, pickup, ATV, truck, whatever to a shop for service, expect to pay a premium price for that service. Because you certainly are going to expect premium service and will immediately complain over anything less. That's why the price is set at that rate. To cover those complaints.

That is faaaaaaaar from the bottom line. The bottom line is that you find the best dealer with the best price and you leave the guy who wants to charge you 5 hours for a 3 hour job and you never look back. THATS the bottom line.

 

[N80]

Yep, that's the point I was trying to make as well. It's business. If you think the local dealer is ripping you off, put up a shingle and go into business and then you can get rich like you think the dealer is doing!!!

ovrszd, you and I will never see eye to eye. (And that's a good thing, its the variety of opinions that make this web site a great one. If we all had the same thoughts and opinions it would be a boring place )

But, that's not the way I see it at all. As a consumer I have no interest in whether a dealer gets rich, stays in business or goes belly up. My interest is to get the best service for my dollar and when I run into someone who does not fill that need I don't think that the answer is for me to put up a shingle and go into business for myself. The answer is to go find someone who will give me the best service for my money. Period. That's how consumers drive competiton and competition drives excellence (and drives mediocrity out of business). Either of two things may happen: 1) I find a better dealer and all's well or 2) if I find that every dealer I look at has prices that I think are too high for what I'm getting I'll have to assume that my expectations were to high and reassess the situation.

Now, if a dealer is getting rich doing good work for a good price, I am all for that! At the same time, if he goes belly up doing good work for a ridiculously high price, I'm all for that too. Fortunately both dealers I work with seem to be doing quite well for themselves and currently I think they do good work at fair prices. Several other dealers that don't seem to fit that description seem to be struggling. So be it. Should I be willing to pay more just to prop them up? I think not.

Finally, the real fly in the ointment in the OP's case seems to be this valve service. If, in fact the manual calls for it at 50 hours and if in fact that whole 50 hour service takes 5 hours on that tractor, then any potential buyer should be aware of that befoe he buys that brand of tractor. It may cost less to buy than another brand but if the 50 hour service is pushing $1000, then that needs to be added to the purchase price, which would then not look as sweet.

 

[ovrszd]

ovrszd, you and I will never see eye to eye. (And that's a good thing, its the variety of opinions that make this web site a great one. If we all had the same thoughts and opinions it would be a boring place )

But, that's not the way I see it at all. As a consumer I have no interest in whether a dealer gets rich, stays in business or goes belly up. My interest is to get the best service for my dollar and when I run into someone who does not fill that need I don't think that the answer is for me to put up a shingle and go into business for myself. The answer is to go find someone who will give me the best service for my money. Period. That's how consumers drive competiton and competition drives excellence (and drives mediocrity out of business). Either of two things may happen: 1) I find a better dealer and all's well or 2) if I find that every dealer I look at has prices that I think are too high for what I'm getting I'll have to assume that my expectations were to high and reassess the situation.

Now, if a dealer is getting rich doing good work for a good price, I am all for that! At the same time, if he goes belly up doing good work for a ridiculously high price, I'm all for that too. Fortunately both dealers I work with seem to be doing quite well for themselves and currently I think they do good work at fair prices. Several other dealers that don't seem to fit that description seem to be struggling. So be it. Should I be willing to pay more just to prop them up? I think not.

Finally, the real fly in the ointment in the OP's case seems to be this valve service. If, in fact the manual calls for it at 50 hours and if in fact that whole 50 hour service takes 5 hours on that tractor, then any potential buyer should be aware of that befoe he buys that brand of tractor. It may cost less to buy than another brand but if the 50 hour service is pushing $1000, then that needs to be added to the purchase price, which would then not look as sweet.

I'm not here to see eye to eye with you N80. I simply stated that you said it could take you as much as five hours to do this service. So where in that is the dealer getting rich or ripping anyone off. I have a concern for the success of a dealer because I want one to go to if needed. I never anyone to do anything without expecting them to make money off me. I have never worked for someone that I didn't expect them to make money off me. This dealer made a profit. Not sure that means the tractor owner should consider buying a different brand of tractor because of that. I operate a $200,000 John Deere grader that calls for a valve adjustment at 250 hours. I guess we should have bought a different brand?? You are right we don't see eye to eye but that's your choice. You always pick apart anything I say, but again, that's your choice. As I've said before to you N80, I bow to your supreme intelligence, I am not worthy......

 

[N80]

I'm not here to see eye to eye with you N80.

And I never asked you to or wanted you to. In fact, I said it was a good thing, right?

I simply stated that you said it could take you as much as five hours to do this service.

Don't you get it? I'm not a mechanic. I would expect any competent mechanic to work more effeciently than me (a rather incompetent, non-mechanic). Wouldn't you?

So where in that is the dealer getting rich or ripping anyone off.

First, I never said anything about anyone getting rich. Getting rich is a good thing. I think everyone who has the opportunity should do so. My point is that if one dealer does the same job for the same hourly rate in 3 hours while the next one does the same job for the same hourly rate in 5 hours, one of them is ripping off the customer. Pretty simple stuff.

I have a concern for the success of a dealer because I want one to go to if needed.

That's a perfectly legitimate concern and if that convenience is worth paying extra for then you are still getting a value for your money that someone else can't provide.

I never anyone to do anything without expecting them to make money off me. I have never worked for someone that I didn't expect them to make money off me.

I understand what you're saying. I never suggested that anyone in business do any work of value for free or for less than a fair price. I'm simply suggesting that if someone isn't charging a fair price then I'd go somewhere else. 'Fair' price is for the consumer and the market to decide.

Not sure that means the tractor owner should consider buying a different brand of tractor because of that.

I think everyone who values their own spending cabbage should consider the price of operation and maintanence of their machine. Especially when a 50 hour service pushes $1000. If that means looking at different brands, well, that's just doing due consumer dilligence.

I operate a $200,000 John Deere grader that calls for a valve adjustment at 250 hours. I guess we should have bought a different brand??

First, I'm not sure how comparing a $200,000 grader to a $15,000 CUT is relevant, but of course, if you are in the busines of making money, knowing and factoring in operating expenses and down time has got to be a consideration at time of purchase. It is with any equipment I purchase in my business.

You always pick apart anything I say, but again, that's your choice.

I take what you say at face value and respond to it. Especially when in reply to something I've said. I doubt you'd accuse me of picking you apart if I were agreeing with you point by point. I think the fact that I'm not agreeing with you is the real issue. Again, the difference of opinion and thoughtful responses are part of what makes this place interesting.

As I've said before to you N80, I bow to your supreme intelligence, I am not worthy......

That is certainly your prerogative. But don't act like I ever asked for or expected you to agree with me. I didn't. Likewise you shouldn't expect me or anyone else to agree with you.

 

[ovrszd]

And I never asked you to or wanted you to. In fact, I said it was a good thing, right?



Don't you get it? I'm not a mechanic. I would expect any competent mechanic to work more effeciently than me (a rather incompetent, non-mechanic). Wouldn't you?



First, I never said anything about anyone getting rich. Getting rich is a good thing. I think everyone who has the opportunity should do so. My point is that if one dealer does the same job for the same hourly rate in 3 hours while the next one does the same job for the same hourly rate in 5 hours, one of them is ripping off the customer. Pretty simple stuff.



That's a perfectly legitimate concern and if that convenience is worth paying extra for then you are still getting a value for your money that someone else can't provide.



I understand what you're saying. I never suggested that anyone in business do any work of value for free or for less than a fair price. I'm simply suggesting that if someone isn't charging a fair price then I'd go somewhere else. 'Fair' price is for the consumer and the market to decide.



I think everyone who values their own spending cabbage should consider the price of operation and maintanence of their machine. Especially when a 50 hour service pushes $1000. If that means looking at different brands, well, that's just doing due consumer dilligence.



First, I'm not sure how comparing a $200,000 grader to a $15,000 CUT is relevant, but of course, if you are in the busines of making money, knowing and factoring in operating expenses and down time has got to be a consideration at time of purchase. It is with any equipment I purchase in my business.




I take what you say at face value and respond to it. Especially when in reply to something I've said. I doubt you'd accuse me of picking you apart if I were agreeing with you point by point. I think the fact that I'm not agreeing with you is the real issue. Again, the difference of opinion and thoughtful responses are part of what makes this place interesting.



That is certainly your prerogative. But don't act like I ever asked for or expected you to agree with me. I didn't. Likewise you shouldn't expect me or anyone else to agree with you.

Good Job N80, you picked that paragraph apart into smaller pieces than complete sentences. You always expect me to agree with you, thus the very lengthy, detailed responses when I don't. And you are right on target with your last comment, I shouldn't expect you to agree with me, and I don't.

 

[wickedinhere]

Took my Farmtrac 270 in to the dealer who I bought it from for 50-hour service earlier this week. All filters (hydraulic, fuel, oil) and fluids, including hydraulic, were changed. All nuts bolts torqued, including head bolts. Valve clearance checked. I also purchased a brush guard and had that installed. When I called to see what the bill was, my heart sank. All parts and fluids seemed to be priced within reason, however he wants $325 in labor.

At $65 hour, that's 5 hours labor. Even if I grant him one hour for the brush guard installation (4 bolts), would the work that remains actually take 4 hours? In an effort to be frugal I drove the tractor 3 miles there. Needless to say on top of labor above he whacked me $40 to deliver it home. He stated that since he has payments to make on his transportation equipment and costs for fuel he couldn’t make pick-ups and deliveries for free (OK, I understand that).

Finally the manual appears to call for hydraulic fluid change at 400 hours. I failed to consult the manual prior to work being done, assuming he would limit his work to what the factory calls for. Was the hydraulic fluid change unnecessary?

Next time I will determine what work I want done and communicate that to him before any wrenches are turned. Actually at these prices, next time I will do the work myself.

I just want to know one thing does farmtrac require adjusting the valves at 50 hours or not? I know when i was pricing tractors in my area farmtrac was 2000.00 more than my kubota and most of the other brands. I would be very angry if i bought a farmtrac and had to drop a 1000.00 after 50 hours.

 

[citytransplant]

I just want to know one thing does farmtrac require adjusting the valves at 50 hours or not? I would be very angry if i bought a farmtrac and had to drop a 1000.00 after 50 hours

Farmtrac Operator’s Manual, pg. 28 clearly recommends “have dealer check valve clearance and torque head bolts” at 50 hours. Next recommended at 400 hours.

Note I never indicated that I dropped $1K. I stated “at $65 hour, that's 5 hours labor.” When I spoke to the dealer, he indicated that the labor charge was actually $384 and represented 6 hours of work. Part of that time included installing a brush guard.

wickedinhere,

Next time, do it yourself. There is nothing he did you can't do. It is really good for you too, to be able to do those things and check other areas of your tractor while doing them.

I agree. I work many hours each week to pay my bills and I simply did not have time to do the 50-hour when it was due. When I did have some spare time, I needed the tractor to do things that the ‘dozer guy would’ve been happy to do (move stone, etc.) at $80 - $100 per hour.

You got ripped off. Any able-bodied man can easily do all of that work himself.

Enough with the chest pounding there, sharpie. This able-bodied man just couldn’t tear himself away from the operating room long enough to service his tractor when the 50-hour was due. Yes, there are a few things in life that supercede my tractor.

 

[john_bud]

Enough with the chest pounding there, sharpie. This able-bodied man just couldn’t tear himself away from the operating room long enough to service his tractor when the 50-hour was due. Yes, there are a few things in life that supercede my tractor.

City,

You mean that some people only use CUT's on a part time basis? Gasp! Shock! Ohhhh- I hope you're a heart surgeon as this revelation is almost too much for me...

Yep, sometimes it's better to pick up the phone and have the work done, so you can pick up the key and get some work done! Then again, there is a certain zen like peace that comes from watching dirty oil slowly drip into a pan and filling the engine with new oil. Much like deep breathing, out with the old air filled with negative energy -- in with the new positive energizing air. That and I'm to dern cheap to pay someone to do it for me!!

jb

 

[citytransplant]

there is a certain zen like peace that comes from watching dirty oil slowly drip into a pan and filling the engine with new oil

JB, funny thing... my wife says the same thing about mucking out horse stalls.

With all due respect to both you and her… I ain’t buying it for one minute.
LOL