Montana Post Sales Support

[hadrosaur]

The title to this entry when I first posted it should have been 'Where is my Montana support', not 'What did I buy'.

What happened:
20 hours after my 50 hour service, the oil drain plug in the engine fell out. This occurred while bush hogging full bore in a very bad place. Mitsubishi engines, as well as all others, do not perform well with no lubricant. So, nasty nasty things happened.

Why it happened:
I suspect that I did not properly tighten the drain plug after the oil change. The 'OIL' light, like all the other indicators on the console, cannot be seen in full sunlight with a good coating of work dust. Still, My bad.

And then:
I called my dealer, who has been extremely responsive and helpful through out this process. They broke down the engine, assessed the damage, had the crank shaft turned, and ordered parts to complete the repair.

Now:
Parts have been on order since September 29. Most have been delivered, but not all. The current status from my dealer is that they are still waiting on parts from Montana.
Montana says they are waiting on LS.

Me:
I am frustrated because I am now a month plus behind on my farm work. I am trying to reclaim a 200 acre plus farm that has been neglected for some time.
I am also not fond of making payments on something I cannot use.

Summary:
I do like my Montana tractor so far. I think it might serve me long and well, if my dealer can get parts. Parts is parts. If you can't get all of the ones you need, then you might as well have none.

This IS NOT a dealer issue. This is a Montana support issue.

I am frustrated, beginning to become angry.
hadrosaur is online now Reply With Quote

 

[soggybottom]

Since you will be paying quite abit for that rebuild in labor and downtime on your farm operations you should have considered a compleat eng. I don't think internal eng parts are a priority. Had that been a warrenty issue they most likely would have put in a new eng. Also the dealer should know where to buy mitsubishi eng parts from a common supplier. I would have checked that option before going to Montana.

After 600 hrs on my NH TC40D the 3PT hitch all of a sudden would't raise, I couldn't figger it out so I brought it in, it took 10 days for them to locktight and reinstall a 6mm bolt that held a small linkage rod in place. a ten minute job.

 

[montanaman]

I have to agree that the parts DON'T have to come from Montana. Any machine shop that can turn a crank should know where to get parts for that engine.

Might be some of that, "not my job" mentality going on?

You may want to spend some time on the internet searching this out and see what you can come up with?

Ken

 

[MDM]

LG/LS is a huge company that has been in business for years. You shouldn't have any trouble with parts. Montana is here is stay - so I was told. Glad I didn't listen. Just think of what it will be like in 20 years if they are not here.

 

[soggybottom]

Also, they have to keep pestering someone at Montana HQ, I've read somewhere else where the customer waited for long time for a part and turned out the order was lost, when streightened out the part came in a few days, just a thought. And remember, all brands of everything manufactored has these "f"ups all the time. Its just your turn.

Also I'd like you to, DROP THE WRENCHES AND STEP AWAY FROM THAT MONTANA! I do respect you for having the balls to admit to such a dumb mistake.

Bob

 

[Bob_Skurka]

LG/LS is a huge company that has been in business for years.

LG/LS is simply the supplier to Montana. Montana (perhaps a dealer could correct me) contracts with LG/LS to make tractors for them. Montana is the importer but it is not owned & operated by LG/LS as a subsidiary. The two companies are under different ownership with LG/LS being a large Korean manufacturer, and Montana being an American owned importer and reseller.

Unless LG/LS has purchased part ownership or otherwise owns a large chunk of Montana, then the financial health, size, or other supply contracts of the manufacturering company is not directly related to the support provided by the reseller.

The last time I checked, these are 2 different companies and they are basically unrelated in ownership and operation.

 

[MDM]

LG/LS is simply the supplier to Montana. Montana (perhaps a dealer could correct me) contracts with LG/LS to make tractors for them. Montana is the importer but it is not owned & operated by LG/LS as a subsidiary. The two companies are under different ownership with LG/LS being a large Korean manufacturer, and Montana being an American owned importer and reseller.

Unless LG/LS has purchased part ownership or otherwise owns a large chunk of Montana, then the financial health, size, or other supply contracts of the manufacturering company is not directly related to the support provided by the reseller.

The last time I checked, these are 2 different companies and they are basically unrelated in ownership and operation.

That makes me feel even better in my decision. I was led to believe that Montana would be here in the states for a long time since LG was such a huge company and were determined to get market share in the US. I never doubted the quality of the machines, just their longevity as far as being able to get enough market share to still be here in 20 years. Parts support was a concern of mine and it seems justified, at least in this case. Hope everything works out for the guy though. I would look into getting an entire engine if it were me.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

LG/LS makes some pretty good basic machines, they build for several companies. Farmtrac and Montana have several machines that are clones of each other that basically differ only in paint color, trim and decals. So parts may be available from alternate sources. Cross referencing the part numbers may be a task but the parts should be available from at least Montana and Farmtrac for any common model.

LG/LS also builds for Mahindra, but I'm not sure the LG/LS Mahindra machines are sold here in North America. They also build for other companies for sale in other markets.

 

[hadrosaur]

Montana finally stepped up to the plate and realized that they were taking far too long to effect the repairs needed by my 4540.

They have shipped an entire new engine assembly to my dealer, and are going to charge me only what the parts and labor would have been to effect the repair to the original engine.

Montana has restored significant credibility in my mind. They do want to be a viable vendor of farm equipment. They have taken a rather expensive solution in response to problems in their supply chain. I can only assume that they will continue to work to improve their relationship with LS/LG. My dealer has indicated that My tractor will be returned to me in the next day or two.

Now I can finish my September bush hogging before Thanksgiving.

 

[Doc_Bob]

Montana finally stepped up to the plate and realized that they were taking far too long to effect the repairs needed by my 4540.

They have shipped an entire new engine assembly to my dealer, and are going to charge me only what the parts and labor would have been to effect the repair to the original engine.

.

WOW! That is one nice company.
Bob