Ok whats wrong with this pic

[SPYDERLK]

I am looking at the dark band on the housing in line with the flywheel. Do you think the color is from something else. It is really hard to tell much from photos about small details.

The heat from the slipping clutch could have been throwing clutch material and that is what I am seeing.

Yeah. I think its clutch wear particles. Good catch. I still dont see a water line or evidence of slinging water. Looks like the bottom of the housing was wet and the water couldnt escape readily. It wouldnt take much to start an evaporation condensation cycle. It looks like that happened long term to me. Thatld surely take its toll.
larry

 

[crazyal]

I think at this point, unless MF will cover it, I would price it up and give him the bad news. Maybe you can knock some off the price to see if it'll calm him down some.

 

[tony Cecil]

At one point said you liked the customer, and would do what you could to help out, but with his poor attitude, and veiled dis-agreeableness , now feel disagreeable yourself...understandable....I still think the better attitude is to just let the chips fall where they may, and not deviate from yourself....

I would think we all have had some service -warranty-situations, and at least for me, if I am treated with respect, even after loosing (what I thought to be a reasonable request) my case, I really blame the manufacturer, but continue to do business with the dealer ..

Some companies really do a good job of customer satisfaction, and they charge for it up front...Other don`t.....Tony ps You are a good guy.

 

[ruralNearDallas]

I like what one person said: The other parts of the tractor don't appear to have been wet. If he submerged the tractor, more parts would be wet.

Also, I like my tractor and my wife and I use it "frequently", but we only put 50 hours on it per year. That would be inline with his usage.

However, we would not claim to use it every day.

The parts cost on this seems to be small. The labor cost would seem to be high.

By the way, I really commend you for going over all the maintenance points with your customers. I did not get that, but I did read the entire manual more than once and took it all seriously--especially the things that could cause serious damage.

 

[logdog]

He stated he was to busy to meet with us but it would be in our best interest to get it fixed.

When I worked at a Honda dealership, we had a process that came from the owner for customers that said things like this. As soon as any customer made a threat or mentioned lawsuits/lawyers we were to immediately cease trying to help them, inform them that it was obvious we were at an impass and we couldn't help them if they felt that way and refer them to direct all further communication to the company lawyer.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

When I worked at a Honda dealership, we had a process that came from the owner for customers that said things like this. As soon as any customer made a threat or mentioned lawsuits/lawyers we were to immediately cease trying to help them, inform them that it was obvious we were at an impass and we couldn't help them if they felt that way and refer them to direct all further communication to the company lawyer.

That is more a north/south difference perhaps.

We know most people are blow hards when they talk way and they tend to chill if you continue to treat them will respect. Not saying that would work in MI.

 

[MikeD74T]

I do like that idea. :thumbsup:

Might also be good to arrange a sitdown with all three parties & review this thread. Lets the customer know many think he has fault, lets MF rep know many think there's a potential mfg defect that should be resolved, & lets the other two know you're trying to do the right thing for both of their interests. If either were to otherwise find you went public with this issue it could land on your head from both directions. MikeD74T

 

[tthopskin@yahoo.ca]

looks like water damage and not rain water ether you have to love the story's that come from so people they don't want to look stupid but the truth saves them all the way around when you go to fix it you know where to look saves time the old story no i never touched that- or did that- wasn't me

 

[rdbigfarmboy]

Friend
If I were this owner I would dump this thing as soon as it was sellable. Because it wasnt fixed in a very short span say 2 or 3 days. The issue is where does he get his next tractor.

Im not familiar with the design of that newer model. I didnt seen a venting plug or drain. My last MF haf a hole in the bottom to drain. I didnt see grass mud leaves or debris as I would expect if something was spinning in a pond. I did see heavy rust to the bottom.

I did have an isuzu truck that came from Japan in a box and rusted out in 4 years.

 

[Mike Costello]

I agree this is a no win situation. What ever happens ill still b the bad guy but at least i'll know I tried. A few keep saying drill a hole in the bell housing, it does have a drain plug which was pointed out to the customer. In the MF operating manual it states to open and check it atleast twice a year. I recommend to the customers to do it once a month over night to be on the safe side. Customer even stated he has done this several times and was aware the plug was there. After looking at the bell housing and the plug it is clear he has never done this. I do agree with most of you and appreciate both sides of opinions and that is why I started this thread. My rep should be there first thing monday morn and I have asked the customer to attend this meeting with us just so he would hear from MF themselves and not just from me. He stated he was to busy to meet with us but it would be in our best interest to get it fixed. Now depending on what MF says is how I will go from here but me coming any off labor or me eating any of the cost to help the customer out just went out the window. Ill keep y'all posted on what happens momnday and once again thank you everyone for your post, inputs,opinions and thoughts.
Jeremy

This case has now clearly turned into a veiled threat situation. I wouldn't deal with this guy any longer. He's shown the color of his stripes and deserves no consideration whatsoever. I wouldn't even insult the MF rep's intelligence with this case. Put his tractor back together and give him 24 hrs. to remove it from the premises or pay storage charges. The guy has no case legally or factually and knows it, hence all the threats. Kick this POS situation down the road.