Ok whats wrong with this pic

[Gale Hawkins]

I've been into more than a few clutches and I can't recall one that did not have a drain hole and cotter key dongle in the housing. I can just picture this tractor sitting under a shade tree. Up comes the sun, bathing this beauty in morning light. The sun travels across the sky. About 11:00am our little peach moves into the shade. That bell housing acts like a terrarium. It wouldn't take long to seize a clutch. Looking forward to the conclusion of this cliffhanger.

Kelvin I can see it happening that way.

The reason I am convinced at this time that the case stems from a design flaw is that it by design will hold water.

It is unreasonable to expect the owners over the next 50 years are going to get the message to pull the plug from time to time. I really never did see the drain plug unless it is VERY small

It can serve as a learning experience for MF. There is not hard evidence it has been in/under water. The chemical reaction of all parts really looks strange to me. Maybe it was just the trapped moisture and extreme heat from time to time caused such a reaction but guess there is little way to every know WHY.

From the photos it seems the clutch shaft seals (assuming it even has any) was were the water came in perhaps. Spraying WD-40 or something thin like that from the outside would be telling if it got wet on the inside.

Owners can get scared when a new tractor gets sick just like it was a kid or something so what they say or do not say may be of questionable value. The owner sees $$$ flying out of his pocket and that could have been the reason behind his child like behavior. Many adults in age are not adults in a behavioral sense when under stress. Ask any LEO.

I would guess the tractor more like 5 years old with 1000+ hours from that shot of the engine and the grime build up above what may be oil pressure sending unit. It may indicate a oil leak that I would not expect on a new tractor like that.

Some overall shots of the tractor would be needed to better judge how it has been cared for by the owner. It should still look like a new tractor. If it does not then who knows.

While my business is not tractors I would see what the rep states and tell him what I wanted MF to do in this case and punt from there.

The dealer always has more to loose than the factory rep. :thumbsup:

 

[Travis_R]

The tractor is 2 and half years old and the customer says he uses it everyday.It has 120 hrs on it, not alot for everyday use. I for one think its been under water. What do you think.

I seen the pictures before I read the first sentence. I said to myself "that thing looks like it's been in water."

If I was a tractor dealer (and I'm not), there's no way I would warranty this. Regardless if the bell housing has a "drain" hole or not, the tractor shouldn't have been in that deep of water to begin with. Wouldn't matter to me if it was an accident or not. The owner/operator needs to be more careful, pay more attention to what he/she is doing, and take better care of his/her equipment.

Now, if they bought the tractor from you and are returning for service, then I'd cut them a "little slack" on repairing it.

EXAMPLE: If you warranty it now, What about next time?? I mean hey, "You took care of it for us last time! What kind of a dealer are you!"

Not saying this is the owner's fault, because I don't know, BUT... I have no tolerence for people allowing this to happen to their equipment.

Travis R

 

[KWentling]

Having no visible high water mark, the only way I buy it being submerged is if the owner took the drain plug out, which the OP said it obviously hadn't been out, or the housing is sealed good enough that only a little water made it in and the high humidity from it did the damage. The changing of fluids by an owner that obviously neglects the tractor makes you think that it has been in water. Not sure what to think other than having the clutch housing sealed is a problem in my mind. Manufacturers have been draining them with a hole in the bottom for what, 75+ years?

Kim

 

[blueriver]

I bet the OP knows by now what the MF rep said and he's holding out on you guys!!!

 

[jlsmith]

Ok and here it is. My MF rep came and looked at the tractor today. His thought are that it has been under water at some point in time and this is the first one he has seen this bad. As a "good will" measure and to show MF stands behind the products he has offered to pay for the parts if the customer will pay for the labor. I have called the customer and left a mess for him to call me back. As soon as i hear from him ill let yall know where we go from here. Thanks to ALL that posted and shared there thoughts and opinions.
Jeremy

 

[jake98]

the opera's not over till..

 

[Gale Hawkins]

That sounds reasonable and very fair but expect the owner may think the labor will be jacked up to cover the parts if he wants to be difficult.

keep up doing the good job it sound like you do as a dealer and let the chips fall where they may in these cases.

 

[blueriver]

I got a 10 spot says the owner will bulk about paying the labor!!

 

[IXLR8]

That sounds more than fair, but I wouldn't take Blueriver's bet.. it is a sure thing owner will still pitch a fit over labor costs.
Jeremy- You sound like a stand up dealer trying hard to do your best and I wish there were more like you out there.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Ok and here it is. My MF rep came and looked at the tractor today. His thought are that it has been under water at some point in time and this is the first one he has seen this bad. As a "good will" measure and to show MF stands behind the products he has offered to pay for the parts if the customer will pay for the labor. I have called the customer and left a mess for him to call me back. As soon as i hear from him ill let yall know where we go from here. Thanks to ALL that posted and shared there thoughts and opinions.
Jeremy

What did he base the "under water" on. Other than the fact that there was water I havnt seen anything but empty assertions to it being under water; whereas there is a very apparent lack of telling evidence that it was. Please tell us that the rep found good evidence.
larry