Online Ordering and the First 10 Hours

[isleview]

Maybe this‘ll be useful to those of you thinking about ordering a Summit Tractor online.

TLDR; based on my experience so far, I’d highly recommend ordering a tractor from Summit. My recommendation boils down to Summit’s excellent customer service and tech support so far (~10 hours in):

I ordered my TX25 and four implements from Atwoods On 9.12.23. The TX25 arrived 9.26.23 with BoxPlane and Grapple attached (bucket was neatly strapped into the Grapple). The other two implements will arrive sometime today, 9.28.

The online order process was great but Atwoods hasn’t been responsive to email questions. I’m not sure what the issue is, but my questions were pretty simple and I had to call them to get the answers I wanted.

But more importantly, Summit has been very responsive in all circumstances online and by phone. Whether it was answering questions about delivery, parts or my first technical issue, Summit‘s been easy to reach and eager to help.

The freight company Summit used was excellent. The TX25 arrived at the promised time looking fantastic.

I put several hours in the seat the day it arrived and a few more yesterday. Even in such a short time, I ran into two issues that Summit addressed immediately.

The TX25 was missing a part and it only took a quick text to get it on its way to me.

Yesterday, I had my first technical issue that required me to park the TX25 while I reached out to Summit. I have to say, the fact that I had to park it about 24 hours after taking delivery left me more than cranky.

I got ahold of someone at Summit very easily and the fix took just a few minutes. While we were chatting, Summit mentioned that the company is working on a different part design to eliminate the problem going forward. Another positive data point.

Great customer service, responsive technical support. Both hugely important aspects of owning a machine like this and just what you‘d expect from a solid customer-centric business.

I have to say, I made a bit of a leap of faith ordering the tractor and implements (about $35,000 so far) online rather from a local dealer. Especially where I’m located.

While I’m still keeping my fingers crossed that Summit and the TX25 continue to exceed expectations, the first two days turned out to be a real-world stress test of Summit’s products and its business model.

Well done, Summit, and thank you.

 

[Summit Tractors Support]

Thank you for this wonderful review @isleview - And welcome to the Summit Tractors family.

 

[bradleykd]

Yesterday, I had my first technical issue that required me to park the TX25 while I reached out to Summit. I have to say, the fact that I had to park it about 24 hours after taking delivery left me more than cranky.

I got ahold of someone at Summit very easily and the fix took just a few minutes. While we were chatting, Summit mentioned that the company is working on a different part design to eliminate the problem going forward. Another positive data point.

What was the issue/part? May be good to share if others could be facing the same issue.

I appreciate the review. I'm still very interested in ordering one of these online and am watch for others' experiences. Thanks for taking an early leap!

 

[isleview]

What was the issue/part? May be good to share if others could be facing the same issue.

I appreciate the review. I'm still very interested in ordering one of these online and am watch for others' experiences. Thanks for taking an early leap!

Hi, @bradleykd,

A metal shield (about 4in x 12in) located below the ignition switch and under the floor mat came in contact with the universal joint that spins very close to that metal guard.

The shield can come into contact with the u-joint in certain circumstances, such as when the TX25 is incorrectly strapped down for transport and the shield is bent toward the u-joint.

When the two parts come into contact it makes an alarming racket; it was so loud I could hear it fairly well even through my ear protection. It sounded a lot like an engine failure (valve, piston, etc), which is why I parked it.

Thankfully, while it’s rare occurrence, ST immediately knew what had most likely caused the problem and pointed me to the part. The fix, as I mentioned, took just a few minutes.

I was told ST is redesigning that part to make it less likely to come in contact with the u-joint. I assume that means creating a more robust shield and forming it with little more clearance.

The main takeaway was how responsive ST has been to this and every other question I’ve had about the TX25. I’m now at 30 hours and it’s been a great experience so far.

 

[isleview]

A quick followup relating on two of the Summit implements I ordered with my TX25.

The Summit Landscape Rake and the Summit Rear Blade are “limited cat. 1“ not CAT 1.

This means those implements do not share the same 3 point dimensions as CAT 1 (they’re effectively CAT 0 with CAT 1 lift arm pins) and are not quick-attach compatible as a result.

There are adapters readily available for the top link connection but the lower lift arm pins are set too narrow for the quick attach by several inches on each side.

I’m looking, so far unsuccessfully, for a CAT 0 to CAT 1 quick-attach conversion. In the meantime I’m swapping out the implements much more slowly than I’d like to.

So, if a QA blade and rake for the TX25 are important to you, you’ll want to look at something from Dirt Dog, etc.

 

[Topzide]

@isleview, Would a longer cat1 pin work for the QH issue? Or maybe one with longer threads and a spacer block. Just a couple suggestions to look at. Sounds like your new "toy" is working well for you. Also great that ST is stepping up to the plate with their endeavor! Let's hope that continues for you and others that will purchase their products. We'll done Summit!

 

[ruffdog]

Was the OP able to see one in person and test drive it before buying?

 

[isleview]

@isleview, Would a longer cat1 pin work for the QH issue? Or maybe one with longer threads and a spacer block. Just a couple suggestions to look at. Sounds like your new "toy" is working well for you. Also great that ST is stepping up to the plate with their endeavor! Let's hope that continues for you and others that will purchase their products. Well done Summit!

Hi, @Topzide. Great suggestion.

I was unable to find a long enough draw/lift pin locally. I did find a discontinued adjustable SpeeCo “extra long” pin, S07021900, at O’Reilly with a claimed 6.25 inches overall length.

The problem is, the same part number on SpeeCo’s site states that it’s 5.00 inches overall, which isn’t long enough to solve the problem. I‘ve been holding off thinking the correct data was on SpeeCo’s side. But I caved this afternoon and ordered two sets.

We’ll see if they’re actually in stock and what actually shows up in a few days. I’ll report back.

 

[isleview]

We’ll see if they’re actually in stock and what actually shows up in a few days. I’ll report back.

The “extra long” draw/lift pins arrived. They’re ~6.5 inches overall. They have two nuts not one, of course, which was key in this case.

Both the Summit LRX60 and RBX60 with these wider pins only overlap the SpeeCo QH by ~0.25 inch with the top link centered (see photos). That’s not enough, obviously.

So, I’ll keep looking for a better option.

(In the meantime, I‘ll try some bushings or, better, have a brace fashioned to address that gap. Maybe a simple U-shape drilled for the pins will strengthen the connection and take up some of that gap, which is substantial.

Had I done thorough research, I would have gone with a true Cat1 blade and rake route. In fact, King Kutter, the manufacturer, offers true Cat1 options of both...alas, they’re not available in Harvest (aka, Summit) Green ;-)

 

[Topzide]

Put a piece of pipe over pins to close the gap.

 

[ruffdog]

Longer pins ain't the answer. First time you hit something with the blade you will have bent parts. I think it is time to get a different blade or re-fabricate this one.

 

[isleview]

Longer pins ain't the answer. First time you hit something with the blade you will have bent parts. I think it is time to get a different blade or re-fabricate this one.

Ultimately agree. I mentioned fabricating a welded-on brace that effectively widens/reinforces the existing 3-point attach points.

The wider pins obviously have a huge drawback if used on the QH as you pointed out. But they do have one benefit: quickly moving the implements around for storage/organization.

 

[isleview]

74 hours on the meter and still fantastic. No new issues.

Based on my experience, the 50 hour service will go a lot faster if you have 24mm and 22mm sockets on hand. Also use a box cutter or Xacto knife to cut through the paint around hardware and filters where they seal against their respective components.

Regarding the oil drain plugs, the oil pan is a saddle configuration and the plugs sit on either side in a slight recess. The Welcome Box closed end wrench doesn’t get enough purchase to be useful the first time around because they’re painted.

I also found a suction fluid extractor to be useful although I removed all plugs/hardware as a final step. The extractor just made fluid transfer a little faster all around.

In my case, Summit was right to suggest washing the tractor before starting the 50 service. Obviously everyone’s situation is different.

While it’s not been below 20º here yet, and I’m keeping the TX25 indoors, I’ve got a Hulkman Sigma 1 pigtail installed on the battery and I plug it in most days. I’m also using a Kats magnetic block heater for about an hour on the coldest mornings.

I also just finished putting the HLA 1500 Snow Pusher together. I special ordered it in red so it‘s the last attachment/implement to arrive. Today, I drilled out the UHMW cutting edges and installed the skid runners, also UHMW. It’s ready to get go to work.

So, so far so great. I remain very happy with this machine.

 

[MAX-24-Dean]

Could you comment on the HLA 1500 snow pusher after you are able to use it?
Pros and cons if any?

 

[isleview]

Could you comment on the HLA 1500 snow pusher after you are able to use it?
Pros and cons if any?

Hi, MAX-24-Dean.

Thanks for your question We haven’t had much snow, so I don’t have any feedback yet.

One suggestion, if you order from Good Works Tractors with UHMW consider ordering it assembled.

When factoring in the cost of the hardware, which isn’t included, and the time it takes to drill out the UHMW, paying GWT $150 to deliver it ready to push snow is a bit of a bargain.

For those wondering what it looks like in red, here it is. Worth the wait, IMHO.

 

[RjCorazza]

I installed UHMW Polyethylene on my HLA straight plow and really like it. Last year added custom side plates with the poly edges to see if I can get by without a standard push box... No snow since I installed them.
Although the back drag pusher option is real appealing, every time I think about it I conclude I'm better off pulling snow away from the garage or cars with the rear blade for 20' then pushing it with the front plow. No turning the tractor around.
@isleview I do like that snow pusher setup! Is it 6' ?

 

[isleview]

@isleview I do like that snow pusher setup! Is it 6' ?

Yes, great setup. It’s a 60 inch.

Horsepower was the bottleneck with the TX25.