wasabi
Platinum Member
Hey all,
I recently received my tractor back after sending it up to Tazwell for tune up and such and thought it might be of benefit to report on the service experience.
By way of background, I've owned this PT for less than a year, having bought a used PT2445 trailer package last June. Shortly after I received it an unseen hose burst (in the engine compartment) causing near total drain of the oil and loss of all power and traming /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif. At that time I called PT, greatly fearing I had damaged the pump. I fixed that leak amid much cussing and bruised knuckles, refilled the oil and all seemed ok. Various subsequent pesky leaks (I replaced three hoses) kept me almost as busy last summer working on the machine as working with it. The final straw occured late last fall when the main suction hose from the tank to the pump developed a small hole allowing air into the hydraulic oil mix...which is a major no no.
Since I had bought the unit used and did not like the idea of jousting with shadows over potential unseen problems, nor did I feel over confident of my mechanicin' skills, I pretty much decided the best thing to do was to send her off for a major tune up and potential overhaul.
First I had several conversations with Terry to get an idea of costs and such. Without actually seeing the unit, he opined that it would take somewhere in the neighborhood of twenty hours (at $45 per hour) and some parts to make it right, barring pulling the pump and potentially rebuilding it. He also made calls on my behalf to arrange a fellow to come down to our farm to pick up the tractor and return it when done (at reasonable cost). He expected to have the unit for a week to ten days.
Well the appointed Saturday arrived for the trucker to haul "Trusty Crusty" off. Problem, was, the fellow arrived in a 2x dually...plenty of power, but no traction /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif. We struggled to get him out of our woods for about four hours....it was a good thing a friend was on hand with a proper 4xPU, otherwise he would probably have headed back without the trailer or tractor. After a long, muddy day we finally had him loaded up[ and headed out.
I talked to Terry the following Monday and he informed me that one of his guys had jury duty and begged my patience for a few days. By early the following week, nothing had yet been done, but Terry assured me they would get to it that week. I had previously sent him a detailed note of items that I was aware of and requested he call me after assessing work to be done with a detailed cost estimate.
On Thursday morning, I called Terry an was informed the work was all finished! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif Apparently, after fixing the main suction hose and a couple of others that appeared worn, they filled her up with oil, guage tested the pressures and such and found all was well. What a relief! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif Additional time was spent changing fluids and filters, adjusting the creep and brakes, repacking backhoe cylinders and replacing a leaking brake "accumulator". I also had them rebuild the trencher motor and replace its bearing and mount teeth on my small bucket.
Long story shorter, the tractor and a couple of new implements were hauled back safe and sound last week. I spent a couple of worry-free days thoroughly enjoying the tractor's full features and power. But there was a hidden overall benefit of having sent it to PT for repair....
My faith in the integrity of American business ethic was restored!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif You see, I had some understandable trepidations....the unit was going hundreds of miles away...to folks I had confidence in, but had never met, for potential unseen problems with uncertain costs....at the end of it all, it was returned to me in top shape for, GET THIS, less than two thirds of the original cost estimate!!! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
On top of that, they took care of details we had not even talked about including spot welding my torn up large bucket, touching up all the paint on the tractor, replacing and/or tightening all bolts and installing several new tie down straps and a jackstand on the trailer.
All in all, I am very pleased with PT and would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone who asks. They are first rate folks who do a great job with a lot of integrity. Our unit may never need to go back to the factory again, but if it does, I will send it on with confidence.
I have observed quite a few folks on TBN express interest in Power tracs only to change their minds because of lack of dealer support or potential service issues. I for one am extremely pleased to report that these are not only great machines, but very well supported by the factory. Some may have issues with PT over their proprietary practices or mark-ups of parts....but, from a big picture standpoint, I find little to fault and much to praise.
Did I mentioned that I am thoroughly thrilled with our PT? /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
I recently received my tractor back after sending it up to Tazwell for tune up and such and thought it might be of benefit to report on the service experience.
By way of background, I've owned this PT for less than a year, having bought a used PT2445 trailer package last June. Shortly after I received it an unseen hose burst (in the engine compartment) causing near total drain of the oil and loss of all power and traming /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif. At that time I called PT, greatly fearing I had damaged the pump. I fixed that leak amid much cussing and bruised knuckles, refilled the oil and all seemed ok. Various subsequent pesky leaks (I replaced three hoses) kept me almost as busy last summer working on the machine as working with it. The final straw occured late last fall when the main suction hose from the tank to the pump developed a small hole allowing air into the hydraulic oil mix...which is a major no no.
Since I had bought the unit used and did not like the idea of jousting with shadows over potential unseen problems, nor did I feel over confident of my mechanicin' skills, I pretty much decided the best thing to do was to send her off for a major tune up and potential overhaul.
First I had several conversations with Terry to get an idea of costs and such. Without actually seeing the unit, he opined that it would take somewhere in the neighborhood of twenty hours (at $45 per hour) and some parts to make it right, barring pulling the pump and potentially rebuilding it. He also made calls on my behalf to arrange a fellow to come down to our farm to pick up the tractor and return it when done (at reasonable cost). He expected to have the unit for a week to ten days.
Well the appointed Saturday arrived for the trucker to haul "Trusty Crusty" off. Problem, was, the fellow arrived in a 2x dually...plenty of power, but no traction /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif. We struggled to get him out of our woods for about four hours....it was a good thing a friend was on hand with a proper 4xPU, otherwise he would probably have headed back without the trailer or tractor. After a long, muddy day we finally had him loaded up[ and headed out.
I talked to Terry the following Monday and he informed me that one of his guys had jury duty and begged my patience for a few days. By early the following week, nothing had yet been done, but Terry assured me they would get to it that week. I had previously sent him a detailed note of items that I was aware of and requested he call me after assessing work to be done with a detailed cost estimate.
On Thursday morning, I called Terry an was informed the work was all finished! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif Apparently, after fixing the main suction hose and a couple of others that appeared worn, they filled her up with oil, guage tested the pressures and such and found all was well. What a relief! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif Additional time was spent changing fluids and filters, adjusting the creep and brakes, repacking backhoe cylinders and replacing a leaking brake "accumulator". I also had them rebuild the trencher motor and replace its bearing and mount teeth on my small bucket.
Long story shorter, the tractor and a couple of new implements were hauled back safe and sound last week. I spent a couple of worry-free days thoroughly enjoying the tractor's full features and power. But there was a hidden overall benefit of having sent it to PT for repair....
My faith in the integrity of American business ethic was restored!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif You see, I had some understandable trepidations....the unit was going hundreds of miles away...to folks I had confidence in, but had never met, for potential unseen problems with uncertain costs....at the end of it all, it was returned to me in top shape for, GET THIS, less than two thirds of the original cost estimate!!! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
On top of that, they took care of details we had not even talked about including spot welding my torn up large bucket, touching up all the paint on the tractor, replacing and/or tightening all bolts and installing several new tie down straps and a jackstand on the trailer.
All in all, I am very pleased with PT and would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone who asks. They are first rate folks who do a great job with a lot of integrity. Our unit may never need to go back to the factory again, but if it does, I will send it on with confidence.
I have observed quite a few folks on TBN express interest in Power tracs only to change their minds because of lack of dealer support or potential service issues. I for one am extremely pleased to report that these are not only great machines, but very well supported by the factory. Some may have issues with PT over their proprietary practices or mark-ups of parts....but, from a big picture standpoint, I find little to fault and much to praise.
Did I mentioned that I am thoroughly thrilled with our PT? /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
