Remember the thread on No Brakes again? (This is your brain on LS)

[windcatcher]

Hi folks. Sad to say, I need to post something that is going to irritate some people. Back around April of 2015, I posted here asking if anyone with an XR3032/3037 was having any issues with their parking brakes holding. In specific, were the parking brakes holding the tractor in reverse when the tractor was parked and powered down.

I had varying answers, and I needed that information for warranty repair work.

Well, my dealer got wind of the thread and warned me that it was "hurtful and degrading" of me to post anything on the internet about the tractor and its related problems. In other words, this was a form of blackmail.

The dealer finally picked the tractor up for repairs and kept it for about 45 days. When they were finished, I was shocked to find the state of my tractor. LS tractor's field representative had become involved with this issue, as I had contacted the factory about the ongoing repair issues.

They've denied warranty work claims that had ALREADY been performed by the prior dealer I originally purchased the tractor from. That dealer sold the dealership to the dealer I now have.

Anyway, records have been lost, and LS is claiming I am making baseless claims - to the point they claim I have disconnected wires under the dash myself, loosened bolts, etc. They will no longer respond to my e-mails when I ask questions.

After the parking brakes were so called repaired and the tractor was delivered, I noticed the dashboard wasn't working properly. The glow plug indicator no longer works, the hour meter displays but never increments, the tachometer no longer works, the regen lights no longer work, and who knows what else is broken?

Here's a youtube of my dashboard with me accelerating the fuel. Sorry the video is shaky, but I had a hard time getting everything going at one time.

As you can see, there are numerous functions that are no longer there. The LS field rep swore up and down via e-mail that he'd driven the tractor and that everything was working. LS is now claiming that I have disconnected the wires, loosened bolts, and other things to cause damage to my tractor.

This is definitely not true at all. Why would I want to mess up a brand new tractor that I worked so hard to acquire and pay for? The other side is playing a game of cover up, just like the cases of G3038s that have the pistons installed incorrectly.

I cannot understand how a field representative could have started my diesel tractor up following the directions from the book (letting the glow plugs warm up, etc), drive the tractor around, and not see all these things wrong with the dashboard on the tractor. A blind monkey could have spotted this easier. This folks is what LS calls quality control.

Also, they used some kind of silicone to seal the transmission case and the axles. This stuff has oozed out from between the axles and the transmission case badly. Anyone who knows anything about hydraulics knows that hydraulics need to be kept clean, clean, clean. If there is this much silicone on the exterior of the transmission case, I shudder to think how much is on the inside of the case.

BTW, the hydraulics for the backhoe and the front end loader no longer respond well either.

I just wanted other people to be aware that LS will try anything to cover this and other issues up to keep selling their tractors. Too bad I didn't know better before I bought my lemon tractor.

Buyer beware!

 

[Fawken]

Sorry to hear this. LS was one of the brands I was interested in. Actually it makes my stomach turn hearing stories like this. Honesty and publicizing the bad service (blackmailing?) is the only way things will improve. 45 days for a repair sounds pretty ridiculous as well.

 

[Bota4me]

Im glad i dont own an LS then!!
Sorry for your troubles..

 

[dusty3030]

I read your other thread. I didn't see any LS or dealer bashed at all in it, heck it was Sunday School up in there squeaky clean.

I hate to say it but whatever hack for a mechanic that messed with that thing trashed it. No telling what he/she/it has messed up if the dash cluster is like that and they didn't even have the moxy to wipe the excess sealant off etc. I doubt they know what a torque wrench is either.

Sorry for your troubles. Running a small business is hard, finding good help is harder, but poor customer service is never called for.

Good luck.

 

[windcatcher]

I have close to $29K invested in a tractor, fel, backhoe, 5 ft rotary cutter, and 5 ft rotary tiller.

I'm afraid to use any of this equipment now due to the condition of my tractor. I certainly cannot trust my current dealer and I no longer trust LS either.

I don't have a truck or trailer to get the tractor to another dealer. So I'm stuck with a pig in a poke.

I've tried the BBB, but they are useless as teats on a boar hog. (Sorry folks for being old fashioned).

I could easily have taken all that money and tried to help my elderly mother. Instead, I have a piece of junk tractor that I'm stuck with.

I can only hope my problem will help someone else avoid what I'm dealing with.

 

[dusty3030]

Is it financed by chance? IF it is it is then the lender owns part of it too and it is insured.

What original problems you had aside - everything they did to it during the "repair" that broke something is damage right? Non working hour meter kills the value. So where I am going is if it's financed the bank's asset has been damaged and may be an avenue to consider. I think you have a legitimate insurance claim if it is comprehensively insured.

 

[windcatcher]

Is it financed by chance? IF it is it is then the lender owns part of it too and it is insured.

What original problems you had aside - everything they did to it during the "repair" that broke something is damage right? Non working hour meter kills the value. So where I am going is if it's financed the bank's asset has been damaged and may be an avenue to consider. I think you have a legitimate insurance claim if it is comprehensively insured.

I've already paid the tractor and associated equipment loan off. I bought this to help maintain a garden for my mother and myself. Now, I have a very heavy piece of equipment that I'm afraid of starting up and driving. Who knows what damage can occur now?

I only have homeowner's insurance, and I don't think they will cover this at all.

 

[dusty3030]

You might as well document everything well at this point and file a claim in small claims court against the DEALER and not LS yet. The dealer is a small business person and will start racking up legal fees that will get his attention but you won't yet at this point. If the dealer has half a brain they have pretty good insurance coverage for this type of thing and they would be better off paying a deductible once and make you go away as opposed to a lawyer's bill that keeps coming.

You are unique in the fact that LS is located in your state. You should go visit them. They would be your best recourse at getting your tractor fixed now since it should still be warrantied and one of their dealers is botching repairs. I wouldn't use the tractor anymore period.
(I have a trailer and vacation days left for the year if it were me I'd be at the LS main office this coming Monday morning.)

Good luck.

 

[Bluesteel]

I remember your first post on your brake issue. It's obvious someone didn't know what they were doing. With the computer system I wouldn't run it any more than you had to. If you haven't already I would document everything up to this point. Do it as soon as possible. The more time passes makes it much more difficult to remember. Dates and times would be good or get as close as you can. Personally, I would probably contact an attorney. I know some (including myself) don't necessarily like the idea of spending money on an attorney but it may be money well spent in the long run if all other avenues are exhausted. You may also be able to recoup some of the costs if it comes down to that. I hate to hear LS not stepping up. Bad business practices coupled with social media will kill you in no time. The LS reps need to read these posts.

 

[George2615]

Sorry to hear of your problems with your LS.

When the dealer who had it for 45 days returned it, you say you noticed the dash gauges were not working. Did you call that dealer back immediately and tell him this? If so, what was his response?

It was at the dealer getting repaired and you got it back not working. Why would LS claim you disconnected the wiring under the dash when it came back from the dealer this way? If the LS rep did test run it and claim everything worked that may be true but it is possible the wiring harness may have not been fully plugged in by the mechanic and vibrated loose. In any case the repairing dealer should make it right.

It seems like LS should be checking up on the dealer's repair work rather than accusing you.

I was one who replied with pics of my 3037HC parked on a tilted trailer with only the brakes holding it in place. I have since many times parked on the same trailer with a 1200# rear ballast with the same results. My rear ballast should be equal to the weight of your BH. The brakes hold like they should.

Is the silicone oozing out part of the approved LS repair. Has the LS rep seen this.

I hope you can get some satisfaction.