Response from NH on sticky hydraulic pedals

[David2]

Received a call from NH today about my complaint about hydro pedal sticking and damaging lower lift arm [posts on 2/13 & 2/16. I also sent copies of your replies to my post along with my letter seeking reimbursement for the lower lift arm. Answer: damage caused by operator error [big suprise]. I have never gotten so frustrated with anyone or anything as I did with this woman. She would not even discuss the hydro pedal problem. Every time I tried to bring it up she would point out the fact that me hitting the stump caused the damage and she thought I was being unreasonable askig NH to pay for my mistake. I finally decided that they are not going to acknowledge their faulty equipment because that is an admission of guilt which would be used against them in a lawsuit. I gave up on her and NH at that point and calmly told her that I would never buy another NH. She said "fine". Sorry I ever tried to make them aware of what they already know and will not make right.
Regards,
Dave

 

[PineRidge]

Dave I know what your going through is frustrating to say the least. You and I both agree that NH most likely knows a bit more about the problem then they are admitting to at the present time. Last Saturday I sent my TC-40D back to the dealer to have him take care of a small hydraulic leak that I have had since the tractor was new. I also explained to my dealer about the hydro problem and asked him to take a look for himself while he had it. He quickly mentioned the return spring and I quickly told him that I had it maxed out. Between you and I I'm not expecting much to be changed with the HST pedal issue when I get it back. I think It's going to take more than a few complaints to get NH to admit to a problem.

I do hope they at least repair my hydraulic leak. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

 

[tc35dforme]

As much as I hate to suggest it....maybe the CPSC may want to be aware of this... CPSC INCIDENT FORM. If you want to file, that could help if someone gets hurt or killed due to this phenomenon.

 

[schacht]

If NH addressed the problem, they would not be the first. The Consumer Product Safety Commission website shows that John Deere recalled 1700 of their 4000 series compact tractors on December 23, 2003 because of a safety problem with the hydro transmissions.

 

[jinman]

Well David, I'm not surprised at NH's response. It sounds like you talked the same Customer Service Rep. I talked to about my broken hydro pedals. I got the impression the only thing she knows about tractors is how to spell "t-r-a-c-t-o-r."

Anyhow, you probably tried to make sense to these folks and gave them the whole scenario. Unfortunately that probably put too many issues on their one-track minds and they suffered information overload. If you talk to them again, I'd suggest you approach one issue at a time.

Here's what I mean:
You - "Ms. NH rep., my tractor is broken and I want it fixed."

Her - "Oh no, sir. You abused your tractor. It's your fault."

You - "Your Operator's Manual states "...the transmission returns to neutral and the tractor stops when the pedal is released." And furthermore it has a note in bold that reads, "NOTE" The tractor may come to a sudden stop when the pedal is released."

You- "My tractor does not stop and I want it fixed. Now either you are wrong or the manual is wrong. Which is it Ms. NH rep.?" "Open your manual to page 2-13. Do you see that statement?"

Her- "Sir, I don't have a manual right here."

You- "You don't!" "You mean you are telling me how to operate my tractor and you don't even have a manual?" "Can I talk to someone who knows something about my tractor?"

See what I mean? She probably would not admit fault, but you got her because either she is wrong or the manual is wrong and both are NH products. I'm guessing that she won't have a manual available and with that info you can completely disarm her. You have to take control if you can. After you get them to admit the tractor is malfuntioning, then you bring up the second issue of the bent lift arm. If you tell them that first, they will argue forever about that and not let you change the subject or tie in the malfunctioning transmission. If you try to present this problem to anyone else, I'd suggest you stay with the malfuncting transmission until you get that established and then hit them with the damage as a completely separate issue.

I don't know if this will work, but you have to deal with a lot of one-track minds when you make a complaint. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Good luck.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Jinman, I think you need to start a job as an advocate for tractor owners with warranty issues. You would make a fortune just from the guys here on TBN /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Dave, I am lucky to not have these issues. My dealer takes care of any problems that I have had with my TN as well as any implements I might buy from them. A good dealer will make these problems go away. They will take care of the sticking pedal and fix the arm and go after NH for the warranty bill to keep their customer happy. If the dealer will not take care of this problem then go to NH corp but as everyone knows when dealing with any corporation, you will have a lot of headaches before anything is taken care of /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif. Good luck

 

[KrisHansen]

Sounds a lot like the Audi CSRs I talked with years ago regarding front suspension components wearing out prematurely.. Total waste of time, gave the company a REALLY bad name.

 

[Soundguy]

Sounds like they need a good multi million dollar loss of life lawsuit to open their eyes.

But that would cause some response to this now well documented problem.

Any chance that the CPSC would/will do anything?

Any one else investigate manufacturers that market dangerous equipment?

Looking at the gun industry.. they get sued all the time .. but they generally only loose if the 'safety' features on the firearm did not work properly'. Looks like a clear case of the neutral return not working on these tractors...

class action? Any lawyers here?

Soundguy

 

[PineRidge]

I'm wondering what results if any might come from every owner of a sticking NH HST filing a complaint with the CPSC?

I'm also thinking that once my TC-40D comes back from the dealership if the HST pedals still stick then I am also going to file a complaint with CPSC.

The dealer will have already had a shot at repairing it and the tractor will be documented as having been serviced for this same sticking condition.

I think I'll also fire a carbon copy off to New Holland to add to their complaint files as well.

Sooner or later someone will be hurt, and these complaints might all come to light.