RK service and warranty work.

[Snowman754]

So my biggest fear came true. After researching for a year I bought an RK55h tractor new. I wasnt worried about the quality of the tractor as it is made by TYM but about the service like everyone else. (Fears about the quality of the tractor are for another post). I was worried that the store may not have good mechanics, quick service, communication etc. I bought the tractor planning to do most recurring services myself and hoping I would never need to use any warranty work.

After about 5 hours on the tractor I noticed the steering wheel didnt come to a hard stop when turning the wheels all the way to the left. Instead it would very slowly continue to spin left. Again this was very slowly at first and I didnt think much about it. Over the course of the next 15 hours on the tractor i noticed the condition deteriorated significantly. I submitted my problem to "RK tractor guy" and the next day got a call from the rural king where I purchased it. They told me to bring it up there to look at it. The tractor manager came in on his day off to meet me to get the tractor in on a Sunday. The mechanic called me the next morn to tell me the problem. (The hydraulic steering control on the front end needed to be replaced). He called me two days later to let me know he got confirmation the parts were on the way. He called me middle of next week to tell me all was fixed. All under warranty, no charge. I contacted the tractor manager and we set up a time for him to come in Saturday for me to pick up the tractor. When I told him Saturday that I was running early he arranged with customer service for me to get it.

Bottom line, my heart almost stopped when the problem developed but I was extremely impressed with the people I worked with at the store and am much more comfortable with them. I hope they are able to continue to provide quality service.

The Rural King I purchased from is in Martinsville VA.

 

[DonRybak]

Thanks Snowman754 for the post. Very encouraging to hear everything went well. I have had my RK37HC for almost 2 years and have not had to use the RK service center. I did develop a crack in my fuel tank and when I went to the store to report it the service manager said I was the second one to have that issue. He showed me the talk he had replaced a couple weeks earlier and it was cracked in the same exact place. This was on a Sunday and on Wednesday he called me that the new tank was in and I could bring the tractor in for them to replace it or I could bring the old tank and swap it. I did the latter. Several weeks later I was at the store picking up horse feed and he told me that a third one had crack. He said that it was only the cab models because they are a different design. The new tank seemed to be a little beefier in the area where the mounting bolts go. Sure hope others have great experiences with their service centers.

 

[Snowman754]

Good to know they CAN do something with tractors. I know they have had a small engine shop but I am more secure knowing they do support tractors after the sale.

 

[fried1765]

So my biggest fear came true. After researching for a year I bought an RK55h tractor new. I wasnt worried about the quality of the tractor as it is made by TYM but about the service like everyone else. (Fears about the quality of the tractor are for another post). I was worried that the store may not have good mechanics, quick service, communication etc. I bought the tractor planning to do most recurring services myself and hoping I would never need to use any warranty work.

After about 5 hours on the tractor I noticed the steering wheel didnt come to a hard stop when turning the wheels all the way to the left. Instead it would very slowly continue to spin left. Again this was very slowly at first and I didnt think much about it. Over the course of the next 15 hours on the tractor i noticed the condition deteriorated significantly. I submitted my problem to "RK tractor guy" and the next day got a call from the rural king where I purchased it. They told me to bring it up there to look at it. The tractor manager came in on his day off to meet me to get the tractor in on a Sunday. The mechanic called me the next morn to tell me the problem. (The hydraulic steering control on the front end needed to be replaced). He called me two days later to let me know he got confirmation the parts were on the way. He called me middle of next week to tell me all was fixed. All under warranty, no charge. I contacted the tractor manager and we set up a time for him to come in Saturday for me to pick up the tractor. When I told him Saturday that I was running early he arranged with customer service for me to get it.

Bottom line, my heart almost stopped when the problem developed but I was extremely impressed with the people I worked with at the store and am much more comfortable with them. I hope they are able to continue to provide quality service.

The Rural King I purchased from is in Martinsville VA.

Nice to hear that sort of news!

 

[gunny0628]

Good to hear. I recently have had to have my tractor taken back to have a seal replaced that was leaking oil everywhere. I deal with Tracey at the store and she is phenomenal. She goes above and beyond every single time. I feel like I am truly important with her.

Shawn is the the guy at the Williston shop and they run him ragged. He’s got his work cut out for him. He’s a good guy.

I will say that I’m only disappointed that my tractor has been scratched up from the tie down chains from the trailer. I would think that after buying forty thousand dollars worth of stuff they could figure out a way not to scratch it.

 

[fried1765]

Good to hear. I recently have had to have my tractor taken back to have a seal replaced that was leaking oil everywhere. I deal with Tracey at the store and she is phenomenal. She goes above and beyond every single time. I feel like I am truly important with her.

Shawn is the the guy at the Williston shop and they run him ragged. He’s got his work cut out for him. He’s a good guy.

I will say that I’m only disappointed that my tractor has been scratched up from the tie down chains from the trailer. I would think that after buying forty thousand dollars worth of stuff they could figure out a way not to scratch it.

Nylon straps will not scratch!
Are they legal in Florida?
EVERYTHING is legal in Florida.
I live there too!

 

[DonRybak]

Gunny, it sounds like they trailered the tractor for you. I have never had to have any warranty work done but the impression I got was that it was my responsibility to bring the tractor to them. I paid someone to deliver my tractor to me when I bought it in 2018 because I couldn't see spending the $$$ to buy one that would very rarely be used. Be safe and have a great day......Don

 

[Qapla]

Nylon straps will not scratch!
Are they legal in Florida?
EVERYTHING is legal in Florida.
I live there too!

It depends on who you talk to. According to the FDOT people/officers I have talked to, cargo straps are NOT legal to tie down tractors and heavy equipment in Florida - only chains with binders.

Other law officers will say the straps are OK for farm tractors.

I have never been pulled over with straps or chains so I don't know "first hand"


BTW - I am also in Florida ... not far from Gunny

 

[shooterdon]

Good to hear they took care of you.

I had the same fears and I am 200 miles from a RK that sells tractors so I crossed them off my list last year. Shortly after buying the LS TYM opened a dealer 12 miles from me. They seem like decent machines.

 

[Robert Loblaw]

Thanks Snowman754 for the post. Very encouraging to hear everything went well. I have had my RK37HC for almost 2 years and have not had to use the RK service center. I did develop a crack in my fuel tank and when I went to the store to report it the service manager said I was the second one to have that issue. He showed me the talk he had replaced a couple weeks earlier and it was cracked in the same exact place. This was on a Sunday and on Wednesday he called me that the new tank was in and I could bring the tractor in for them to replace it or I could bring the old tank and swap it. I did the latter. Several weeks later I was at the store picking up horse feed and he told me that a third one had crack. He said that it was only the cab models because they are a different design. The new tank seemed to be a little beefier in the area where the mounting bolts go. Sure hope others have great experiences with their service centers.

I haven't used RK for service yet, but Chris at the Leesburg, FL store has been great. He is their tractor guy and has been helpful on a handful of things I've needed since buying my 37HC.

Don, where did your fuel tank crack? I got my tractor last fall & want to be on the lookout.