Service Nightmare - Need Advice!

[Weedbo]

Rather than by used, I bought a brand new JD 5325 and MX8 brushhog in 2004 with the intent to care for it and keep it for a very very long time. I have performed the general oil changes and lubrication as needed, but having seen a service special advertised at the dealer, I thought I'd splurge and have a thorough "professional" service performed at the dealer. After the service, pick up and delivery and a few minor repairs, my bill came to just over $1,000. OK, I thought as doing this every five years is worthwhile investment. As someone who painstakingly cleans everything (I even waxed the tractor once) I was VERY explicit in my instructions NOT to return the tractor when the roads were wet and salty (slushy upstate NY winter roads) - to please wait until the roads were dry. Sure enough, the tractor was returned while I was away. I came home to see the tractor in the yard completely covered in white salt and hardened frozen dirty slush from the road. I could not pressure wash the tractor because the temperature was well below freezing. A few weeks later, on the first above-freezing day we had, I pressure washed the tractor, but the salt had already bonded to all non-painted metal pieces. The tractor runs fine. And it is a tractor after all. But I paid more than $40,000 for a new machine, justifying the expense as a once-in-a-lifetime expense for my hobby farm. The salt will not come off, and small exposed steel scratches are now starting to rust. I took pictures and showed the dealer, who apologized. I've now noticed that the rust seems to be getting worse, almost spreading - and it's kept inside! Should I ask the dealer to replace all exposed metal parts? Should I ask for my $1,000 back? What I really want is a new tractor, but I realize that's not going to happen. Is there a product that will remove salt from galvanized steel? Am I over-reacting? I'm sure I'm not the only one who takes great pride in keeping his equipment clean and in working order... Help!!

 

[Combustix]

try salt away, you should be able to get it from a marine dealer along the coast or order online. I use it on an aluminum boat and it works real good. Shame you pay all that money and the dealer still does what he wants, after instructions. Good luck with that.

 

[Verticaltrx]

I don't have any real recommendations on what to get the salt off with, but I also don't think you are necessarily over reacting. I quit doing snow removal a year ago because the salt was just too hard on my equipment. I didn't buy it for that purpose so I wasn't going to let it rot away doing that kind of work. I just pressure washed mine with a good general detergent, let it dry thoroughly and applied light oil to any spots prone to rust. Year later and no rust problems.

 

[MikeD74T]

In one way you ARE over reacting...hobbies & especially hobby farms are primarily a way of disposing of excess income. Sounds like you're doing an excellent job. The downside is that hobbies are supposed to reduce anxiety, not increase it.
Tractors are to get dirty with, it you & the tractor ain't dirty you're doing it wrong . MikeD74t

P.S. I'd also push for some rebate from that $1000 just because it's directly against what you directed & they apparently agreed to.

 

[TripleR]

So let me see if I got this right. You asked/directed your dealer to work on your tractor then provide free storage and tailor his work schedule and employees to deliver your tractor only on a nice, dry day?

From your OP: "The tractor runs fine. And it is a tractor after all."

 

[Haoleguy]

Weedbo - Sorry to hear that your dealer did not follow instructions. Since I have a JD 5325 of the same vintage I'm trying to picture where the biggest problem might be. Is this a cab model and did you have FEL/attachments on when it went to the dealer? Is the salt on the front, back, sides, or all around? You might talk to a JD tech rep or a local JD antique tractor restorer to get an idea of the best way to proceed. The Salt Away, or equivalent, sounds like a good suggestion but I would try it on an area I couldn't see well. I'm more concerned with all of the fasteners that hold parts together as you might have trouble getting these freed up when you need to. Unlike you I have not treated my JD5325 as well except for keeping up on the maintenance stuff..........Gary

 

[MikeD74T]

So let me see if I got this right. You asked/directed your dealer to work on your tractor then provide free storage and tailor his work schedule and employees to deliver your tractor only on a nice, dry day? ]

Which the dealer agreed to up front & (don't see anything expected for free) collected his fee for !! Do you routinely accept less than you paid for?? A coworker's son is in the wrecker business and often transports in an enclosed trailer for those that are willing to pay for it, not an unusual or unreasonable concept. MikeD74t

 

[ustmd]

"I was VERY explicit in my instructions NOT to return the tractor when the roads were wet and salty (slushy upstate NY winter roads) - to please wait until the roads were dry"

Not living in a part of the country where this is an issue, is this a common request?

How long did the tractor have to sit at the dealer until the roads were dry? A couple of days, a month, three months?

 

[Weedbo]

In one way you ARE over reacting...hobbies & especially hobby farms are primarily a way of disposing of excess income. Sounds like you're doing an excellent job. The downside is that hobbies are supposed to reduce anxiety, not increase it.
Tractors are to get dirty with, it you & the tractor ain't dirty you're doing it wrong . MikeD74t

P.S. I'd also push for some rebate from that $1000 just because it's directly against what you directed & they apparently agreed to.

Trust me - the machine is plenty dirty, but dirt can be washed off. This salt is actually causing permanent damage, albeit cosmetic.

 

[ModMech]

If the servicing location was the same as the selling location, then you may get some traction with the management and I believe you ARE JUSTIFIED in expecting some reduction in the costs you paid or remediation of the damages.

The OP is no different than anyone else who takes great care and pride in keeping NICE THINGS NICE. "Salt" itself is not a real problem, the MagChloride is and I can assure you it is covered with it. Tractors are NOT designed to tolerate salt and other corrosive environments like automobiles are. Fortunately, he washed the junk off and had wax on the paint before the event.

Imagine you spent $40,000 on a Ferrari (you can get a nice example for that), PAID the dealer to trailer the car to the shop for service and then deliver it back - because it was winter. Now, they do as you asked, but return it on an open trailer and it is now covered with snow, ice and salt - all things it has NEVER been exposed to before. ANYONE WOULD BE FURIOUS and this is, IMO, no different.