Service Nightmare - Need Advice!

[bp fick]

Folks with boats, motorcycles, RVs, tractors, etc that live in really SERIOUS salt states face this issue. It is real. It isn't being overly snobby or fussy.

Most boat dealers HATE to transport trailered boats on these days. Same with RV people. They know that the salt will simply get everywhere and can really suck value out of the products. Some of it can be prevented by having pressure washing stations at the destination and pre-spray (usually using an oily film or wax coating prior to shipment). The auto companies spend millions spraying every car for transport before shipping by haul-a-way or rail.

The dealer apologized as that's about all he could do. But, he cannot be expected to do much more than what he did. It got shipped.

For those who don't live "up north", the number of days when there is slush/salt mixture actually is surprisingly few. They can be dodged and often are. But is a tractor delivery guy going to take that step of care? I doubt it.

Having said all of the above, I transport NOTHING during the winter, precisely for this risk. No boats, no RVs, nothing. The risk to polished aluminum, chrome, plating, etc, is simply too high. I also agree that the OP should have arranged for private transport where such "custom" transport are understood and a way of life. Sorry it happened. It's done. Tough one.

 

[Verticaltrx]

Folks with boats, motorcycles, RVs, tractors, etc that live in really SERIOUS salt states face this issue. It is real. It isn't being overly snobby or fussy.

Most boat dealers HATE to transport trailered boats on these days. Same with RV people. They know that the salt will simply get everywhere and can really suck value out of the products. Some of it can be prevented by having pressure washing stations at the destination and pre-spray (usually using an oily film or wax coating prior to shipment). The auto companies spend millions spraying every car for transport before shipping by haul-a-way or rail.

The dealer apologized as that's about all he could do. But, he cannot be expected to do much more than what he did. It got shipped.

For those who don't live "up north", the number of days when there is slush/salt mixture actually is surprisingly few. They can be dodged and often are. But is a tractor delivery guy going to take that step of care? I doubt it.

Having said all of the above, I transport NOTHING during the winter, precisely for this risk. No boats, no RVs, nothing. The risk to polished aluminum, chrome, plating, etc, is simply too high. I also agree that the OP should have arranged for private transport where such "custom" transport are understood and a way of life. Sorry it happened. It's done. Tough one.

I agree, a lot of people on this board from farther south don't understand the devastation that road salt plays on equipment. While most of VA doesn't use that much salt, my county is very mountainous and the roads are white with salt from about late December until March. The only time I trailer my equipment during those months is when the the roads are completely dry and preferably after some of the salt has been washed off. Hauling it when the roads are wet and salty is a recipe for trouble. My tractors are generally covered in mud, manure, plant matter, etc most of the year, and sometimes stay outside, but I won't let them get salt covered. Am I OCD, lol?

 

[xtn]

You really need to find something to do with your time, all of you OCD people probably never had a job that got your hands dirty, they are probably as soft as your wives. It must be nice to have nothing to worry about except scratches or future rust!!

Okay I am a softie. Irrelevant. You can insult me all you want. Irrelevant. Nothing you have said changes the fact that the owner asked for a service, the dealer said they would take care of it and then did exactly the opposite.

 

[jenkinsph]

I agree with using Salt Away, it has been praised on boating forums with similar concerns about rusting. If I lived in an area where this would be a big problem I would have this stuff on hand.

My suggestion would be to use the Salt Away product to clean the tractor up then clean the entire machine to your satisfaction. Spray a light oil or rust prevention film coating on the parts you deem necessary. Then pick your days to use the tractor, nothing wrong with that if it works for you.

I have been asked about snow duty here in the New Mexico mountains but when the roads are slick and the weather is bad I tend to park everything and do shop work if possible. I think it is cheaper in the long run, let the guys with old pickups/plows and county snow plows do their thing. Besides, inclement weather is not a time to do landscape work anyway.

 

[Weedbo]

I'll try these pics again. The white you see are not water droplets. It's salt. I was able to get it off the fiberglass but not the metal components.

A couple of clarifications:

1. I say "hobby farm" in that I use this machine to maintain a 150 acre property - not to farm. Mostly mowing. My hands are plenty dirty.
2. It does not have to be above freezing for roads to be dry. There are many sub-zero days when the roads are dry. So the dealer would not have had to wait very long to deliver on a dry day. Power-washing, however, unless you're inside, can not be done on a sub-zero degree day. And I never expected, nor did I ask for, the tractor to be delivered with a cover on it or in an enclosed trailer - that WOULD be unreasonable. I simply asked to have it delivered on a dry day.

 

[arsenix2001]

Unless you have something in writing stating your delivery agreement I think its going to be up to the dealer in how they are going to make it right. I feel your pain, id be ticked as he**. But just remember, since you said you had a good relationship, go about it nicely...even if your upset. You catch more bee's with sugar than vinegar. Hopefully they will help make it right. It basically needs a good anticorrosive scrubbing and oil wipedown/paintwork. At least thats the route id go if it were me.

 

[Mike Costello]

While everyone can state their opinions regarding this issue, one fact remains--the dealer failed to follow the wishes of his customer. If he couldn't do the whole job as requested, he should have declined doing the work. If that were my tractor, I would be upset too.

 

[tcartwri]

I'll try these pics again. The white you see are not water droplets. It's salt. I was able to get it off the fiberglass but not the metal components.

Unfortunately that is not salt residue, it is oxidation, and it is not going to come off as it is bonded to the metal. bummer.

 

[xtn]

Unfortunately that is not salt residue, it is oxidation, and it is not going to come off as it is bonded to the metal. bummer.

Yes. Enough water will desolve salt away. If you power washed it well, there shouldn't be any salt remaining. What you're looking at is the damage it caused while it was on there.

 

[Short Game]

They say that rust never sleeps. Salt is meth for rust.