Splitting a TC24DA

TCBoomer · Feb 15, 2005

Your experience is EXACTLY what I'm concerned about. Sorry my situation made you relive it and become upset.
I doubt my dealers shop is a flat rate shop...maybe tractor dealers don't even use this system??, but the bottom line is time=$$$.
If dealers would recognize the need to spend just a little more time and effort, they would gain so much more. It's no different in the automotive dealers world, but at least my employer recognizes this and his reputation proves it.

Again, I don't want to critize anyone, but if the tech who installed my MMM frame and FEL, or even who ever did the PDI had taken the time to notice the leak and fix it prior to being delivered, this situation would have been elimanated. The very first day it sat in my garage, it leaked. So there is no excuse for not seeing it. But I do now believe they knew about it and just blew it off.

AndyMA · Feb 16, 2005

Have you tried Kahn Tractor in N Franklin CT? Ray is the service manager. They are the dealer who I purchase all my tractors from and have an excellent service department. They split my TN75D to fix an oil leak and did fine. Between my father and me we have been using them since the 1950's. BTW, LaryRB has been there with me a few times and the one ting he always comments on is the ecellence of their service department.

Andy

TCBoomer · Feb 16, 2005

Hello Andy

I'm just about speechless as I sit here starting to type this. I don't know what startled me more...someone recommending Kahn or you confirming my suspicions as to who your dealer was, based on your location. I was going to ask you if they were your dealer, but was somewhat hesitant. You made it easier for me by posting what you did...thanks

I've noticed you always talked highly of your dealer, yet it truly amazes me that this dealer would pull the kind of stunt that they did. It's possible that my very first problem with them was just something that slipped through the cracks....it happens. But to continue the deceitfulness by passing on that very same problem to an unsuspecting customer(they sold my trade in), is just plain fraud. Granted, it's none of my business and not my problem regarding what they did to that customer. But what is important is what is in my best interest. How can I knowingly allow this very same dealer, to split my tractor, when all their credibility just flew out the window?? I didn't want to create a scene and tried to be low key about it. My normal reaction would have been to go ballistic. Believe me when I say "I was HOT under the collar". Instead I expressed my concerns and problems with Bill...my sales guy, who in turn passed it on to his managers...and that IMO is where the problem is. There failure to be accountable for the dealerships errors and take the appropriate action, has cost them a customer. Not just a new customer for sales and service, but a faithfull customer to the parts dept for the last 5 yrs. With that said, I am very bitter with the dealer as a whole, not any specific individual

Ray seemed to be a very honest and knowledgeable guy, and seemed to show a great concern to assist me in my time of need. I was in the middle of a major project that I had to complete before winter set in, and my tractor had what appeared to be an inj pump problem. This I confirmed myself. He gave me a 2120 to me to use while mine was being repaired. During the transition of speaking to him and then having it transported to their shop, I decided that I was interested in a new machine. He definately made an influence on me for that decision. He set me up with Bill in sales, who I can't say enough good about. He lived up to everything he promised, but some things that he had to rely on others for, seemed to follow a different agenda than what he as well as myself, had expected. Probably the one and only mistake that I made was not speaking up during the short time I used my tractor after I got it back, while waiting for the new one...and realizing that the problem was still there. This WASN'T an intermittent problem, it was there each and every time it was started...hot or cold.

I'll stop ranting here, before I end up writting a book. There is more to this story, and if you want I'll PM or email you, or I can just continue on here at TBN.

Bob

hazmat · Feb 17, 2005

Let me guess...Chappell
Good people and good place! That's where my 21 came from and the 24 SHOULD have as well!

Yup.

They have after hours drop off and are also open on Sat mornings. No need to miss work.

In my line of work (project management/engineering @ defense contractor) we often deal with calculating risk - what could go wrong - what is the impact if it does go wrong - what's the probablility that it will go wrong - what can we do to make sure it doesn't go wrong - how much will that cost. It's somewhat of an abstract concept - ie can you really figure out what the probablitity is - but usefull. Let me put it in context here:

Worst case
Tractor is total loss - You're out $15K - 10% chance (SWAG) = $1,500 weighted risk

There are many other "what if's" with lower values - ie you have to pay $2K to get tractor fixed if you can't put it back together yourself - but they would likely have a higher probablitlity (50%?) so the "weighted" risk would be similar.

Risk Reduction 1
$400 transport to send tractor to other dealer

Risk Reduction 2
$100 fuel to drive tractor to other dealer.

Both risk mitigation plans are lower cost than the (abstract) weighted risk & are a bargain compared to a $15K pile of scrap steel.

Send it to the other dealer - at least we'll all sleep better (even if you don't)

tractorman71 · Feb 17, 2005

go ahead and split it!! put a new seal in it, and go. if (and thats a big IF) there is a bigger problem, deal with it then. if you have 30 years wrenchin', you probably have more experience than the guy at the dealer who would have split it anyway. I have been wrenchin' for about 16 years, and have seen some awful work done by dealerships. I did the 50 hr. service myself on my TN65, took me 6 hours.I found alot of small "issues" that could have turned bad if left alone:fuel lines rubbing,wires hanging,pto cable was gouged from rubbing on four wheel drive selector.(warrentied by dealer),loose nuts/bolts, loose plug in trans housing,ect. I doubt that the service tech at the dealer could have spent that much time on it without getting his hind end chewed by his boss. good quality PM's keep your equiptment going.

JerryG · Feb 17, 2005

I don't think that the problem will be whether he has the capability and experience to do the job or not. The problem may be if something is messed up, then the warranty will be voided.

jinman · Feb 17, 2005

( go ahead and split it!! put a new seal in it, and go. )

I'd like to make a good-natured wager that TCBoomer's problem is not a seal at all. Sure, his tractor is leaking, but I'd bet he finds a loose connection is the culprit rather than a seal. It could be a gasket, but . . . /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Why not a seal? Well, this tractor is only 8 hours old. The seals installed at the factory have lots of fresh, live rubber and the shaft should be nice and smooth when new. Normally, seals leak when they get old and dry. Of course, if the seal is installed improperly, it can certainly leak. I just have my doubts.

So what do you think with all those years of experience? Does my argument and supposition have any basis in fact? If I'm wrong, I'll have to eat a whole plate full of crow, but I have a good appetite for exotic dishes. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

bgott · Feb 18, 2005

Mine had a bent PTO shaft. From the factory. What is leaking now is anybodies guess. I think I'll do a dye job just to make sure it's not an engine leak and then just let it leak until it gets critical.

RickB · Feb 18, 2005

I'll be shocked if it isn't a seal. Doesn't have to be dry or cracked to leak, installing a seal improperly is the easiest way to make a new lip seal leak. if I am wrong, I'll fax the money to you. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

jinman · Feb 18, 2005

( Mine had a bent PTO shaft. From the factory. )

Yeah, that is really unfortunate, Brad. Were there zero hours on your tractor when you got it? Could it have been bent by somebody while doing a demo before you got the tractor? Even in the factory, what could happen to make one shaft bent while others are not? Do you think somebody used your shaft for a prybar before installing it into your tractor? It always fascinates me to try and figure out why a single part is bad. Some things are easy to figure out, but others are tough. My question is whether it was caused by materials, process, or people? Maybe I should add location to my equation, too. I believe the TN assembly plant is not the same as the CUT assembly plant. So where the tractor was built may be a part of the problem. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif