Dealer SS1116P Pendular Spreader

[phj]

I bought a new Frontier SS1116P spreader this past fall from my JD dealer. To my dismay when the unit arrived I found it was almost impossible to hook up to the back of a 4520 utility, it takes two people. The cat 1 pins are on the inside of the frame (cat 2 on the outside) and the lower 3 pt lift arms will not move together enough to get inside the pins to hookup. So you have to manhandle this 400# piece of equipment.

I took it back to the dealer and they said they would fix it. Well they did to the tune of almost $1400.00. They made it imatch compatible which is nice but that included a total of six short welds, two 4" pieces of steel and two bolts. There was also a $600.00 hyd shut off kit,(I have no heart burn about this part), and I paid for all the pto shaft (make it longer) work separately.

So we disagree on about $800.00 for a tool that one person can not hookup by himself. The dealer and Deere are saying that's tough, I say they are ripping me off. I would have been happy to pay a little, but I think $800.00 for what was done is just not right.

Am I out of line in my thinking?

 

[jenkinsph]

Seems steep to me but I wasn't there when it was all discussed. There are a few issues that I can see right off. First is compatibility, it is listed as cat 1+2 and specifically is noted not to be IMatch compatible in the brochure. You should have been aware of exactly how it would hook up. The dealer should have been aware of exactly how it would hook up.

A little late but my suggestion and what I do is to check on all the details and compatibility issues personally before I make a purchase. By the time I call or show up to purchase an implement or attachment I have already done the research and am more informed (in most cases) than the salesman. I have learned to do this to protect myself from problems such as you are facing.

That said the dealer should absorb some of the cost if he sold you the tractor and the spreader, doesn't seem like this is the case.

 

[flusher]

I bought a new Frontier SS1116P spreader this past fall from my JD dealer. To my dismay when the unit arrived I found it was almost impossible to hook up to the back of a 4520 utility, it takes two people. The cat 1 pins are on the inside of the frame (cat 2 on the outside) and the lower 3 pt lift arms will not move together enough to get inside the pins to hookup. So you have to manhandle this 400# piece of equipment.

So, there was no way you could reverse the location of the pins just using a wrench?

 

[phj]

So, there was no way you could reverse the location of the pins just using a wrench?

No,they are welded to the frame. Very poor design, the spreader is built for Frontier by Befco Mfg I have learned.

If I had it to do over again I would buy a different brand. As I have looked at how other manufactures address the hookup, well there are some much better ideas out there. I guess you learn as you go and in this case green and yellow is not always best!

 

[jenkinsph]

The dealer could have steered you towards an IMatch compatible model or a different brand altogether. I did look up your spreader before posting and did see other models that would have worked better for you. I would have a calm but firm talk with your dealer. My Deere dealer/store manager recommended the Turbo Spin 3pt spreader for my uses as an example for about $700 IIRC. I brought it home and converted to IMatch in about a half hour and $30 in hitch parts. He felt the Frontier spreaders were overpriced.

 

[phj]

The dealer could have steered you towards an IMatch compatible model or a different brand altogether. I did look up your spreader before posting and did see other models that would have worked better for you. I would have a calm but firm talk with your dealer. My Deere dealer/store manager recommended the Turbo Spin 3pt spreader for my uses as an example for about $700 IIRC. I brought it home and converted to IMatch in about a half hour and $30 in hitch parts. He felt the Frontier spreaders were overpriced.

I agree completely, and what I should have done is taken it to my local welding shop. They have seen the unit and stated they could have done the same work in less than an hour. This dealer had almost 8 hours just in the welding and cutting. Making it iMatch compatible was an after thought, I just wanted to be able to hook it up without lifting the spreader.

There were mistakes made by all, I for one did not ask enough questions and the dealer has not represented his customer very well at all with Deere. I would think Deere would want to know about an issue like this so the next guy down the road does not have to deal with it.

We have been in discussions with the dealer and Deere and thus far it sounds as if I will be the one to eat the entire bill.

 

[jenkinsph]

I don't see what Deere or Frontier would have to do with this. This is more of an issue between yourself and the salesman or shop manager (whoever you discussed the retrofit with). Don't know what to think as I wasn't there for this discussion. I will say I don't like being taken to the cleaners and might consider a new dealership for all future dealings.

I use the dealer shop for warranty work and jobs I consider are beyond my ability and scope, I do my own welding in most cases. It would never occur to me to have a dealership do the welding work if there was a local welding shop to utilize.

As Bill O Rielly says "I"m just a simple man" and I have to know what it costs before I commit to the work.




FWIW,
There are many threads about IMatch fitment issues and I always recommend that you take the time to make them fit correctly at the outset. Usually some minor changes are necessary and as an example I fitted about eight implements in six hours. For those that don't have their own welding equipment you could haul the implements in to a shop or have a welder with portable rig come out. Have a plan to start with and do everything you can do yourself first.

 

[phj]

I don't see what Deere or Frontier would have to do with this. This is more of an issue between yourself and the salesman or shop manager (whoever you discussed the retrofit with). Don't know what to think as I wasn't there for this discussion. I will say I don't like being taken to the cleaners and might consider a new dealership for all future dealings.

I use the dealer shop for warranty work and jobs I consider are beyond my ability and scope, I do my own welding in most cases. It would never occur to me to have a dealership do the welding work if there was a local welding shop to utilize.

As Bill O Rielly says "I"m just a simple man" and I have to know what it costs before I commit to the work.

there are many threads about IMatch fitment issues and I always recommend that you take the time to make them fit correctly at the outset. Usually some minor changes are necessary and as an example I fitted about eight implements in six hours. For those that don't have their own welding equipment you could haul the implements in to a shop or have a welder with portable rig come out. Have a plan to start with and do everything you can do yourself first.

I disagree with you here, it is Deere and Frontier who is at fault here. If the spreader would been designed to fit between the 3 point lift arms there would never have been any need to modify anything and I would not had to spend any additional monies to get this thing suitable for one person to hookup. If I owned a 5000 series tractor we would not be having this discussion for it would have hooked up just fine. The problem is it will not hookup to a 4000 series without two people lifting and pushing......That is a Frontier/Deere design problem......and now mine!!

 

[jenkinsph]

I disagree with you here, it is Deere and Frontier who is at fault here. If the spreader would been designed to fit between the 3 point lift arms there would never have been any need to modify anything and I would not had to spend any additional monies to get this thing suitable for one person to hookup. If I owned a 5000 series tractor we would not be having this discussion for it would have hooked up just fine. The problem is it will not hookup to a 4000 series without two people lifting and pushing......That is a Frontier/Deere design problem......and now mine!!

That is a valid point, it should be designed to fit.
I was thinking about the work ticket in question I guess not the root cause.

 

[phj]

Good News; I received a phone call from John Deere Customer Service today regarding this matter (I had called them back before Christmas). The lady from Deere was very nice and listened to my complaints and stated she would talk with the dealer as well to get his side of the story. She called back awhile later and offered that the dealer and Deere would split the labor costs if I would pay for parts and kits that were used. I readily agreed and I believe this to be a very fair settlement. I was also most impressed with the professionalism shown by the lady from Deere Customer Serice.