Tough day at the ranch yesterday with the 5093e

[hoffmtim]

Took a nice leisurely drive in the 5093e last night to check the alfalfa field, almost made it home.....



Thank goodness one of my friends owns a tow truck. Left rear tire fell off the axle hub, only one lug still holding it on (along with the fender). Right side lugs were on so tight he couldn't remove one with his air wrench to use to put on the left. Two hours of working the problem we finally got 3 lug nuts (two I found on the gravel road, pretty beat up) on most of the way, enough to drive it off the road. I only have 8 hours on the tractor!!! Clearly someone from the factory/dealership failed to check whether or not the lug nuts were tight.

Sent my dealer the pictures and wrote him a note last night. He was all over it this morning, had the tractor loaded up to take back to the dealership for repairs. New left fender, possibly a new rim and they will look the rest of it over to see if anything else was damaged. Some green paint as well where we scratched it lifting it up with the tow truck. Gonna cover the service call as well. They continue to treat me well.

Glad I wasn't on a hillside spraying, I'm sure it would have rolled. And thankfully I wasn't moving too fast.

While in the shop I'm gonna have him put a buddy seat in and add front fenders (tired of the rocks and mud flinging up from the front tires when driving on gravel).

I'm sure someone is going to say I should have checked them, but come on 8 hours? Who drives a new car two blocks, stops and checks the lug nuts on each tire. Going forward, I can assure you though I won't move the tractor without verifying they are all there!!!

Call me lucky!

 

[vtsnowedin]

Wow!! You didn't hear anything or feel any odd vibrations until it was down to the last lug nut? That must be one awfully quite and comfy cab.

 

[DT86]

I only have 8 hours on the tractor!!! Clearly someone from the factory/dealership failed to check whether or not the lug nuts were tight.

This reminds me of Ron White's "Sears Tire College" bit.

I can't believe this happened but it sounds like the dealer has taken responsibility and is treating you well. :thumbsup: I'd be willing to bet he was somewhat embarrassed.

 

[hoffmtim]

Only the last few feet when the 2nd to last lug let go. No vibration or nothing, but I wasn't going real fast either. I'm sure it was there, but when driving on rough gravel roads hard to tell vibration from normal bounce of the rumble bars.

 

[hoffmtim]

This reminds me of Ron White's "Sears Tire College" bit.

I can't believe this happened but it sounds like the dealer has taken responsibility and is treating you well. :thumbsup: I'd be willing to bet he was somewhat embarrassed.

They are, nothing but positive things to say about them. Stuff happens, and I'm sure they're embarrassed. No need to rub it in, they've treated me well.

 

[PILOON]

I agree, who checks something that new.
On the other hand with new cars I have had 3 wild episodes.

One was a Pontiac, 3 days old that totally trashed the differential as it was bone dry! Fortunately I determined what was about to happen and pulled off on the shoulder where the rear end simply locked up and merely skidded on the gravel.

Another, a GM car that felt like the road was corrugated by a heavy dozer and I determined that the front left wheel bearing was chewed up and about to fail. Roadside garage refused to work on it. As I drove away the wheel simply departed from the car. At that point the garage agreed to repair it.

Another new car, Chrysler this time just 2 hours after taking delivery, simply blew out the rear window when I closed the door. Glass spewed everywhere.

On another occasion they could not keep the oil in the engine at the first oil change using OEM filters at that. Some factory mods were needed to cure that one.

All were leased cars and I presume the dealers skipped pre delivery due to slim margins.

Personally being fairly mechanical I prefer a good recent used car as I find that I visit shops much less that way. Also prefer letting somebody else take that huge depreciation hit.

 

[AKfish]

Sorry to hear about your near "road rash" event! Could have been much worse, though... You're very lucky, too - in more ways than one - you've got yourself a very good dealer! :thumbsup: Hope that the flange hub is Ok - could mean a new axle if it's too bad.

Like to hear how everything works out.

AKfish

 

[hoffmtim]

AKfish,

As you stated I'm lucky to have a good dealer. They insisted on picking it up, checking it out and replacing the fender. They picked it up on Thursday last week, and had it back to me on Tuesday of this week looking good as new! They said there was no other damage. Trust me, every time I drive the tractor going forward I'll be counting the lug bolts lol.

 

[AKfish]

AKfish,

As you stated I'm lucky to have a good dealer. They insisted on picking it up, checking it out and replacing the fender. They picked it up on Thursday last week, and had it back to me on Tuesday of this week looking good as new! They said there was no other damage. Trust me, every time I drive the tractor going forward I'll be counting the lug bolts lol.

Very good news! Glad to hear that there was nothing beyond the cosmetic!

AKfish

 

[PhysAssist]

Glad both you and the tractor were not more seriously damaged.

I think I'll retorque mine tomorrow..

Thomas