Tractor fire sale?

[Fuddyduddy1952]

My 2c is if you know a farmer, friend, family member, local tractor dealer mechanic (another brand should be fine) who could look it over with you is what I would consider even of course if it cost you for expertise seeing things/questions answered.
Very valuable advice given about the manufacturers warranty also. A bit of a red flag to me why dealer couldn't sell as new after all parts replacement with insurance claim payment.

 

[Phantom359]

So, even relatively small, easy items add up, like air filter box, battery, battery cables, ect. I would want to be atleast $5k off the lowest price available within 500 miles to even consider it; and that's If the warranty, financing, ect is normal. The paint, and all, that's gonna look worse from normal use, so that's not my main fear.

My worry, chrome on rods, axle seals, ect, that might seem fine, that fail in 50/100 hours from heat damage?

I think it would plan on an immediate fluid change, and then do the normal 50 hour change Too. Maybe that's paranoia...

This is exactly my thoughts on this and why I assume the dealer is willing to sell discounted.

I may be way off base but I assume he is not putting it under insurance because that would probably affect his ability to warranty parts down the road. This way he can still warranty affected parts and take care of his customers.

Thank you for pointing out fluids, it would at a minimum need a hydraulic fluid change. I thought about hard parts, but not the fluid.

 

[Phantom359]

If the damage is so minor I don't get why the dealer doesn't just replace the fire damaged parts and sell as new.
There must be some basic reason, and I would be very wary.

It appears he's being up front about the tractor and not trying to hide anything. He did say he would sell as it sits reduced price or he can put parts on it and sell as new.

If I told you I have a tractor for sale and I can't go below MSRP (or even$1k under) because of fire damage, anybody would walk away.

I feel like he's being transparent with the tractor, nothing to be wary of.

 

[Phantom359]

I'm sure that the serial number has been flagged. That's the only reason that he would be willing to haggle on the price.

Must confirm that the warranty and financing are intact on that unit!

So questions because I don't know about this. Would the serial number be flagged if an insurance file was claimed? Therefore this would limit warrantable parts on the tractor. If insurance wasn't filed (which I think is the case) then the dealer would be able to continue to warranty the full tractor?

 

[paulsharvey]

So questions because I don't know about this. Would the serial number be flagged if an insurance file was claimed? Therefore this would limit warrantable parts on the tractor. If insurance wasn't filed (which I think is the case) then the dealer would be able to continue to warranty the full tractor?

That's a big, I Dont Know. Tractors don't have titles, but I'm sure Someone filed an insurance claim, that names this machines SN. Even if not somehow reported, TYM's warranty department (from reading on here, already not the most widely praised group), likely can search a database for past insurance claims?

Now, is it possible it's the dealers truck involved in a minor fire, and he has made no claim to avoid rate hikes, and he's just trying to get out of a bad situation, yes.

 

[dodge man]

I wonder if the people are saying don’t buy it even looked at the pictures. I don’t see a lot of damage.

 

[DarkBlack]

Dealer has been open and transparent about everything and I'm definitely listening to everybody's concerns. I do not believe insurance was involved, I do know the dealer ordered a new grill.
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You said he’s buying a new cowling for it. Is that including in the discount price? From the photos, other than that, and some scraped paint on the cross bar, it looks perfect.
You mentioned changing fluids. Going by the photos , I see no reason to do that. Even the little tire spews look fine on the front tires from what I can see. If the dealer signs in a normal full warranty, I don’t see a huge risk, myself

 

[paulsharvey]

You said he’s buying a new cowling for it. Is that including in the discount price? From the photos, other than that, and some scraped paint on the cross bar, it looks perfect.
You mentioned changing fluids. Going by the photos , I see no reason to do that. Even the little tire spews look fine on the front tires from what I can see. If the dealer signs in a normal full warranty, I don’t see a huge risk, myself

But, you would still be a fool to not want a discount. I don't think a $1000 discount over brand new is worth much. That's like $15/month off a payment. Assuming warranty is 100%, I feel a $3500-5000 discount is a good deal. Less discount, and i wonder why not buy new?

 

[DarkBlack]

But, you would still be a fool to not want a discount. I don't think a $1000 discount over brand new is worth much. That's like $15/month off a payment. Assuming warranty is 100%, I feel a $3500-5000 discount is a good deal. Less discount, and i wonder why not buy new?

The other question the OP should ask himself, is.. is this the exact tractor make and model he wanted/wants, or is he subconsciously being drawn to it as a perceived deal.
If this one is found to be already sold to someone else, will the OP still go buy the same model at normal pricing, because it’s truly what he wants?

 

[LouNY]

I would open the hood and look at the engine bay, I don't see any evidence that it got hot enough to do any damage. Even the tires don't have any blistering. No reason to wear about the fluids as they didn't even get to operating temps. if it goes for $40,000 it would be very tempting in the $30's heck yes.

 

[sd455dan]

I would open the hood and look at the engine bay, I don't see any evidence that it got hot enough to do any damage. Even the tires don't have any blistering. No reason to wear about the fluids as they didn't even get to operating temps. if it goes for $40,000 it would be very tempting in the $30's heck yes.

That is a great sized tractor with a Deutz as well, If I was looking that model would be in the mix and agree with everything you posted, but I would want the full warranty in writing with confirmation from Corporate not just the dealer, but priced in the 30's with just the non bumper to bumper "drivetrain /engine" warranty intact , yeah I would be tempted as the OP.

 

[Phantom359]

I would open the hood and look at the engine bay, I don't see any evidence that it got hot enough to do any damage. Even the tires don't have any blistering. No reason to wear about the fluids as they didn't even get to operating temps. if it goes for $40,000 it would be very tempting in the $30's heck yes.

I'll be able to see it in person on Friday, I'm currently out of town. If everything checks out I was thinking of offering 40k and not going any higher than 42.

 

[paulsharvey]

My worry, or at least thought, at 250 hours, something goes out/breaks, related to the fire or not, and you're always going to be thinking you got screwed over. There are several recent threads of guys ready to burn down TYM, LS, Kioti, because regardless of facts, they feel they are getting screwed.

 

[orezok]

Just like a car that is in an accident, but fully restored to “as new” condition, this tractor has the same fate with diminished value

 

[RayIN]

What electronics are in the front? From what I've seen of the TYMs behind the hood is the battery, air filter assembly, cooling stack and associated lines. Am I missing something?

Just spit-balling; how do you know fire/heat damage is limited to in front of the radiator without a hands-on inspection?

 

[paulsharvey]

I'm just not that familiar with this model and location of parts. If it was a car/truck, the radiator, transmission cooler, AC compressor and any electronic fan would be things I wanted to look at; although if this truly has the entire factory warranty? Only way I could see it having the factory warranty is a detailed inspection documenting no damage to those components. Even still, I wouldn't blame TYM for voiding a warranty for anything damaged after it left their hands (fire).

I really would expect more plastic damage if things had gotten hot enough to damage a radiator or hoses.

 

[paulsharvey]

So, did the factory battery explode/leak? I know you said you have a replacement. If the heat got enough to rupture the battery, and it did rupture, I would be concerned with the radiator. If the battery didn't actually explode or even leak, that likely says everything is/shoukd be fine.

 

[Phantom359]

So, did the factory battery explode/leak? I know you said you have a replacement. If the heat got enough to rupture the battery, and it did rupture, I would be concerned with the radiator. If the battery didn't actually explode or even leak, that likely says everything is/shoukd be fine.

I do not believe anything happened to the battery, it was just a consideration I had. I really don't think it got hot enough to do much damage based off the condition of the grill. I haven't made any offers to the dealer because I would rather get my hands on it to confirm my assumptions. If something is wrong with the battery, that means more heat got under the hood than I thought, which might mean more problems.

 

[rScotty]

I'm just not that familiar with this model and location of parts. If it was a car/truck, the radiator, transmission cooler, AC compressor and any electronic fan would be things I wanted to look at; although if this truly has the entire factory warranty? Only way I could see it having the factory warranty is a detailed inspection documenting no damage to those components. Even still, I wouldn't blame TYM for voiding a warranty for anything damaged after it left their hands (fire).

I really would expect more plastic damage if things had gotten hot enough to damage a radiator or hoses.

That's what I'm thinking too. There are a lot of things up there behind the grill. The transmission/hydraulic cooler, some AC components, the engine radiator... and all the stuff on the front of the engine.

Do your own research. Maybe treat it like a project and make a list of parts. If you don't have a TYM parts & price list, just use a roughly similar tractor. You are only looking for ballpark part prices anyway.
Don't forget to add in your own time.
Then you can make a decision.
Most warrantys are provided by the manufacturer and serviced by any dealer. So the best case will be need legal confirmation of the warranty from the manufacturer.
Messicks.com has part books online along with current prices and availability for all the tractors they sell.
Their online Kubota parts ought to be close enough for this purpose.

Messicks | The Equipment Parts, Sales & Service Experts

Tractor & Equipment Parts, Sales & Service Since 1952. New Holland, Case IH, Kubota & More

www.messicks.com

Some good photos are going to be enough to get you started on this. You already know those damage photos exist because surely there was insurance involved. Ask for a set. Also ask for a copy of the insurance settlement as well. You ought to be able to get the photos, good luck with the settlement....but any resistance you encounter will tell you a lot.

Was it really a minor fire? There have been a lot of floods lately. A submerged tractor may or may not have more damage, but insurance generally pays the owner of record (dealer) 100% on flood disaster claims. A minor "fire" is simple to do & could be a coverup for a ruined tractor not running because it is full of silt. What are your options then?
Ask how in the world does the front of a tractor catch fire during transport? Sounds fishy to me. You can bet it did to the insurance agent too. In which case the insurance settlement for the dealer will probably go into that in detall.

Please go in with your eyes open.
rScotty


Lastly, we are all assuming that you are a competent general mechanic.

 

[Phantom359]

That's what I'm thinking too. There are a lot of things up there behind the grill. The transmission/hydraulic cooler, some AC components, the engine radiator... and all the stuff on the front of the engine.

Do your own research. Maybe treat it like a project and make a list of parts. If you don't have a TYM parts & price list, just use a roughly similar tractor. You are only looking for ballpark part prices anyway.
Don't forget to add in your own time.
Then you can make a decision.
Most warrantys are provided by the manufacturer and serviced by any dealer. So the best case will be need legal confirmation of the warranty from the manufacturer.
Messicks.com has part books online along with current prices and availability for all the tractors they sell.
Their online Kubota parts ought to be close enough for this purpose.

Messicks | The Equipment Parts, Sales & Service Experts

Tractor & Equipment Parts, Sales & Service Since 1952. New Holland, Case IH, Kubota & More

www.messicks.com

Some good photos are going to be enough to get you started on this. You already know those damage photos exist because surely there was insurance involved. Ask for a set. Also ask for a copy of the insurance settlement as well. You ought to be able to get the photos, good luck with the settlement....but any resistance you encounter will tell you a lot.

Was it really a minor fire? There have been a lot of floods lately. A submerged tractor may or may not have more damage, but insurance generally pays the owner of record (dealer) 100% on flood disaster claims. A minor "fire" is simple to do & could be a coverup for a ruined tractor not running because it is full of silt. What are your options then?
Ask how in the world does the front of a tractor catch fire during transport? Sounds fishy to me. You can bet it did to the insurance agent too. In which case the insurance settlement for the dealer will probably go into that in detall.

Please go in with your eyes open.
rScotty


Lastly, we are all assuming that you are a competent general mechanic.

I am a competent mechanic, not certified or anything but can fix things. The tractor didn't catch fire, the back of the tow vehicle caught fire. The tractor just received heat from the fire.

I'm not 100% sold on this machine until I get to look it over.