Uh Oh...

[Hysyde]

We just got our new TN75 the other day and were a *little* dissapointed. For one, the front fenders weren't on (we later found out they do not fit with ALO loader and custom ones a being fabricated) and secondly the bucket was too small (it was supposed to come with an 8 foot bucket, not a 6). They are supposed to send out a larger bucket tommorow.

That and it was a little late on delivery... no big deal.

BUT.... after reading hard_yakka01's problems with his TN75 and New Holland, I was alittle apprehensive.

Well, lo and behold, today I rolled up to the farm and the tractor was sitting there in the middle of the yard. I was a little puzzled until my father showed up and explained that it didn't want to move and the transmission warning light was flashing.

I fooled with it a bit and looked up the warning light in the manual. Apparently it was the Operator error warning light in regardto wrong control sequence or something.

I fooled with it and figured out the elctronic shuttle would only work if engaged if the clutch was disengaed and then let go. Basically it would only work like a mechanical shuttle (needing the clutch to shuttle). It would not move other wise and would only beep and flash the warning light.

Our dealer was good though and sent out a service guy a little later on in the day.

He instantly knew that it was a problem with the seat sensor and it wasn't sensing that someone was in the seat and therefore gave the operator error warning and would only move when clutched in a certain sequence. He wasn't able to repair and said he would get us one as soon as possible. In the meantime we would have to use the clutch. As he left he looked at the hour gauge and said "Geez, only 13 hours eh?). We've only used it for a few hours, if that, the other ones are jsut from, well, whatever, not sure.

Anyway, not a big deal, but I hope it's not a sign of things to come.

I also was going over the tractor in the shop and noticed on of the bolts hold a horizontal bar on the front grill guard was loose. Not a big deal, but hey. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Hysyde]

A shot of the hour meter. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[PeterT]

Lucky 13 huh!

Good luck PeterT

 

[btolle]

I would be concerned about the 13 hours on it.

When I picked up my new Kubota it had 7/10th's of an hour on it. It had 4/10th's when I first looked at it on the dealers lot and they had to drive it to the "make ready" area and back outside, test all operations, etc. so that would account for the extra 3/10th's of an hour. If you look at new tractors they will all have a few 10th's of an hour on them from testing, loading, and unloading, and maybe some demo time.

Did you see this actual tractor when you bought it? If not, I would be in front of the dealer this morning telling him to come get it and bring you a NEW tractor with the correct bucket, fenders, all bolts tight, and everything thoroughly checked out.

The first 50 hours (according to my Operator's Manual) are the most critical. My manual says not to run it at PTO speed for the first 50 hours (NOTE: See my post below, this was an incorrect statement on my part. Post below clarifies break in speeds). With 13 hours you have no idea where that tractor has been or how it may have been used during those 13 hours.

The FEL on mine had fresh grease squeezed out of the joints where they had just greased it during make ready. It was clean white grease, obviously the FEL had not been used. Look for black grease around the fittings to see if the loader was used and any other signs of usage. Could have been rented for a few hours or returned because somebody had problems with it and took it back.

At the very least I would start documenting everything immediately including dates, pictures of anything you find that does not seem right (including the picture of the hour meter).

I would have to have a very good explanation from the dealer why the 13 hours or it would be going back to them.

No fenders, 13 hours, wrong bucket, bad seat switch, all adds up to something that doesn't feel right. One problem would be acceptable, 3 or 4 things not right gets into the unacceptable range. At the very least the dealer should have called you before they delivered it and told you about the bucket and fenders.

I would not wait to see what else might happen before I started in on the dealer. I would not want to get caught in the situation that someone else has had with a TN75.

Follow your "gut" feeling. If it doesn't "feel" right do something about it TODAY.

Bill Tolle

 

[Bird]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I would be concerned about the 13 hours on it )</font>

Personally, I would not be concerned about that. In fact, I'd rather the dealer try it out extensively to see if he can find any problems before delivery.

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( My manual says not to run it at PTO speed for the first 50 hours. )</font>

I've not seen that in a manual before. Mine said not to run it at full throttle, which is admittedly only a couple of hundred RPM above PTO speed, but I think it's best to use the tractor from the start, including PTO speed with some load on it. What I would do is vary the RPM a good bit during break in.

 

[JerryG]

<font color="blue">In fact, I'd rather the dealer try it out extensively to see if he can find any problems before delivery. </font>
That is my feelings. If it doesn’t have some time on it, they didn’t run it long enough to make sure that I won’t have problems.

<font color="blue">What I would do is vary the RPM a good bit during break in. </font>
That is whole point of a good break in. A person needs to wear the parts in at all RPM’s.

 

[AndyMA]

I agree with Bird and Jerry. I think much ado is being made of nothing. 13 hours is nothing. What do you guys think could actually be done to a tractor in the first 13 hours that would materially effect its overall longevitity. My dealer has always said break in your machines like your going to be using them. The TN is an excellent very reliable tractor. These problems are tiny. If I was you I'd worry about real problems /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif Just my thoughts

Andy /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[hazmat]

<font color="blue">BUT.... after reading hard_yakka01's problems with his TN75 and New Holland, I was alittle apprehensive.</font>

It sure is disappointing that your tractor didn't show up "perfect" at delivery. It is also unfortunate that hard_yakka had problems with his TN & got little resolution from his dealer & New Holland. However, don't let one data point get you down on your machine. Most of the TN owners here have had great luck with their machines.

From your post it appears to me that your dealer leaves a little to be desired.

1. Sold you a loader that isn't compatible with the front fenders. Didn't inform you ahead of time that you'd need
"special" fenders.

2. Delivers with wrong bucket

3. Tech can't field fix a seat switch? While not familiar with the circuit, I'd bet that it is either supposed to be open or closed when you sit on it & he could have either cut a wire, or put a jumper in to keep you running. If he needs a new part, assuming it is in stock somewhere, they should be able to get it in 24 hours.

All of your issues are "minor" and can easily be solved, but its sure not the first impression I'd want to leave with my customer. I'd call the salesman/owner of the dealership and express your disappointment. Get a commitment for rapid solution to your issues.

As others have mentioned, a couple hours on the meter and a loose bolt are normal. It's a good idea to do a routine check for loose nuts and bolts.

Good luck & I hope you enjoy your new machine for years to come.

 

[JerryG]

Many many of the old iron were taken straight from the dealer to the field and hooked to a moldboard plow. Many new tractors today especially larger ones are put on a dyno for several hours before delivery.

 

[bandit67]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The first 50 hours (according to my Operator's Manual) are the most critical. My manual says not to run it at PTO speed for the first 50 hours. With 13 hours you have no idea where that tractor has been or how it may have been used during those 13 hours.)</font>

If that was the case with my machine, I wouldn't have been able to mow with it all summer. I can't believe that Kubota really has that stated in its manual. PTO speed is the only way to mow, and you are the first Kubota owner I've heard make the claim that Kubota essentially says you can't mow for the first 50 hours of ownership.

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The FEL on mine had fresh grease squeezed out of the joints where they had just greased it during make ready. It was clean white grease, obviously the FEL had not been used. Look for black grease around the fittings to see if the loader was used and any other signs of usage. )</font>

More often than not, most grease you can purchase is black, or dark blue, or with a greenish tint - you have to search a little harder for the white or other colors. So, you could easily have black grease on a brand new, unused machine. My machine was the only one on the lot, and a week before it was delivered to me, I was looking at it in its shipping crate. When it was delivered, with nary a scratch on it anywhere, the grease on the loader was black. I'm sure that's because they used new black grease.

 

[btolle]

You're right. Slight error my part. Kubota does NOT say to not operate it at PTO speed. PTO speed is slightly less than full throttle.

The manual says:
-----------------------------------------------------------
Operating New Tractor

How a new tractor is handled and maintained determines the life of the tractor.

A new tractor just off the factory production line has been, of course, tested, but the various parts are not accustomed to each other, so care should be taken to operate the tractor for the first 50 hours at a slower speed and avoid excessive work or operation until the various parts become "broken-in". The manner in which the tractor is handled during the "breaking-in" period greatly affects the life of your tractor. Therefore, to obtain the maximum performance and the longest life of the tractor, it is very important to properly break-in your tractor. In handling a new tractor, the following precautions should be observed.

Do not operate the tractor at full speed for the first 50 hours.

Do not operate the tractor at full speed for the first 50 hours.

(Note: Yes, the manual says it twice, the firt time is in bold print, second time in regular print.)

Do not start quickly nor apply the brakes suddenly.

In winter, operate the tractor after fully warming up the engine.

Do not run at speeds faster than necessary.

On rough roads, slow down to suitable speeds. Do not operate the tractor at fast speed.

The above precautions are not limited only to new tractors, but to all tractors. But it should be especially observed in the case of new tractors.
-----------------------------------------------------------

My point was that with 13 hours on a "new" tractor "if" it was used as a rental who knows how hard it was worked and how fast it was run.

I have seen too much abuse of rental equipment and autos to ever buy one. Lots of folks figure it's not theirs so it doesn't matter how hard they drive it.

Bill Tolle

 

[1bush2hog]

Don't worry about the switch problem. When I took delivery of mine, the dealer actually left one of the connectors under the seat unplugged as they were adjusting the power shuttle and I had similar problem.

The bucket width oversight can easily be corrected. Maybe this was the only bucket they had avail at the time, to fit the FEL you purchased and had planned on replacing with the 8ft when it came in.

Not sure what an ALO FEL is, but I do know front fenders are NOT standard equipment on a TN75 - they are an option probably designed to work primarily with NH FEL.

The grill guard is also an option put on by dealer. Bolts and nuts loosen up over time with any piece of machinery. Your manual should tell you that this is one of the first things you check before and after every usage. Possibly a lock washer, or locktite was not used during installation.

Regarding other comments - As far as black grease goes, pop open a new tube of NH spec grease for your machine and you will notice - it is black right out of the tube.

I recently had an ECU module problem after 65 hours, replaced under warranty by dealer who picked up machine, after sending tech out two times, redelivered and did not charge me trip charges, even though my machine was 20 mi from his shop and 2 more miles off the main highway.

I have worked my TN hard in the first 65 hours and plan on working it just as hard for many more hours. This is what I bought it for.

You are going to like this tractor even more as you use it more! Enjoy It!

I would be more concerned about the sky falling /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Hysyde]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( 3. Tech can't field fix a seat switch? While not familiar with the circuit, I'd bet that it is either supposed to be open or closed when you sit on it & he could have either cut a wire, or put a jumper in to keep you running. If he needs a new part, assuming it is in stock somewhere, they should be able to get it in 24 hours.)</font>

I actually asked him before he left if he could disconnect it, bypass it, or put a jumper on it. He explained to me something about the circut needing the actual switch. Whatever... he promised to come back and fix it ASAP.

Beleive me, I have considered most things mentioned in this thread, but overall I'm not really worried. Everything is supposed to be addressed promtly as promised by the dealer.

Thanks for the input though.

 

[Hysyde]

Some pics of the tractor are here:

Link

 

[Soundguy]

I think the NH tech did the right thing by not bypassing or defeating the seat switch.. doing so would have opened the company up to huge liability. Even if it is a tad annoying in the mean time.. Picture this scene in court, where the NH/dealers lawyers are trying to defend against the wrongfull death suit your estate and surviving family members have brought against them after your untimely demise right before christmass because of a tractor accident.

Judge to defendent: So.. you defeated one of the safety features on the tractor prior to the accident killing mr. soandso..?

defendent: ...(long pause.. sweating.. ) umm.. yes..

Judge: ( gavel bangs) judgement for the planitif ( your estate / surviving family members) .. the defendent knowingly created an unsafe environment by disabling/defeating a safety feature on the tractor..

See my point?

( that said.. I think I'd have defeated the switch myself after the tech left... I really doubt the circuit DOES sense the presence of the switch.. and if it did.. I'm sure it could be fooled easilly with the use of an ohm meter/ jumper wire.. etc.

Soundguy

 

[rambler]

I was going to say what Soundguy said - Lawsuit if the company defeats the switch. Can't do that!

Me, I'm going to have to keep buying good used tractors. I couldn't _stand_ a tractor with a seat switch!!!! Sheez, these things have gone way too far. Plastic & electronics. Has it's place, but not on a tractor that should last 25 years.....

--->Paul

 

[Hysyde]

Well, it runs out, unbeknownst to me, me father had racked up the hours on the tractor in the few days before I saw it. He was using it quite a bit inthose few days and it sat idling(because of the cold) a fair bit.

So basically, it's just the problem with the seat switch and the lack of fenders. Plus the undersized bucket.

 

[rambler]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( He was using it quite a bit inthose few days and it sat idling(because of the cold) a fair bit.

)</font>

Not be overbearing & state the obvious, but that's not a good way to break in a new engine....... Might want to give it a good workout with little idling....

--->Paul

 

[Hysyde]

True enough. He said he ran it all day and it wasn't shut off for about 8 hours. During the times he wasn't on it, it was left idling, so I think it probably had a decent break-in procedure that day (although I'm not sure).

 

[1bush2hog]

Hey Hysyde - Where are the rest of the pics? We want to see that bad boy!

I would especially like to see a shot of the front grill guard if you have a chance.

And tell your dad to quit having so much fun without you /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Thanks,