Robbie Kinard
New member
- Joined
- Mar 6, 2022
- Messages
- 1
- Tractor
- Massey Ferguson Model MF1635
YOU CAN’T GO WRONG, WITH W. R. LONG!
This is not an advertisement for WR Long – just an honest editorial/review/opinion!
I’ll try to keep this as short as possible. I have a red 2013 tractor, 4x4, 35hp. Wanted to add a third function control for a grapple. The tractor brand is very well known, originally American made. Did my research on the internet and decided to go with a company that sells this kit for around $700. (I had to supply my own hoses). Their website has a short video to explain the unit and its capabilities. Ordered the kit received the next day. Measured for hoses, and had hoses made at a local hydraulics shop with all fittings. $200+. Per the instructions, I had to remove the control units that attach to the manifold block and replace with the supplied upgraded models. Had trouble, contacted the vendor and was told repeatedly it was a “plug and play” process. IT WAS NOT. After speaking with three different representatives, I explained the units had to be rewired and possibly soldered for correct fit. Once complete, the pins were backwards and would not plug into the solenoid as diagramed. When turning the pins 180 degrees, the wires were too short. After many lengthy discussions with the vendor, I told them “if the process is so simple, then just send me a second unit already rewired.” Why place this burden on the customer? Unit received, rewired, but was slightly different. Hooked everything up as per the one page instruction sheet and NOTHING. Tracing the hydraulic flow in my mind, I knew this system would not work. Many calls later with the vendor, I was informed it was not a direct fit to my existing system, but that I had to locate my “power beyond” supply and return and hook up there. They could not offer any help with my tractor brand. CALLED SEVERAL OF THE TRACTOR DEALERS (in Georgia AND North Carolina) FOR MY RED TRACTOR - WITH TWO NAMES – AND VERY LITTLE TO NO HELP! I contacted the main corporation/office in Duluth, Georgia, and was eventually told, “a lot of times the dealers are reluctant to give out too much information because they want to do the work themselves.” Finally, a young guy at one of the dealers told me to contact W. R. LONG (best advice I was given thus far). Spoke with the representative at W. R. LONG. He stated my tractor has a diverter plug that I have to purchase (really an aluminum alloy 1-1/2” x 3/8” bolt form the dealer at a cost of $106 – yes, you read that right) remove the existing plug and replace with the diverter. W. R. LONG even sent me pictures to my cell phone and email to show where the plug is located and which ports were hydraulic pump and return. I told the guy that I would buy his unit and send the one I have back to the vendor. He insisted I have everything I needed and to follow the instructions he gave me – especially since I had already routed the wires and hose, mounted the manifold block and solenoid, and replaced my joystick handle with the unit supplied by the vendor. Returned to the hydraulics store for additional hoses and fittings – another $160. Now, more than a month of aggravation, sweating, cussing, throwing, kicking and just plain old being pissed, I followed the directions of W. R. LONG and I have a third function with grapple capabilities for my well known red tractor. The red tractor company needs to step up their game. Their current business model is despicable. The vendor for my third function control did allow me to keep the first unit that wasn’t wired correctly, however, they also need to update their video, instruction guide, and offer more information for this one-size-fits-most tractors third function control. My biggest regret? I didn’t find W. R. LONG first. YOU CAN’T GO WRONG WITH W. R. LONG!
This is not an advertisement for WR Long – just an honest editorial/review/opinion!
I’ll try to keep this as short as possible. I have a red 2013 tractor, 4x4, 35hp. Wanted to add a third function control for a grapple. The tractor brand is very well known, originally American made. Did my research on the internet and decided to go with a company that sells this kit for around $700. (I had to supply my own hoses). Their website has a short video to explain the unit and its capabilities. Ordered the kit received the next day. Measured for hoses, and had hoses made at a local hydraulics shop with all fittings. $200+. Per the instructions, I had to remove the control units that attach to the manifold block and replace with the supplied upgraded models. Had trouble, contacted the vendor and was told repeatedly it was a “plug and play” process. IT WAS NOT. After speaking with three different representatives, I explained the units had to be rewired and possibly soldered for correct fit. Once complete, the pins were backwards and would not plug into the solenoid as diagramed. When turning the pins 180 degrees, the wires were too short. After many lengthy discussions with the vendor, I told them “if the process is so simple, then just send me a second unit already rewired.” Why place this burden on the customer? Unit received, rewired, but was slightly different. Hooked everything up as per the one page instruction sheet and NOTHING. Tracing the hydraulic flow in my mind, I knew this system would not work. Many calls later with the vendor, I was informed it was not a direct fit to my existing system, but that I had to locate my “power beyond” supply and return and hook up there. They could not offer any help with my tractor brand. CALLED SEVERAL OF THE TRACTOR DEALERS (in Georgia AND North Carolina) FOR MY RED TRACTOR - WITH TWO NAMES – AND VERY LITTLE TO NO HELP! I contacted the main corporation/office in Duluth, Georgia, and was eventually told, “a lot of times the dealers are reluctant to give out too much information because they want to do the work themselves.” Finally, a young guy at one of the dealers told me to contact W. R. LONG (best advice I was given thus far). Spoke with the representative at W. R. LONG. He stated my tractor has a diverter plug that I have to purchase (really an aluminum alloy 1-1/2” x 3/8” bolt form the dealer at a cost of $106 – yes, you read that right) remove the existing plug and replace with the diverter. W. R. LONG even sent me pictures to my cell phone and email to show where the plug is located and which ports were hydraulic pump and return. I told the guy that I would buy his unit and send the one I have back to the vendor. He insisted I have everything I needed and to follow the instructions he gave me – especially since I had already routed the wires and hose, mounted the manifold block and solenoid, and replaced my joystick handle with the unit supplied by the vendor. Returned to the hydraulics store for additional hoses and fittings – another $160. Now, more than a month of aggravation, sweating, cussing, throwing, kicking and just plain old being pissed, I followed the directions of W. R. LONG and I have a third function with grapple capabilities for my well known red tractor. The red tractor company needs to step up their game. Their current business model is despicable. The vendor for my third function control did allow me to keep the first unit that wasn’t wired correctly, however, they also need to update their video, instruction guide, and offer more information for this one-size-fits-most tractors third function control. My biggest regret? I didn’t find W. R. LONG first. YOU CAN’T GO WRONG WITH W. R. LONG!