Where Do You Look First or Most For Tractors and Attachments?

[Larry The Tractor Guy]

Larry,

Thanks for the response. My heart just sank when you told me about the loader warranty. The tractor was a yr old last October and I put it off all summer even though the cylinders are leaking off bad......Now the issue is.......where do i go to get the cylinders fixed and approximately how much cost??? I'm sure I won't go to the dealer if i'm going to have to pay my hard earned money. Maybe a dealer is the only place i can find to work on it. Do you have a clue how much brand new ones would cost??? Maybe that'd get it done and over with. Hummm, not even sure it's not a valve leaking off somewhere.

Larry, where are you located anyway???

CJ4,
Hello again. Sorry to shock you with the warranty information but I felt I better at least mention it. So you mean to tell me that while you were signing the contract at the dealership, they didnt go over the warranty with you and all its provisions? I guess they really didnt take of you too well after all!

As far as the cylinder repair goes, you can get the lift cylinder packing kit and seals for around $46 a side. The complete cylinder including barrel, rod, ends etc that would be a complete swapout would be.....$321 per side...yikes!

If they repaired it once and it still leaked, you should be entitled to a dealer warranty for the repair for some period of time..matbe 90 days or something like that. Depends on the dealer. If you go to this link, Construction, Agriculture and Consumer Equipment: Niagara Frontier Equipment Sales, Inc. and look in the middle of the page, you can click on Agricultural Parts and type in your loader model 18LA and look at exploded view diagrams of your tractor and parts. This is adirect link from our dealer website and a service offered by NH to help buyers locate what they need. Save the link for future use.

Since you had such bad luck with your local dealer, if you determine what you need for parts, you can send an email request directly from that site and it will go to my Parts Manager for a quote. I will give you 10% off if you want to order the parts from us and we will ship them right to you. We are located in Western New York but as anyone can attest here, it doesnt matter much anymore where you are located because the web has opened the world up for business! May the best dealer win!

Hope this all helps and makes you feel a little better about the whole situation.

Let me know if I can help you further.

Thanks,
Larry

 

[FULLPULL]

Larry thats a impressive web site . I had a ? about the 270tl vs the 18 la which one is the better loader ? And where can i get a close price on a fops canopy for a ttc55da?

 

[Larry The Tractor Guy]

Larry thats a impressive web site . I had a ? about the 270tl vs the 18 la which one is the better loader ? And where can i get a close price on a fops canopy for a ttc55da?

Fullpull,
The 270TL and 18LA are pretty much the same in lift capacity and style. The 270TL replaced the 18LA and is what is available now.

Some things they updated on the 270TL are a bigger torque tube, relocation of the loader lines behind the tube, the new easy attach system allows you to aproach the loader from any angle and still re-connect it to the tractor, the new pin latch system accounts for not being totally sqaured up with the pin hole and still allows you to latch it.

Overall the syling is still the same but the new loader is stronger and easier to take on and off.

A steel canopy for your TC55DA will run you about $620 plus shipping. Its part #718857046 and can be ordered from any NH dealer and dropped shipped to you with pre-payment on NH plan or credit card. You could also get a fiberglass canopy for much less but I dont recommend it if you have a loader as it will not offer protection against falling debris from the loader.
The canopy is pretty easy to install but I would recommend a chain fall and 2 people if possible to keep it under control while mounting it.

It you want to order one from me I will give you 10% off! Just use the website link below to contact me directly.

Thanks,
Larry

 

[CJ4]

Larry,

Thanks again for the reply and the info. The link looks very valuable to have. Wonder how difficult it is to seal those cylinders? Never done it before. I wonder why it didn't hold the first time the dealer did it??? Unless he didn't completely do it......

 

[Larry The Tractor Guy]

Larry,

Thanks again for the reply and the info. The link looks very valuable to have. Wonder how difficult it is to seal those cylinders? Never done it before. I wonder why it didn't hold the first time the dealer did it??? Unless he didn't completely do it......

CJ4,
Your welcome....there is a "year break" on the cylinders of your loader so it will have one of 2 possible configurations. Either a spanner wrench end or flats. The parts lookup link I gave you should specify which if you typed in your year of loader. The repair is not too difficult. You basically remove the hydro lines and pins from the cylinder (after blocking the loader up!) and put the cylinder on the bench. You will need to hold the barrel end captive in a vise. Now depending on the type barrel end connection, you will need a spanner wrench or a wrench large enough to cover the flats to unscrew the barrell end packing. Once the retaining nut is loose, you simply pull the rod out of the cylinder, should come pretty easy but if it is tight or fluid is trapped in front of the rod, you may need to coax it out with a come-a-long.
You will then see all the parts of the packing and seal kit on the end of the rod. Disassemble those parts, clean it good, and reassemble the end. Put the rod back in the barrel, tighten the nut and mount it back on the loader. Start and run the hydrualics slowly up and down a little until all the air is out of the cylinder..caution, the loader could "drop suddenly" if there is excessive air in the system so stay clear. Thats about all there is to it. It should take about 1 to 2 hours per side if your proceeding carefully.

You also have the option of getting the parts, removing the cylinders, and taking them to your local hydraulic shop for repair. They dont care what make or model it is, they just know hydraulics and would be happy to help you out I'm sure.

As far as why it didnt hold the first time? who knows...maybe they only replaced the seal at the end but the packing or orings were cut or ripped further insdie the barrel. Another possiblity is that your cylinder barrels could be "balloned out" causing fluid to flow past the seals internally. This is rare but it can happen if the barrel was manufactured wrong or if the pressure had got too high at some point and expanded the barrel. If you have a steel straight edge, you can lay it along the barrel to see if it is bent or bowed out.
If it is, then replacing the seals and packing will not fix the problem and new barrels will be needed. That could be covered under warranty if it was demonstrated that they were like that right from the start, but that could be tough to prove at this point.

Hope this helps a little.

Regards,
Larry

 

[jinman]

Larry,

Thanks again for the reply and the info. The link looks very valuable to have. Wonder how difficult it is to seal those cylinders? Never done it before. I wonder why it didn't hold the first time the dealer did it??? Unless he didn't completely do it......

CJ4, in your case and having a bad experience with both dealerships, I think I would look for a hydraulics specialty repair shop and take the cylinders to them. You can look in the yellow pages for one or ask at the local NAPA parts store if they have a recommendation. It could be that a simple rebuild will fix the leaking. They may or may not suggest using the OEM rebuild kit. It may cost a little bit, but you will most likely not have to worry about it it again for a very, very long time. At least that is my experience. These folks are in business due to their specialty and reputation. Most of them do great work.

 

[IMCA38]

Larry
I think it's great that you're out here asking questions. Unfortunately, I think our group may not have the feedback you're looking for. After all, I think most everyone here knows about New Holland and can probably give some sort of opinion. If we are looking to buy, half of the work (brand awareness, either good or bad) is already done. If I were in your shoes, I'd be looking to get the NH name out to all of the "tractor virgins" if you will. You mention the high price of ads, particularly TV, radio and print media. As you know, there are multiple facets that add up to the total cost, including production costs and the actual advertising time or space. Then you have the dilemma of picking your outlet. If you pick one TV station, your ad will never be seen by people who don't tune in to that station. Then you have the choice of what time slot(s) to run your ad. What hour are most of these people watching? Anyway enough of that.....
I was curious if you had ever given consideration to using motorsports as a marketing tool. It looks like there are about 70-odd racing venues in New York and a bunch more down in Pennsylvania. For a total cost comparable to a couple of good sized print ads, you can get exposure from early spring into fall. Actually, if you consider off-season car shows, etc. you can make it virtually year-round. There is a high degree of loyalty, and you can leverage your involvement into other arenas. Having been involved in motorsports for a number of years, I'd be happy to share all kinds of ideas with you.

 

[CJ4]

Larry and Jinman,

Thanks to you both for your suggestions and comments. If I get "curious" enough and in the mood I might just try rebuilding those cylinders myself. If it likes alot of my "do it myself" projects it'll probably cost me twice as much and take 10 times longer but experience is worth something huh????

Larry, thanks for the detailed explanation. I just love it when someone explains a repair that's mysterious to me and it comes out making some sense.

 

[Larry The Tractor Guy]

Larry and Jinman,
Larry, thanks for the detailed explanation. I just love it when someone explains a repair that's mysterious to me and it comes out making some sense.

CJ4,
No problem, glad to help. Did you use the parts lookup link I listed in the last post to see an exploded view of the cylinders? That should have helped take some of the mystery out of what's in the cylinder.

Thanks,
Larry

 

[dqdave1]

Ship them to Larry via UPS; have Larry rebuild them; then tell us of your experience with Larry!

 

[Steve Mc]

Larry- I am going to briefly tell you my tractor story in hopes it helps you understand how I got to the point of considering a New Holland 4WD tractor w/FEL purchase. With the exception of crawler tractors, my first tractor ownership experience was with an old Ford 8-N I inherited with my property purchase. I ended up restoring it so I got to know how "basic equipment" works. It was way to loose for me to use on our rolling terrain so it went by way of e-bay. I then simply started looking around at local new and used tractors. Deere attracted me because of the color and local dealer and name recognitiion. This was 5 years ago. After receiving major sticker shock, I went back to used and bought a used JD 870 (30HP?) compact with loader from a local landscaper. That was fine but I soon realized I needed more power. Sold it and bought a JD 1070 compact (40 HP) from a out-of-state dealer 3 years ago. I used MachineryLink or MachineFinder web sites for that purchase as I was specifically searching for that tractor. The JD dealer was great with all the pics and phone assistance possible. This tractor has been great but still slightly underpowered for my expanding needs as I started obtaining larger tillage and planting equipment. I have also relied on borrowed or rented larger ag equipment when needed. So now I am at the point where I have attended the Ag Expo in Tulare, CA the past several years, visited with my local tractor dealers, read local/regional advertising publications (for pricing), and spoke to other tractor owners. I also have researched the web site quite a bit. I have been growing hay here for 5 years and last year was my best year yet; however, my "sucess" is partially based on borowed equipment and growing experience/knowledge. This year I have better equipment and had more time for repairs/rebuild activities. Yet, I still want to upgrade the JD 1070 to something more powerful (which equates to time saving efficiency and expanded equipment capability). As I look at the used market, there has been nothing over 50HP 4WD with low hours and a FEL under $20K which places me in the new tractor venue. Since haying is my interest and much of my equipment is New Holland brand, I have established a good relationship with my New Holland dealer parts department. This originally got me interested in the larger boomer tractors. The recent Ag show got me re-directed to the TT-A series because I need something more powerful, not too fancy, with a loader at a price in the lower 20K range. That is where I am at today.

So my point is that I first became educated by trial and error (if you will) like so many of us on this web site. I then started watching the local print advertising with price and horse power being my primary consideration. I also have searched the web and even watched e-bay for pricing trends (although I think e-bay has become increasingly unreliable due to the tractor scams). Ag shows are great because folks attend in the same manner as auto shows, with many actually considering future purchase of something. County fairs in rural areas might be good because you will expose nubie folks with acerage to your products. I am even thinking you might put on occasional seminars to targeted acerage residents with topics like "tractor basics" to explain all the tractor stuff that is asked on this web site (Maybe you can obtain a mailing list sorted by geographic area and parcel size). Sort of take the mystery out of tractor operation/ownership and get people thinking about how much time and effort and money they will save by owning one of these great machines. You could even expand it to a Spring "family fun day" with bbq, etc. Getting people out to your lot, interested in the product, and thinking about the product is key. To me, the New Holland tractor line and pricing caught my attention and the folks at the ag show were by far more available, helpful, and informative (including pricing info) than the competition.

 

[Larry The Tractor Guy]

Larry
I think it's great that you're out here asking questions... I was curious if you had ever given consideration to using motorsports as a marketing tool. It looks like there are about 70-odd racing venues in New York and a bunch more down in Pennsylvania. For a total cost comparable to a couple of good sized print ads, you can get exposure from early spring into fall. Actually, if you consider off-season car shows, etc. you can make it virtually year-round. There is a high degree of loyalty, and you can leverage your involvement into other arenas. Having been involved in motorsports for a number of years, I'd be happy to share all kinds of ideas with you.

IMCA38...
Thanks for your input, it is greatly appreciated.
Yes, we have done some motorsports stuff in the past. We sponserd a late model stock car at our local speedway. We "bought" the entire hood space and had a vinyl overlay made to cover the hood with all our pertinant info. We also work with a local flat tract dirtbike racing association. We dont sponser a bike but we provide the tractor for use to drag the track in between races. Its great exposure as alot of these fans are tractors owners/ buyers.

I am currently, and have been for the last 4 years, advertising on all the NASCAR races with 30 second commercial spots. That's a captive audience in the 100's of thousands. I also do local Bills football TV spots and usually the Monday night games.

All these things add up and as always, it is hard to measure the return on the advertising outlay. People dont like to clip coupons or "mention this ad for 10% off..." type stuff. They just want to shop, be treated fairly and with respect and then want to be fit with the right equipment for the right price and feel they have done well. So unless they clearly state that.."Hey, I saw your TV commercial the other night on...." then I can only guess what brought them in or ask them directly. Most of the time the response I get is something like "My brother said I should stop in.." or "We're just out driving around and I seen the tractors so I stopped in...".

That's fine with me though, whatever gets them to stop works for me. Advertising is a necessary evil and you have to keep your name out there over and over again for it to "stick" and get people thinking of you when they have a need. Market firms know that is true and charge accordingly!

Thanks again for the feedback,
Larry

 

[Larry The Tractor Guy]

....I am even thinking you might put on occasional seminars to targeted acerage residents with topics like "tractor basics" to explain all the tractor stuff that is asked on this web site (Maybe you can obtain a mailing list sorted by geographic area and parcel size). Sort of take the mystery out of tractor operation/ownership and get people thinking about how much time and effort and money they will save by owning one of these great machines. You could even expand it to a Spring "family fun day" with bbq, etc. Getting people out to your lot, interested in the product, and thinking about the product is key. To me, the New Holland tractor line and pricing caught my attention and the folks at the ag show were by far more available, helpful, and informative (including pricing info) than the competition.

Steve Mc..
Thanks for the input. These are GREAT ideas.
I have found over and over again here on TBN that buyers felt they were "on their own" when it came to determining what their equiment needs are/ were.
That tells me that as a dealer, I have let the buying public down in my efforts to educate them. That was the very reason for this thread. I didnt feel I was reaching enough of the "right people" with my advertising efforts and I wanted to correct that. Maybe I was advertising the wrong thing, in the wrong spot, at the wrong time, and throwing my money away, who knows.

Your idea behind creating some excitement around the product and dealership is great. We already host a yearly open house each spring which is typically a good turnout but the people that show up are usually aleady our customers, which is great, but I need to attract new buyers too.
We were thinking of hosting a ride and drive or a skid steer rodeo or something like that during the open house to get people in the seat and driving the equipment.

We will also be hosting the local farm co-op safety training for the kids and young farmers in the area. This is a free service to the community and is great PR for our dealership, always a good turnout.

I feel that when someone is new to the market and tractor ownership, they are a little "afraid" of the dealerships because they maybe feel that the dealer will sell them something that "he" needs to move off the lot and it may not be the right thing for them. Or, because of lack of knowledge of the industry in regards to options and pricing, they simply dont know if they are getting a good deal or not. Its kind of like calling the plumber, you know you dont want to because its going to cost alot of money, but he is the expert and can "fix the problem".

I want to be the "fix the problem" dealer and have my customers feel comfortable with the whole buying experience. Remove any doubts about the equipment and pricing and let them know its ok to shop around and take their time and make an informed buying decision. After all, it's their hard earned money, not mine. I must respect that at all times and know that I did my part to make them a happy customer!

Thanks again,
Larry

 

[Kendall69]

Yep, having monthly product demo's with free hot dogs and lemonade, would be a great way of bringing new and old customers in.

Lets say you advertise a post hole digger, who wouldn't want to come by and see that, or how a backhoe thumb works, or grappler. How about how to shoot a grade, or a slick way to use a grading attachment.

I think consistency on this is key, so people start looking for the next event.

I think the hot dogs and lemonade would cost less than the ad.

 

[Roto]

Larry, the only thing i dont like is after you click on the links to the right(parts, about us, whats new etc...) they turn black and plain and dont look like a link anymore. They are blue to start with and they underline when you put your mouse on them but after clicked they are plain black and nothing to identify them as a link. your browser remembers that so the next time i visit they dont look like links anymore. The same is with this link "Click here to browse/search our inventory." these type of links should always change color or underline or something when your mouse is on them. It helps people that are not good with computers to find the links. I know it says click here but some people may not know what it means. Often the "here" is underlined on other websites. Other then that I love the webiste.

Mike

 

[Larry The Tractor Guy]

Larry, the only thing i dont like is after you click on the links to the right(parts, about us, whats new etc...) they turn black and plain and dont look like a link anymore. They are blue to start with and they underline when you put your mouse on them but after clicked they are plain black and nothing to identify them as a link. your browser remembers that so the next time i visit they dont look like links anymore. The same is with this link "Click here to browse/search our inventory." these type of links should always change color or underline or something when your mouse is on them. It helps people that are not good with computers to find the links. I know it says click here but some people may not know what it means. Often the "here" is underlined on other websites. Other then that I love the webiste.

Mike

Mike,
Thanks for the input. I have actually made a ton of changes since I first posted this thread. Most of them were from the input and suggestions received from the group. I am glad everyone was straight forward with their thoughts about the site because it is real world input and hlpes me understand what needs to be fixed or adjusted.
The latest update was with the equipment search page. Because there are so many pieces, over 350, usually I found the customer would give up trying to find what they needed. Now the page loads blank and you can pick from a list the equipment you are looking for and the search results return only those items with little thumbnail pictures. I like it alot because it is easier to navigate and you aren't presented with a gigantic list to sort thru!
There are two more major updates planned for the site that have to do with the home page display and the newsletter. These will be coming along soon, hopefully prior to month's end.

Thanks again for the feedback.
Regards,
Larry

 

[LWB]

Larry: I have dealt with several different colored dealerships in the past and I have to start off by saying that you have one of the hardest, most unrewarded jobs there is - getting people to walk through your front door. My sympathy is totally justified as I have a business of my own that requires a lot of similar attention. I'm sure you're all too aware that you can do everything right, but if the sales staff thereafter drops the ball the resulting lack of a SOLD sign reflects in perceived reduced activity in your department as well. That leads me to my point. "User friendly," knowledgeable staff are key ingredients when I make buying decisions. I'm familiar enough with the dealers in my area that if I'm in need I certainly know how to get there. But there is always something about a dealership "wanting" your business that sets them apart. It may even be different dealerships at different times. All I'm saying is there 's an imperceptible something that makes me comfortable enough to get down to real business. So my question to you is: can you quantify your success when other people's abilities (or lack therof) may play a part in your objective? Are people coming through the door and leaving, never to be seen again, without you ever knowing it? I know this is somewhat astray, and may not even apply, concerning your original question. On the other hand, it may be well worth reminding your associates that it's a lot easier to keep a cusomer than to find a new one. Just my thoughts on the subject.