Where the TC45D is NOT deluxe

[jinman]

Few things can add to the value of a tractor like the support of an excellent dealer. I am lucky to have a dealer who is tops in quality, customer service, and value. The professionalism flows from the owner to all the sales staff and includes a service department that never forgets how important service is to the customer. My dealer is McMaster New Holland in Decatur, TX. Today I walked into the service department with my broken HST pivot assembly, and Glenn, the service manager, immediately took the part to a technician who fixed my pivot assembly while I waited. He said he was sure he could do a better job than the factory replacement part./w3tcompact/icons/clever.gif I'm sure he did just that./w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif Photos of the pivot are attached. I will replace the pivot this weekend and keep everyone posted on my progress. I can't let New Holland off the hook for this poor design, /w3tcompact/icons/mad.gif but it sure feels good to know that my dealer will not let me down. /w3tcompact/icons/cool.gif

 

[Bird]

Looks like the man knows how to use a welder./w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif Glad you got that fixed; but have to agree it never should have broken to start with.

 

[spencer200]

Yes that is better than the replacements we have been getting!

 

[Duckhunter]

I will look tomorrow and update. Yes, I have bought 3 tractors from him. 1720, TC40D and this TC45D.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Spencer200/jinman,

I checked my TC35D which I purchased last summmer and sure enough, that piece looks like it is spot welded. I could not see all of the locations, but what I did see did not look good.

I am wondering if NH is fixing these as a recall, existing defect or if I need to just see what my dealer is willing to do about it. Would I have any leverage from NH if the dealer balked? Would appreciate any advise. Jim

 

[jinman]

Jim, I'm not sure what to expect from New Holland or a dealer if the part has not broken. Perhaps you can print out my pictures and take them with you to the dealer. I am planning to send New Holland a letter and let them know I have posted the pictures here on TBN. If they choose to let this situation continue without a recall, then I suspect they will lose some sales and I think that's such a shame because I love my tractor except for the oversights like this. Perhaps a letter writing or email campaign is what should happen. If I were the folks with spot welded assemblies, I'd be nervous about my tractor everytime I used it. Oh well...I could go on and on, but I still think your best option is to talk to your dealer about what you should do if the part breaks and explain to him why you are so concerned./w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif

 

[spencer200]

so far there has been no campaign, as a dealer we have taken care of them as they break under warranty. New Holland is aware of the problem because they listed it in the 2002 dealer product improvment book.

 

[spencer200]

unfortunately the purse strings are controled in italy. Overseas has told North America to keep there warranties in check.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

<font color=blue>...spot welded assemblies...</font color=blue>

Jim,

Normally, a NH service bulletin would be issued to take care of all "unsold, on lot units", then... "take care of" as they happened... and of course all production units...

Well NH dealers out there in TBN land... "Do you have any service bulletins issued on this?"

If not... how many defects have you seen to date and taken care of?

...and furthermore a warranty issue would pay a dealer however "little" for the labor involved in R & R... how does NH compensate you Jim, for your labors' R&R...?

 

[jinman]

<font color=blue>how does NH compensate you Jim, for your labors' R&R...?</font color=blue>

Of course, you are right, John, and I made my decision to take it upon myself when I decided that no matter what, I would get the part fixed correctly. I decided that my piece-of-mind was worth my effort. Fortunately, my dealer compensated me all he could by helping me. I think Spencer's comments above are indicative of where New Holland's interest is. They will protect their bottom line by putting pressure on their dealers to do less warranty work. Until their "bottom line" is effected, they are likely to continue. I'm sure someone who likely designed such a shabby part is also very good at creating bar and pie charts showing how "very few" units are experiencing problems. Well, I truly hope they are correct, but I wouldn't bet on it./w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif/w3tcompact/icons/sad.gif