Look how much I saved by doing it myself...

[Old Gray Mare]

My MF 1250 sprung a bad radiator leak and needed to be repaired or replaced. I am *very* rural in northern Arizona with no nearby tractor mechanics. Also, I am 66, live alone, and an "old gray mare*. I don't have access to a trailer to haul the tractor to get it repaired. I spent a couple of days getting estimates and finding someone who would actually do the work LOL! Taking it to a radiator shop would have entailed me taking the dang thing out, so I cowgirled-up and did it all by myself :silly: Here's what I saved!!

Repair shop 75 miles away:

Pick up tractor........................... $275
Deliver tractor............................ $275
6 hours shop labor in Arizona......... $720
Radiator repair............................ $250
Parts......................................... $150

TOTAL...................................... $1670

What it cost to DIY:

Reconditioned/repaired as new
radiator purchased online.............. $140
1 gallon antifreeze........................ $18
1 gallon distilled water................... $1
1 1/2" hose clamp......................... $1
Cleaned/inspected/reused hoses...... $0
Cleaned/inspected/reused cap......... $0

TOTAL........................................ $160

NET SAVINGS............................... $1510!!!!!!!

Now THAT is worth crowing about :laughing:

 

[TSO]

Congrats - glad to hear that Massey is all fixed up!

 

[murphy1244]

Where did you get the radiator at?

 

[SJay]

Great Job - There is a lot of satisfaction in fixing stuff youself:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[Old Gray Mare]

Where did you get the radiator at?

A shop in North Carolina that repairs small tractors & garden equipment had it. Apparently the tractor it came out of had a problem with the fan and it caused damage to the fins and dented the bottom tank. It only had 86 hours on it, so MF replaced the radiator with a new one (must have been under warranty?). It was a few years ago. The shop owner gave it to one of the guys to fix/sell and he had it repaired at a radiator shop (he gave me the repair receipt). The radiator looks brand new and functions perfectly

It was a complete fluke that I found this because they are extremely rare! Now I have to figure out what to do with the one I pulled out

 

[comancheflight]

Clean it up, fix it and sell it for $140
(Or more since their rare donchaknow)

 

[davesl708]

Woohoo. :thumbsup: Probably got it done in less time than the shop would have too.

 

[skyhook]

Good for you, OGM.:thumbsup:

 

[Ed of all trades]

Cool Well Done Ed

 

[kevin37b]

Priceless , proud of ya .

 

[Big Barn]

Good work! Isn't that a great feeling??

On to the NEXT fix.

Terry

 

[Lastkidpicked]

Nice job! Also found a cool trick to finding a radiator shop (since you hardly see them any more).

The problem is, why pay a radiator shop $300 to repair a radiator when you can buy a brand new one for $ 200?

The answer, "When you can't find a brand new one (or even used one).

Old Gray Mare, if this happens again and you just cannot find a radiator then walk into a hot rod shop. They work on vintage cars and will know a radiator shop in town.

Plus, you already know how to remove it and replace it!

 

[Ken]

Hi There used to be a Texaco service sta. West of Ash Fork Also had a radiator set up for trucks and equipment needing repair .
Guess with the interstate Highway this is gone by the way side.

Used to work at the gas pumping station toward Seligman kids went to Ash Fork school.

I have always believed to do it myself and pump the savings into a Credit Union. very surprising in growth.

ken

 

[onelostdogg]

Good job! Isn't that a great feeling? Especially for us non-Pro's!