A sign of things to come......

[Startvlr]

Got my 37 serviced recently and to say it was seemless would be a far reach at best. Also heard Dougs (Tractor guy)team are all gone and then to top it off, Mike Morgan is leaving (watch his latest video....).. Those two men are the reason I purchased this tractor. I would bet corporate has something to do with it no doubt... just kind of sad to me that RK had the chance to blow everyone out of the water with this tractor line and it seems to me they are blowing it. My neighbor has a Kubota and there is no comparison.... and that痴 no slam on Kubota...it痴 just a fact. My RK will out pull,out lift, and out weighs with no problem. The old saying rings true here... a product is only as good as the support and people that surround it. Anyone else see a decline in or a problem with Rural King?

 

[nbking]

I saw Mike's last video and was surprised, he said RK was offering to do another 2 years, but he turned them down. He had nothing bad to say about that relationship, but was moving on. I assume he is getting a much better offer. Waiting to see what's next for him. When I was researching tractors, I had never heard of RK, and no place around here to see one.

 

[g8erh8er]

Here's how the 50 hr service on my RK55HC went:

1. Engine oil overfilled by 1.5 to 2 quarts.
2. None of the zirc fittings underneath the tractor were greased.
3. 2nd hydraulic filter not changed
4. Hood panel loose
5. Front axle oil under filled.

And some other stuff I'm probably forgetting.

When I had the tech come to the house after realizing everything that was wrong, I had him show me the sheet he was working off to change the filters. He was using the sheet for a shuttle shift, NOT a hydrostatic, hence the reason he didn't know the additional filter needed changing.

In his defense, the guy was not provided the tools he needs to succeed. I asked him if he had any sort of training in tractor repair, and he told me he was supposed to receive some but never did.

In his own words, he said "I'm a shade tree mechanic used to working on small equipment like chain saws." Apparently the guy before him left for whatever reason and there was a big back log of customer equipment that needed fixing, so he never received the tractor training he was supposed to.

Keep this in mind folks if you ever decide to purchase an RK Tractor. I'm satisfied with the tractor for the most part. The service side of things though? Ugh.

Now I have a leaking 4x4 shaft seal and am contemplating whether or not I should just do it myself.

 

[Peter 315]

If you do it yourself at least it will be done correct, That's crappy about the dealer not training the guy's. But it all comes down to money sad.....

 

[Jchonline]

Mike is moving on because he wants to continue to grow his YouTube brand. You cannot do that unless you keep content new and interesting. Another 2 years of the same machines would not be interesting. He is doing the right thing for his business and family.

With regards to RK, I would send them a list of things you expect to be done and will inspect before you pay. Easily done just read the manual and make a list. This could happen at any dealer. Sad but always a possibility.

 

[blacktruck]

Got my 37 serviced recently and to say it was seemless would be a far reach at best. Also heard Dougs (Tractor guy)team are all gone and then to top it off, Mike Morgan is leaving (watch his latest video....).. Those two men are the reason I purchased this tractor. I would bet corporate has something to do with it no doubt... just kind of sad to me that RK had the chance to blow everyone out of the water with this tractor line and it seems to me they are blowing it. My neighbor has a Kubota and there is no comparison.... and that痴 no slam on Kubota...it痴 just a fact. My RK will out pull,out lift, and out weighs with no problem. The old saying rings true here... a product is only as good as the support and people that surround it. Anyone else see a decline in or a problem with Rural King?

I also saw the video from Mike about his deal with RK tractors. Quite some time back his channel was probably the first I had seen with the RK tractors. I'm from central Illinois when not on an assignment and fairly used to seeing the RK stores. As far as farm stores goes, they were probably my favorite of the many others I have been to over the years. I was surprised and happy to see their venture into tractors. Just my thoughts but the platform they use for their tractors is a very good one and they offer a lot of options as opposed to many other brands. I am planning to buy a new tractor this year and it will be a choice of RK or MF. I lean towards the RK just because of my experience with their stores but also sincerely hope their support of the tractor line is on par with the other dealers. Every post I have seen about the RK tractors seems to be from a satisfied owner with no real problems with the tractor. Aside from what is mentioned here, has there been a retreat by RK from the tractor scene?

 

[Startvlr]

I also saw the video from Mike about his deal with RK tractors. Quite some time back his channel was probably the first I had seen with the RK tractors. I'm from central Illinois when not on an assignment and fairly used to seeing the RK stores. As far as farm stores goes, they were probably my favorite of the many others I have been to over the years. I was surprised and happy to see their venture into tractors. Just my thoughts but the platform they use for their tractors is a very good one and they offer a lot of options as opposed to many other brands. I am planning to buy a new tractor this year and it will be a choice of RK or MF. I lean towards the RK just because of my experience with their stores but also sincerely hope their support of the tractor line is on par with the other dealers. Every post I have seen about the RK tractors seems to be from a satisfied owner with no real problems with the tractor. Aside from what is mentioned here, has there been a retreat by RK from the tractor scene?

Hey Blacktruck... Save yourself a huge headache and frustration by going with a tractor that has good customer service and a well known and respected service dept. Trust me, you will be glad you did. I know nothing is perfect, but RK has dropped the ball here. Plz don稚 get me wrong, I love my 37....it痴 A great tractor, but if you need to get service done, I think it would be a nightmare. I know Rural King has some great people working for them, I have met a few, but their customer support for their tractor division is not what it should be...not even close. It痴 unbelievable to me that Rural King corporate would dump probably millions of dollars into a really good tractor Program.. not to mention all the research and development, and then throw it all away with service and support.....Tripping over a dollar to save a dime kind of thing.

As far as Mike Morgan goes, I would bet you a steak dinner there is more to the story than what has been released. Give it time...the truth will come out eventually. Just my opinion here. Good luck in your tractor buying.

 

[Startvlr]

Hey g8....

Sorry to hear about your service experience. Mine too, was over serviced.. Absolutely no pride in workmanship. Area where they did service was a very unkept and dirty. I won’t be going back.... amazing what a $400 service costs and what you get with it....

 

[blacktruck]

Hey Blacktruck... Save yourself a huge headache and frustration by going with a tractor that has good customer service and a well known and respected service dept. Trust me, you will be glad you did. I know nothing is perfect, but RK has dropped the ball here. Plz don稚 get me wrong, I love my 37....it痴 A great tractor, but if you need to get service done, I think it would be a nightmare. I know Rural King has some great people working for them, I have met a few, but their customer support for their tractor division is not what it should be...not even close. It痴 unbelievable to me that Rural King corporate would dump probably millions of dollars into a really good tractor Program.. not to mention all the research and development, and then throw it all away with service and support.....Tripping over a dollar to save a dime kind of thing.

As far as Mike Morgan goes, I would bet you a steak dinner there is more to the story than what has been released. Give it time...the truth will come out eventually. Just my opinion here. Good luck in your tractor buying.

I haven't made any decisions as yet on the brand but service and support will weigh heavily on my choice. I was hoping to see RK going all out to support their new venture. Being a long time subcompact tractor owner and a life long operator and other equipment owner, I like the tractor they chose to go with. The basic brand is a long time builder with a good record. RK could not have done much better in finding someone to do the build. It sort of does appear the commitment to this venture sort of waned after a few years. I work for a fairly large company that manufactures equipment and have seen markets change in a few years. Judging by the number of tractors being built in the market they were entering, it has to be a tough business to break in and gain a measurable foothold in the market. I have not eliminated them completely from my choice of a new tractor. The last new tractor I bought only went back to the dealer for a routine check up so warranty has not been much of an issue for me. I have to admit I do like the options they choose to put on the RK24. I guess time will tell. Right now I'm still away from home and not likely venturing back very soon.

 

[Diggin It]

Those two men are the reason I purchased this tractor.

I made my decision based on value to me, not what a couple of guys got paid to say.

I lean towards the RK just because of my experience with their stores

My experiences with their stores is a big part of the reason I bought elsewhere.