Defective new tractor

[DanMull]

Just purchased Branson 2515H. After using tractor for four hours, I started it next day and blue smoke belched out and engine knocked. It cleared up but I could still hear a tick and light knocking. I called dealer. They said it was a warranty issue and would not just give me a new tractor. The tractor is only four hours old. They picked it up for repair two days ago. Haven't heard anything from them . The Branson dealer in Jackson. Michigan. My position is I'm entitled to new tractor, not a fixed tractor with maybe a new engine. Anyone know my rights in this regard?

 

[RjCorazza]

Your dealer is correct that it is a warranty issue.

 

[amhicks21]

sounds like just a stuck injector causing fuel knock. Not a big deal. All 4 new tractors that ive taken delivery of at work had to go back at some point during the warranty for repairs. Bad orbital motor, internal hst leak causing no power, front differential literally grenaded at like 50 hours, defective computer causing no start, bent loader from factory, multiple hydraulic leaks... etc. Its just how it goes. They aren't building millions of em like they do cars so theres bound to be more manufacturing defects and oversights. Just 2 weeks ago, we had to send a brand new bobcat t66 back to the dealer for a coolant leak.

 

[Doughknob]

 

[MossRoad]

Just purchased Branson 2515H. After using tractor for four hours, I started it next day and blue smoke belched out and engine knocked. It cleared up but I could still hear a tick and light knocking. I called dealer. They said it was a warranty issue and would not just give me a new tractor. The tractor is only four hours old. They picked it up for repair two days ago. Haven't heard anything from them . The Branson dealer in Jackson. Michigan. My position is I'm entitled to new tractor, not a fixed tractor with maybe a new engine. Anyone know my rights in this regard?

Yeah, your rights are you have to let them try to determine what's wrong with it in a timely manner. Until they determine that, you have to wait.

 

[K5lwq]

That is precisely what a warranty is for, things like this. Sounds like your dealer is on top of this by coming to get the tractor and taking it back to their shop.

I think we all understand your frustration as nobody wants to have issues with a new big ticket item. But it happens. The good news is it happened early in the warranty period and not 4 hours beyond the warranty.

Have a little faith in your dealer and be assured you still will have a new tractor. Also your new tractor is getting a thorough inspection by a caring dealer that wants to make sure it does not come back.

 

[ptsg]

I agree with K5lwq.

People do feel entitled to a lot of things these days. Just be patient, let the dealer pick up the tractor, diagnose it and proceed after that. The atitude of demanding this and that that some people do, because that just makes everything worse for the dealer and costumer. It only results on internet rants. Not saying you're like that though, I hope not.

The dealer can't just send a new tractor without knowing what was wrong one the other one in the first place. Let's imagine you put gas instead of diesel on your brand new tractor and trashed the engine? That's not really a warranty case and it's 100% the owners fault.

 

[mikester]

If your warranty and sales contract says "we will immediately give you a new machine upon discovery of a suspected defect" then yes you will get a new replacement machine right away.

BTW sorry about your troubles, at least it sounds like the dealer is taking action. Hopefully it gets resolved sooner than later.

 

[DanMull]

Thanks for all the replies. Especially noting that the dealer would first have to determine what is the issue with the tractor. This is my first "brand new" purchase of a big ticket item. I've got some learning curves. I will be patient and have faith in dealer. After all. They did pick it up quickly. Also, need to stop listening to friends and relatives suggests on "what should have been done". Again, thanks for the well reasoned responses.

 

[Root Cause]

This is my first "brand new" purchase of a big ticket item. Also, need to stop listening to friends and relatives suggests on "what should have been done". Again, thanks for the well reasoned responses.

And we much better understand your first post and real root cause of your frustration. The silver lining may be that it brought you here. While it is being fixed, I suggest you do some searching here. There is an enormous amount of good info where other sites are mixed. It will lead to a few questions and then you will better enjoy your machine when it returns.

 

[shooterdon]

Yes, I understand your frustration. I had to have my dealer come out for an issue after 50 hours, but it was resolved quickly. I bought a new machine and did a lot of research about the dealers before I pulled the trigger. A good dealer is a blessing.

Let the dealer do his thing and please keep us posted.

BTW, I was so pleased with my LS dealer I bought my ZT from him last year even though I paid a tad more.

 

[Torvy]

I used to do tech support for computers. New owners often had similar responses. Big ticket items get repaired, cheap items get replaced. (think toasters) Many times the problem was due to malicious software. Replacing the machine would not get to the cause and the problem would just affect the new one. I know it is frustrating, but most likely it is something minor that they can fix an you will be trouble-free after this.

 

[K5lwq]

Thanks for all the replies. Especially noting that the dealer would first have to determine what is the issue with the tractor. This is my first "brand new" purchase of a big ticket item. I've got some learning curves. I will be patient and have faith in dealer. After all. They did pick it up quickly. Also, need to stop listening to friends and relatives suggests on "what should have been done". Again, thanks for the well reasoned responses.

Yes we get it much better now. I want to share a quick story about my Aunt.

My Aunt had bought a brand new Lincoln Navigator. She was not a newbie at buying new vehicles. She has always bought a new vehicle about every two years for many years. Always Fords and from the same dealer.

At about 500 miles on this Navigator, she starts hearing a horrible rattling noise every time she would stop and take off. It was loud!

She finally decided enough with that and took it back to the dealer to be fixed. She went in yelling at how good of a customer she was and they sold her a lemon! She told the owner she wanted something else as she no longer wanted that peace of junk!

They told her they understood and promised they would fix her car. She would not have it. Getting even more mad she saw a King Ranch F150 on the show room floor and said I want that!

After them trying to calm her down and promising she did not buy a lemon they gave up. They took her Navigator in on trade and sold her the King Ranch.

As she was getting ready to leave, the mechanic came up to her and said her car was fixed and she was good to go. She told him that is your car, I am taking home that new King Ranch in there.

The mechanic said would you like to know what was wrong with the car? She said it doesn’t really matter any but what?

He then held up a water bottle and said this was on your roof and was rolling around inside your roof rack. Lol

She lost about $5,000 on a 20oz bottle of water.

Just be patient, it will work out.

 

[shooterdon]

Yes we get it much better now. I want to share a quick story about my Aunt.

My Aunt had bought a brand new Lincoln Navigator. She was not a newbie at buying new vehicles. She has always bought a new vehicle about every two years for many years. Always Fords and from the same dealer.

At about 500 miles on this Navigator, she starts hearing a horrible rattling noise every time she would stop and take off. It was loud!

She finally decided enough with that and took it back to the dealer to be fixed. She went in yelling at how good of a customer she was and they sold her a lemon! She told the owner she wanted something else as she no longer wanted that peace of junk!

They told her they understood and promised they would fix her car. She would not have it. Getting even more mad she saw a King Ranch F150 on the show room floor and said I want that!

After them trying to calm her down and promising she did not buy a lemon they gave up. They took her Navigator in on trade and sold her the King Ranch.

As she was getting ready to leave, the mechanic came up to her and said her car was fixed and she was good to go. She told him that is your car, I am taking home that new King Ranch in there.

The mechanic said would you like to know what was wrong with the car? She said it doesn’t really matter any but what?

He then held up a water bottle and said this was on your roof and was rolling around inside your roof rack. Lol

She lost about $5,000 on a 20oz bottle of water.

Just be patient, it will work out.

I really enjoy seeing people who act like that pay a price.

 

[Clanky]

Yes we get it much better now. I want to share a quick story about my Aunt.

My Aunt had bought a brand new Lincoln Navigator. She was not a newbie at buying new vehicles. She has always bought a new vehicle about every two years for many years. Always Fords and from the same dealer.

At about 500 miles on this Navigator, she starts hearing a horrible rattling noise every time she would stop and take off. It was loud!

She finally decided enough with that and took it back to the dealer to be fixed. She went in yelling at how good of a customer she was and they sold her a lemon! She told the owner she wanted something else as she no longer wanted that peace of junk!

They told her they understood and promised they would fix her car. She would not have it. Getting even more mad she saw a King Ranch F150 on the show room floor and said I want that!

After them trying to calm her down and promising she did not buy a lemon they gave up. They took her Navigator in on trade and sold her the King Ranch.

As she was getting ready to leave, the mechanic came up to her and said her car was fixed and she was good to go. She told him that is your car, I am taking home that new King Ranch in there.

The mechanic said would you like to know what was wrong with the car? She said it doesn’t really matter any but what?

He then held up a water bottle and said this was on your roof and was rolling around inside your roof rack. Lol

She lost about $5,000 on a 20oz bottle of water.

Just be patient, it will work out.

That's hilarious

 

[Buckeye Guy]

Hope it works out for you with the dealer, please let us know how it goes

 

[Bentrim]

Please read the warranty form that you received when you purchased your tractor. This will tell you what is covered, what is not covered, the length of the warranty, what is your responsibility, what is the dealers responsibility, and should include some instructions on how to get warranty repair.
Most warranties that I have delt with as a consumer and dealer tech go something like this : the tractor (or implement ) is warranted against defect in material and workmanship. Basically if something breaks due to something the factory did -- it should be covered. Note this does not cover maintenance items or consumables (ie plow shares, bucket cutting edges, etc), which usually includes filters, fan belts, hoses, mower blades etc. They usually specify it is the purchasers responsibility to transport the tractor to the dealer or pay for the tech to travel to the tractor.
Many years ago when working at a MF dealer had a customer bring in a 5 year old fan belt and requested it to be warranted. The boss looked at him in a few seconds replied "Don't you ever own the tractor?" Then stated belts are regarded as consumables and are not warranted.
Now all that said be aware the dealer can chose at his expense to give the customer more than expressly written in the warranty, but should not give less than stated. He also has the factory tech to assist in anything he cannot diagnose properly and must use the factory tech for major component failure repair or replacement. Even at that I have had some factory reps I had to fight to get warranty repairs covered.
Good luck hope everything works in your favor.

 

[Waco Branson]

Thanks for all the replies. Especially noting that the dealer would first have to determine what is the issue with the tractor. This is my first "brand new" purchase of a big ticket item. I've got some learning curves. I will be patient and have faith in dealer. After all. They did pick it up quickly. Also, need to stop listening to friends and relatives suggests on "what should have been done". Again, thanks for the well reasoned responses.

Your friends were just trying to help, but unintentionally fueled the fire.

The worst part is the UNAVAILABILITY of the tractor when you want it and especially when you need it. Once they get it fixed, it will be a "new" tractor for all intents and purposes. This is just a glitch. Soon you'll be using the tractor so much the bad memory will fade.