Hauled my Mahindra to the dealer....

[bill6]

early this morning, because 1) the hour meter quit working (reads 61.3) and 2) very small hyrdaulic fluid leak.

My dealer is in Pendleton, OR about a 90 minute drive. Wow, what a production this was! Last night I borrowed a friend's dual axle flatbed trailer. I seriously overloaded my 2006 Ford Ranger. My 3215 G with loader weighs 3010 lbs, and the trailer is 1620 lbs. I was mostly concerned about the maximum tongue weight on the rear bumper (400 lbs)

I wanted to take a CLEAN tractor into the dealer, so the past 2 evenings I have been polishing, waxing, detailing. I was up until midnight. All 4 wheels were removed for cleaning, and I even waxed the back side of the wheels. All tires got the armor-all wet look treatment. The floormat (deck mat) was removed and the steel floor waxed. I used a toothbrush for some fine detail cleaning in hard-to-reach places. Then I thoroughly cleaned the whole engine compartment, and the inside of the hood. Then the entire loader unit, including bucket, got the treatment.

Now the machine looks like new. When taking a car, truck, or tractor in for service, this is very important. You see, back in college when I drove a towtruck, it went like this: When we towed a car that looked like a million dollars, we treated it SO carefully. By contrast, junker cars and dirty vehicles were treated with little respect.

By the way, I had no problems this morning pulling 4700 lbs with my Ranger. I had loaded the tractor on the trailer very carefully, not weighing down the tongue too much. The trip was freeway all the way. I just drove 45-49 mph, never really used the brakes (5 speed manual, 4 cylinder engine) and slowed by compression way in advance of any stops.

I hope the dealer can fix the hour meter.........

 

[Hard]

Oh...that poor little Ranger...

 

[DavesTractor]

early this morning, because 1) the hour meter quit working (reads 61.3) and 2) very small hyrdaulic fluid leak.

My dealer is in Pendleton, OR about a 90 minute drive. Wow, what a production this was! Last night I borrowed a friend's dual axle flatbed trailer. I seriously overloaded my 2006 Ford Ranger. My 3215 G with loader weighs 3010 lbs, and the trailer is 1620 lbs. I was mostly concerned about the maximum tongue weight on the rear bumper (400 lbs)

I wanted to take a CLEAN tractor into the dealer, so the past 2 evenings I have been polishing, waxing, detailing. I was up until midnight. All 4 wheels were removed for cleaning, and I even waxed the back side of the wheels. All tires got the armor-all wet look treatment. The floormat (deck mat) was removed and the steel floor waxed. I used a toothbrush for some fine detail cleaning in hard-to-reach places. Then I thoroughly cleaned the whole engine compartment, and the inside of the hood. Then the entire loader unit, including bucket, got the treatment.

Now the machine looks like new. When taking a car, truck, or tractor in for service, this is very important. You see, back in college when I drove a towtruck, it went like this: When we towed a car that looked like a million dollars, we treated it SO carefully. By contrast, junker cars and dirty vehicles were treated with little respect.

By the way, I had no problems this morning pulling 4700 lbs with my Ranger. I had loaded the tractor on the trailer very carefully, not weighing down the tongue too much. The trip was freeway all the way. I just drove 45-49 mph, never really used the brakes (5 speed manual, 4 cylinder engine) and slowed by compression way in advance of any stops.

I hope the dealer can fix the hour meter.........

What kind of mileage did you get towing....and I know you figured it out! The hour meter is probably a cable, likely installed with a little kink somewhere. It is much like a speedometer cable on a car. You are good entertainment, so keep posting!

 

[bill6]

Hi Dave; Yeah, I carry a GPS and have a Scangauge II hooked to the OBDII port. (I also save fuel receipts).

While pulling the heavy load, the Ranger only got 22.62 mpg over the 62 miles distance. On the return trip, 41.34 mpg. (this is right at my overall average since I bought the truck)

This Ford Ranger is a 2006 model, regular cab, long bed, 5-speed, 4 cyl, with tonneau cover for help in Highway aero. I inflate the tires to the maximum (44 lbs, sometimes I go 48 lbs) and drive at moderate freeway speeds. I anticipate traffic & events well in advance, and drive such that I seldom use the brakes.

Thanks for the reply Dave, and I will be thinking of you guys at the big show in Tulare. Wish I could come by and say "hi". I hope you do exceptionally well, and bring lots of attention both to Mahindra and your fine distribution operation and dealership. Later, Bill.....

 

[HangtownMatt]

Bill6,

I have to ask ... Why would you go to such extreems to ensure you get the absolute best care for your tractor than turn around and overload your pickup?

HangtownMatt

 

[Carl1]

Sir,
You have way too much time on your hands if you clean your tractor that good. A tractor is a tool use it or sell it but keeping it that clean is nice. But I can think of alot things I would rather be doing.

 

[Dougster]

I wanted to take a CLEAN tractor into the dealer, so the past 2 evenings I have been polishing, waxing, detailing. I was up until midnight. All 4 wheels were removed for cleaning, and I even waxed the back side of the wheels. All tires got the armor-all wet look treatment. The floormat (deck mat) was removed and the steel floor waxed. I used a toothbrush for some fine detail cleaning in hard-to-reach places. Then I thoroughly cleaned the whole engine compartment, and the inside of the hood. Then the entire loader unit, including bucket, got the treatment.

I hope the dealer can fix the hour meter.........

Bill, you are my hero! My inspiration! You set the standards! Please keep up the good work!

I am in a similar situation with my dealer being about two hours drive (each way) from here. I'm curious... did you try to fix it yourself first to avoid this nasty little road trip? Wouldn't an hour meter most likely be a fuse or loose wire somewhere? I'm the kind of guy that would spend some considerable time trying to fix the problem myself (with valuable input from this group, of course!) even if it meant buying a few odd parts rather than spend more time and more money to haul it back and forth to the dealer... even if still under warranty.

Big problems > dealer. Little problems > moi! To me that's half the fun (and often financially more practical too)!

Dougster

 

[bill6]

Hi Matt; The Ranger is my only pickup, I would have had to borrow a larger one. It does have factory heavy duty shocks. I only was worried about the tongue weight on the nice diamondstep bumper; nevertheless, I can see your point!

Carl; you are right for sure, however I DO actually work the machine pretty hard when I'm using it. I have been hauling 1100 lb loads of large rocks in the FEL, digging & carrying gravel from a huge pile, ripping hard earth with the box blade, and pulling a large disc harrow. I keep my airplane clean & polished also, and my car too----just a personality quirk I guess.

Hi Doug, thanks for the nice words. My dealer recommended I bring it in, and I did try to fix the small fluid leak but could not. I can't tolerate ANY leaks, because the tractor is kept in a heated shop with smooth concrete floor. But you are right, it is a lot of work to haul it there and back!

 

[RedRiver]

early this morning, because 1) the hour meter quit working (reads 61.3) and 2) very small hyrdaulic fluid leak.

My dealer is in Pendleton, OR about a 90 minute drive. Wow, what a production this was! Last night I borrowed a friend's dual axle flatbed trailer. I seriously overloaded my 2006 Ford Ranger. My 3215 G with loader weighs 3010 lbs, and the trailer is 1620 lbs. I was mostly concerned about the maximum tongue weight on the rear bumper (400 lbs)

I wanted to take a CLEAN tractor into the dealer, so the past 2 evenings I have been polishing, waxing, detailing. I was up until midnight. All 4 wheels were removed for cleaning, and I even waxed the back side of the wheels. All tires got the armor-all wet look treatment. The floormat (deck mat) was removed and the steel floor waxed. I used a toothbrush for some fine detail cleaning in hard-to-reach places. Then I thoroughly cleaned the whole engine compartment, and the inside of the hood. Then the entire loader unit, including bucket, got the treatment.

Now the machine looks like new. When taking a car, truck, or tractor in for service, this is very important. You see, back in college when I drove a towtruck, it went like this: When we towed a car that looked like a million dollars, we treated it SO carefully. By contrast, junker cars and dirty vehicles were treated with little respect.

haha, let me tell you that you are a dealers dream customer. our mechanic loves to work on clean tractors!

 

[jwstewar]

While pulling the heavy load, the Ranger only got 22.62 mpg over the 62 miles distance. On the return trip, 41.34 mpg. (this is right at my overall average since I bought the truck)

Anyone else catch this? A Ford Ranger getting 41 MPG pulling a trailer I don't think so, unless it was down hill all the way. If so, I would be better off driving that back and forth then I am driving my 4 cyl Accord at 32 MPG.