Ok whats wrong with this pic

[Gale Hawkins]

Not to be a dissenter here, but if the clutch had a failure, and there was metal to metal contact, you will get heavy rust deposits like the ones shown in the pictures. An example would be disk brakes that have been allowed to go completely to metal. They will throw metal dust particles all over the side of the car, all over the wheels, etc... that will rust like crazy with just a little bit of humidity or moisture. If the clutch disk is semi metallic and it was slipped a lot, you could get the same effect. Particularly if the machine sat for long periods.

Just my opinion.

I agree metal to metal can rust together if the clutch bands are completely gone. All I have very experienced is clutch bands stuck and not rusted together.

What is cool about all of this is no one knows what happened or why it happened. The owner gets all new parts and only pays the labor bill.

Still lean towards the clutch petal shaft being the path water got into the bell housing. :thumbsup:

 

[redneckford]

Ok and here it is. My MF rep came and looked at the tractor today. His thought are that it has been under water at some point in time and this is the first one he has seen this bad. As a "good will" measure and to show MF stands behind the products he has offered to pay for the parts if the customer will pay for the labor. I have called the customer and left a mess for him to call me back. As soon as i hear from him ill let yall know where we go from here. Thanks to ALL that posted and shared there thoughts and opinions.
Jeremy

Jeremy
i am a former ford/new holland dealer. Back in the 90's we had alot of 1715 model tractor come in that had the jingle cotter pin put in up side down---head sticking out of bell housing instead of legs----the jingle pin would not spin around and keep the hole cleaned out for the moisture to drain out in western louisiana. We had to replace quite a few clutch and pressure plates due to this problem and we did this after ford did a recall on all these units and we had to check each one that we had sold----so it can happen---however it is obvious that Mf uses a plug and tells you in the op manual to pull the plug every few months---How many customers spend $20k plus for a tractor but are to ----- to read the book before operating the equipment---just saying?????

 

[jlsmith]

Thanks to wverybody for the great comments and post. I try to be as fair as I can be and look at all possible answers as to y I started this post. I wanted to see how everybody else saw this and to see if I was over looking something. My rep has been doing this c
kind of work for a great while now and is verry knowledgeable of all MF products. No he couldn't state that he was 100% shure that the tractor had been underwater but would have bet it has been at some point in time base on other tractor bell housings that he has seen and known to have been under water. Regardless he has agreed to pay for the parts and has proved to me that MF is there to help and does stand behind their product. Not to say they will do this everytime tho. As far as the clutch slipping this is not possible as it was rusted together and my mechanics had to chisel the disk away from the pressure plate. Other than it being rusted the clutch and pressure looked to be fine no sign of slippage. Hopefully the customer will be pleased as I've even thrown out the pick up and delivery charge as a sign of good measure. I know I have done my part as to be a good dealer and and try to be in the customers corner as to mine and MF and do all I can. I just hope it was enough but if not I know I can still sleep good at night knowing I did my part. Thanks again to all the posters and I should let you know tomorrow what the customer said.

 

[PoorMansCat]

Yes sometimes I think I try to be too nice. I just like the customer to know he has someone in his corner in his time of need. The bell housing does have a drain plug to let the water out. When we picked the tractor up we thought we could free it up without splitting it. When we saw what ws wrong and called the customer and told him the cost is when he started yelling warranty and he was advised 6 months age his warranty was up and to bring the tractor n so we could go over it incase we saw a problem before it expired at which time he declined. So yes he knew it was out of warranty when we picked it up I just don't think he thought it would cost as much to fix.

My hats is off to ya for getting your customer some "good will" from the manufacturer. And making sure the owner has to spend some $$$ will help ensure he takes better care of his tractor. (No matter what the truth about the failure is) I can only home that IF my Bota needs something done, my dealer will be as customer oriented as you appear to be.
Maybe you should pitch the idea to the customer that you and the manufacturer rep decided that it was humidity and low usage that caused the failure and ask him to leave the drain plug out!!!. If he isnt running it in deep water, it shouldnt be an issue!!!.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

My hats is off to ya for getting your customer some "good will" from the manufacturer. And making sure the owner has to spend some $$$ will help ensure he takes better care of his tractor. (No matter what the truth about the failure is) I can only home that IF my Bota needs something done, my dealer will be as customer oriented as you appear to be.
Maybe you should pitch the idea to the customer that you and the manufacturer rep decided that it was humidity and low usage that caused the failure and ask him to leave the drain plug out!!!. If he isnt running it in deep water, it shouldnt be an issue!!!.

2x on leaving the plug OUT.

If it was large enough it could be drilled and fitted with a cotter key. If it is an Allen head plug it could be put in by hand with Locktite HD. :thumbsup:

Some how the design flaw (at least for the deep south USA) has to be overcome.

 

[tlbuser]

Hopefully the customer will be pleased as I've even thrown out the pick up and delivery charge as a sign of good measure. I know I have done my part as to be a good dealer and and try to be in the customers corner as to mine and MF and do all I can. I just hope it was enough but if not I know I can still sleep good at night knowing I did my part. Thanks again to all the posters and I should let you know tomorrow what the customer said.

From what I've read, the customer will be less than happy. However, it certainly does sound like you are a man of your word and are trying hard to deliver outstanding customer service.

 

[JJZ 109]

I know I have done my part as to be a good dealer and and try to be in the customers corner as to mine and MF and do all I can. I just hope it was enough but if not I know I can still sleep good at night knowing I did my part. Thanks again to all the posters and I should let you know tomorrow what the customer said.

Nice job on your part, JLS. In my opinion you've gone above and beyond the call. If this person is still unhappy, he'll never be happy with anything.
You've certainly done your part and I'm sure that you've gained a lot of good will on this forum.

 

[jinman]

Well, it seems to me that "MF" now stands for "Mighty Fair." That would make me proud to represent them as a dealer. If the customer is smart, he'll take this deal and thank you very much. Don't hold your breath for that, but MF just raised themselves considerably in my eyes.:thumbsup:

 

[jlsmith]

Well i just got off the phone with the customer and i hope nobody took the bet with blueriver or he will be eating steak tonight. Customer was still not happy make a few more rude comments and said he will not be back after he gets his tractor.(didnt figure he would anyhow). He knows he has to pay the labor and said he would so we are ordering the parts now. Now im just ready to get it fixed, get it back to the customer and get back to buisness at hand. Thanks again to all that post and the great comments toward me. TBN is the best site ive been on and look forward to many more years of advice and opionions from fellow posters and friends.:thumbsup:

 

[blueriver]

Well ... as many have said you definatly have stood up to the plate on this one. Keep us posted as to how fast he pays the labor bill!!

 

[jake98]

I'm disgusted and can't help hopeing something else breaks soon.
Edit: I know karma will get me for that.

 

[woodsmith]

I'd say make sure it is cash in the bank before you hand over the tractor, he could just as easily bounce the cheque or get a reclaim on a credit card.

 

[blueriver]

I'd say make sure it is cash in the bank before you hand over the tractor, he could just as easily bounce the cheque or get a reclaim on a credit card.

Yes CASH and Cash only before it leaves the shop.

 

[dourobob]

... said he will not be back after he gets his tractor.(didnt figure he would anyhow).

He knows he has to pay the labor and said he would so we are ordering the parts now.

Good for you and too bad for him.
His agreement to pay labor costs tells me he knows who is right on this one.

I agree with the other posters - CASH or CERTIFIED Cheque before the tractor leaves the shop.

You set a fine example of fairness for both dealers and owners. Congratulations.

Let us know if this "customer" throws up any more roadblocks to putting this whole thing behind you.

Bob

 

[Mace Canute]

............... Customer was still not happy make a few more rude comments and said he will not be back after he gets his tractor.(didnt figure he would anyhow). He knows he has to pay the labor and said he would so we are ordering the parts now. .............

So there is a "silver lining" to this situation after all! Who needs "customers" like him!?

Ditto on getting CASH for payment! I certainly wouldn't trust this guy to not try to cancel a check or not try to get a reclaim on a credit card.

 

[sixdogs]

Yeah, you could see this outcome on the way.
Not sure how I feel about it or how to address it but the "taking a check" thing makes me queezy unless he signs somthing regarding the work and I don't think he will want to. Part of getting out of Clown College is to be a big a pain for as long as others will tolerate it.

Then again, you have the tractor inside and it will, I hope, stay there until satisfactory delivery. He's mostly whipped but likely will try one more if he thinks he can sneak it by you. Maybe jot him a letter regarding the financial and other details of the conversation and what is his financial responsibility. You could also send him the work order to sign and return.

It's slightly premature but good luck, my friend, and in celebration of this success I plan to crack open a bottle of three-week old Rolling Rock tonight. Visualize clinking glasses and a hearty "Salute!"

 

[Gale Hawkins]

I have had a few of these over the years. It is aways good when they say "I will never be back and will tell others to do the same".

My view was anyone that would listen to them I did not need for a customer any way.:thumbsup:

 

[crazyal]

I wouldn't worry about taking a check. I think in most (if not all) states stopping payment on a check after work is done to get back a vehicle will get you in real trouble. Some states will allow the shop to reposes the tractor while others it's a felony. Writing a check on an account with known insufficient funds will also land him into hot water.

If the owner is smart he'll pay for the work done and hopefully learn something. I doubt he'll ever understand what MF did for him or you did, that's too bad. Even if he can't be honest with you maybe he'll be honest with himself and realize that he did something wrong and not do it again. Since thanks to his actions he now has to go to a different dealer to get repair work done or return to you after saying he wouldn't and if he is so stubborn not to admit to anything I'm guessing he would drive 100 miles out of his way to prove his point.

I also wold worry too much about him bad mouthing you. My guess is, being as most people know everyone, most people know what type of person he is and will weigh anything he says with what type of person he is.

 

[jimmysisson]

If the owner is smart he'll... I don't see where he's been smart up to now! I would keep the rig indoors until paid for, that's your right. Good luck to you and thanks for providing an example from the other side of the counter of the way we all want to be treated.
Jim

 

[blueriver]

I wouldn't worry about taking a check. I think in most (if not all) states stopping payment on a check after work is done to get back a vehicle will get you in real trouble. Some states will allow the shop to reposes the tractor while others it's a felony. Writing a check on an account with known insufficient funds will also land him into hot water.

Could be ... however cash is a done deal ... any form of bad check takes collection efforts, certified letters, weeks, months before the court system will hear it and then maybe years to collect.

I have one from a customer that is 6 years old ... NSF ...I was awarded a warrant with collection in the bail. THEY CAN NOT FIND HIM!!!

CASH and I hope I mentioned CASH!!!