PT100 Problems?

[LSLE]

I purchased a 2011 Terex PT100 in early 2012. I've had nothing but problems with this machine ever since. It's been multiple fires, electrical issues, escape hatches that won't open, and the list goes on and on. Am I the only one having problems? I've been reading through threads and it looks like most people like this machine. I read where "people don't like the Terex" but I don't see any posts like this myself. I believe I may have a lemon.

 

[redprospector]

Hmm. I wonder if you got the machine that Terex replaced for me. If you did, may God help you.

Andy

 

[LSLE]

Yeah, I've read your posts. Hope that one went to scrap.

We've really had problems with service from both Terex and our dealer. They started out good but quickly turned south when they couldn't find an easy fix. Terex rep said the problem is ours. The dealer finally agreed to replace the wiring harness. Shortly after we had an engine fire. Burnt up fuel lines and some electrical. Dealer said "easy fix have it back to you in 3-4 days". Then suggested we call the insurance company because it was going to cost $10-12K, but still only 3-4 days. After the estimate to replace the engine (because it would be cheaper than fixing the current one) ran up to $32k and 12 weeks of "it'll be done tomorrow" we've about had enough.

From our first meeting with the Terex rep and the dealer I asked them to take it back and give me the older model PT 100 to no avail. Wouldn't even help us out with a loaner. We had a 3rd party "cause and origins" investigator come take a look and they traced it back to crimped, bare wires at the ECM, most likely from the rewire job. The short of it is that we lost a lot of work by telling customers that we'd have the machine back "tomorrow" for 12 weeks and both terex and the dealer are pointing at us. Did I mention the increased insurance rates because of the fire claim? Just seeking options, input and seeing if others have had similar experience with Terex or if this is just a freak thing.

 

[tonyoz]

I believe there is a warranty recall to replace the wiring near the starter motor because they are catching fire. If Terex or the dealer hadn't done it and that's were the fire started then it should be their problem to fix or replace. Good luck and don't back down

PS Just thinking. If there is an insurance claim why do you have to claim on yours when the dealer could claim on theirs :shocked::2cents:

 

[LSLE]

You are exactly right. Interestingly enough, that is where the dealer said the fire started - at the bottom of the engine near or at the starter. This came to issue because we found evidence of arcing where the hood release cable crossed the wires powering the a/c unit. The a/c went out just before the fire was noticed. However, that could have been from wires at the ECM starting to cook. That's why we brought in the investigator to track down the origin of the fire.

The dealer, and Terex, have stuck to their claim that the fire started near the starter due to poor service on our part allowing the debris to pile up. This is from the same dealer who's tech told us that this was the cleanest forestry mulcher that he has ever serviced, on a prior visit. Months later we got the recall notice about the possibility of fires at the starter if the wiring wasn't rerouted.

Thought that would seal it for us...no matter if it started at the ECM (as we claimed) or at the starter (as they claimed), it falls on them. Our insurance paid for it and is trying to get their money back from one of the other two parties. Not sure how that is going. Dealer told us they are not responsible in any way...of course.

 

[LSLE]

Did I mention that we haven't been getting the recall notices? Seems like we've been kinda "blacklisted". I usually find out about them through a friend w/a PT 100G Forestry unit. We had to call Terex to get the notices. Then they sent us 5 or 6 all at once. Another dealer about 2 hours away has recently called to inform me of the bad air intake hose that can result in a dusted engine. He only did so because they have a customer that this happened to and Terex won't cover it because it's been recalled. Turns out he has not be receiving his notices either. Dealer is calling their customers to hopefully prevent anyone getting into that same boat.

 

[Marek]

Did you get everything in writing from the investigator and your dealer ? Try to get them to put everything you can in black and white.

 

[tonyoz]

Did you get everything in writing from the investigator and your dealer ? Try to get them to put everything you can in black and white.

Very good point

 

[LSLE]

Yes, we have the written investigation results. The only thing we've gotten from the dealer is from their lawyer (which appears to be a family member of the dealer, by the way) stating that they aren't responsible. I've talked to a lawyer who sent them both the dealer and Terex letters and we rec'd the same reply from both. This has been dragging on so long I'm a little foggy on what all we do have and from whom. We have documented everything from the start of who said what and when and turned copies of all that over to the lawyer.

I was contacted several months ago by another PT 100G Forestry unit owner who was contemplating a lawsuit against terex for trouble that he was having with his machine. His was primarily a/c and overheating issues if I recall properly. His machine was down more than it was in the field and most of that revolved around the same issues over and over....Hey, come to think of it I think I found redprospector's old machine! Not sure how, or if, this has has been resolved. I haven't seen his machine around in quite a while.

I do know of one contractor that actually cancelled his order for a PT 100G Forestry unit after learning of my experience. Ironically, I didn't talk him out of it.
Told him the pros and cons of the machine as I see it. Tried to stick to the facts and leave any emotion out of it. Follow-up service after the sale played a huge part in his decision.

 

[redprospector]

Yes, we have the written investigation results. The only thing we've gotten from the dealer is from their lawyer (which appears to be a family member of the dealer, by the way) stating that they aren't responsible. I've talked to a lawyer who sent them both the dealer and Terex letters and we rec'd the same reply from both. This has been dragging on so long I'm a little foggy on what all we do have and from whom. We have documented everything from the start of who said what and when and turned copies of all that over to the lawyer.

I was contacted several months ago by another PT 100G Forestry unit owner who was contemplating a lawsuit against terex for trouble that he was having with his machine. His was primarily a/c and overheating issues if I recall properly. His machine was down more than it was in the field and most of that revolved around the same issues over and over....Hey, come to think of it I think I found redprospector's old machine! Not sure how, or if, this has has been resolved. I haven't seen his machine around in quite a while.

I do know of one contractor that actually cancelled his order for a PT 100G Forestry unit after learning of my experience. Ironically, I didn't talk him out of it.
Told him the pros and cons of the machine as I see it. Tried to stick to the facts and leave any emotion out of it. Follow-up service after the sale played a huge part in his decision.

That's a possibility, it went back to East Texas.
My condolences to the owner. :laughing:
For all I know they may have fixed all the problems with it. But I doubt it.
In my opinion, Terex started selling this machine before it was ready, they used me and several others as their R&D department. But when I tried to give feed back they told me I needed to learn to run the machine, that it had no problems, I was the problem. :laughing: I'm 53 years old and I've been running equipment since I was 15. At 18 I backed off and with much attention from a kindly old Cat skinner learned to operate equipment. So for 35 years I've been an operator, and have owned a skid steer for much of that time. I found that if they didn't know the answer, I was the problem. I think that's S. O. P. for most companies now days.
Terex is a great outfit to deal with...........if you never have a problem. :mur:

Andy