VENTRAC OWNERS' MANUAL REVISIONS

[prs]

In another thread mention was made of revisions to the manuals for 4500 series tractors. I noticed today, that as of 01/29/2016 the manual is again revised.

prs

 

[Coyote machine]

And?...

 

[JackIL]

When they revise or update a manual it is posted on their website with a date and revision number. When I need to refer to a manual I go directly to the website. Paper becomes obsolete, but the web version doesn't.

 

[murphy1244]

When they revise or update a manual it is posted on their website with a date and revision number. When I need to refer to a manual I go directly to the website. Paper becomes obsolete, but the web version doesn't.

But how do you know what was revised? Read the whole book?

 

[Coyote machine]

What a concept, reading a WHOLE book - you can do it murph!:shocked::laughing:
One page at a time....

 

[Raw Dodge]

When they revise or update a manual it is posted on their website with a date and revision number. When I need to refer to a manual I go directly to the website. Paper becomes obsolete, but the web version doesn't.

I love how Ventrac has all there manuals online,however in this case,IF a revision is made that affects the service intervals ,or maintenance schedule , shouldn't the affected owners be notified by mail,phone or email? Changing the filter change interval was done because field feedback indicated it needed to be changed...this is kind of important considering what these machines cost to buy,and repair,,and what can happen if It plugs solid on a 30 degree hillside,, it would be the right thing to do,In my humble opinion.

 

[murphy1244]

What a concept, reading a WHOLE book - you can do it murph!:shocked::laughing:
One page at a time....

CM you can be such a idiot at times. I am sick of your snarky comments.

 

[murphy1244]

I love how Ventrac has all there manuals online,however in this case,IF a revision is made that affects the service intervals ,or maintenance schedule , shouldn't the affected owners be notified by mail,phone or email? Changing the filter change interval was done because field feedback indicated it needed to be changed...this is kind of important considering what these machines cost to buy,and repair,,and what can happen if It plugs solid on a 30 degree hillside,, it would be the right thing to do,In my humble opinion.

I agree, its better than playing a game of guess the revision..

 

[prs]

This site says my token has expired, whatever that means. I have tried several time to post the rest of the story:

I have noticed yet another revision of 4500Z tractors, this one dated late January 2016. Strange, the other versions of 4500 are not listed on the cover of that new revision as they were previously. I also did not notice the download files for the other versions on the site.

A quick glance and I notice the service schedule for hydraulic filters and oil has again been changed. Filters are now to be replaced at 100, 500, and 1,500 hours. After that, I suppose we are left to an educated guess: Are we to change every 1,000 hours there after or yearly as noted in my hard copy manual of 1/14/14?

Another revision in this last update will be more expensive. Hydraulic fluid changes “require” authorized dealer service so that the system can be filtered to protect the motors and pumps. According to my 1/14/14 manual that was set to be at 2,000 hours or 5 years. Well, now it is 500, 1,500 and then; well, there is that educated guess again. Will it be every 2,000 hours or 5 years there after?

Ventrac (Venture) almost certainly is doing the right thing, making prudent changes as experiences are dictating as necessary to meet needs. It is understandable that with a relatively new model of equipment some changes in expectations are to be encountered. However, they need to assure owners of 4500 units, purchased under the terms stated at point of sale, that the warranty will be honored even if the older schedule is followed by the owner. Many of those owners will probably be unaware of the changes unless so notified. Venture probably would be in good faith if they were to explain the reasons for the changes so that owners of previous units could make an informed decision about adopting the updated schedule(s) or not.

Perhaps following the original schedule(s) will result in the majority of units surviving to and beyond the warranty period, yet failing prematurely there after at great expense.

 

[prs]

But how do you know what was revised? Read the whole book?

Fair question. I first went to the service schedule and looked for entries that changed, such being the hydraulic oil filter change. I then reviewed the schedule in the version I had last down loaded and noticed the hydraulic oil changes.

I sure could be wrong, but I would not expect operating changes. May be some safety section changes, but I did not look. I did look to see if there might be a change regarding the instruction to grease the universal joint form the RIGHT. I was unable to access them from the right, but had it done from the LEFT pdq. No change, they still say do it from the right. I also looked for tire pressure changes for duals, but still the same.

prs

PS I notice they have all the 4500 variants listed now in separate downloads.

 

[John Joseph McVeigh]

An easy way to find all of the changes, if you have Adobe Acrobat Pro, is to open the earlier and more recent versions, and use the Compare Documents function. Acrobat will then compare the two documents and produce a comparison document that shows all of the changes, no matter how subtle.

 

[murphy1244]

I should not have to play that game. They had a problem with filters plugging up with machining junk and changed the Hours. What would of happened after warranty?

 

[John Joseph McVeigh]

I should not have to play that game. They had a problem with filters plugging up with machining junk and changed the Hours. What would of happened after warranty?

Not a formal legal opinion, but I would think that, unless you received actual notice of changes in the maintenance schedule (e.g., via a letter sent with confirmation of delivery), Ventrac would be bound by the warranty if you adhered to the original maintenance schedule specified in the Operator's Manual that the dealer delivered to you with the tractor. From the time you receive actual notice, you may (or may not) be required to adhere to the modified maintenance schedule.

There is an argument that one could make that one is grandfathered and is covered so long as one adheres to the original maintenance schedule specified in the Operator's Manual that the dealer delivered with the tractor.

I intend to play it safe and change my filters and henceforth adhere to the latest maintenance schedule. Practically speaking, I would like to avoid problems and downtime, even if it costs a bit more in filters and fluids over the long term.

 

[Coyote machine]

CM you can be such a idiot at times. I am sick of your snarky comments.

I'm the 'idiot', eh murph? I'm the one who stated the Ventrac manual was revised in the other thread, cited by the OP of this thread. I also brought it to your attention in that thread, but I guess you missed my trying to save your butt, since you were going by incorrect change intervals in the original manual.
I don't own a Ventrac, but I thought I'd point out the obvious just in case guys like you missed it.

BTW, suggesting you could read a whole book was a joke- but I guess you missed that too. Snark this.
And realize if you were as detail oriented as I, you might have noticed the revisions to the manuals by checking in once in a while.

Manufacturers constantly revise publications, and in almost all cases they reserve the right to do so with no notice to current or past owners. It is such common practice it's almost laughable that anyone would think the manufacturer is going to notify an existing owner. Service bulletins, recalls, etc. are available through dealer networks, mostly for cars/trucks, but some others might offer that service too. Caveat emptor, baby.:confused3:

 

[murphy1244]

Yep, your right and I'm wrong.:laughing:

 

[murphy1244]

LD1 was the one who brought out the latest revision not you. And its not for my year.

 

[Coyote machine]

Reference the thread, so I can check it. I believe I quoted you and made reference to your Ventrac, though I wouldn't have known your specific year. If I'm wrong, I apologize in advance for a misstatement, but not for trying to make a joke about you reading a whole 'book'. Meantime- try lightening up some- it's good for one's blood pressure. Sometimes ribbing doesn't always convey across text.

 

[murphy1244]

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/ventrac/351314-buyers-remorse.html post#11

Not having a good time lately, No time for petty stuff. Lifes too short.

 

[Coyote machine]

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/ventrac/351314-buyers-remorse.html post#11

Not having a good time lately, No time for petty stuff. Lifes too short.

Sorry you're having a rough time.

FWIW, this post was first mention of manual revisions, not mine, nor LD1's.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/ventrac/351314-buyers-remorse-post4351143.html#post4351143