Why people don't keep older equipment running

[dnw64]

Last fall I bought a 2000 6x4 Diesel Gator. I believe I paid $2700 for it. It ran and drove, but started hard when below 50ｰ, overheated and most of the tires didn't hold air.

I've bought 4 new tires - $450 including mounting. Looks like I will have to put a tube in one other one (which I already have from something else that didn't get used)
Haven't gotten the bill yet for 3 new glow plugs, new battery (my nephew, who runs a service company is doing the work) and the troubleshooting that lead to said repairs.

The cooling fan motor is dead. This is what prompted the thread:
JD wanted $530 plus tax/shipping. Over $500 for a little electric fan? Really? Do they custom make them per order??? Oh, it also comes with the shroud - why? Nothing wrong with the shroud.

Thankfully I found what is supposed to be the identical fan-only (no shroud) on eBay for "only" $190.

If I were "average Joe" that just took his rig to the dealer I can easily see this whole thing costing me $2k.

 

[5030]

The price of refurbishing. Been there, did that. People, in general, tend to get 'schlock' about maintenance when something gets some years in it.

 

[mcfarmall]

Another factor is the mechanical "dumbing down" of society. Mechanics are looked upon as second class tradesmen and all the kids are going to college for business degrees. Fewer and fewer people know how to fix anything anymore.

 

[dusty3030]

I think more than anything it is cheap and available credit. It is a backwards way of thinking, but think they can afford the payments but not the maintenance.
A credit check is done at the cash register in just a few seconds. People in general aren't afraid of debt anymore.

 

[5030]

Another factor is the mechanical "dumbing down" of society. Mechanics are looked upon as second class tradesmen and all the kids are going to college for business degrees. Fewer and fewer people know how to fix anything anymore.

That covers it pretty well. It's the 'plug and play' society we live in and if it plugs but don't play, off it and buy a new one.

 

[two_bit_score]

I think more than anything it is cheap and available credit. It is a backwards way of thinking, but think they can afford the payments but not the maintenance.
A credit check is done at the cash register in just a few seconds. People in general aren't afraid of debt anymore.

Yep, and little things add up.

 

[ArlyA]

I think people are lots smarter than that. Weather you buy new, or repair a tool, has many, many complicated factors which a few will be listed below (from my book anyway)

Cost of repairs compared to getting a new one? Most new products have been improved on.

Dependability after repairs? I know when I need a tool, I like to have it working. Have you ever tried getting your snowblower fixed during a blizzard? :laughing:

What is your old tool worth, if you retail it? To me, this comes off the cost of getting a new one.

What other factors are important to you?

 

[fried1765]

Last fall I bought a 2000 6x4 Diesel Gator. I believe I paid $2700 for it. It ran and drove, but started hard when below 50ｰ, overheated and most of the tires didn't hold air.

I've bought 4 new tires - $450 including mounting. Looks like I will have to put a tube in one other one (which I already have from something else that didn't get used)
Haven't gotten the bill yet for 3 new glow plugs, new battery (my nephew, who runs a service company is doing the work) and the troubleshooting that lead to said repairs.

The cooling fan motor is dead. This is what prompted the thread:
JD wanted $530 plus tax/shipping. Over $500 for a little electric fan? Really? Do they custom make them per order??? Oh, it also comes with the shroud - why? Nothing wrong with the shroud.

Thankfully I found what is supposed to be the identical fan-only (no shroud) on eBay for "only" $190.

If I were "average Joe" that just took his rig to the dealer I can easily see this whole thing costing me $2k.

I think the only thing worse than going to a JD dealer for repairs, is going to a Mercedes dealer for car repairs.

 

[3Ts]

Another factor is the mechanical "dumbing down" of society. Mechanics are looked upon as second class tradesmen and all the kids are going to college for business degrees. Fewer and fewer people know how to fix anything anymore.

I agree with this, but I also think that a contributing factor is parts availability. Can you get the part you need to do the repair? I tried to get a rubber boot for a tie rod from JD. Should cost about $5, they wouldn't sell just the boot, I'd have to buy the whole assembly at $317.00 I bought a bicycle inner tube to cut up to use to replace the boot (for now).

The more money that I put into repairs makes me consider how much more it's going to cost me in the near term compared with replacing it along with an evaluation as to what my time is worth doing the repair. While time in the shop is fun, time with family is important too. When I'm spending all weekend repairing so I can get to work the following week, it's time to replace.

 

[buck12]

I think the only thing worse than going to a JD dealer for repairs, is going to a Mercedes dealer for car repairs.

I only use dealer shops for warranty work. This applies to trucks, tractors, ATVs, etc. Most things I can fix. If I can’t handle the repair or don’t have time I would much rather deal with an independent mechanic than a dealer. Dealer shops are always over priced in my opinion.