My tractor is off to the "spa"

[Deberosa]

I know - it's a major cop out but you can only do so much with limited time and with everything - absolutely everything covered in mud and wet I just had them come and get the tractor for it's regular maintenance.

They bring it back Wednesday all fixed up. ;-)

I just could not justify a do it yourself this year - figuring out the tools needed and buying them - figuring out what all needs to be done, figuring out what kinds of fluids to buy. Plus this is the 50 hour shakedown - I would rather someone experienced gave it a once over at this point. We do all the greasing, etc. during the year and that's a big enough challenge for me who is not mechanically inclined.

Plus they gave me an off season discount. ;-)

[WRTN]

I wish you the best on this but be sure to take a couple of valium right before they bring the tractor back and drop off the bill. ;)

[Deberosa]

Yeah, I know but this time around something had to give! I have to think I am saving that much in gas each month so why not treat myself. ;-)

[DM]

When it comes to tractors, i see two schools of thought... One says not to bother with anything but ocasional oil changes and maybe a fuel filter. The other seems to keep everything perfect and even takes care of scratches ect...

I think i've come to the conclusion, it really all depends on how long your going to keep "that" tractor...

If you trade every once in a while, i don't think it matters, if your bought the tractor your going to keep for the rest of your life, it's probably worth letting your dealer see it every once in a while. The bill is "still" cheaper than a new tractor payment, and if anything does break, they can't disclaim your warr. because of lack of maintance.

I do all my own maintance... and i admit i'm not always perfect about doing some things... All of the tranny/hudraulic fluid should have been changed a couple years ago. And, i even though i bought a drum of oil and the filters to do it a couple years ago, somehow, it never got done! I "am" going to do it this spring though!

My loader tractor has went back to my dealer one time, just after i bought it. The paint was coming off the front wheels, also one front wheel was bent, and the pto indicator light on the dash didn't work.

I was at my dealer and happen to mention it to the service manager... He said, well bring it in, or we can pick it up.. I told him i believed i was the one that bent the rim while logging, and he said: "i don't care, it's under warr..."

So, i took it to my dealer, and while it was there i had them put it on a "dyno" to check the hp too, as i was wondering what it "really" put out...

Anyway, maintance it a good thing, some times it just pricey!

DM

[Deberosa]

Thanks- This will run me total around $350 including pick up and delivery. Not terribly bad since I would have to buy all of the tools except the grease gun which we already have. Plus it's the first 50 hour maintenance - it had a slight rattle in the bucket - but it turns out it's just the teeth that are attached rattling. It's just worth it to me to have the experts look it over once it's had a few hours in case something I am not seeing might be wrong with it be loose or something. It also keeps my warranty intact which is good. After this year I may go with every third year or so, just check and grease stuff because the hardest part of the work around here is done! After this spring of mowing lines for fencing I may even get rid of the mower since I have the little Kubota and cows to keep the grass down mostly. It all depends, may stil be useful for mowing down cover crops, not sure at this point because I never needed to do it!

[DM]

You need to keep that 3 point mower to keep the weeds out of the pasture... Also for cutting "heavy" grass to use for mulch in the gardens... :D

DM 8)

[DM]

Hey Deb,

How did your tractor like the "spa" treatment?? Mine wouldn't know how to act over at the spa... :D

http://www.fototime.com/B2E68E177943496/standard.jpg

DM 8)

[Deberosa]

*Hey Deb,

*How did your tractor like the "spa" treatment?? *Mine wouldn't know how to act over at the spa... * :D

http://www.fototime.com/B2E68E177943496/standard.jpg

*DM * 8)


She got back on Saturday all spiffed up! Nails done (bucket teeth) and lots of pink grease on the joints. ;-)

Then Sunday it was back to playing in the mud pulling out some windfall trees for burning and pushing around the burn pile!

$290 for all of the maintenance - including pick up and delivery. Not that bad - I probably will only do that every other year now.

[gardenfay]

Wow, you really pay to have someone else do tractor maintenance. ive never known anyone who did that. you guys must be loaded!

[Deberosa]

Wow, you really pay to have someone else do tractor maintenance. ive never known anyone who did that. *you guys must be loaded!

Well, take into account the cost of all of the supplies, maybe not that much but then all of the tools needed and then figure out how to do it in the first place! I would rather have an expert make sure everything is working right the first year.

One can be penny wise and pound foolish in my opinion.

[gardenfay]

yea, i'm sure that's true, especially on the first year.
but hey; i was probably 40 before i knew anybody with a brand new tractor either - and knew several millionaires.
its just something i guess ive never been around brand new except in the last few years.

[Deberosa]

Well, I was 50 before I knew anyone with a new tractor. ;-)

In the scheme of things that price was very reasonable. I did take my little lawn tractor in for maintenance a few years back and was shocked with a $320 bill. Probably took one fourth the time and materials!

[gardenfay]

Yea, those are the kind of little surprises that always tick me off the most. >:(