Tractor complaint

[Speyside]

I’m not sure if this has been covered in a previous thread but just looking for some advice. We bought a tractor 16 months ago that was 1 year old and 80 hours on the clock, which the dealer guaranteed as genuine and said he would reset the 2 year warranty. However we have had numerous problems with the machine, the tractor was split at 110 hours and a replacement clutch pack fitted. However the tractor never felt right. In the spring we had issues with the tractor engine stopping and lost the tractor for 3 weeks. At the weekend my father was ploughing and at the end of the field the tractor wouldn’t stop the shuttle, clutch or de clutch button wouldn’t stop it. Father just managed to stop the tractor by turning the key before it flipped over on the bank at the fence. I called the dealer and manufacturer and after numerous calls and e mails the manufacturer wants to take the tractor in to find the route cause. In my mind the tractor is not fit for purpose and is constantly broken down and I don’t trust the tractor and want it off the farm as someone could have been killed. Apart from HSE and my solicitor where can I take this complaint to?

 

[Durry cows]

I’m not sure if this has been covered in a previous thread but just looking for some advice. We bought a tractor 16 months ago that was 1 year old and 80 hours on the clock, which the dealer guaranteed as genuine and said he would reset the 2 year warranty. However we have had numerous problems with the machine, the tractor was split at 110 hours and a replacement clutch pack fitted. However the tractor never felt right. In the spring we had issues with the tractor engine stopping and lost the tractor for 3 weeks. At the weekend my father was ploughing and at the end of the field the tractor wouldn’t stop the shuttle, clutch or de clutch button wouldn’t stop it. Father just managed to stop the tractor by turning the key before it flipped over on the bank at the fence. I called the dealer and manufacturer and after numerous calls and e mails the manufacturer wants to take the tractor in to find the route cause. In my mind the tractor is not fit for purpose and is constantly broken down and I don’t trust the tractor and want it off the farm as someone could have been killed. Apart from HSE and my solicitor where can I take this complaint to?

What make is the tractor?

 

[Still Farming]

Trading standards,watchdog, consumer rights etc.etc

 

[Speyside]

At this stage I do not wish to say as I am not trying to give bad press.......yet!!! We have had this brand for the last 30 years though and it looks like this will be the last.

 

[tweedale terrier]

I would hope bothe the dealer and the manufacturer would be keen to replace the tractor. Neither will want the “bad press”. Although with all the modern technology we have it is still possible to just have a bad un. If they are not playing the game I’d speak to the finance company if you have finance on the tractor.

 

[Speyside]

I would hope bothe the dealer and the manufacturer would be keen to replace the tractor. Neither will want the “bad press”. Although with all the modern technology we have it is still possible to just have a bad un. If they are not playing the game I’d speak to the finance company if you have finance on the tractor.

I had hope that they’d have replaced the tractor or given me a refund on what I paid last year considering the down time that I’ve had with it. At the minute I don’t have a main tractor to carry on ploughing as they are not intending to give me a loan tractor meantime. I’m a wee bit disappointed to say the least. And no we don’t have any finance on it so we can’t go down that route.

 

[Renaultman]

I had hope that they’d have replaced the tractor or given me a refund on what I paid last year considering the down time that I’ve had with it. At the minute I don’t have a main tractor to carry on ploughing as they are not intending to give me a loan tractor meantime. I’m a wee bit disappointed to say the least. And no we don’t have any finance on it so we can’t go down that route.

As already said, if you have finance your finance company is a good bet. I would hire a tractor to finish your work and bill the dealer if they won't help, making sure you have a paper/e trail to prove that they haven't.

 

[tweedale terrier]

That’s poor from both parties in my mind. Have they given you a timescale for repair.

 

[Speyside]

That’s poor from both parties in my mind. Have they given you a timescale for repair.

I have told them that the tractor is not going anywhere until we agree what will happen considering the amount of issues we have already have had. I don’t want to keep the tractor as I’ll always be thinking this will happen again. It’s lucky my 9 year old wasn’t in the tractor at the time it happened or it was in another field with a steep drop off at the boundary. To me it’s a health and safety issue that the machine wouldn’t disengage.

 

[tweedale terrier]

As already said, if you have finance your finance company is a good bet. I would hire a tractor to finish your work and bill the dealer if they won't help, making sure you have a paper/e trail to prove that they haven't.

That wouldn’t stand in court if it gets nasty. Dealers are not obligated to hand out loan tractors. It this instance it would be common courtesy though.

 

[Renaultman]

That would stand in court if it gets nasty. Dealers are not obligated to hand out loan tractors. It this instance it would be common courtesy though.

I assume you mean wouldn't? You're right it just helps if it gets a He said/She said scenario before court.

 

[tweedale terrier]

Neither the dealer or manufacturer sound like they care. I’d let them repair the tractor and trade it for another brand. Obviously telling everyone at every market why you had too. It might cost you a bit of money but it could save you a lot of stress in the long run.

 

[Cowabunga]

I’m not sure if this has been covered in a previous thread but just looking for some advice. We bought a tractor 16 months ago that was 1 year old and 80 hours on the clock, which the dealer guaranteed as genuine and said he would reset the 2 year warranty. However we have had numerous problems with the machine, the tractor was split at 110 hours and a replacement clutch pack fitted. However the tractor never felt right. In the spring we had issues with the tractor engine stopping and lost the tractor for 3 weeks. At the weekend my father was ploughing and at the end of the field the tractor wouldn’t stop the shuttle, clutch or de clutch button wouldn’t stop it. Father just managed to stop the tractor by turning the key before it flipped over on the bank at the fence. I called the dealer and manufacturer and after numerous calls and e mails the manufacturer wants to take the tractor in to find the route cause. In my mind the tractor is not fit for purpose and is constantly broken down and I don’t trust the tractor and want it off the farm as someone could have been killed. Apart from HSE and my solicitor where can I take this complaint to?

Your dealer. Let him do his job and find the problem.
Just because you have lost confidence in the tractor, doesn't mean that there is an issue that will be persistent. Don't even bother wasting your energy with the HSE or solicitor for a mechanical breakdown. Hold the solicitor for after the outcome of the repair. A tractor is a tool, like a shovel, and I'm sure you have plenty of work and stress in your life without making more for yourself. If you have serviced the tractor properly [reasonably, not necessarily with supplying dealer but have invoices for filters and so on] then I'm sure something will be sorted for you. If not, that's when you need to assert yourself more strongly.

 

[FarmyStu]

Banging on about health and safety law in one breath and mentioning your 9 year old riding in the tractor in the next is slightly ironic.

I don't think you have much of a case at the minute. The manufacturer is taking the tractor back for investigation. Was a replacement offered as part of the warranty?

 

[Speyside]

Your dealer. Let him do his job and find the problem.
Just because you have lost confidence in the tractor, doesn't mean that there is an issue that will be persistent. Don't even bother wasting your energy with the HSE or solicitor for a mechanical breakdown. Hold the solicitor for after the outcome of the repair. A tractor is a tool, like a shovel, and I'm sure you have plenty of work and stress in your life without making more for yourself. If you have serviced the tractor properly [reasonably, not necessarily with supplying dealer but have invoices for filters and so on] then I'm sure something will be sorted for you. If not, that's when you need to assert yourself more strongly.

The tractor has been always dealer serviced and was actually in to them about 40 hours ago when it was in to be split and the diff lock repaired. They checked over the tractor when it was in.

 

[Speyside]

Banging on about health and safety law in one breath and mentioning your 9 year old riding in the tractor in the next is slightly ironic.

I don't think you have much of a case at the minute. The manufacturer is taking the tractor back for investigation. Was a replacement offered as part of the warranty?

No nothing offered. It has taken them 4 working days to give me a response so far.

 

[Cowabunga]

I had hope that they’d have replaced the tractor or given me a refund on what I paid last year considering the down time that I’ve had with it. At the minute I don’t have a main tractor to carry on ploughing as they are not intending to give me a loan tractor meantime. I’m a wee bit disappointed to say the least. And no we don’t have any finance on it so we can’t go down that route.

I would expect that, if necessary, they would do you a very favourable deal to change it for a new one, but you would have to pay the greater part of the difference between what you paid and the straight deal price of a new one today.
Most dealers of any substance would offer to lend an used tractor of approximately the power output of yours to keep you going, if they had one available. Unfortunately many dealers these days cannot afford to keep expensive used tractors idle and tend to underwrite them with specialists before even doing a deal. So some main dealer's yards are empty of good used models to lend or even hire.

 

[Speyside]

I would expect that, if necessary, they would do you a very favourable deal to change it for a new one, but you would have to pay the greater part of the difference between what you paid and the straight deal price of a new one today.
Most dealers of any substance would offer to lend an used tractor of approximately the power output of yours to keep you going, if they had one available. Unfortunately many dealers these days cannot afford to keep expensive used tractors idle and tend to underwrite them with specialists before even doing a deal. So some main dealer's yards are empty of good used models to lend or even hire.

Thanks, I’d expect that too. I’m only looking for a refund in a faulty product not fit for purpose or replacement with a similar unit that is more reliable. Tractors break down I accept that and we have never complained like this before. I don’t think I’m expecting too much surely?

 

[Dave W]

It sounds to me like the tractor has had issues and in each case it has been repaired by the dealer. And again they are wanting to take it in to get to the bottom of it.
From what you've posted the dealer has done it all by the book and you have no grounds to complain.
You've just got to let them do their thing which unfortunately may take time.
One thing I do know is the more aggressive you are with them (anyone for that matter) the more uncooperative they will become. That's just human nature.

 

[Dave W]

Thanks, I’d expect that too. I’m only looking for a refund in a faulty product not fit for purpose or replacement with a similar unit that is more reliable. Tractors break down I accept that and we have never complained like this before. I don’t think I’m expecting too much surely?

The first step though is to give them the chance to rectify a problem.
It doesn't sound like they've told you to trot off so you have to play the game with them.