Posted by WellWorn on May 29, 2012 at 04:40:51 from (69.95.14.40):
Pardon my rant, but because I posted a very technical question on the MF subforum and a former dealer wondered if I didn't have a dealer I could get the info from, I thought a wider reply was in order.
As background, I have 2 'red' tractors - one, a '61 MF65 Hi Clear, and the other, a '51 Super A with a good bunch of implements. The "local" CNH/IH dealer is 33 miles away, and the AGCO/MF dealer is another 3 miles further down the road from them. Both are small dealerships, but have been in business for decades.
Unfortunately, I've lost all faith in the MF dealer. They laid off their helpful parts person a few years ago, and when I only need information, they seem horribly inconvenienced. Their parts are excessively expensive; they rarely have what I need in stock, and I either pay unreasonably more for shipping or wait weeks for items to arrive with their 'regular orders'. Lately even promised return phone calls are not made. If I called to ask about the Service Bulletin I need, they would have to 'look it up and get back to me' (and I wouldn't get it until I showed up in person to be a bother).
It seems what they really want to do is to sell new tractors; that providing parts for antiques (that they aren't making shop rate to fix themselves) is about on par with fixing the inside dual of loaded 16.9x38's in in the low spot of 40 acres of mud while it rains.
If the 65 HiClear was not the nearly ideal tractor for our use here (and if I didn't have so much in repairs in it), I'd be trading it for a different brand of red.
The parts guys at the CNH/IH dealer couldn't be more different. They always have time to talk tractor with their customers (if someone else isn't waiting), cheerfully give advice to make sure they get the right parts or from whom they might locate something obsolete, they have lots of SA parts in stock and when parts need to be ordered they are 'in' in 2-3 days with no 'extra' shipping charges; they gladly dig through their database for info (even a few minutes after closing time), and their parts prices are usually right on par with what I could order from 'discount on-line plus shipping'. I gladly drive the 66 mile RT and pay a bit more to give them my business - it's well worth it!
I now get every MF part possible on-line, not only because it's far less expensive and the parts are at my door in a couple days, but because I know I'm dealing with folks who want my business. Unfortunately, the decades of experience in service work that goes with those parts is not so easy to come by, especially when a 'tweak' rather than a 'restore' would be a functional improvement for a working tractor. For that, I come here, and if that fails, figure it out as best I can myself.
:arrow: This is where I give thanks for and to the good folks here on the YT Forums who so generously share of their time and accumulated knowledge in keeping the old iron as usable as it was intended to be decades ago on a drawing board.
It may not get mentioned as often as it should, but you all are much appreciated. :D
We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]
Today's Featured Article - Listening to Your Tractor - by Curtis Von Fange. Years ago there was a TV show about a talking car. Unless you are from another planet, physically or otherwise, I don’t think our internal combustion buddies will talk and tell us their problems. But, on the other hand, there is a secret language that our mechanical companions readily do speak. It is an interesting form of communication that involves all the senses of the listener. In this series we are going to investigate and learn the basic rudimentary skills of understanding this lingo.
... [Read Article]
Latest Ad:
2022 John Deere 5045E, 4wd, front end loader and 3rd function with grapple. 120 hrs, 55k new, must sell
[More Ads]
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy
TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.
