Poor quality parts.

[richard bartlett]

This is a follow up to an earlier question by me on this forum concerning a bad fitting FMD bonnet. I have assembled the bonnet and had to file all the holes to accomadate the release handles both supplied by the same pattern part supplier, Agriline. I've also had to adjust the holes in the new front cowl to accomadate the new badge, both from the same supplier. These are just small examples showing that the supplier has never tried to put together their own parts and found they dont fit. I and I bet many of you have had to 'adjust' many new parts to get them to fit and I think this is wrong so I intend to write a letter of serious complaint. Britpart supply pattern Land Rover parts and built one from scratch just using their own products to prove the quality of their parts. I bet there isn't any pattern part supplier of tractor parts that could do that. Has anyone else sent any letter of complaint and did you get any satisfaction? Glad to get it off my chest, cheers, Richard.
 

[Mike Farmer]

Hi I think one of the problems is that we are so used to 'making things fit' that we just get on with it. Yes I've gone to war with dealers over a number of things, but you have to accept that you are literally going to war and be prepared to go in all guns blazing. However fortunately in my experience there are far more good and helpful dealers than otherwise. Sometimes I admit its very hard to keep faith MTF
 

[Kev Smith]

I would say tinwork is generally something you just have to make fit. A few years back I brought an original Major bonnet at auction; with no damage other than rust, to replace the battered one that came with the tractor. When I fitted it didn’t sit flush with the nose cone at all which was also original. I have also had experience with buying ‘new’ panels from suppliers advertising in the UK tractor magazines including agriline and I too have had to make small modifications to get all the parts to fit properly. Isnt that part of the fun of restoring a tractor?

I agree with Mike that most dealers will be happy to help you if you ask politely, just the other week I had some gauges from agriline and found one of them to have the glass cracked, they sent me a replacement that arrived the next day , and the guys on the end of the phone are very helpful, polite and knowledgeable, a lot better customer service than any high street store !

Big Kev
 

[MJ in theUK]

Hi Richard, I know your problem. I have seen Agriline mudguards that did not fit a Super Major, Vapormatic MF65 front grill wich wereso far out i repaired the old ones and Fordson Major nose cones and bonnets from RP wich were a long way wrong. The other problem is that these companys will not take the faulty goods back. I am one of the orgernisers of the Newark tractor show every november and it is so sad to see a young lads first restoration spoilt with inferior parts. MJ ps to Mike Farmer I am looking fo a Farmall H engine if you know were there is one.
 

[richard bartlett]

I honestly have to agree with the comments about it being part of the fun-and it is, I wouldnt do it otherwise-I also agree with how helpful Agriline have been to me, thats why I use them. I just wonder if more feedback from us to parts suppliers would actually help improve their product or at least provide them with some experienced feedback.Finally and I would think importantly to be remembered (by me!) these tractors were virtually hand built and I dont suppose any one of them is an exact twin to another.
Anyway I drove my FMD out into the light today, 1st time she,s moved under her own steam/diesel in 16 years, round the yard and back to my workshop before it rained...my smile was huge, all is forgiven!
 

[KFD68]

When I rebuilt my Fordson KFD Major 5 years ago, I bought reproduction parts from several suppliers here in the UK, 2 of whom I would never deal with again !!! Nuff said?
I bought my fenders & nose cone from the local NH dealers who handle Sparex parts. The quality was excellent, and they gave me some discount off list price because they ordered them on their weekly stock order which gave them some extra discount.
This particular NH dealer had originally been a Fordson dealer, and the stores manager was familiar with the old Fordson parts. He was able to cross reference the old FoMoCo part numbers with current NH part numbers. He found many original FoMoCo parts for me in NH France parts depot.
Talk you your local NH dealer, and compare the reproduction tin work at shows. Buy the best quality - not the cheapest.

BTW - who is SuperMajor61 - I have a 1961 Super
 

[MJ in the UK]

I have the same facility as you KFD68 (Kent Ford Dealers). I use a old established Ford dealer in Lincolnshire for my Ford parts and infomation. MJ