MF Warranty Experience

[Dean]

Yesterday the left side lift link pin on my 2007 MF 533 snapped off at the axle trumpet while mowing.

Being both an engineer and mechanic, this appears to me to be an obvious latent defect, either failure to properly tighten the pin leading to metal fatique or a materials defect in the pin itself.

The tractor is two years out of warranty on time but has only 245 hours on the clock.

Anyone have any useful experience regarding AGCOs willingness to stand behind their products for original purchasers in similar situations?

Dean

 

[Masseynut(Australia)]

You could certainly return the part to your place of purchase, but, experience has shown me, that you are probably wasting your time chasing warranty.
I agree that with only 245 hours on the clock, you have a good case, but a couple of years out of warranty is a long time. But, by all means, give it a shot. It also will depend on your dealer's willingness to "push" it for you,
Evan.
P.S. By the way, where is the 533 assembled?

 

[DavidP, South Wales]

Hi Dean,
I would agree with Evan. It's certainly not a fault that should happen in such a short operating time. These pins do break under normal usage. If you examine the break closely, can you see any evidence of it being cracked prior to the actual time of breakage. If you can prove that there was a fault there prior to this it will put you in a stronger position.

But as Evan says it really will be down to the discretion of the dealer. You could of course kick up a fuss directly with MF but I fear it will be a completely uphill struggle.
DavidP, South Wales

 

[davo727]

What is the dollar amount on this item?

 

[Dean]

The 533 is assembled in Turkey.

Dean

 

[Dean]

Don't know at this time.

I expect that the pin is $20.00 or less.

That said, I have no idea how long it was loose or broken before it came apart. If it was not properly tightened at the factory, the axle trumpet bore may have worn, which would require a new trumpet to prevent failure of the new pin within a short time.

Dean

 

[Masseynut(Australia)]

If the housing is slightly worn, and the tapered section is not true, all is not lost. I have replaced these lower link pins into older model Massey's where the housing is like this, and had a win or two.
Slight wear here can be overcome by either using Loctite 609 or equivalent. If the wear is more than the Loctite can handle, try mixing up some two pack epoxy, ie. - Araldite or similar. Try to get the "slow" cure type, and not the 24 hour ones.
If this is left to cure for a few days, it sets rock hard. Apply some to the threads of the pin before tightening the nut to specs.
The secret of success is to have all parts and housing absolutely clean and shmick.
Massey originally supplied a good quality "resin" with all crownwheel and pinion sets they sold, but, alas, no more,
Evan.

 

[Dean]

Thanks for the advice, MN.

I'm working with MF on this. They have asked for photos and I sent some to my dealer this morning.

It looks to me like the pin has been broken for awhile as the broken end is hot a freshly broken surface. It broke about an inch inside of the trumpet.

My dealer has told me that MF will likely repair it under warranty but they have not yet received authorization pending forwarding of the photos to the regional service manager.

Dean