I’ve got two identical parallel situations going on regarding tools.
I’ve got three Dewalt high torque framing saws. With two of them, I’ve had problems with the lower blade guards sticking. Pulled them out of service immediately. Ordered parts and fixed them myself once, and sent them to the shop the second time it happened.
I just read in Tools of the Trade that Dewalt is recalling the saws for this very reason. It doesn’t say exactly what the solution is, it just says to call an 800 number and take if from there. I just read it last night and have yet to call.
Second situation is a little more troubling. I’ve had the Caterpillar guys out to repair the parking brake on my telehandler twice. They don’t come easy. Think $75/hr and the clock starts as soon as their truck leaves their shop and doesn’t stop until it’s parked again. They also sit on your site and complete all of their paperwork before they head home. Each bill has been in $400 to $500 range. It’s a parking brake…… what are you gonna do? It’s about as essential as anything else on the machine so I’ve just swallowed hard and wrote the check.
In Friday’s mail I recieved a letter advising me to call my local Cat dealer ASAP as they are recalling the parking brake cable due to issues of stretching and slipping. This is the exact problem I’ve had the Cat guys out to repair twice.
So what’s the deal? Is there anyway to recover the money I’ve spent on these repairs now that the two companies in question have effectively admitted that the part or parts in question are truly faulty?
It’s not such a big deal with the saws…… but the bills for the forklift sure weren’t cheap.
If anyone knows how to direct one of our house lawyers to this thread I’d be truly grateful.
Thanks.
Replies
Contact your Cat dealer and see if they will step up to the plate. If not go to the regional sales rep etc. My bet is that if you have a good dealer, they will make it right. I've only got a couple of Cat pieces, but I've got Case and Bobcat and all the local dealers are pretty good.
My thinking is that you've got the documentation to prove that they worked on cable now on the recall and charged. Sounds like it is time for a refund.
Good luck,
John
J.R. Lazaro Builders, Inc.
Indianapolis, In.
what you think about these new makita saw's (I dont think they have a hook):
http://www.toolbarn.com/product/makita/5007MGA/
That's the first time I've seen that saw. I'm partial to left blade wormdrive saws myself, but I do have a couple of sidewinders. The two best that I've found so far (for sidewinders) are the Milwaukee Tilt-Loc and the new (and old for that matter) Porter Cable saws...... and I've tried an awful lot of them. In fact I became a worm-drive user mainly because of durability problems with sidewinders. All that being said....... never tried that Makita so I don't know what to tell you! LOL.View Image
I have two of those saws and have had crazy problems with one stripping out screws that hold on the main bearing retainer under the blade. Finally broke down and ordered thread repair kit, new bearing and a few other parts. Cost half what the saw did new.
I almost threw one saw away because the sole plate was so bent. As a last ditch effort I took a rubber mallet to it and it's good as new.
Beer was created so carpenters wouldn't rule the world.
Safety related recalls for equipment will also have a provision that allows for a refund for previously paid related repairs. I believe there are Fed regulations that cover this. Inquire at the dealer when you contact them.
That's about what I was hoping to hear. Now hopefully the red-tape won't be too bad.View Image
You may learn lot about your Cat dealer over this. Talk to them.
My experience, not with new machines but with Cat errors, is that individual dealers have large latitude in what they can do. I made a stink and was rewarded accordingly. Did require a trip to the conference room with the manager. If I'd been a good sales prospect I would have gotten considerably more.
It's not like I have a choice, in Va there's a dealership monopoly.PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
Cat repairs up here are $110/hr and shop to shop with waiting time at the ferry also.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
My Cats have out-lived the guys who knew how to repair them. Even the parts guys laugh and reach for the microfiche. Nobody bothered to digitize the info.
No idea what the labor rate is here, haven't tried it. My dealer relationship is strictly parts. I'm happy (and occasionally greasy).
BTW, live on a mountain and you get serious about parking brakes, real fast. Extremely simple on my machines.PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
I had a minor problem with my Chevy and had it fixed.
Gopt a recal note from them a month later for that exact item.
Called and they said just show us the receipt and we'll re-imburse it.
Welcome to the
Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!