Expanation of Farmall M Seal

TVIron · Jan 13, 2021

A long story short regarding the Seal on a Farmall M. The mechanic told me he had worked on all types of Farmall tractors for 20 years, especially Farmall M’s. He said the seal was a quick fix. I took the tractor in. However, this mechanic quit before he started work on it.. My tractor sat there for five weeks before I was contacted.
Later two mechanics were assigned to fix my M. The shop owner has two different shops so the tractor was moved to his heavy motor truck shop. At that shop, the labor rate is calculated on the computer from hours to flat rate.
The owner and I agreed to do some research to come up with a fair flat rate price. This is why the flat rate came into play.
In conclusion, they split the tractor and the front portion of it (clutch to radiator and grill) was pulled apart, and it the process the tractor tipped off the forklift and smashed.
The first meeting I had with the owner, he stated the labor hours the mechanics had accumulated seemed very high. (17 hours)
My thoughts are very close to what was quoted by you fellas and that would be 3 to 5 hours.
When I took the tractor into the shop, it was clean of grease, etc. as I had pressure washed it.
Thanks for your help.

Janicholson · Jan 13, 2021

To my way of thinking they owe you fro the entire repair, minus the seal costa or other parts associated specifically with a (through the bottom) repair. Law suite coming up. Jim

fastfarmall · Jan 13, 2021

Those guys weren't truck mechanic's, they were beginners,my neighbor is a certified Truck mechanic went to Wyoming Tech, Graduated Salutatorian,he was walking thru a truck shop with the salesman, there were two guys under a truck trying to figure out how to adjust a clutch, and this guy doesn't usually run other down, but he said he could tell they had no idea what they were doing!! That shop you went too, would have to pay me for tipping over my tractor!!!

rustred · Jan 13, 2021

best is to talk to a guy then u get your own idea what he knows. the name on a building don't mean much, that how i look at things. and talk is cheap. i know if they dumped my tractor i would not be paying 5 cents on their labor charge. and then i know what they would say... "the tractor stays here then". gonna be messy.

fastfarmall · Jan 13, 2021

I agree, that's what they got insurance for, but they will tell you they don't have insurance for that,but that's a LIE, they don't want to turn it in and have there premium go up!

Janicholson · Jan 13, 2021

Look back to your very first post on this thread. !

wore out · Jan 13, 2021

(quoted from post at 15:50:09 01/13/21) A long story short regarding the Seal on a Farmall M. The mechanic told me he had worked on all types of Farmall tractors for 20 years, especially Farmall M s. He said the seal was a quick fix. I took the tractor in. However, this mechanic quit before he started work on it.. My tractor sat there for five weeks before I was contacted.
Later two mechanics were assigned to fix my M. The shop owner has two different shops so the tractor was moved to his heavy motor truck shop. At that shop, the labor rate is calculated on the computer from hours to flat rate.
The owner and I agreed to do some research to come up with a fair flat rate price. This is why the flat rate came into play.
In conclusion, they split the tractor and the front portion of it (clutch to radiator and grill) was pulled apart, and it the process the tractor tipped off the forklift and smashed.
The first meeting I had with the owner, he stated the labor hours the mechanics had accumulated seemed very high. (17 hours)
My thoughts are very close to what was quoted by you fellas and that would be 3 to 5 hours.
When I took the tractor into the shop, it was clean of grease, etc. as I had pressure washed it.
Thanks for your help.

A "flat rate" time from "back in the day" assumes that the shop doing the work is familiar with the job at hand and does it on a regular basis.

Probably not likely that's gonna happen any more and shame on you for expecting such a result, "wrenches" have to eat, after all!

If you think you can do better and beat "book time", by all means DO SO, open an old tractor repair shop and corner the market to yourself!

If you have the "old tractor disease" you have two choices, learn to repair it yourself or find someone that can and don't complain about the cost, no one owes you cheap labor just because you enjoy junque!

Jim Becker · Jan 13, 2021

Here is a clue. The I&T Shop Book from 1948 says 2.9 hours, add 0.5 if it has hydraulics. Keep in mind the useful replies already made by others.

pete 23 · Jan 14, 2021

I had a conversation with the person who did the work while determining the flat rate hours on a new model IH tractor. Stop watches, every little portion of the job divided up. Extra personnel on hand to punch in and assist. All tools lined up before job started.

Punch out when running into a difficulty. Hurrying as fast as he could go. I was not impressed. Fact is he wasn't either. New 1586, showing the splitting of rear section and axle housings for the tool brochure.

Janicholson · Jan 14, 2021

The whole story is about much more than appears in this post. He has been ripped off and his tractor's front tipped off of a fork lift at a dealership
that wants to charge for massive hours on a task that should take 5 max. See the whole thread. Jim

David G · Jan 14, 2021

I think you were screwed, but probably will not get tractor back unless you have good written contract or pay them.

gab · Jan 15, 2021

.

Transmission input shaft seal with power lift $11.00/

1959 book figured for 5.00/hr. shop time/ find 11 dollars on yellow conversion page and to the left is the flat rate time 2.2hrs.

Same S.O.B. that wrote this must be the same guy that did the car manuals.

Expanation of Farmall M Seal

TVIron

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Janicholson

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fastfarmall

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rustred

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fastfarmall

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Janicholson

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wore out

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Jim Becker

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pete 23

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Janicholson

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David G

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gab

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