Re: Hey can y'all give me some advice?

Posted by paul on January 14, 2005 at 12:54:09 from (66.60.197.107):

In Reply to: Re: Hey can y'all give me some advice? posted by Allan in NE on January 14, 2005 at 08:07:55:

Won't argue much on your points, other than the reason I took mine to the tire man is my compact centers are way too big for my manual tire changer. The good shops have a machine that grips the outer rim nowadays not the centers any more. They can do my H fronts (with loader & works in a lot of manure & thick rubber for the loader....) in about 12 minutes, same operation, and about $20 - tho I always get my tires from them too.

Now, those fancy machines do cost some real money, & they gotta cover that cost. But, as I stood in the tire shop my 10 minutes, I saw 2 large water baths - can fit tractor rears in them - 2 large tire changers all automatic - sized for tractor rears. And 3 different car tire through semi sized changers. Along with an assortment of spoons & cages. One guy used a 'big blaster' of air to shoot a big truck tire to seat onto the tubeless rim. (I about filled my pants, he didn't mention he was going to do that....)

That is in addition to the 2 service trucks they have to do field work, bring out the tractor tires or semis or combines & do the job in the muddy field - full air tooled, CC, and lots of tools & jacks with a tire crane on both trucks.

They have a lot invested in tire equipment. They added on to the warehose 2 years ago, it looks like about a 60x80 wing just for tire storage - I think they keep the two trucks in the lower level of that tho, tubes & auto tires upstairs. If they don't stock it, it'll come on Tuesdays or Fridays.

You might guess they do a heck of a volume of tires. Volume & good machines & good work makes for a low overhead per tire, & they do a change pretty cheaply. They can bust loose & change out 2 tractor rears in 15 minutes with those big machines.

With the service truck he replaced one rear Ford 960 & new tube (with CC drained & refilled) & filled 2 rears on the compact with CC in 45 minutes - most of that time was waiting for the CC to flow. That bill was less than $300 - most for the tire, I believe the service call is $20. (As it's a coop, I believe I just got about $5 of that refunded to me too...)

So big, old, and difficult tires can be changed quickly, easily, & fairly low cost. Not everyone lives in an ag area that has access to a service like this tho.

I did make a young guy work all afternoon once, needed both inner tires on the plow tractor (only one dual on helped a little) changed, they did not want to come off & it was an in-field job. We both worked up a good sweat on that deal! :) Pair of 38's and tubes, I think the bill was just under $1200.

But still & all, I'm not arguing that he was overcharged. If it were me, I'd politely ask why I was quoted $8 a piece, and it cost $37.50 a piece instead. I'm sure there is a good reason. But I would like to know the reason. I'd not argue it, but I would always ask. I woulda asked the clerk when I was paying the bill, but that's just me. :) I'm not concerned the bill is _too much_ but it does make me ask when the estamate & actual are that different & no explination is offered.

Now Allan, today it has just warmed up to -1 degree, and I was sitting up all night with a sick calf (ain't making it) and a leaking hot water furnace in the house (repair man fixed it this am) so I might not be making total sense, but it's far too cold to do anything but enjoy the heat from the radiator & babble on the computer this afternoon. So don't pay too much attention to anything here. :)

--->Paul

Follow Ups:

• Re: Hey can y'all give me some advice? Allan in NE 13:24:51 01/14/05 (2)
  • Re: Hey can y'all give me some advice? paul 14:58:04 01/14/05 (1)
    • Re: Hey can y'all give me some advice? Allan in NE 16:29:28 01/14/05 (0)

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