Komatsu PC60-7: Yet ANOTHER Hydraulic Line Failure Today

[Acoals]

"Diagnostics" is repair work. If the guy came to the job, saw the situation, listened to what the customer had to say, and saw what was going on with the machine, he may very well have decided then and there he wasn't getting any more involved than he was that day. There are plenty of customers that I get a bad "feel" about and don't actually end up taking the work.

 

[Mark A Weiss]

So this is a standard procedure for mechanics? Charge the customer a ton of money for a diagnosis, secretly decide it's not a job he wants to take, and then ghost the customer? Sounds like a profitable racket. Heck, I don't even need a crane truck. Just hang out my sign "diesel mechanic" and go to all the jobs others won't take on, charge them a ton of money for a diagnosis and blow town.
I'm convinced the problem is a pinched line or something broke when the first mechanic put the cab back on. It can't be THAT bad.
Winter is moving in and I'm running out of time. I missed planting season two years in a row because this machine is not working.

 

[HarleyHappy]

I’m beginning to see why nobody wants your work, you sound like an *******.

 

[Mark A Weiss]

I’m beginning to see why nobody wants your work, you sound like an *******.

You must be a youngun'. Back in my day, people did an honest day's work for an honest day's pay. You kids think that anyone who expects a fair return on their investment is a "******".

 

[Welder Dave]

No, machines today are 100 times more complex than they were 40 or more years ago and require a lot more knowledge to fix them. It's pretty common for mechanics to not want to try and fix another mechanics mess or try to figure out what all a previous mechanic did. Maybe you need to tell a prospective mechanic you will have a lift available if the cab has to come off. It's also possible the problem could be electronic or something not common and the mechanic(s) don't know exactly how to fix it or don't want to open a can of worms. We have no idea on the forum what you said or how you came across to the mechanics. If you kept going on about how much everything costs and/or figured it was taking too long or was watching over the mechanic like a hawk asking a zillion questions would turn a lot of mechanics off.

 

[HarleyHappy]

For a little bit, I was contemplating going down to Connecticut to help you out but with your attitude and bad mouthing, forget it.
You sir, were the one that bought an older excavator, with shallow pockets.
You are unfortunately in a bad position, where you can’t do the work yourself and can’t afford to get a machine fixed. You are also bad mouthing mechanics that are probably on this site.
You have done nothing but burn bridges and while I completely understand your impatience, it is very possible that some of the mechanics you have had look at the machine, either don’t have the skill or are busy making money, from people that appreciate their work and don’t bug the crap out of them.
Yes, I agree that you have had a bad run of luck and you probably got screwed by a mechanic or two but the sympathy only goes so far.
Good luck and hopefully it works out for you.

 

[Welder Dave]

It is very frustrating but a mechanic doesn't want or need to hear how frustrating it is. If the machine will move enough to load it on a trailer hauling it to a dealer or repair shop might be the best option. Will cost more for trucking but everything required to fix it will be right at hand.

 

[Acoals]

Just for interest, how much did he charge you to come look at the machine?

 

[Mark A Weiss]

Just for interest, how much did he charge you to come look at the machine?

$648.

 

[Acoals]

You said earlier the guy came from "out of the area" and spent two hours on your machine. Sounds like he probably billed you for 4-5 hours of time at 130 - 160 an hour.

What exactly do you suppose a "honest days pay" ought to be?

 

[Mark A Weiss]

You said earlier the guy came from "out of the area" and spent two hours on your machine. Sounds like he probably billed you for 4-5 hours of time at 130 - 160 an hour.

What exactly do you suppose a "honest days pay" ought to be?

I have no problem with a mechanic making an honest days' pay, but if you're going to make the decision to diagnose a problem, and charge the customer, it would be decent of you to commit to finishing the job. Otherwise the customer has to find another mechanic, who may or may not show up, but charge him money for no work done. This seems to be the new ethic. Not at all like things were in the 1950s. If you can't understand my perspective, then there's no point to this conversation.

 

[Welder Dave]

Sometimes a mechanic doesn't want to do a job, especially if it's trying to figure out what a previous mechanic did. It could also be too big of a job for them or they're worried about getting paid. The job could turn out to be a lot bigger than they originally thought.

 

[Mark A Weiss]

If a mechanic doesn't want to take a job, he should be honest up front on the phone, rather than take my money and promise to come back as soon as he can find a crane. That seems disingenuous to me. But then, I come from a different era where a man's word was as good as gold.

 

[Catsparky1]

Mr Weiss
You have obviously never hired a tow company !!!!!!

I had one of my guys roll a truck 150/200 feet down a mountain .
So I have to call a tow truck . They show up and charge large you have to pay first . They get the truck out and didn't make the truck any worse . Got it to the road and dudes started rolling up . I told them where to take it to . They told me they don't tow vehicles just recover them . Ok then take it to the highway . Sir you need to call a tow truck.

They leave so I call a tow truck .
Super cool dude shows up . You have to pay first . Truck is on the way home after thousands of dollars . We get to the highway and dude starts dropping the truck . No dude take it to my house . Sorry sir we don't transport only tow and you need to transport it home . Can't you do it ? no sir call a hot shot broker and he gave me a number to call .

So I hook up with a transport company that does just this moves vehicles. More thousands of dollars and you have to pay first . They show up with a really awesome truck and trailer . So the guy gets in the wrecked truck and tries to start it . Bro it rolled over like 20 time it doesn't run . Well how do I get on the flat bed sir ? Don't you have a winch to pull it on ? No sir we only transport running vehicles . Alright buddy now what the frick do we do here ?
Sir you need to call a tow truck!!!!

So I call a tow truck . You have to pay first . More thousands of dollars . So these dudes show up in a 70 ton rotator for and f-350 utility body Formans truck it s not more than 10,000 pounds loaded but they are here and I already paid so lets just go home now .

Every call was to the same tow company . I told them where is was and where it needed to go from the get go.

If they told me the overall price I would have said no cause I can't afford that . so they broke it into bits so I would keep paying cause it has to get done but I still couldn't afford it .

Was there word gold ?
Did they make an honest days pay ?
Did I fire the guy that rolled the truck ?
Would I hire that tow company again ?
In all of this I smiled because I know what I charge When I find somebody in this type of circumstance and it aint CHEAP!!!

 

[Welder Dave]

Like was previously mentioned your attitude could have a lot to do with it. A mechanic isn't automatically obliged to do a job just because he took a look at it and did some diagnostics. Could have thought it was a can of worms or worried about getting paid if it's more involved than they originally thought.

 

[Mark A Weiss]

Well here it is mid-November and the machine is still un repaired.
To make matters worse, I got a revaluation letter from the assessor's office. My property revaluation more than DOUBLED. I already scheduled a hearing, but I know from experience that they are pretty rigid.
I'm under more pressure now to get the machine sale-ready. But I have no help. I was planning to use that money to buy a cheap house in rural Japan and relocate there so I can retire unmolested by tax collectors.
I'm not in a good mood either way. Lots of lower back pain, and for the past month, I can't use my right hand due to severe joint pain--literally feels like a bone fracture. Age and health and economic situation looks bleak. It makes me short-tempered.

 

[Welder Dave]

It's hard to be in a good mood when you're in pain. I got mis-diagnosed 3 times as a muscle issue when I had compression fractures in my back. Ended up with 10 compression fractures. My back was repaired with bone cement but still aches pretty good at times.

As far as the excavator about all you can do is try to get ahold of the mechanic.

 

[Mark A Weiss]

There's a possibility I may have Lyme Disease. I've been bitten at least three times by ticks since 1992. Now that my immune system is failing, latent viruses may be taking over. It's about a month now that my right index finger became inflamed. Coupled with my back pain, it's becoming quite uncomfortable just being alive and conscious all day. Simple tasks, such as holding a toothbrush, are difficult now. I can barely hold a screwdriver.

As for the mechanic, I think I wasted my money. I wish he had told me ahead of time that he had no means to remove the cab. Could have saved myself $648.

 

[Welder Dave]

Sorry to hear of all your health issues. I think you're probably trying to bite off way more than you can chew. Your health is more important than anything else.

I thought your neighbor could help remove the cab?

 

[Mark A Weiss]

My neighbor said his JCB threw a fan blade into the radiator. He offered a man lift, but the mechanic said a man lift won't be adequate or safe and he rejected the offer. So I am in limbo.
I've got another emergency taking up my time, an absurd property tax revaluation--the town upped the appraisal on my land by 200% and my house/building by over 500%. I have a telephone hearing on Wednesday. Haven't had a good night's sleep since I got the original revaluation letter in the mail last week. The prospect of becoming homeless has taken a toll on my mental health.