ComplaintsforBatchelder Sales

• Initial Complaint

  12/29/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I bought a tractor with a full coverage warranty, brand new this past fall. I have since had the tractor break 4 times, the two front tires popped off the rim, the throttle cable broke, and now the safety switch under the seat is broken. They told me there is nothing they can do about the switch because the warranty doesnt cover it. I think thats unjust considering there is no mention of this in the warranty, and since this safety switch issue the throttle cable has broken again and they have ignored my calls and messages for two weeks which to me theyre refusing to fix my brand new warranty covered tractor. I want the tractor returned and I want every dollar returned to me that Ive spent on the tractor in down payment and payments. Theyve already violated the terms and conditions and the warranty in the purchase and their customer service and professionalism is unacceptable.

  

  Business response

  01/22/2022

  Below is the conversation between RC & myself via ******** messenger.

  
  RC - 8/11/21, 6:51 PM I never got a call back regarding my broken throttle, any updates?

  BB - 8/14/21, 10:30 AM
  Good morning R
  Is the cable broken? or is it returning to idle?
  If it is the 2nd there is a spring under the dash that needs to be adjusted.
  If it is broken we will need to order a new cable.
  We will send ***** up to adjust it this week, otherwise we will send him up when the new cable arrives.
  Thank you
  
  RC - Could be the it needs to be adjusted. Tractors outside and available whenever.
  Cables not physically broken in two, but Ive seen many separate internally, youd have to look at the spring and make an adjustment and see if that fixes it
  Either way, its under warranty and its insured and I cant use it properly until its fixed, so as soon as that could be done Id greatly appreciate it.
  
  BB - Yes it is under warranty.
  Unfortunately Kioti does not cover travel time, so we would like to take care of it in one trip. We'll be up as soon as the new cable comes in.
  While it is not ideal for you, you can "hold" the lever in position with a tie cord if you need to use the tractor.
  
  RC - Im not going to ***** rig my brand new tractor that has 6 hours on it and has already broken, Id like it fixed right and done right as soon as possible
  And like I said as soon as the new cable arrives we will be up.
  Thank you very much
  

  RC - 8/20/21, 5:07 PM
  Any updates?
  I just called you and left you a message.
  1.) throttle issue seems to no longer be one. I just ran it and the throttle stayed forward so worst case at this point is an intermittent issue and still needs to at least be looked at.
  2.) front left tire just popped the bead seal for the third time. The first two times I pumped the tire back up with a foot pump but it is not holding air. This time the inside of the tire/wheel got filled with mud and water.
  3.) passenger side tire is low on air pressure (20, supposed to be 30.) that one has not popped the bead yet but ultimately the point is I have issues with both front tires.
  I have been working on flat, mild terrain, lifting small piles of brush and logs, far from exceeding maximum lifting capacity.
  My tractor is now out of service until it it fixed. Seeing as how this is something I bought with a purpose to be used often this is putting me out and setting back my timeline for projects I am looking to complete.
  I would hope, expect, and greatly appreciate that this issue is addressed this week, on Monday, and I would expect no later than Wednesday.
  Im not happy with having issues with the tractor that has less than 7 hours on it.
  Please respond at earliest convenience, which I suspect will be Monday morning, and again, would greatly appreciate this being resolved in the beginning half of this week as it has now been two weeks since issues have started with the tractor without resolution. I understand I did not report the tire issues until today, but I have reported on the throttle issue.
  Thank you
  
  BB - 8/24/21, 8:48 AM
  Good morning R
  ***** will be up Wednesday morning with the new cable (if it is needed he will change it) and 2 new tires set at the appropriate psi. Please confirm which tires you have:
  Turf, R4 or R14?
  Thank you
  *****
  Batchelder Sales
  

  RC - Thank you so much I really appreciate it. Sorry for blowing you up over the weekend I didnt realize you were open until today.
  They arent turf, and the arent the super aggressive ones, Im 99% sure we went with the middle of the pack ones, whichever those are.
  Do you need me to leave a key out there for it or will ***** bring one?
  (Easiest way to pop those wheels on and off is to pick the front end off the ground with the bucket, IMO)
  

  BB - Can you confirm which tires - R4 or R14
  (we've ruled out turf and Ag tires - the real aggressive ones)
  
  RC - These ones
  

  BB - Great! thank you. ***** will be up in the morning.
  

  RC - Great! Thanks again
  

  Batchelder Sales - 8/25/21 - Our tech took 2 front tires off a new tractor on our lot and confirmed the proper tire pressure. He went to RCs location, changed both front tires and adjusted the throttle cable to the proper tension. Our tech observed the area and noted the tractor was being used to lift more than its rated capacity which caused the tires to lose pressure. He returned with the original tires, both tires were under inflated, one was full of mud and had a broken valve stem. A foot pump is not capable of inflating a tractor tire.
  

  On12/10 /22 R contacted Batchelder Sales about the tractor not starting via ******** messenger
  
  RC - 12/10/21, 12:14 PM
  Ive been calling trying to get ahold of you. My tractor will not start, it is a starter/ignition switch issue, battery is fine.
  Is there a block heater? I thought maybe it wasnt starting because it was too cold but I couldnt see a block heater cord.
  Any help would be great thank you, need this thing working.
  

  BB - 12/10/21, 1:53 PM
  Hi R

  The tractor does not come with a block heater ... one can be added.

  It is most likely the safety switch in the seat, when it's cold the seat gets stiff. This weekend is supposed to be nice, please try to start your tractor when it's warmer and let us know if it starts. We can move forward after then.
  

  RC - So throughout the course of the winter, I have to wait until the temperature rises to the liking of the safety switch on my $25,000 tractor for it to start, thats excellent.
  16 hours on it and this is the third issue, not impressed or happy at all. Absolutely ridiculous. I hope there is an option to sell it back or I can at least get it sold privately to recoup my losses, what a terrible experience this has been.
  

  BB - I'm sorry you are unhappy with your purchase. I asked if you could help troubleshoot the problem by trying to start the tractor when it was warm.
  I'm sure you could sell it quickly, there is a shortage of tractors out there right now.
  RC - 12/13/21, 10:10 AM
  Tractor started hard but was cold so kind of expected it. Must be the safety switch in the seat has some water in it so I guess thats the issue. Once replaced Ill throw a trash bag over the seat to protect it from the elements. When could you send someone up to change that seat switch?
  

  BB - 12/14/21, 4:22 PM
  Before we send someone out our tech has a couple other questions.
  Did the tractor not start ... no sound at all?
  Or did it try to start but wouldn't?
  When was the last time you added fuel to the tractor?
  

  RC - Did not start, no sound, no crank, no clicking, no nothing.
  Havent fueled the tank in about a month
  12/14/21, 8:52 PM
  Im not following this.
  12/15/21, 2:39 PM
  ?
  12/16/21, 8:12 AM
  We are getting significant snow this weekend and I would like my tractor fixed before that.
  

  BB - I just got off the phone with Kioti service.
  There will be a fix for this issue, unfortunately it is not available yet.
  Does your seat have arm rests or no? (This will determine the type of seat and which way to start the warranty)
  Make sure you are using winter diesel and/or add ************* to the fuel you have now.
  There is a way around the safety seat switch issue, but as a dealer we cannot recommend it or install it for you.
  Sorry for any inconvenience this has caused you, Kioti is aware of the problem.
  

  RC - Yes the seat as arms rests.
  So what youre telling me is when its cold outside, and the ****** wont start because the safety switch isnt working because its frozen in water or whatever the problem is, I just cant use it, and theres nothing you can do about that? You cant bring me a new seat and install it? Ive got a brand new tractor sitting in my yard holding down the earth and theres nothing you can do?
  12/16/21, 1:03 PM
  I also understand that the dealer might not be able to tell me how to disable the safety switch but it also needs to be understood that I is the buyer would never have been a buyer in the first place had I known I would have to call on broken equipment four times for four different things before I hit the ******* 20 hour **** on the machine so you have to do something for me
  This is absolute bullshit
  12/18/21, 4:01 PM
  Oh and by the way, the throttle cable is ****** up AGAIN, same as before.
  12/22/21, 2:00 PM
  Can I get a response?
  12/23/21, 1:03 PM
  Hello??????????????????????
  12/25/21, 7:30 AM
  ??????????????????????????????????????
  The better business bureau is going to love to hear about you.

  
  Batchelder Sales - Shortly after speaking with ******************************* BBB ************* on January 4th we received the service bulletin from Kioti Tractor about this issue. See attachment.
  The parts have been ordered for Rs tractor and many others - they are back ordered and will be installed in order that their complaints have been received.
  

  
  

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩