How can I verify if a Case dealer actually replaced a wiring harness and hydro lines on a TR340B
I need some technical advice from heavy equipment mechanics or anyone familiar with Case dealer service procedures.
My Case TR340B skid steer recently suffered a small fire under the cab and engine bay. It was put out with a dry chemical extinguisher and water. I sent it to a local Case dealer for a insurance/repair job.
The Shop's Claim:
- Total bill: $14,000
- Work claimed: Thoroughly cleaned the machine (removed belly pans), replaced the main wiring harness, and replaced the hydrostatic drive lines.
- Time in shop: 3 months.
When I got the machine back, I pulled the panels and found fire extinguisher residue and fire debris still all over the belly and engine bay. The main harness and hydrostatic lines look completely weathered and are covered in the original fire debris/residue.
Furthermore, within 30 minutes of getting it back, a remote oil line blew out. I've had the machine back to the shop once and the mechanic out to my property twice. The mechanic insists everything was replaced, claiming that the degreaser that they use causes corrosion, which is why the brand-new hydraulic hoses look old and weathered. I am no expert in this field but in my opinion the work was not performed as stated. I have ran out of options after showing photos and having the mechanic and service manager review my concerns. The repair shop is very adamant that the repairs were performed.
My questions for Case techs / Heavy Equipment Pros:
- Wiring Harness Part Tags: Does Case print date codes or serial numbers on the main harness tags that I can cross-reference? If the machine is a few years old, should a brand-new factory replacement harness have a recent manufacture date on the tag?
- OEM Hose Identification: Is there a specific branding, stamping, or laying line on factory Case OEM replacement hoses that differs from assembly-line hoses?
- The "Degreaser" Claim: Have any of you ever heard of a shop degreaser that causes brand-new hydraulic lines and a brand-new harness to instantly look corroded and covered in baked-on fire residue?
- Next Steps: If I can prove they didn't do the work, what is my best leverage or moving forward legally?
I’ve attached photos of how the machine looked the day I got it back from the shop.
TL;DR: Paid a Case dealer $14k to replace a burned harness and hydro lines. Machine came back covered in fire debris and extinguisher dust. Mechanic claims their "degreaser" just made the brand-new parts look corroded. Need to know how to definitively identify new Case parts vs. originals.