Thinking about a John Deere engine purchase?

[Storm]

Here's some food for thought. Lobsterman Don McHenan of Stonington, Maine logged 16,000 hours on his 6076AFM John Deere before he rebuilt the engine. Don says he spent $565 in eight years before the rebuild and never lost a day of fishing. After the rebuild, he ran the engine for another 10,000 hours. He recently repowered his 38-footer with a new PowerTech 6081AFM. The new engine uses about 10 less gallons of fuel per day and pushes the vessel 2 knots faster.

Compare that with my Caterpillar 3196. During a six year period, the defunct Cat required two rebuilds, one major repair, and three replacement cylinder heads. Cost for repairs was in excess of $50,000 - not including occasional smaller repairs. Downtime expense for the three months of lost fishing time is estimated to be about $30,000 - $40,000 - not including the time and money lost for the occasional smaller repairs.

Caterpillar, don't you think it's time to step up to the plate and resolve my long standing engine problems?

Storm

[nautiduck]

Why dont you buy a Deere and move on? Do you ever post about anything else?

[Storm]

Let's see. I'd like to buy a Deere and move on. I would, except for the fact that all my money has gone towards repairing my piece of crap Caterpillar. And yes, sometimes I post about other stuff. But my main focus is keeping pressure on the jerks that sold me a lemon. Thanks for asking.

Storm

[Big Fish Billy]

Caterpillar is losing market share all the time, won't be long before the problem takes care of itself. Be glad you didn't have a 3208.........

[Storm]

I've had a couple 3208's. In fact, I bought one two months prior to buying my 3196.

It doesn't surprise me that Cat is losing its market share. Traditional values created this country, and personal and corporate greed are responsible for its unraveling. Too bad Cat doesn't follow the values outlined in its corporate mission statement "Our Values In Action". The company seems to grasp the basic philosophy, but doesn't know how to act accordingly. Instead of making good on its promises, it hires scum bag lawyers. In a few years we'll all be in the grave, and we won't be bringing our money with us - including the scum bag lawyers.

As far as my engine is concerned, it would have been cheaper for Cat to replace it years ago than to dump all the money into it for repairs. I would have been singing songs of praise. Instead, my website has generated 9,400 hits from more than 50 countries. I'm confident all the bad press has to have cost Cat at least one engine sale - if not dozens. I have more than 35 years vested interest in my lobster business. I'll be damned if I let a corporate conglomerate ruin it for me with its worthless products. I bought my engine in good faith and kept my half of the bargain when I cut Cat a check for $54,000. In return, I expect an engine that will last for more than 3,600 hours without an overhaul. Is that too much to ask?

Storm

[TROPHY SPORTFISHING]

I have heard good things about deere but i have also heard some say parts are expensive and sometimes hard to get, but that being said i think they are good motors have you thought about lugger i know several guys who put 15-20,000 hrs on them or how about qsm 11 comm rated cummins. good luck wiyh whatever your choice is.

[Fritz]

For commercial use- Go LUGGER!

[Big Fish Billy]

I've had a couple 3208's. In fact, I bought one two months prior to buying my 3196.

It doesn't surprise me that Cat is losing its market share. Traditional values created this country, and personal and corporate greed are responsible for its unraveling. Too bad Cat doesn't follow the values outlined in its corporate mission statement "Our Values In Action". The company seems to grasp the basic philosophy, but doesn't know how to act accordingly. Instead of making good on its promises, it hires scum bag lawyers. In a few years we'll all be in the grave, and we won't be bringing our money with us - including the scum bag lawyers.

As far as my engine is concerned, it would have been cheaper for Cat to replace it years ago than to dump all the money into it for repairs. I would have been singing songs of praise. Instead, my website has generated 9,400 hits from more than 50 countries. I'm confident all the bad press has to have cost Cat at least one engine sale - if not dozens. I have more than 35 years vested interest in my lobster business. I'll be damned if I let a corporate conglomerate ruin it for me with its worthless products. I bought my engine in good faith and kept my half of the bargain when I cut Cat a check for $54,000. In return, I expect an engine that will last for more than 3,600 hours without an overhaul. Is that too much to ask?

Storm

Well my grandson is going to diesel school after he graduates, and we'll set him up in business in Newburyport working on boats. I can think of at least 25 Cat engines that need work without trying to hard. All he's got to do is answer the phone, get back to people, and work cleanly, and he'll be set for life, there's no one dependable in the whole harbor. I'm afraid I'll be saying soon, Caterpillar has been good for him, not cause their engines are any good, but because of all the work he'll get...

Bill

[Storm]

Well my grandson is going to diesel school after he graduates, and we'll set him up in business in Newburyport working on boats. I can think of at least 25 Cat engines that need work without trying to hard. All he's got to do is answer the phone, get back to people, and work cleanly, and he'll be set for life, there's no one dependable in the whole harbor. I'm afraid I'll be saying soon, Caterpillar has been good for him, not cause their engines are any good, but because of all the work he'll get...

Bill

That's basically what the Cat tech said when he finished my last rebuild. He said, "it's as good as new but not any better." And, "don't get me wrong, I've made a lot of money fixing these engines." Not exactly encouraging words after you just spent $20,000 for repairs, lost a month of income, and it's the third time in four years. When I played baseball, you only got three strikes.

[Big Fish Billy]

That's basically what the Cat tech said when he finished my last rebuild. He said, "it's as good as new but not any better." And, "don't get me wrong, I've made a lot of money fixing these engines." Not exactly encouraging words after you just spent $20,000 for repairs, lost a month of income, and it's the third time in four years. When I played baseball, you only got three strikes.

I had two friends to report Cat failures first hand as I fished with them alot, Eddie had two in his 45 Hatteras, he used to call them throw aways, he'd run them hard, throw them away when they broke, and get two more, but he had a lot of money. Dick had one in his 35 Duffy, he'd warp the head and blow a head gasket every year for at least 5 years I know of. The Cat mechanic had grease from one end of the boat to the other and all the way up the dock. I emphasized to my grandson, leave no trace when you're working on somebodies boat. He's a conscientious kid, I know he'll do fine. I bought a 40 Jersey a few years ago with two shitbox 3208s. I took them out and put two 454 Crusaders in, I can buy a lot of fuel for the difference in price..........a lot......