E&P Levelling System Warranty Parts

[stewartwebr]

Our E&P levelling system failed whilst on a site on the 18th October. One of the back rams refused to retract, the system is 18 months old. I called SAP in Doncaster for support, Mick is the subject matter expert on these systems and if anyone can help it would be him. I had his WhatsApp number so called him direct. To my complete embarrassment he was on holiday in Bali, but Mick being Mick still give me support.
The only option was to remove the hydraulic lines to the ram and manually retract it. Luckily the rear air on the liner lift it well up so getting under was not an issue. I disconnected both lines and drained the hydraulic fluid into a bucket and managed to wedge the ram back up.
SAP agreed to see me a few days later as I had concerns the ram could drop whilst driving. When we got there they found both rear solenoids to be so hot Darren the technician burnt his hand on touching it. The plastic coating on both rear solenoids had completely melted. The fault is thought to be with the main control board, but due to us having a 24 volt system it could not be tested.
We were informed the part would be ordered. We have now been waiting almost 2 months for a replacement board. I have spoken with SAP who are brilliant. I have also contacted E&P U.K. direct and have nothing but a, “Sorry you feel the lead time is long” email.
I can now see why MORELO, Concorde and few others have now dropped E&P.
Once again I cannot fault SAP they are a great company but can only do what E&P instruct and supply.
I have had 4 E&P Systems, think this may be the last.

 

[stewartwebr]

Update from E&P I think I could be in for a long wait.

Good morning,

I am sorry to hear that you are unsatisfied with the service and aftercare that we have provided, and I understand your frustrations.

Throughout the pandemic and up until very recently we have managed to keep our supply chain running with very few problems. Unfortunately this is no longer the case and we have started to see delays coming through with the supply of the operating systems, which is the part you are waiting for. The manufacturers are not always clear in how many they will be supplying to our head office at E&P Holland, we were advised that we would have some by now but E&P Holland have been let down by the manufacturers.

We are doing everything we can to try and get one supplied to us and will continue to do so until your case has been resolved.

As soon as we have an update, Kirsty will be in touch with you.

Kind regards,​

Lorna​ ​ Laverty​ |​ Technical Sales Executive​ |​ E&P Hydraulics UK Ltd.​

M: 07917 905077​ |​ E: lorna.laverty@ep-hydraulics.co.uk​ |​ W: www.ep-hydraulics.co.uk​

 

[funflair]

No doubt prioritising supply for full kits fingers crossed for a speedy delivery.

 

[Coastal Cruiser.]

So are they saying the cannot manufacture any more systems as they do not have certain parts?
I bet not, no doubt they are still selling plenty of complete systems but obviously Your parts are not worth much to them compared to a full system going out the gate

 

[stewartwebr]

In fairness not too bad a wait, just over 7 weeks. I do wonder how long it would have taken if I had been a little more passive and just sat back.

Only issue is we are not back in the U.K. until mid February. But at least SAP shall have the parts for when we do get back.

Nice touch sending the feet as compensation, not that we need them, far prefer Snapads which I have fitted.

Update this morning:

Good Afternoon,

I have some good news, this order will be leaving us today. We have informed SAP. We are sorry for the delay in this order I know this has been frustrating for you which we understand and do apologise. As a good will gesture, we have also shipped some footplate covers free of charge (worth over £100) with your order to SAP and if you are happy to accept they will fit these for you to.

Again I am sorry for the delay in this order and the delay in fixing your issue to the levelling system

Kind regards

Kirsty

Kind regards,​

E&P Hydraulics UK Ltd.​

E: info@ep-hydraulics.co.uk​ |​ W: www.ep-hydraulics.co.uk​

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[funflair]

Is your E&P fitted by SAP or Morelo?

 

[Tinker2]

Had the same problem we were on a 5 site miles from anywhere. Courtside conversions Tiverton came and drained ours, then fitted a new solenoid the following in their workshop as they had one.

 

[Steve and Denise]

In fairness not too bad a wait, just over 7 weeks. I do wonder how long it would have taken if I had been a little more passive and just sat back.

Only issue is we are not back in the U.K. until mid February. But at least SAP shall have the parts for when we do get back.

Nice touch sending the feet as compensation, not that we need them, far prefer Snapads which I have fitted.

Update this morning:

Good Afternoon,

I have some good news, this order will be leaving us today. We have informed SAP. We are sorry for the delay in this order I know this has been frustrating for you which we understand and do apologise. As a good will gesture, we have also shipped some footplate covers free of charge (worth over £100) with your order to SAP and if you are happy to accept they will fit these for you to.

Again I am sorry for the delay in this order and the delay in fixing your issue to the levelling system

Kind regards

Kirsty

​ Kind regards,​

​ E&P Hydraulics UK Ltd.​

​ ​ E: info@ep-hydraulics.co.uk​ |​ W: www.ep-hydraulics.co.uk​

That seems like pretty quick service to me lucky your not waiting for Carthago parts at the moment it’s 4 months plus VAT

 

[Two on Tour]

I bought and fitted a set of footplate covers on ours, well worth having.

 

[stewartwebr]

Is your E&P fitted by SAP or Morelo?

It was fitted by SAP as I wanted the new touch screen fitted and it got complicated with Morelo. There was also a 4K saving to have it after fitted. I was offered a good deal by an E&P Specialist in the Netherlands. Collected the van and drove the vehicle and dropped it off. A few hours later we got a call to say it was not possible to fit as Morelo had fitted cross members where the brackets need to be fitted.
A call to Mick at SAP and the van was booked in and system fitted. It was actually a bonus as he fitted the extra long jacks. He had to manufacture brackets and some other work. But as we all know Mick and team are the real experts on these systems and Micks’ claim to fame being he has never not been able to fit a system, but had a good few challenges and we were one of them.

I bought and fitted a set of footplate covers on ours, well worth having.

We have Snappads fitted which I prefer, had them on a few systems now and removes the horrible grinding noise when you deploy on gravel.

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[Littlewheels]

Had the same problem we were on a 5 site miles from anywhere. Courtside conversions Tiverton came and drained ours, then fitted a new solenoid the following in their workshop as they had one.

They appear to support the systems they supply by carrying parts in stock which is what they should be doing,l cannot understand why companies that fit hundreds of systems a year have no spares.The loser is always the customer.

 

[Tinker2]

They appear to support the systems they supply by carrying parts in stock which is what they should be doing,l cannot understand why companies that fit hundreds of systems a year have no spares.The loser is always the customer.

 

[Two on Tour]

They appear to support the systems they supply by carrying parts in stock which is what they should be doing,l cannot understand why companies that fit hundreds of systems a year have no spares.The loser is always the customer.

For companies like SAP, a stock of spare parts and space to store them costs money, plus some of the parts may become obsolete remaining on a shelf and never turning a profit.
Not what we want to hear as a customer, but they are installers not spare parts companies.

 

[Tinker2]

To be fair they did borrow/ rob a new system they had ready to fit. To save me from traveling back to them.

 

[Littlewheels]

For companies like SAP, a stock of spare parts and space to store them costs money, plus some of the parts may become obsolete remaining on a shelf and never turning a profit.
Not what we want to hear as a customer, but they are installers not spare parts companies.

Since l have had four systems fitted by SAP and all pretty much the same other than the advancement of Digital software it’s unlikely anything becomes obsolete and particularly when hundreds of systems are already fitted that need future service,therefore,Parts stock would set them up for more profit.

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[stewartwebr]

Since l have had four systems fitted by SAP and all pretty much the same other than the advancement of Digital software it’s unlikely anything becomes obsolete and particularly when hundreds of systems are already fitted that need future service,therefore,Parts stock would set them up for more profit.

In fairness to SAP they do carry a certain amount of spares. However, as stated in the OP our system is 24Volts which SAP or many other U.K. fitters don’t fit many of, so I would not expect them to carry spares. They did actual have spare 24V solenoid valves. It was the main control module which was the challenge.
Did make me think about my next system, should I have it supplied from the leisure 12V system, it would make parts easier, something to think about.

 

[Albacore]

To be fair they did borrow/ rob a new system they had ready to fit. To save me from traveling back to them.

That could have been my system.... I was bumped at a week's notice due to 'part shortages' ... Had to wait a further 4 weeks for install