2520 3 pt hitch arms rubbing - any alternatives?

[topstoy]

Hello, I just bought a new 2520. I read these posts so I decided to pull off my back hoe and install my bars and iMatch. My tires were reversed for clearance for the back hoe and this seems to work well for the 3 PT as well. I have a good 1.5" of clearance between the tires and the bars.

 

[Deadman]

So, how do you have your arms installed into the Imatch? Normal, or like I did mine? Mine allows clearance for chains easily, works great.

 

[topstoy]

I mounted the bars between the plates of the iMatch. I'm not sure how the clearance would be with chains. I never thought of needing to put chains on. Our climate here in the PNW gets some snow but normally not long lasting Ice where I might need them. Might be nice though, I do move some snow and in the past with my 1710 there would be times that I am spinning alot. Are chains for the R4's pretty pricey? Thanks, Ken

 

[Deadman]

The chains really weren't that expensive considering how nice they are built! The one thing I will say is that the R4 Tires SUCK BAD in snow and are completely useless on any ice. They are like racing slicks in winter. Its because they have such a smooth face on the lugs, and thats why they don't tear up the lawns.

If you get on any side slope at all in winter, you end up at the bottom of it, because the tires have zero side-bite. I love my R4's all around, because they are good in dirt, good on lawn, good on road, ok in mud, but they suck in winter. i fit that real quick with my tire chains!

In your area, I doubt you will need the chains, its just that we have substantial snow on the ground here from Mid December thru March or April every year, and I try to skid logs and plow snow with it.

 

[topstoy]

Good advice on the R4 tires, thanks! Do you have the stock chains from JD or after market? I see some links on this site to some tire chain sources. Reccomendations?? Thanks, K

 

[Deadman]

tirechains.com I believe is where everyone suggested, and thats where mine came from. They were like 100 Lbs each or more!

 

[tomd999]

Hiya,

I don't find a problem with the R4's in the winter. I live on a mountain in NH, we get about 15 feet of snow per year on average. I have loaded tires and wheel weights. I do have a set of chains for mine, used them once for an ice storm.

Does it slip a bit in the snow without chains? Yep, but nothing that that little orange lever by your foot won't fix.

My advice, save your money and go through your first winter and see how it does and if you think you need them, get them over the summer when they are a little cheaper.

Tom

 

[Deadman]

We get too cold of weather here to be without chains. If you get snow and then a bit of warmer temps like most places do, then the R4's are fine, because it thaws and you get traction from dirt, gravel, etc.
Where I live, we usually don't melt at all throughout the whole winter, and all the previous snows turn into hard slippery snow/ice, and the R4's are useless on that.
I work mine hard tho, so maybe if you just play around then the R4's could be ok, but I skid logs, and clear roads in the woods, and have 1,200 lbs in my ballast box for max traction.

 

[sneaky]

And the whole time I thought it was me........ I am going to hit up the dealer about this tomorrow.

My tires are getting battered and no matter how many times I have to adjust, at some point, the arms begin to rub. It makes using the mower impossible.

Anyone know how to find the JD sales rep? It is certainly worth a complaint especially since the dealer has never offered to fix it even though the tractor has been there for service a number of times...

 

[glc24]

Just so the dealer "verifies" that they rub. You should be in line for a new set.
As others have stated,you shouldn't have to "fix" your rub problem. JD put R&D time in this,specifically to fix the lower arm problem on the 2520 and the 2720. I had to let my dealer go through the paperwork circus as instructed by JD because this is actually a warranty thing. If you don't say anything,they sure as heck won't do it themselves.
My arms are in and I pick them up Saturday

 

[sneaky]

Service Manager at the dealer is unfamiliar with problem. And since my tractor is out of warranty, out am SOL.

Service Manager says that there is no improvement program from Deere on this product.

I was given the 800-537-8233 number to call John Deere.

 

[sneaky]

John Deere says that there is no recall or product improvement for this problem.

The next step that John Deere recommends is to have the dealer open a Technical Case.

The saga continues......

 

[2305JD]

John Deere says that there is no recall or product improvement for this problem.

The next step that John Deere recommends is to have the dealer open a Technical Case.

The saga continues......

Sneaky,

I wish you the best of luck. I went down that road, extremely frustrating and the best I got was the JD territory rep to cover a portion of the cost. I paid and am thrilled with the new arms. It's one of those things in life that isn't fair and was making my blood boil so I just wanted to get it behind me.

Good luck but It's doubtful you will get anywhere. I think it's mainly only the guys that made a deal when buying a new one that got the covered by the dealer.

Thanks,

Mario

 

[sneaky]

Sounds like it. I raised this with the JD lady on the phone, that they need to cover costs. I was quoted $330 per arm by the dealer. So, $660 is a lot of money to fix this the right way. My tires are a bit chewed as well.

Did you replace yourself? If so, what was the process like?

 

[glc24]

John Deere says that there is no recall or product improvement for this problem

That's what the JD rep I talked to told me. So why in the heck did JD make a new style arm? Obviously there is a problem with these two models. Why they didn't stop production and do an engineering change is beyond me.

Oh,we will sell you the new style arm because the rear end of the 2520 and 2720 isn't wide enough to accommodate the older style arms,but we won't install them on all new tractors to avoid the problem from here on in.

 

[sneaky]

The JD lady on the phone said, "it is like building cars. We have new designs all the time." Sure, and you support customers where your old design fails.

Perhaps tractors are seen as cars by JD where we upgrade every two-three years.

We'll see how it goes. If it goes not so well as the dealer holds all of the cards, I won't be giving my money to them any longer. There are other sources of implements. If it goes well and they do the right thing, then I'll continue to be a customer.

I am amazed, though, in an age of demand destruction how many "service businesses" erode their own base though poor customer relations. A tractor dealer should have life long customers; ones that go beyond the "warranty" of the item sold. I hope that I am not as good as the warranty of the device I purchased.

 

[glc24]

I was quoted $330 per arm by the dealer. So, $660 is a lot of money to fix this the right way.

The cost of there (JD) parts is nothing less than unbelieveably expensive. I would like to meet the people/person that comes up with these ridiculous prices.
How do you justify 660.00 for 2 lousy lower arms,when the price for a complete 54" front blade is 1,200.00. That's the blade, Quick Hitch and hydraulic kit! I don't get it!

Greg

 

[Runner]

A well-written letter to someone like, say, the vice president of sales, for John Deere works WONDERS. They really do listen to their customers, but apparently, the dealers don't always have the authority needed to make certain things right...

 

[lowechj]

I have the same problem when I have my snow blower attached. It is a generic blower and I ended up putting 5 or 6 flat washers on the pins that attach to the draft arms. This keeps the arms from hitting the tires when I back up. It isn't perfect as they still rub at times but not as bad without the washers. I thought I read somewhere that JD had a new design for the draft arms for the 2520 that was available, is this true. I don't know who is worse my dealer who knows nothing or JD customer service who gives you the run around and just tells you to contact the dealer as they have " technical knowledge " to help you....You pay a big buck for a tractor and you expect it to operate properly without having to do this or that to remedy an obvious design fault. If someone knows if there are new arms available I would be interested in knowing.

 

[glc24]

Hi lowechj and welcome to TBN
This is the new style arm. I just picked them up today
Is your machine still under warranty?
That is the only way you can get them without any cost to you,at least that is what most owners have been told

Greg