Going up a steep slope in my new (to me) JD955

[kennyd]

Great news Bob:thumbsup: Thanks for posting back. So many times we help poeple and they never come back to let us know the outcome

 

[onthehill]

Just wanted to give you guys an update. I have the tractor at the dealer right now. It looks like the hyrdo issue gets worse after the tractor runs for some time. I was using the tractor over the weekend and couldn't get up a very slight slope after using the tractor for 30 minutes. Talking to the dealer they don't seem to have a clue, at least initially. Although they said "everything seems fine" when they picked it up. I have my fingers crossed. I'm hoping it's just a tranny filter or something simple.


Bob

 

[DennisH]

I had a 955 and used it to mow steep hilly fields all the time, and never had problems with climbing while dragging a 272 rear finish mower.
jim

As I was reading this thread I was going with Jim as it didn't seem right to have to ease up on the pedal to make that climb.

Disclaimer: I know nothing about tractors.

 

[arrabil]

You have to ease up on the pedal with a hydro to get more torque. Slower but more powerful....

 

[beppington]

I don't think you mentioned whether you were in H range, or if you tried M or L? (or whatever ranges yours has; I don't know JD's at all)

 

[onthehill]

I was in L range beppington. Looks like I might have to wait a week or so for the dealer to take a look at it. I'll let all of you know what I find out. I did a bunch of searching online and I can't say that I've found too many other hits. So, I'm not overly hopefully that they are going to be able to find anything/reproduce it.


Bob

 

[KubieTwo]

Does the clutch have any free travel? If not, you may have a clutch adjustment or worn disc problem rather than a hydro problem. Hopefully is a plugged screen or filter, or clutch adjustment rather than something worse.

When that issue is resolved, contrary to what RedHawk tells you, pushing the pedal harder will NOT give you more power and a steep enough hill with the right load will certainly stall the tractor if that is your reaction, even in L. That is not the case with the newest hydrostatic transmissions such as the Kubota HST Plus, JD eHydro with Loadmatch, etc., but it is on yours and if it stalls on a hill when you push it too hard, there is nothing wrong with the tractor. If Kennyd, arrabil and I are wrong, maybe RedHawk would like to help us understand why.

 

[beenthere]

Kubie
He doesn't have a clutch, as said it was HST.

In low range, it should go up any hill within reason with no problem.

So, sounds like a problem.

The dealer should be able to duplicate it if there is a hill to test it. Can you (onthehill) think of any reason the dealer won't be able to duplicate your hill experience?

 

[KubieTwo]

Kubie
He doesn't have a clutch, as said it was HST.

In low range, it should go up any hill within reason with no problem.

So, sounds like a problem.

The dealer should be able to duplicate it if there is a hill to test it. Can you (onthehill) think of any reason the dealer won't be able to duplicate your hill experience?

There is absolutely no question it should go up any hill within reason with no problem as you stated, as long as it is driven as designed. There is no question there is now a problem if it won't. In my opinion, traction should be the limiting factor, not the HST if operated properly.

My comment was related to those who said pushing the forward HST all the way down should never cause it to stall on a hill. The OP learned what worked and stated when pressed down too far, the tractor stalled, but did ok driven as Kennyd suggested....as long as it was not hot. I think you are in agreement with those statements but some still are not...for whatever reasons. Some imply that if it won't climb any hill, pedal fully down, it has a problem, and they don't even clarify H or L range. Is that true?

I was under the impression that the engine and pump were connected through a clutch disc and pplate, so stand corrected if this is not the case. If I am wrong on the clutch plate, I do not want others to be misled so you do others a service by correcting inaccuracies, mine or others. If I am wrong on how to operate an HST, that too needs to be corrected, but with an explanation of why so others can benefit. If it is like an accelerator instead of a pump control pedal, we need to know that.

 

[onthehill]

No news from the dealer yet. I would assume that the dealer will be able to reproduce the problem but, like I said before, it only happens after you've been using the tractor for some time. I guess I'm use to the car dealer which can never seem to reproduce any issues. Also, just to be clear, the tractor does not stall/bog down when trying to go up the hill, it just won't do it and you hear a loud hydrolaulic whine.

 

[jenkinsph]

No news from the dealer yet. I would assume that the dealer will be able to reproduce the problem but, like I said before, it only happens after you've been using the tractor for some time. I guess I'm use to the car dealer which can never seem to reproduce any issues. Also, just to be clear, the tractor does not stall/bog down when trying to go up the hill, it just won't do it and you hear a loud hydrolaulic whine.

If the engine doesn't load down when the fluid is warm you might have tolerance issues. Hope that is not the case.

 

[onthehill]

Well, quick update for you guys. I called the dealer this week and they said that they are waiting for the parts to come in. The person I talked to couldn't remember exactly what was bad, but he thought is was a pressure relief valve. I'll let you know after I hear back from them.


Bob