Do you have a 3x20 or 4x20 Tractor? If so, Please Help!

[mburke121]

2009 - 4720 w/400cx loader

120 hours with no issues, other than a coolant overflow cap that won't stay on. Also wish I had R1s.

Mods include loaded rears (Rimguard), JD canopy, Add-a-Grapple, rear work light

I love the tractor!

 

[BleedGreen]

2009 JD 3520 with Power reverser, 300 CX loader and 60D MMM, 279 hours.
Only real trouble were the ROPS pins I could only remove and put back with a big hammer (dealer settled that at the 50 hours).
Disappointed by the 3rd SCV and the control of hydraulic implements connected to the rear of the tractor (log splitter, hedge trimmer, etc).
Apart from that I'm a great fan of the 3520 and PR trannies.

In what way are you disappointed with the rear hydraulics? Do you have a lever-controlled 3rd SCV or a Power Beyond Kit? That can make a big difference when running attachments like the log splitter...

 

[Rob-D]

NMU98,
Sure does sound like the front axle problem is over blown for the responses here. I think if we had more info from owners with higher hours it would solidify it.

Rob

 

[soulasphil]

Do you have a lever-controlled 3rd SCV or a Power Beyond Kit? That can make a big difference when running attachments like the log splitter...

I have the only thing that was supplied on the new tractor, the lever-controlled 3rd SCV. The lever has to be held in position by a small metal chain supplied with the tractor (or a bungee cord). It is very difficult to find something to tie it to. The dealer suggested the PTO selection lever, I rather like the 3 point hitch stopper. You are never sure the valve is fully open. The lever often gets free, stopping the implement at the worst moment. Besides you can use neither the FEL nor the 3 point hitch at the same time as the 3rd SCV. I asked the dealer to modify the plumbing and put in a valve with detente in the open position, his answer was it wasn't possible. So I make do with this very unprofessional arrangement, wasting a lot of time.

 

[kennyd]

I have the only thing that was supplied on the new tractor, the lever-controlled 3rd SCV. The lever has to be held in position by a small metal chain supplied with the tractor (or a bungee cord). It is very difficult to find something to tie it to. The dealer suggested the PTO selection lever, I rather like the 3 point hitch stopper. You are never sure the valve is fully open. The lever often gets free, stopping the implement at the worst moment. Besides you can use neither the FEL nor the 3 point hitch at the same time as the 3rd SCV. I asked the dealer to modify the plumbing and put in a valve with detente in the open position, his answer was it wasn't possible. So I make do with this very unprofessional arrangement, wasting a lot of time.

Bad dealer setup is the cause of your troubles, NOT John Deere. What you need to operate implements with their own valves is the Power Beyond kit. It supplies a constant flow of hydraulic fluid whenever the tractor is running-no valve to hold open.

 

[BleedGreen]

Bad dealer setup is the cause of your troubles, NOT John Deere. What you need to operate implements with their own valves is the Power Beyond kit. It supplies a constant flow of hydraulic fluid whenever the tractor is running-no valve to hold open.

I couldnt have said it better myself!!! Which is exactly why I asked the question to start with - dealer not asking questions to verify what you are doing and what implements you plan on using with it. As KennyD said - you need a Power Beyond.

 

[Rob-D]

Right.
The 3rd SCV is good for angling box blades, moving shoots on snow blowers etc. Log splitter and BH use the power beyond. I have both.

Rob

 

[arrabil]

There seems to be a lot of misinformation out about different problems with the 3x20 and 4x20 tractors. One of the more recent ones was the discussion about the front axles being sealed and them having leaky axle seals. Although that might have been true for the older tractors of a different numbering system, it does not seem to be true for this series. It looks like most of the issues with this series has been setup, or something small that was corrected while under warranty. That is goos news for anyone looking to buy, or someone who owns this tractor.

nmu98, you're comparing apples to oranges. The reason there is info on the older models is exactly that.... they're older models. They have more hours. More years in the sun. More owners.

And the reason you're getting mostly setup errors is because the models you're asking about are often still under warranty, on their first owner, less than 1000 hours, etc, etc.

I'm not saying Deere didn't learn from the previous series, just saying you're jumping the gun on finding trends. Unlike the lower tier of tractors, you bought a Deere expecting it not to have many short term problems. The long term problems haven't had time to develop yet.

 

[nmu98]

nmu98, you're comparing apples to oranges. The reason there is info on the older models is exactly that.... they're older models. They have more hours. More years in the sun. More owners.

And the reason you're getting mostly setup errors is because the models you're asking about are often still under warranty, on their first owner, less than 1000 hours, etc, etc.

I'm not saying Deere didn't learn from the previous series, just saying you're jumping the gun on finding trends. Unlike the lower tier of tractors, you bought a Deere expecting it not to have many short term problems. The long term problems haven't had time to develop yet.

Well, help me keep this thread going and we will find out if what your saying is true. This is good information for all 3x20 and 4x20 owners. If everyone keeps this updated, we will have a running log of any issues.

 

[arrabil]

I can't help you much on keeping it going, I don't have one of those models...

 

[soulasphil]

dealer not asking questions to verify what you are doing and what implements you plan on using with it.

The dealer did ask about the implements I was going to use as he sold most of them to me with the tractor. I insisted several times to have the hydraulics modified (at my expense) but was always told it was not possible. This power beyond kit doesn't seem to be available on this side of the Atlantic. Although I remain a fan of the green tractors, I tend to think Deere IS responsible for this poor design. Here are a few pictures of the tractor and implements on the dealer's lot.

 

[kennyd]

The dealer did ask about the implements I was going to use as he sold most of them them to me with the tractor. I insisted several times to have the hydraulics modified (at my expense) but was always told it was not possible. This power beyond kit doesn't seem to be available on this side of the Atlantic. Although I remain a fan of the green tractors, I tend to think Deere IS responsible for this poor design. Here are a few pictures of the tractor and implements on the dealer's lot.

I am not buying it, not for a second. Maybe you need to educate that dealer a little. Since you are not happy about your setup, take positive steps to change it. Obtain the part number and call the dealer's parts counter. Worst case, some one here would gladly get it and ship it to you.

 

[soulasphil]

Thank you for your encouragements. I will try again. But this is August, and here it means everything stops and everyone goes on holidays. I have a new buiding expecting its roof, all the timber on the ground and nobody to do the work, my trailer has a bad oil leak on the cylinder but the mechanic is on holidays... In September I will be in Shangai. So this will have to wait. In the mean time, I go on splitting logs every day with this poor system (great for unloading the trailer though).

 

[Rob-D]

Thank you for your encouragements. I will try again. But this is August, and here it means everything stops and everyone goes on holidays. I have a new buiding expecting its roof, all the timber on the ground and nobody to do the work, my trailer has a bad oil leak on the cylinder but the mechanic is on holidays... In September I will be in Shangai. So this will have to wait. In the mean time, I go on splitting logs every day with this poor system (great for unloading the trailer though).

Is a BH an option over there? If it is, it requires a power beyond. How about a log splitter. I see your son(?) using one, what does the installation on it say? We use power beyonds for splitters here. I'm with Kenny, I can't believe you can't get the power beyond. Do you have a European Deere site? Go to it and look up attachments for your tractor. The power beyond usually is a build item with the basic tractor.
Rob

 

[soulasphil]

Do you have a European Deere site? Go to it and look up attachments for your tractor. The power beyond usually is a build item with the basic tractor.
Rob

I think it's rather a JD world site. I went to it and am quite perplexed. They quote 3 power beyond kits for the 3520. MP40093 is for cab tractors, so not for me. This leaves MP39970 PB kit and MP37178 PB kit (European). I'm no expert but to me they look very different from each other. Would European tractors be shipped from the States with different hydraulic hardware ?

To answer your question, yes a backhoe is an option but there are extremely few to be seen (I would love one to dig out tree stumps). People who want to dig holes usually use something heavier than a CUT.

 

[Furu]

Open station JD 4720, 2008, 200+ hours with 400CX FEL
Several non JD Accessories, 2 Woods, Salsco, Farmi, Speco, and Rankin

Only Issues
Battery overflowed on delivery, caused some corrosion cleanup issues
Battery Ground cable defective at about 1 year of use
Strains a bit to lift chipper at idle hydraulic flow due to weight of unit (not much of a surprise)

Great unit occasionally wish I had gone with a 5000 series

 

[arrabil]

MP39970 is the actual Power Beyond. MP37178 is an extension for something (PB or SCV).

 

[kennyd]

MP39970 is the actual Power Beyond.

Correct.

MP37178 is an extension for something (PB or SCV).

Correct again. It extends two of the mid-SCV's to the rear...Pretty much useless if you have a FEL installed.

 

[Rob-D]

I think it's rather a JD world site. I went to it and am quite perplexed. They quote 3 power beyond kits for the 3520. MP40093 is for cab tractors, so not for me. This leaves MP39970 PB kit and MP37178 PB kit (European). I'm no expert but to me they look very different from each other. Would European tractors be shipped from the States with different hydraulic hardware ?

To answer your question, yes a backhoe is an option but there are extremely few to be seen (I would love one to dig out tree stumps). People who want to dig holes usually use something heavier than a CUT.

Why don't you shoot off an email to Deere parts staff and see what they have to say.
Tell people to take a look at the 485 for the 3x20 open series tractors if they think CUT BH's are wimpy.

Rob

 

[soulasphil]

MP39970 is the actual Power Beyond. MP37178 is an extension for something (PB or SCV).

Thanks a lot for your help. This is what I tend to think too, MP37178 looks very much like the plumbing for the 3rd SCV on my tractor. When the dealer is operational again after the August holidays, I'll see what he has to say on the matter.

Meanwhile the log splitting is going on , using the infamous chain supplied with the tractor by the JD dealer.