VERY unhappy with John Deere's documentation

[rilesdav]

Hey Steve,
I did use the JD hygard fluid and I changed it about 6 weeks ago after my last cutting of the season, I was in the process of doing all the maintenance oil, plugs, etc. so I would pour a quart in the funnel and then go work on something else, come back and add another quart. I did not move back and forth with the trans until I was all done. I assume with the extra I added today I will be at correct level, I hope. I would be curious as to what Deere's explanation for this would be. Thanks
Dave

 

[sgoldste01]

Call Deere and find out instead of bitching on a web board. Sounds like you just want to argue.... fix it and move on.

Thanks for your support. Would you be upset too if, by following the manufacturer's directions, you were afraid that you might have caused harm?

Before I started this thread yesterday, I went on the JD website to find a tech support phone number. There isn't one. They simply say that if you have technical questions, contact your dealer.

So I fired off an email to Tuff Torq's tech support email address. If I get a reply, I'll post back here.

In the meantime, I know there's a wealth of technical knowledge on this forum. I'm still hoping that someone who has rebuilt hydro trannies and has a more solid understanding of how they function might be able to theorize as to the seriousness of this problem (low fluid on the diff side of the tranny). It would seem, since the reservoir dumps into the hydrostatic side, that they're more concerned about fluid levels on that side than on the diff side. But this is just me making an uneducated guess.

 

[Don87]

Where did you notice that? My owner's manual says very clearly to NEVER remove that plug (see the first attachment in my original post).

It wasn't until I received the Tech Manual (which isn't a document that comes with the tractor; must be bought separately) that I learned I could remove the left plug and pour fluid into it.

I got it from your very first post..........the attachment you added to it.

It states to remove the plug and add 1.9 quarts of fluid, then common sense dictates adding the remaining 2.5 quarts to the reservoir.

Thus the 2 stage fill procedure.

 

[sgoldste01]

I got it from your very first post..........the attachment you added to it.

It states to remove the plug and add 1.9 quarts of fluid, then common sense dictates adding the remaining 2.5 quarts to the reservoir.

Thus the 2 stage fill procedure.

Yes, I know that now that I've purchased the Tech Manual. But with only the owner's manual (which is all that many people have; what percentage of JD tractor owners buy the Tech Manual?), you would think that you should never remove the plug on the differential side and add fluid through that hole.

This is the very point of this entire thread.

 

[Don87]

Yes, I know that now that I've purchased the Tech Manual. But with only the owner's manual (which is all that many people have; what percentage of JD tractor owners buy the Tech Manual?), you would think that you should never remove the plug on the differential side and add fluid through that hole.

This is the very point of this entire thread.

Wow, they are right. You are very argumentative with the people that are on your side.

I am fully aware of the point of this thread, the title states it clearly, and your first post makes it all even clearer.

Now I'll tell you something you may not know.

Your attitude towards the people here, that are trying to help you, is really p*ssing people off.

My suggestion would be for you to reread all three pages of this thread very carefully and think about adjusting your attitude accordingly.

Merry Christmas

 

[sgoldste01]

Don, apparently it was not your intention, but your first two responses to this thread led me to believe that you thought both attachments in my original post came from the owner's manual.

So I was trying to clarify something for you that apparently did not need clarification.

Sorry for telling you something that you already understood.

 

[soulasphil]

Don't think Deere will change the on-line owner's manuals in a hurry. This is an extract from the present manual for a 3520 :

"Lubricating Machine Grease Fittings • Extremely Wet and Muddy Conditions - Lubricate machine grease fittings every 10 hours of operation or on a daily basis
• All Other Conditions - Lubricate machine grease fittings every 50 hours of operation

MX32647

MX32648
A - Left Tie Rod End
B - Left Steering Cylinder Ball Joint
C - Right Tie Rod End
D - Right Steering Cylinder Ball Joint "
And it shows pictures of the zerks on the steering mechanism.

Well my 2009 3520 sold with the same manual already had a permanently greased steering with 0 zerks and I doubt later models are different.

I'm glad Deere improved the design, but think they should have modified the manual by now !

 

[rilesdav]

Hey Steve,
I just reread the whole thread and did not think you were being argumentative or said anything that should offend anyone.
Dave

 

[sgoldste01]

Soulasphil, I hear you. It's too bad. When people make mistakes with the products they buy, or don't know how to properly use these products, they're told to RTFM (Read The F'ing Manual).

Then along comes people like you and me who read the manual because we want to do things the right way, and we find mistakes in the documentation. The mistake you found would cause some confusion, but wouldn't cause any harm to the product. The mistake I'm complaining about could cause expensive product damage.

I can only hope it doesn't come to that.

 

[sgoldste01]

Hey Steve,
I just reread the whole thread and did not think you were being argumentative or said anything that should offend anyone.
Dave

Thanks, Dave!

It certainly wasn't my intent to offend anyone. My intent was to express my frustration over the damage this documentation error might have caused my GT245. My other intent was to get a reading from forum members who are "in the know" as to the odds that I did or didn't cause any harm.