2520 popping out of 4WD

[megaboz]

I agree with the use of the ballast box, it just makes everything safer when filling the FEL, BUT!!!!!! What is considered "SEVERE STRESS"? I live on a cliff side, and when in 2WD my tractor is like a sled without the FEL even on it. I have to run the thing in 4WD. If I put a rear ballast box on it when I go up the hill it will sit on it, yes it goes down the hill better in 2WD but then I have to back up the hill.

If it is in 4WD, it should stay there. Let something break, maybe I won't die because it will lock up instead of free willing.

Also, if you are so heavy going down a hill on just the front wheels, then you are asking for trouble, that is insane!

 

[megaboz]

Tom, what number did you use to call JD? Was there a specific department or extension that you spoke to? I have to agree with you that these tractors shouldn't pop out of four wheel drive under any circumstance with balast box or not. You have a good point, it seems absurd that JD would require you to switch between rear blade and ballast box each time you need to move a bucket full of dirt. Loaded rear tires and rear blade should be plenty of ballast for most applications on these smaller tractors.

The real question is just how much weight is he carrying in the FEL? A couple hundred pounds, sure it is enough, 800 lbs, not even remotely. Rear filled-tires don't offer much ballast, it helps, but something sticking out the rear as far as the FEL in the front, it does do more. It pulls the nose up. Filled rear tires just help it from lifting as easily. It's the whole lever principle, the closer the weight is to the fulcrum point, the less work it does, the further back it does more work. A 200 - 300lb blade will help some but not if there is triple in the FEL.

I still think it is a cop-out from JD, but I agree with using the ballast box when it makes sense. If you see your tires in the front squatting and the back tires bouncing, you need more ballast.

 

[Gobblin Tom]

Tom, what number did you use to call JD? Was there a specific department or extension that you spoke to? I have to agree with you that these tractors shouldn't pop out of four wheel drive under any circumstance with balast box or not. You have a good point, it seems absurd that JD would require you to switch between rear blade and ballast box each time you need to move a bucket full of dirt. Loaded rear tires and rear blade should be plenty of ballast for most applications on these smaller tractors.

Wow quite the debate going on now... I did call the number on jd's customer website. I believe I hit a few zero's to get someone on the phone. I was very persistent and they don't make it easy!! They just push it all back to the dealer... I told them that I know this is not a high dollar machine to them but it is all I can afford! I was just trying to get the point pushed across to them... Let us know what you find out when you call????

 

[Todd NE WY]

Tom,

I have been following this from the start. This last bit of added info from JD should be taken a little more seriously. While I agree that that the 4WD should not ever pop out. From a legal stand point if you don't jump thru the hoops then all they will do is ask you if you were using the tractor in the recommended manner, ie proper ballast etc., and when you tell them no they will say there is not a problem until you duplicate it operating in the recommended manner. Don't get me wrong I completely agree with you I just don't want to see you waste a bunch of time and effort only to land back at square 1.

Todd

 

[megaboz]

Tom,

I have been following this from the start. This last bit of added info from JD should be taken a little more seriously. While I agree that that the 4WD should not ever pop out. From a legal stand point if you don't jump thru the hoops then all they will do is ask you if you were using the tractor in the recommended manner, ie proper ballast etc., and when you tell them no they will say there is not a problem until you duplicate it operating in the recommended manner. Don't get me wrong I completely agree with you I just don't want to see you waste a bunch of time and effort only to land back at square 1.

Todd

I get your point. I think the anger was directed in the manner to fix the issue. The solution doesn't make one feel comfortable that their problem is totally fixed. I think I would feel better if something would just break instead of popping out of 4wd.

I don't think people would argue much if the front axle broke from improper use and the whole bit of ballast wouldn't seem trivial.

 

[hizoot]

wow....I think back of when I got my 2520 (December 2010). I didn't realize how dangerous I was being! I thought having the tires filled was sufficient. I moved 60 yards of select fill dirt down my fairly steep but short hill...without ballast on the back of any kind and a 60" loader bucket...just the filled tires.Luckily it didn't pop out of 4wd and I survived. But dang was I close and didn't even know it. This just ticks me off at my dealer more. They just dropped off my tractor...said "I'm sure you know all about it" ,and took off. They delivered my Backhoe JD46 a couple of weeks later while I was at work.....no instruction.

edit to add: I'm as much to blame as the dealer. I should of read the manual before operation,instead of casual bedside reading a little each night.

 

[Gobblin Tom]

That is what I am saying, my rear blade sticks out 3' past the quick hitch. (Oh yeah I forgot to add that weight in) Also it is kinda the point if I had no weight on the back of the tractor and the rear wheels weren't even touching the ground, regardless it should never ever disengage!!!! I just want to remind you that their was times that I was on a very gentle slope in my yard and it would pop out, all the other times it was a pretty good hill I was going down. I do understand using the ballast box might prevent this from happening but what happens just to say if the back tires were to slide on ice or something and the font disengaged, not to likely but just throwing a scenario out there. I really just want to hear what JD tells other people?? Is a tractor like a car for lemon-law? If you send it in 3,4,5 times for the same problem and it's not fixed??? I really like my tractor and I know to be carful with it, but what about the person that doesn't know and panics and has a severe accident??

 

[pdp11]

No load in the bucket.
No liquid in the tires.
No weight on the 3PH.

All it took was a steep hill, slippery ground, and an operator that didn't use enough sense.

 

[megaboz]

That is what I am saying, my rear blade sticks out 3' past the quick hitch. (Oh yeah I forgot to add that weight in) Also it is kinda the point if I had no weight on the back of the tractor and the rear wheels weren't even touching the ground, regardless it should never ever disengage!!!! I just want to remind you that their was times that I was on a very gentle slope in my yard and it would pop out, all the other times it was a pretty good hill I was going down. I do understand using the ballast box might prevent this from happening but what happens just to say if the back tires were to slide on ice or something and the font disengaged, not to likely but just throwing a scenario out there. I really just want to hear what JD tells other people?? Is a tractor like a car for lemon-law? If you send it in 3,4,5 times for the same problem and it's not fixed??? I really like my tractor and I know to be carful with it, but what about the person that doesn't know and panics and has a severe accident??

Ballast isn't a good enough excuse for the popping of 4wd. Breaking the front axle, sure. How much weight and how much ballast? There is no chart for that?

 

[ZR7400]

Update: I got my tractor back from the dealer today. I sure wish I could try adding the extra ballast weight to see if it has any effect, but I got it back in worse condition than when it went. I wasn't home when it was delivered, but I checked it out as soon as I got home. The 4wd lever now goes clear to the floor board and there is no longer any detent clicks, just a smooth glide from the the 2wd position to the floor. To make things worse, when the lever is down it is not engaged in 4wd even though the light it on. It's now screwed up more than it was. At least before I had 4wd even though it would pop out occassionally.

Tom, Smart move not letting them take your tractor!!!! Now the dealer is coming back out monday morning to pick my tractor up again for who knows how long. Needless to say I'm not happy!!!!!!

On the ballast issue: It may or may not work to prevent it from popping out of 4wd (yet to be determined) but I think the recomendation by Deere is a half *** solution to a design flaw. I've searched the internet extensively regarding this and no one is complaining much about their tractor of any brand popping out of 4wd unless they own a JD 2520. No one can tell me that it's unreasonable to expect your tractor to stay in 4wd with a modest load in the bucket with or without a ballast box. I agree that it is safer for stability purposes, but that isn't the question here.