John Deere "E" Series Hydraulic Systems Failures Overheating, Stuck Valves, etc

[Dizno]

Re: John Deere "E" Series Hydraulic Systems Failures Overheating, Stuck Valves, etc

I have a neighbor that is a dairyman that bought a new 5603 that he's states is the sorriest tractor he has every owned. I know this is his 6th JD tractor that he bought new. the 5603 has had the engine overhauled from water in the oil,new damper clutch and numerous hyd problems that I know of with just a little over 3000 hrs on the tach.

Don't know which models he previously owned. He should not be having failures at 3000 hrs but:
-has his service intervals/methods changed? Does he use JD service products?
-how long did he keep his previous tractors?
-has his farming operation changed capacity wise? Is it the right tractor?
-the 5603 is an entry level JD product albeit this is not normal failure

Sample size = 1.

We can all quote an experience...but don't wish this on anyone....

 

[Dizno]

Re: John Deere "E" Series Hydraulic Systems Failures Overheating, Stuck Valves, etc

If I didn't own the 5093 I would not have made the comment that newer Deeres aren't what they used to be. I would still think the John deere makes a top quality product. After putting over 500 hours on the 5093 and having many problems I can honestly say first hand that the 5E limited tractors aren't that great. It is dissapointing to spend that much on a tractor and realize it doesn't meet your expectations of quality.
I have been hearingthe same thing from other farmers in my area.

I really hope things get better for you, Matt. Don't give up.

 

[ovrszd]

Re: John Deere "E" Series Hydraulic Systems Failures Overheating, Stuck Valves, etc

If I read the posting I see the man says:

-JD has changed tank location - if they didn't care and were ignoring, why would they do that?
-repair costs - I am unclear who paid

Why I think you were bashing.

Thank you - tell the whole story.

...and yes, I do like open discussion.

The whole story is told in this thread, post by post. We are all guilty of missing pieces of the story when we read a post. Especially if we are biased in the beginning.

They moved the tank for the correct reason. In an attempt to reduce the heat buildup's affect on the plastic tank. That has nothing to do with why the tractor was building excessive heat.

In paragraphs 5 and 6 you can see that JD was saying his large behind was leaning on the remote levers and putting the system into relief. If you read the rest of that post you can see the things other dealers have indicated as being a problem. You can also see that JD replaced the valves. Not sure why they would do that unless there was a mechanical problem with the valves.

The question and the disappointment expressed by the owner is that it took a battle to get them to admit a problem and offer a fix. Hopefully if other owners experience this problem they can use these experiences as a guide to get JD to react, rather than blame.

I'm still not sure why you and Gypsy suddenly think I'm the problem with this thread and/or with the fact that the OP's tractor melted the fuel tank, repeatedly.

 

[Tx Jim]

Re: John Deere "E" Series Hydraulic Systems Failures Overheating, Stuck Valves, etc

Don't know which models he previously owned. He should not be having failures at 3000 hrs but:
-has his service intervals/methods changed? Does he use JD service products?
-how long did he keep his previous tractors?
-has his farming operation changed capacity wise? Is it the right tractor?
-the 5603 is an entry level JD product albeit this is not normal failure

Sample size = 1.

We can all quote an experience...but don't wish this on anyone....

I know my neighbor owned 2 JD 3020's 2 JD 2440's & 2 JD 2355's prior to the 5603. One 2355 had over 15,000 hrs & 1 2440 had over 17,000 hrs. What classifies a JD tractor as " ENTRY LEVEL"? As far as is the 5603 the right tractor the local JD dealer thought so or he wouldn't have sold it to my neighbor. The dairyman also happens to be my nephew and that's why I'm familiar with his previously owned tractors.

 

[arlen4720]

Re: John Deere "E" Series Hydraulic Systems Failures Overheating, Stuck Valves, etc

I'm not sure what anybody expects John Deere to do about it...except try to diagnose and fix the individual tractors having problems, and it does sound that the dealers are doing that. I'm not sure how many of the 5xxxE's that Deere sells in a year, but I would guess several thousand per year, probably close to 10,000...if not more. This doesn't really appear to be a wide spread defect. With this site, and other forums combined, it appears to be happening to 3 maybe 4 tractors. It's hard to stretch that into a design defect when so many units are in operation.
Of course, it would be quite frustrating for this to be happening if you are one of those people. In Couv's case, it sounds like the dealer is trying to duplicate the problem. I know my dealer would have no problem coming out to our farm and run the equipment on my field. As any of you who work on things (anything) for a living, you know that intermittent problems can be a real challenge to diagnose, and the tech can't rule out operator induced problems...no matter what the operator says.
The trick is not to offend the customer in the process, which it sounds like some of these dealers have failed at.
I suggested to Couv months ago on GTT to plumb in a pressure gauge so he can monitor pressure as he runs his shredder. Sometimes mechanics need the operators help in solving these types of problems. I can say with 100% certainty that the dealers and JD wants to solve the problem just as bad as the OP's do, but will fall short of admitting a design defect until ALL the facts are in.

 

[ovrszd]

Re: John Deere "E" Series Hydraulic Systems Failures Overheating, Stuck Valves, etc

I'm not sure what anybody expects John Deere to do about it...except try to diagnose and fix the individual tractors having problems, and it does sound that the dealers are doing that. I'm not sure how many of the 5xxxE's that Deere sells in a year, but I would guess several thousand per year, probably close to 10,000...if not more. This doesn't really appear to be a wide spread defect. With this site, and other forums combined, it appears to be happening to 3 maybe 4 tractors. It's hard to stretch that into a design defect when so many units are in operation.
Of course, it would be quite frustrating for this to be happening if you are one of those people. In Couv's case, it sounds like the dealer is trying to duplicate the problem. I know my dealer would have no problem coming out to our farm and run the equipment on my field. As any of you who work on things (anything) for a living, you know that intermittent problems can be a real challenge to diagnose, and the tech can't rule out operator induced problems...no matter what the operator says.
The trick is not to offend the customer in the process, which it sounds like some of these dealers have failed at.
I suggested to Couv months ago on GTT to plumb in a pressure gauge so he can monitor pressure as he runs his shredder. Sometimes mechanics need the operators help in solving these types of problems. I can say with 100% certainty that the dealers and JD wants to solve the problem just as bad as the OP's do, but will fall short of admitting a design defect until ALL the facts are in.

Well stated.

Your numbers about units sold versus units defective is noted also. And as you stated, it only sucks if you are one of the unlucky ones. I don't believe JD is dodging the problem any worse than any other manufacturer would. They are just under more severe scrutiny due to their reputation of quality.

This is only serious if you are the owner. Kinda like War, it only sucks if you are the one getting shot at.

 

[Dizno]

Re: John Deere "E" Series Hydraulic Systems Failures Overheating, Stuck Valves, etc

Well stated.

Your numbers about units sold versus units defective is noted also. And as you stated, it only sucks if you are one of the unlucky ones. I don't believe JD is dodging the problem any worse than any other manufacturer would. They are just under more severe scrutiny due to their reputation of quality.

This is only serious if you are the owner. Kinda like War, it only sucks if you are the one getting shot at.

I also think his point is - how do you know they are dodging the problem? This may well be at discovering root causes, and the designing a solution.

Don't pull someone down to a denominator that you do not know they are at.

Facts would be to know:

-how many were sold
-warranty ratios
-customer satisfaction levels as measured by all purchasers
-who pays for what

Not trying to be picky. Reason why people get a little edgy is as Matt indicated, he likely wouldn't be commenting on it if he did not experience it.

When a guy chose a different brand, it would be like throwing rocks at it without totally knowing why you are doing so. If you walked in the JD reps shoes, would you not do due diligence? Perhaps his diagnosis is incorrect, but it appears that:
-John Deere paid
-they are working on resolution

But all this really is sad - conflict always is. And for sure we are all selective in how we think - we are human. I would think Arlen's comments sound reasonable IMHO.

 

[ovrszd]

Re: John Deere "E" Series Hydraulic Systems Failures Overheating, Stuck Valves, etc

I also think his point is - how do you know they are dodging the problem? This may well be at discovering root causes, and the designing a solution.

Don't pull someone down to a denominator that you do not know they are at.

Facts would be to know:

-how many were sold
-warranty ratios
-customer satisfaction levels as measured by all purchasers
-who pays for what

Not trying to be picky. Reason why people get a little edgy is as Matt indicated, he likely wouldn't be commenting on it if he did not experience it.

When a guy chose a different brand, it would be like throwing rocks at it without totally knowing why you are doing so. If you walked in the JD reps shoes, would you not do due diligence? Perhaps his diagnosis is incorrect, but it appears that:
-John Deere paid
-they are working on resolution

But all this really is sad - conflict always is. And for sure we are all selective in how we think - we are human. I would think Arlen's comments sound reasonable IMHO.

Yep. Read my last sentence in my previous post.

 

[fieldman12]

Re: John Deere "E" Series Hydraulic Systems Failures Overheating, Stuck Valves, etc

I have a neighbor that is a dairyman that bought a new 5603 that he's states is the sorriest tractor he has every owned. I know this is his 6th JD tractor that he bought new. the 5603 has had the engine overhauled from water in the oil,new damper clutch and numerous hyd problems that I know of with just a little over 3000 hrs on the tach.

I think Deere is more focused on big row crop tractors, articultated equipment, combines, planters and some tillage equipment. Even then I dont think there quality is what it use to be. We run mostly Deere equipment here. We got two S690 combines with 16 row heads and two 9870 combines that do our harvest on our farms. I think for this day and time there the about the best or equal to whats out there but I dont think there as relaible as an old 9600 or 8820 machines. Typically from what I have seen with Deere on economy models like you mentioned is more or less a tractor design that was made say ten years ago. Yes some parts may be cheaper such as a dry clutch or no fancy features but as far as reliabilty it should still be there. We will take my 5055E for example. My best friends family bought a slightly used 5400 when they came out. It is virtually the same tractor as my 5055E. That 5400 was all Deere had at that time in that size and they never played it as an entry level tractor. When my friend got rid of that tractor it had 5,600 engines hours and it did not use a drop of oil and it had a hard life with a bucket loader on it. I expect my 5055E to be just as relaible as it was. It should be the same in my opinion as your friends 5603 as far as reliablity should go. What made Deere was products that where tough, reliable, good resale, and parts availabilty with a dealer in most areas. Deere needs to focus on this like they once did or Case IH, Agco etc. will over take them. I see in all of Deeres line issues that where not seen twenty years or so ago. I know there trying to compete but they need to keep the reliablity and all there so they can be where they once was. I have used New Holland, Challenger,Case IH, Massey Ferguson also and they all make a good product in my opinion anymore.

 

[ovrszd]

Re: John Deere "E" Series Hydraulic Systems Failures Overheating, Stuck Valves, etc

Yep, I agree. I have a good friend that I went to school with who is a very large row crop farmer now. A few years ago he was the largest Soy Bean producer in Missouri, farms around 25,000 acres. He's all John Deere. Has always been. For the six years he's been in a lease contract for his combines. Gets new ones every year. Says he can't run the Deere machines as long as he used to without having problems. Doesn't want to put his harvest at risk because machines are broke down.

To me, after reading Couv's story, it appears there are manufacturing defects that have contributed to and/or caused the problems he had. It appears it took Deere longer than it should have to get to the root cause.

I run a John Deere road grader. We trade every 4 years. The machine we have now is two years old. The previous machine had a transmission based failure. It would not move. Shift into any gear and it would go to 1st for a few seconds, then neutral. I had a foot of snow drifted by high winds with roads closed. Had the V-plow on and the blade wing when it quit me, two miles from my house. Had to have the neighboring township come and tow me home with their grader. Come to find out it was the wire plugin terminal on the 2nd-3rd gear shift solenoid. Fixed the problem with a $10 replacement plugin. JD has since quit using the old type plug because of too many failures. I've ran new JD graders since 1989. Never had a previous problem. Would appear that a quality product was not originally used. Only reason I could think would be cost savings. That's not the John Deere that I grew up with.

I was embarrassed and disappointed. Especially since I was pulled home by a CAT grader..... Only good thing is he's using my grader today because his CAT is broke down!!!!