Snow JD 3520 temporarily loses power while blowing snow

[JDSUPREME]

I have a 2010 JD 3520 with a front mount 59" snowblower. I have an intermittent problem where the tractor will lose power (not stall), the lights will dim, the heater blower slows, and the hydrostatic drive stops. After 30 secs or so, full power resumes and all devices function properly. No error code comes up and nothing seems wrong. Last night this happened 5-6 times within the span of 1/2 hr and then didn't occur again the rest of the night. It is not the first time it has happened. I did find almost the same issue being described by another poster. Unfortunately, it was several years ago and I don't know if he still visits the site or not. I did shoot him an e-mail asking. His conclusion was snow was causing issues around the alternator and after covering the left side of his hood grill, the problem went away. I will try that as an easy and quick fix. Any thoughts or similar issues with other John Deere owners/operators? Here is the other poster's post: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/john-deere-owning-operating/133999-weird-problem-tonight.html

 

[bill in ny]

I have a 2010 JD 3520 with a front mount 59" snowblower. I have an intermittent problem where the tractor will lose power (not stall), the lights will dim, the heater blower slows, and the hydrostatic drive stops. After 30 secs or so, full power resumes and all devices function properly. No error code comes up and nothing seems wrong. Last night this happened 5-6 times within the span of 1/2 hr and then didn't occur again the rest of the night. It is not the first time it has happened. I did find almost the same issue being described by another poster. Unfortunately, it was several years ago and I don't know if he still visits the site or not. I did shoot him an e-mail asking. His conclusion was snow was causing issues around the alternator and after covering the left side of his hood grill, the problem went away. I will try that as an easy and quick fix. Any thoughts or similar issues with other John Deere owners/operators? Here is the other poster's post: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/john-deere-owning-operating/133999-weird-problem-tonight.html

are you sure you're not having a fuel problem? it sounds like the fuel is gelling.

 

[JDSUPREME]

are you sure you're not having a fuel problem? it sounds like the fuel is gelling.

I don't think so. I probabky mistated the problem. The tractor never loses rpm's, I just lose the hydrostatic drive and the electrical system fades. I was out blowing some snow tonight and it happened twice. Both times it seemed to be after a lot of snow had blown back over the tractor.

 

[CobyRupert]

The tractor never loses rpm's, I just lose the hydrostatic drive and the electrical system fades. Both times it seemed to be after a lot of snow had blown back over the tractor.

Does anybody know if, or how, the hydrostatic drive is related to the electrical? Is this tractor ehydro?

 

[arlen4720]

Does anybody know if, or how, the hydrostatic drive is related to the electrical? Is this tractor ehydro?

Yes, it would be eHydro. So, the forward/reverse proportional valves would be electrical.
I know when I get allot of snow blown into my Jeep, the alternator quits charging for a minute or so.

 

[CobyRupert]

Throw snow on it in black of night and look for sparks. Joking..(I think) And/or test the output of the alternator. Something is shorting from snow. Hard to find when it's intermittent. Maybe dealer has insight.
My dealer did on my LX280 riding mower/snowblower. Tractor's engine would sputter after powder snow sprayed back on it. Turns out the air cooled Kawasaki draws a lot of air through it, for cooling engine /heating air before drawing into the carb, where powder snow was fouling plugs. Bought a tighter (winter only) fan screen so engine runs hotter, but he also suggested to just put some duct tape (of course!) on the existing screen to air reduce flow.

 

[CobyRupert]

whoa, whoa, whoa...did you say heater blower??!! Are the heater electric or just the blowers? I'm on top of a hill in swirling winds snow blowing on a open station LX. Now I'm jealous. My eyelashes stick together man!

 

[JDSUPREME]

Yes, it is an ehydro. I'm convinced it is something electrical and obviously impacted by the snow penetrating through the grills.

 

[CobyRupert]

And possibly the combination of running heavy electrical load (lights and heater) at the same time.

 

[rayclar]

Is your fan, altenator belt tight, might be slipping?