New 5055E

Sampey01 · Mar 8, 2015

LoudonNH said:
So today my dealer sent a service man down to work on the Power Shift and brakes.

Last time he was here, his laptop computer re-calibrated the transmission. This time he used his computer but did a manual re-calibration. After several hours of adjustments, we both found it to shift very smoothly; the way I always expected it to. Hopefully it stays that way.

As for the brakes, he said the information Deere has provided is that the brakes on these tractors originally had a problem with locking-up. They are now delivered with the brakes set so that there is intended to be 3 1/2" of pedal movement on first application and then 2 1/2" of pedal movement on the second and subsequent applications, until you wait approx 20 seconds to apply again, at which point you get 3 1/2" of travel again...

My pedals go about 3 1/2" on the first application but provide no brakes at all. On the second and additional applications I get about 1" of travel and brakes. If I don't apply the brakes again after about 5 seconds, the pedals go right to the floor with no brakes.

Brett, I'd like to take you up on your offer to talk with your dealer's man that was able to correct this problem on your previous 5055e.

That's all for now...

David

The service man said they will open a "D-TECH." Apparently that means they'll send the problem to John Deere.

I also would like to know what is the out come with the brakes issue.

trook · Mar 21, 2015

I would like to know the fix for the brake issue as well. I have had my 5075e cab for nearly a year and have this problem. The dealer told me it was supposed to be this way!!???????

LoudonNH · Mar 22, 2015

trook said:
I would like to know the fix for the brake issue as well. I have had my 5075e cab for nearly a year and have this problem. The dealer told me it was supposed to be this way!!???????

My update on the brake issue:

John Deere authorized and directed my dealer to come out and perform a specific procedure. I'm not sure what it was because I wasn't home when they came to do it last Tuesday.

The follow-up report to me from the service manager is that the brakes are functioning within the limits provided by Deere.

What I can tell you is that on first application the brake pedals go right to the floor and do not completely stop the tractor. On second application, but only if done within a few seconds after the first application, the brakes function very well with very little pedal travel.

Interestingly, I think they told me some time ago, and it's probably somewhere back in this thread, that the pedal travel should be 2 1/2" on first push and 1 1/2" on second push. I believe they're now saying 4 1/2" on first push and 2 1/2" on second push. That's A LOT of pedal travel... I can't imagine why Deere thinks those parameters should be acceptable. To me, those are parameters that have resulted from Deere having to dumb down the system to fix the original 5E problem of brakes locking up.

I'm thinking my best course of action at this point might be to make my insurance carrier aware of the problem to see if they're still willing to carry this tractor. If they will, I might just keep it the way it is, after all I've gotten used to double-pumping to get brakes. It's just a little awkward when using the brakes to steer. If they're not, that might be enough to get Deere to come up with a solution, for all of us.

I also wonder what OSHA or some other outfit that approves this kind of thing might have to say about these brakes. There must be some standard for them to meet. "Reasonable expectation of performance?"

I've been patient so far but as you can tell, I'm beginning to lose my patience as next month the tractor will be going into regular work around people and property.

ovrszd · Mar 22, 2015

You are a much better man than I.

Not sure what I'd do in your situation. With that said JD is full of crap to say that's within acceptable parameters. They have obviously designed or purchased a brake system that is junk. Now that they have several thousands of them produced they are trying to weather the storm and hope no one is killed or injured by their product.

They have legally covered themselves by creating a "standard" that their crappy brake system would operate within with little or no regard for quality and safety.

A brake pedal going to the floor on first push with little impact on tractor movement is not acceptable, regardless of paint color. I operate in steep timber conditions. I could not deal with that. And worse yet I would not let ANYONE operate my tractor under those conditions.

sixdogs · Mar 22, 2015

On that reasonable expectation of performance, there is one and a product must perform to the level the general buyer has come to expect of prior models. For example, if all Mercedes cars come through with sound undercoating and yours does not, you have a claim even though no mention was ever made regarding undercoating. Since I've never heard of a brake issue like yours on a Deere, and I can't recall a Deere beforehand that came with brakes like this,I'd say you have an issue.

Deere needs a better explanation and understanding of what is going on. Brakes with that kind of pedal and a second pump needed to actually stop defies logic. How would someone use it as a farm tractor, and expect to lock one brake to spin at the end of the row? All this doesn't add up and that kind of pedal travel is not acceptable.

Don't let that warranty expire with this not fixed. Next step for me would be Deere in Moline and maybe your State AG office and start asking questions for a remedy to this .

beenthere · Mar 22, 2015

Laudon

I assume you have all this in writing (other than just on TBN) and well documented so your information to your dealer about the problem, and the dealer's comments are all documented. Phone calls "I said, they said" don't mean much.
In addition, get in contact with the Deere regional rep and whoever is upline from them. Transfer copies of your documentation to them with simple language defining the problem in the beginning, what transpired, and certainly what you were told that it was "within Deere specs". I don't really think Deere finds this acceptable, but instead you are getting a runaround for some other reason at the dealer level.

Let it be known that copies are being made and sent to Corporate, to your insurance, and to your state attorney general and your lawyer if you have one. And for sure, say that this brake play simply is not acceptable.
No one can really do that for you. Have to do it for yourself or it will not move forward from here.
I think you've been much to lenient on this dealer, and only you know why that is and also how you want that relationship to continue.
Wish you well with this problem.

LoudonNH · Mar 22, 2015

beenthere said:
Laudon

I assume you have all this in writing (other than just on TBN) and well documented so your information to your dealer about the problem, and the dealer's comments are all documented. Phone calls "I said, they said" don't mean much.
In addition, get in contact with the Deere regional rep and whoever is upline from them. Transfer copies of your documentation to them with simple language defining the problem in the beginning, what transpired, and certainly what you were told that it was "within Deere specs". I don't really think Deere finds this acceptable, but instead you are getting a runaround for some other reason at the dealer level.

Let it be known that copies are being made and sent to Corporate, to your insurance, and to your state attorney general and your lawyer if you have one. And for sure, say that this brake play simply is not acceptable.
No one can really do that for you. Have to do it for yourself or it will not move forward from here.
I think you've been much to lenient on this dealer, and only you know why that is and also how you want that relationship to continue.
Wish you well with this problem.

That all sounds like good advice.

I'm going to take it up with the dealer tomorrow.

Thanks.

rustyshakelford · Mar 22, 2015

That's riculous. Have you contact deere corporate to make a complaint? Go to the dealer and try some 4 and 6 series tractors brakes.

An update on mine, the caution light keeps coming on. The coolant reservoir is bone dry. Does anyone else's tractor blow a bunch of white smoke on start up?

Brett

LoudonNH · Mar 22, 2015

rustyshakelford said:
That's riculous. Have you contact deere corporate to make a complaint? Go to the dealer and try some 4 and 6 series tractors brakes.

An update on mine, the caution light keeps coming on. The coolant reservoir is bone dry. Does anyone else's tractor blow a bunch of white smoke on start up?

Brett

Brett,

Yes, my tractor used to blow white smoke on start-up until I started plugging the block heater in this winter. Now it's very clean on start-up.

My coolant reservoir goes dry regularly. We found a few hose clamps at the radiator that needed tightening last month. That can be normal for any hose clamps when the temps are as low as they've been here. In fact, I have a dump truck in cold storage for the winter that needed a lower radiator hose clamp tightened recently since it was dripping. Last Wednesday I found another leaky spot on the tractor above the cab steps at one of the elbows that goes to the cab heater. I filled the coolant reservoir and hope to see it stay full. My suspicion is that the loss of coolant might also be caused by the block heater running constantly; it's not thermostatically controlled. The service manager says he keeps his on a timer that comes on early in the morning in order not to consume electricity all night. Also, I've noticed dried residue from coolant under the hood, and the radiator cap feels pressurized when the tractor has been plugged in but not started for several days. You can actually hear the coolant percolating...

vtsnowedin · Mar 22, 2015

LoudonNH said:
Brett,

Yes, my tractor used to blow white smoke on start-up until I started plugging the block heater in this winter. Now it's very clean on start-up.

My coolant reservoir goes dry regularly. We found a few hose clamps at the radiator that needed tightening last month. That can be normal for any hose clamps when the temps are as low as they've been here. In fact, I have a dump truck in cold storage for the winter that needed a lower radiator hose clamp tightened recently since it was dripping. Last Wednesday I found another leaky spot on the tractor above the cab steps at one of the elbows that goes to the cab heater. I filled the coolant reservoir and hope to see it stay full. My suspicion is that the loss of coolant might also be caused by the block heater running constantly; it's not thermostatically controlled. The service manager says he keeps his on a timer that comes on early in the morning in order not to consume electricity all night. Also, I've noticed dried residue from coolant under the hood, and the radiator cap feels pressurized when the tractor has been plugged in but not started for several days. You can actually hear the coolant percolating...

Are you using the air intake pre-heater when you start it ? If I hold my key pushed in for a count of ten I don't get any white smoke. I plug mine in just half to three quarters hour before I want to start it to not waste electricity but then still pre heat the intake air.