3550 hst problems,cheap built,lemon?

[Tster73]

Hi folks, this is my first post. I'm in the market for a new tractor now that I've got 20 acres and my Dad's MF 231 doesn't have front hydraulics. I'm looking hard at the Mahindra 3540 or 3550. Seeing posts like Steve's makes me nervous, but I've been around long enough to know there are lemons for every brand/model. Posts like Dave's help!! Knowing there are dealers that stand by what they sell and are willing to help resolve issues. It also helps confirm the idea of how important your dealer is!! My two local Mahindra dealers are Vanco Outdoor Equipment in Henderson NC and Holder & Sons in Durham. Once I look around the forum, I might post asking about their reputability. Same for the local Kubota/Massey dealer, Louisburg tractor. Anyway, just wanted to thank everyone who takes the time to respond and help people resolve issues... this forum is great! Now I just have to figure out the right tractor for me... and I think these things to death. Steve, I hope your issues get resolved! Please let us know how it turns out.

 

[tbzep]

I'm starting to think I got lucky. I bought my 3550 last fall. I did about 20 minutes of bush hogging, then fed hay with it all winter along with moving a little dirt with the bucket. I just finished about 3 solid days of bush hogging and haven't noticed any leaks, but I haven't gone over it with a fine tooth comb yet.

Things I've noticed: I found that I had to feed hay in 4wd because the big bales made the rear so light that I couldn't get traction (industrial tires full of fluid). I bent the steering tilt cylinder right off the bat. It was an easy fix but I felt the mechanism was a bit cheesy. One big issue has to do with the loader, which isn't made by Mahindra. I can't grease the top zerke on the loader because I can't get a straight shot on the zerke. I can get it on, but not straight enough to seal so it just squirts out around it. Other than that, my biggest issue is that I'm tall and I have to reach for the wheel to have my legs comfortable and to have my arms in position for the 3pt hitch lift levers, or scoot the seat up to be more comfortable with steering and shuttling, but have my legs cramped up. I'm thinking about rigging an extension on the steering wheel tilt cylinder to get it to tilt farther back. I'll have to open it back up to see what it will take to get more travel.

 

[3550hst]

We got the tractor back. There was a band on the steering wheel that just says "seems to be ok". The dealer implied the problem was operator created by overloading and high load shut-downs. He said the computor was running slow because there were 400 codes stored in it. It runs great sometimes. I aknowledge that. My dad isn't a bona fide, liscensed, lifetime superfarmer. But one shouldn't have to be so careful with a tractor that is supposed to be the toughest out there. I stayed in the shed for 2 weeks since it came back. Went to start it and it started right up. Eight seconds later, I went to move the throttle and it died. I just don't like the long crank it takes to get the thing started again. Am I better off modifying the feul cap to see if the fuel line doesn't suck in air? Tell me more about the cam sensor. It's a nice tractor. We paid a lot more for the top of the line model and this is what we get?

 

[DutchUncle]

If you guys really want to *****, complain to the EPA and their precious Tier IV engine requirement. All the pollution in the world, and our Tier 3 engines are to blame? Give me a break.

 

[JerryK]

I'm starting to think I got lucky. I bought my 3550 last fall. I did about 20 minutes of bush hogging, then fed hay with it all winter along with moving a little dirt with the bucket. I just finished about 3 solid days of bush hogging and haven't noticed any leaks, but I haven't gone over it with a fine tooth comb yet.

Things I've noticed: I found that I had to feed hay in 4wd because the big bales made the rear so light that I couldn't get traction (industrial tires full of fluid). I bent the steering tilt cylinder right off the bat. It was an easy fix but I felt the mechanism was a bit cheesy. One big issue has to do with the loader, which isn't made by Mahindra. I can't grease the top zerke on the loader because I can't get a straight shot on the zerke. I can get it on, but not straight enough to seal so it just squirts out around it. Other than that, my biggest issue is that I'm tall and I have to reach for the wheel to have my legs comfortable and to have my arms in position for the 3pt hitch lift levers, or scoot the seat up to be more comfortable with steering and shuttling, but have my legs cramped up. I'm thinking about rigging an extension on the steering wheel tilt cylinder to get it to tilt farther back. I'll have to open it back up to see what it will take to get more travel.

If you put a steering wheel spinner on the wheel, it will stick out 3" and you will not have your reaching problem. I recommend the Council Bluffs ball bearing one, it is an old school tractor spinner, I have one on all my tractors. You have to be creative with a ball peen hammer to ' adjust ' the metal clamping halves and maybe bend the direction of the rod the spinner mounts on, but she is a great addition to any tractor. You only steer with one hand, anywhilst, while your right hand is moving levers and scratching stuff.

Steering Wheel Spinner Knob | Agri Supply, 2229

The Kansas Machine Works loader zerk you are having trouble with, put a 45 degree zerk in each and you will be a happy camper. I found in life that it is easier to fix things to your liking than set around and ***** about it.... I actually like my 5035, she is a beast. Moved three big truckloads of bank run gravel/clay with her yesterday...

 

[tbzep]

If you guys really want to *****, complain to the EPA and their precious Tier IV engine requirement. All the pollution in the world, and our Tier 3 engines are to blame? Give me a break.

While I do think the EPA is an overbearing 500 lb gorilla, I also like being able to start my tractor in the barn, let it idle, and not choke on soot, get a CO headache, or leave the area with my clothes smelling like diesel exhaust. All of that and I don't have to fool with BlueDEF. :thumbsup:

 

[3550hst]

Back again. Yes, the tractor is back to the dealer again. It is frustrating that have the thing at the shop more than we get to use it. (3550 tier 4) The darn thing just doesen't like to stay running at first. I think we shoud get a pallet of spare starters for the thing if I'm going to have to grind the starter so much. Got a few p1803 codes. This thing is a tractor shed queen. Oh, position control is too loose. Cost me a new pto shaft guard again on ground auger because there is no way to keep the thing in the air even with the wimpy lock on the lever thingy. Tried tightening the nut on the lever, but was afraid of breaking it and incurring huge expense to overhaul the rockshaft case. Did get 40 post holes dug. Now, no four wheel drive. No one has mishandled the engagement lever either. (Subtle note to dealer who seems to blame the operator) I almost swamped it in a pond because the rear brakes cannot stop on an 18% slope without four wheel drive and gravel in the bucket. Does this beast even have brakes in the front? Probably not, so the 4wd needs to work. I do not like to take tractors swimming. What do Missouri lemon laws cover? Still like the thing when it actually works. Does anyone know the phone # of the tech in central Missouri? I would like to talk directly to him. Been wanting to brush hog this summer. For the amount of time the thing actually works right it might be cheaper hiring a mechanic to run the thing when it is needed; just like early horseless carriages were. Nothing else is broken yet. They did a great job early on to the steering tilt cylinder that just kept bending. Got a fancy cradle that doesn't allow a heavy foot to apply more force. {{advice to poster above: Pull steering wheel toward you, then gently depress the pedal and release to lock the position.}}

 

[3550hst]

I also like the tier 4 thing. No acrid smoke burning the face, lungs and eyes.

 

[dickfoster]

Back again. Yes, the tractor is back to the dealer again. It is frustrating that have the thing at the shop more than we get to use it. (3550 tier 4) The darn thing just doesen't like to stay running at first. I think we shoud get a pallet of spare starters for the thing if I'm going to have to grind the starter so much. Got a few p1803 codes. This thing is a tractor shed queen. Oh, position control is too loose. Cost me a new pto shaft guard again on ground auger because there is no way to keep the thing in the air even with the wimpy lock on the lever thingy. Tried tightening the nut on the lever, but was afraid of breaking it and incurring huge expense to overhaul the rockshaft case. Did get 40 post holes dug. Now, no four wheel drive. No one has mishandled the engagement lever either. (Subtle note to dealer who seems to blame the operator) I almost swamped it in a pond because the rear brakes cannot stop on an 18% slope without four wheel drive and gravel in the bucket. Does this beast even have brakes in the front? Probably not, so the 4wd needs to work. I do not like to take tractors swimming. What do Missouri lemon laws cover? Still like the thing when it actually works. Does anyone know the phone # of the tech in central Missouri? I would like to talk directly to him. Been wanting to brush hog this summer. For the amount of time the thing actually works right it might be cheaper hiring a mechanic to run the thing when it is needed; just like early horseless carriages were. Nothing else is broken yet. They did a great job early on to the steering tilt cylinder that just kept bending. Got a fancy cradle that doesn't allow a heavy foot to apply more force. {{advice to poster above: Pull steering wheel toward you, then gently depress the pedal and release to lock the position.}}

OBDII 1803 code "Transmission Clutch Interlock Safety Switch Short Circuit To Ground"

Probably some wire chaffed somewhere or maybe some water in the wiring from the cheapo amphenol connectors they use instead of weather pack connectors like they should for a tractor meant to work outdoors in the weather.

 

[JerryK]

I've used the krap out of my 2011 bought 5035 [ well over 400 hours, a lot of it moving gravel/clay and other dirt, dug a lot of big stumps/hauled them with the FEL forks ], and she has been a beast.... Not saying your tractor is not a lemon, but you have to admit there are lemon owners, too... Sometimes it is a two way street. Just like some marriages just don't work out.