Dave, I have the shaft and am going to look at it with a microscope and look for banded tempering markings indicative of induction tempering problem. Will investigate the propagation of the crack origination and machining imperfections. Right now I'm thinking of a name for the cantankerous tractor. It is dissapointing, but I have never used such a comfortable tractor.
3550 hst problems,cheap built,lemon?
- Thread starter steve stiller
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DavesTractor
Elite Member
That's one reason that every shop needs a dyno. After a repair, you can run the snot out of it for 1/2 hour or so and often if you are going to have a leak, it will show up under load with a warm engine. Basically, you mimic the customers usage and eliminate a lot of callbacks and disappointments. Before we had our dyno, we would put a large mower on a tractor and look around the neighborhood for some tall grass. But after a while, you can't find any...it's all cut! A dyno is easier. You see old dyno's for $2500 sometimes. New ones are 10x that, but you do not need a new one or even a certified 100% accurate machine just to load up a tractor.
Sounds like the dealer is responsive and will get this fixed. It is an impressive tractor when running as designed. BTW, I sold one to a buddy a few years back (the 5035, really similar but without the fancy engine controls) and he has yet to have a problem with it. Sold a 4035 to another friend and it's been really reliable except we had to swap out the fuel hoses. And he uses it hard. Once the kinks are worked out, I'm hopeful you will have years and years of good service. Other brands with DPFs are having quite a few issues. You are avoiding DPF issues, if that is any consolation.
jb1390
Gold Member
If it's a fuel leak while sitting, it might not show up while running since the fuel system is under vacuum. Little bubbles will be pulled in along with the fuel, which won't be apparent until it is shut off and the system loses prime. I would also check the fuel cap to make sure it is not completely sealing the tank - I have had issues multiple times with mine, and I know my dealer has replaced a few collapsed tanks. The tractor starts very hard if there is a vacuum in the tank. If you combine a small air leak in a fuel line with a fuel cap that does not vent, you could easily have a no start condition.
Theoretically, Mahindra was designing a better cap, but I haven't heard anything further on it. 3550hst, make sure you leave the cap a little loose to allow air into the tank as fuel is used.
dickfoster
Elite Member
How about Cranky.
DavesTractor
Elite Member
Perfect, I think that's a winner.
Hey everyone. It has worked for a number of days and starts quickly. Horsepower is greatly improved too. Before the fix, only low range could get it up hills. Now it doesn't lose too much rpm at 20 percent grade.
DavesTractor
Elite Member
That is encouraging. Sounds like it is running as designed. Finally.
mcfarmall
Veteran Member
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- Kalamazoo, MI
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- Kubota M5660, Farmall C, JD 260 lawn tractor
Yes, good news! I've been watching this thread closely as I am most certain that when I buy, I'm getting a 3550 but with the PST transmission. Thanks for the updates and make sure you let everyone know what the drive shaft failure analysis reveals.
We got the HST transmission because the super easy driving. Don't regret it at all and doesnt seem to rob power. Using the bucket is 20 times easier with the HST. I thought I wanted shuttle shift, which is good, but the hst makes a lot of other things easier. On level ground (safety people are going to laugh) you can be off of your tractor and use your hand on the pedals to inch up to that 1000 pound cutter. It was super convenient when drilling holes to operate the drill standing on the ground. I lightly set the parking brake so I could position the auger to start. When the auger gets in the ground, you can inch backwards to keep it straight. For brush hogging HST is just plain better because of the speed control and the back and forth near woods. I hope this helps.
