1533 / 1550 Hydraulic Factory Defect

[Wobblin-Goblin]

I didn't miss any sentences. I saw you stated some opinions that you thought would make the tractor perfect, and I asked if you were remorseful because you seemed high on JDs. I agree with one of your opinions on making the tractor better. I kind of like my 1533 the way it is, though. Guess I should after 200 hours.

Massey Ferguson certainly did well when they redesigned this line-up of compact tractors. I know a guy who has the 1440 model (which preceded the 1540), and it looks ancient compared to the 1540. In fact, he was impressed with many of the updated features of my 1540 and said he might trade his in for the 1547/52.

I like this tractor. It is a fine piece of equipment, the best tractor we've ever had (we currently own 8n, 9n, Ford Jubilee, JD 850, Belarus 70hp, TYM 233) on our farm. This 1540 is certainly a keeper. However, I can also appreciate other brands for the products they put out, and John Deere is among them. The 4000 series they have sets the standard, IMO, for compact tractors in the 40-60hp range. Do they have their issues? Probably. Would I want one? Absolutely.

In a perfect world, I could keep the 1540 Powershuttle (because it is a gear transmission) for pulling hay attachments and buy a new 4320 eHydro for the loader work. Nothing wrong with dreaming!

 

[HarryVanderpool]

HarryVanderpool: Has MF given you detailed info on the "fix". I have followed this thread with interest since I have a 1533 power shuttle and have experienced, what I thought to be, air in the system. This seemed to only occur within the first 10 - 15 mins of operation and has had only a minor effect to loader operations. However, I would like to compare what I have to what the final resolve is so I can avoid any future issues that may not be covered under warranty.

Thanks for sharing your experience. I agree, that it is a most certainly perfect tractor..... after they deploy this "fix" to tractors that are already in the marketplace.

Remember mtg65, I am saying that it APPEARS that the problem is fixed.
In the next 15 days I will be moving loads of bees into the cherry orchards daily and can report back then.
If I were you , I would take your tractor in and tell them that you want the problem fixed on this one trip, not four trips like good 'ol Harry Vanderpool out in Oregon.
I find it very hard to believe that the do not know EXACTLY what the problem is. Why they want to run all of their mechanics through the same bunch of trial and error is hard to understand, unless there are several production variations that they poorly documented, so they do not know what you have.
I am just very grateful for my dealer's killer mechanic. He has more patience than I do. If I was him I would have some words for the factory and probably get fired.
All of that aside, I use my tractor for an orchard forklift and it does a heck of a good job!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Shallotman/DSC00435.jpg

 

[mtg65]

Remember mtg65, I am saying that it APPEARS that the problem is fixed.
In the next 15 days I will be moving loads of bees into the cherry orchards daily and can report back then.
If I were you , I would take your tractor in and tell them that you want the problem fixed on this one trip, not four trips like good 'ol Harry Vanderpool out in Oregon.
I find it very hard to believe that the do not know EXACTLY what the problem is. Why they want to run all of their mechanics through the same bunch of trial and error is hard to understand, unless there are several production variations that they poorly documented, so they do not know what you have.
I am just very grateful for my dealer's killer mechanic. He has more patience than I do. If I was him I would have some words for the factory and probably get fired.
All of that aside, I use my tractor for an orchard forklift and it does a heck of a good job!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Shallotman/DSC00435.jpg

Thanks Harry for the reply. I will keep my eye open for your update after you have used your tractor for a couple of weeks. If your fix worked, I would like to pass on to my dealer what your mechanic did that resolved this issue.

In recent months, there has been stories in the news about the declining bee populations and its impact on various flowers, vegetable and fruit crops. Those little fellas are extremal important...I hope your hives are thriving and are not seeing such a decline.

 

[HarryVanderpool]

Just like "early election results" I am going to call this latest repair a winner at risk of someday being all the wiser.
After all of the bandaid, ducttape, bailing wire level of support that our hard working local dealership recieved from Agco on this factory defect, I believe we have found the cure.
I have been told that the pump has been changed.
No longer do I have a spin-on-hydraulic filter. I now have a HUGE in line filter.
ALSO, and maybe it's my imagination but it seems like things move slower, suggesting a lower volume pump. Well, if so, that's just fine with me. Speed is not an issue. Jerky, noisy actuation is!
Otherwise, a really GREAT tractor!

 

[ChallengerMT265B]

If you look at your left hand side under the step you will have a spin on
Hyd return filter. You now have a two-filter system .The pump looks
Bigger to me. Hope it works for me to.

 

[HarryVanderpool]

If you look at your left hand side under the step you will have a spin on
Hyd return filter. You now have a two-filter system .The pump looks
Bigger to me. Hope it works for me to.

HOLY COW!



I didn't look over there!
Thanks for waking me up!
Now, what do you suppose the chances are of us getting an upgraded hydraulic schematic page for our owners manuals now that the old one in no way reflects what we have?
I will ask my dealer to inquire about that.
Again, I have been moving bees into cherries every night and have not had any problems since the repair.
Let us know how yours performs.

 

[fergusonfiasco]

I have a 2007 1540 that has 260 hours of use. However, I had began to have problems with PTO. Now it is in the shop with a MAJOR REPAIR bill relating to the PTO gears not fullly engaging. A former employee over heard me talking to a friend of mine and told us that this is not new to the 1540 series. Has anyone else had this unique experience?

 

[MFRED]

If your PTO lever was ever forced into position and the linkage was bent due to the excessive force, the gers woudn't have full contact and would cause premature failure. I've seen it once before. Lever was bent for sure.