2012 4400 - Rockshaft dead

kalos1972 · Monday at 9:02 PM

So my 4400 started having leak down issues with the 3pt. I would have to continually lift the 3pt back up as I worked throughout the day.

Then it started to get so bad that when I did have to raise the 3pt again, it would load the tractor until I came back a tiny bit on the control, and you would hear the idle steady and even out. Also, I couldn't use the front grapple when the lever was all the way back and it was loading the system.

Now yesterday the 3pt is dead, doesnt go up or down, tilt cylinder works, the front loader and steering work no issue.

Buddy is thinking its the cylinder that needs to be rebuilt but I have seen a few posts here about something getting caught in the valve body. Is there anyway to test one vs the other?

1. Does the whole rockshaft assembly need to come off to rebuild the cylinder?
2. Does the fender need to come off to take the valve cover off or do I need to remove the whole assembly for either issue?

beenthere · Monday at 11:01 PM

Welcome to TBN

Dive into JD parts to explore the different parts associated with the 3ph control and rockshaft.

https://partscatalog.deere.com/jdrc/navigation/equipment/4051

Hopefully you can get some better understanding what you are coming up against. Also, there are a number of members who have more actual experience and hopefully will see your post and give you better help. Off hand, I think your buddy is on the right track here. Outside chance that an inline screen has come apart and is lodged in the control, but that is just an offhand thought at the moment.
What year is the 4400 ??

kalos1972 · Tuesday at 10:57 AM

beenthere said:
Welcome to TBN

Dive into JD parts to explore the different parts associated with the 3ph control and rockshaft.

https://partscatalog.deere.com/jdrc/navigation/equipment/4051

Hopefully you can get some better understanding what you are coming up against. Also, there are a number of members who have more actual experience and hopefully will see your post and give you better help. Off hand, I think your buddy is on the right track here. Outside chance that an inline screen has come apart and is lodged in the control, but that is just an offhand thought at the moment.
What year is the 4400 ??

Thanks. Not excited to be here...because that means my tractor is broke.

Otherwise, found this place from researching my current issue.

Mine is a 2012. Hopefully some others familiar with this line can chime in.

SPYDERLK · Tuesday at 12:04 PM

Is your 3pt all the way up and wont go down? .. or somewhere in the middle and wont respond either way?

kalos1972 · Tuesday at 12:18 PM

SPYDERLK said:
Is your 3pt all the way up and wont go down? .. or somewhere in the middle and wont respond either way?

It wont go up but now sits at its lowest point dead. The top link works but the lift arms dont respond and I can easily lift them by hand.

SPYDERLK · Tuesday at 12:53 PM

kalos1972 said:
It wont go up but now sits at its lowest point dead. The top link works but the lift arms dont respond and I can easily lift them by hand.

OK. Being able to hand lift is normal. It sounds like something has come loose - maybe external linkage from the lever, hopefully. Maybe internal to the cases leading to the 3pt hydraulic height control. Check out "hopefully" and maybe youll find some joy.

kalos1972 · Tuesday at 1:33 PM

I checked obvious things like linkage or hoses...nothing obvious. The lift lever move the rod that goes into the control valve, not sure whats happening inside the valve yet though.

One big question I had is can I pull the control valve cover off without removing the whole rockshaft assembly or the fender? Otherwise, it looks like I have no choice but to pull the whole assembly and just rebuild both since I am there...I am hoping for suggestions on tests to narrow it down but...it is what it is. :/