SDT
Veteran Member
Not good news, folks.
Today, I took the 2635 and Woods BB840X 7' mower out to tackle one of my tougher mowing jobs. The tractor had about 21 hours on it when I started. I had previously used it only for a couple of less demanding mowing jobs on flat ground with no obstacles and much lighter cover, so today was the suitability test.
Heavy grass and lots of obstacles but previously well cut in with my MF 533 and 6' BB720X.
The 2635 is new, purchased late last fall, and used little until needed (NOW!), so some familiarization with the tractor and mower is in order in this steep and heavily obstacled ground. After an hour or so I was becoming proficient with the synchro shuttle transmission, steering, FWD, 7' cutter, etc., and begining to think that the 2635 could save considerable time vis a vis the unsynchronized 2WD 533 and 6' cutter, which, of course, is why I bought it.
Then the roof fell in. Being both engineer and a mechanic, I pay close attention to instruments, sounds, performance, etc., and had been well pleased with the tractors performance so far. RPMs had dropped only slightly from governed speed when hitting tough spots and I was gaining confidence in the 2635, which I had bought with trepidation (It does spec out very well vis a vis the Kubota and NH competition against which I compared it.).
Upon making a turn in a heavy spot, I noticed that the RPMs dropped significantly, and was a bit surprised. Within a minute or so, the engine lost power such that it was impossible to pull the mower regardless of the cover. Neither hand nor foot throttle setting made much difference. I lifted the mower and headed for the shop.
As it was uphill to the shop and the engine had lost nearly all power. I continued to gear down hoping to be able to get it back inside before it shut down completely. Eventually, I was down to low range 1st gear but I did make it. The engine would not REV beyond about 1000 RPMs unloaded. There was no black smoke from the exhaust but I did notice white smoke upon occassion (turbo oil seal?)
I'm **** and do not put my equipment into the barn before proper clean up so, since it was still running, I decided to do my regular compressed air blow down, mower lubrication, etc., before putting it away. I decided to let the engine idle because I was not sure if it would restart if I shut it down.
After clean up, upon moving the 2635 into the barn, I noticed that the engine would now REV to governed speed without smoke, and power (unloaded) seemed normal. Not wishing to tempt fate, I put it in the barn and finished up with the 533, which, of course, took longer than it would have had I been able to use the 2635 (THIS IS WHY I BOUGHT IT.)
Not sure what is wrong but if the tractor was not new I would suspect fuel filters, turbo charger, injection pump, and air filter(s), in that order. Since it is new, I'm guessing a turbo charger seal/bearing or an injection pump issue. There are no computer controlled systems on this tractor, which is another important reason why I bought it.
Thoughts?
In any event, it's MFs problem, though my inconvenience. I will call my dealer Monday.
This is MFs second chance. I've also had problems with the 533, bought new in 2007.
If issues with the 2635 continue until warranty expiration is imminent (BTDT with the 533, and subsequently resolved most if the issues myself.), I will sell both 2635 and 533 and buy one or two Kubotas. Folks do not have issues with Kubotas.
SDT
Today, I took the 2635 and Woods BB840X 7' mower out to tackle one of my tougher mowing jobs. The tractor had about 21 hours on it when I started. I had previously used it only for a couple of less demanding mowing jobs on flat ground with no obstacles and much lighter cover, so today was the suitability test.
Heavy grass and lots of obstacles but previously well cut in with my MF 533 and 6' BB720X.
The 2635 is new, purchased late last fall, and used little until needed (NOW!), so some familiarization with the tractor and mower is in order in this steep and heavily obstacled ground. After an hour or so I was becoming proficient with the synchro shuttle transmission, steering, FWD, 7' cutter, etc., and begining to think that the 2635 could save considerable time vis a vis the unsynchronized 2WD 533 and 6' cutter, which, of course, is why I bought it.
Then the roof fell in. Being both engineer and a mechanic, I pay close attention to instruments, sounds, performance, etc., and had been well pleased with the tractors performance so far. RPMs had dropped only slightly from governed speed when hitting tough spots and I was gaining confidence in the 2635, which I had bought with trepidation (It does spec out very well vis a vis the Kubota and NH competition against which I compared it.).
Upon making a turn in a heavy spot, I noticed that the RPMs dropped significantly, and was a bit surprised. Within a minute or so, the engine lost power such that it was impossible to pull the mower regardless of the cover. Neither hand nor foot throttle setting made much difference. I lifted the mower and headed for the shop.
As it was uphill to the shop and the engine had lost nearly all power. I continued to gear down hoping to be able to get it back inside before it shut down completely. Eventually, I was down to low range 1st gear but I did make it. The engine would not REV beyond about 1000 RPMs unloaded. There was no black smoke from the exhaust but I did notice white smoke upon occassion (turbo oil seal?)
I'm **** and do not put my equipment into the barn before proper clean up so, since it was still running, I decided to do my regular compressed air blow down, mower lubrication, etc., before putting it away. I decided to let the engine idle because I was not sure if it would restart if I shut it down.
After clean up, upon moving the 2635 into the barn, I noticed that the engine would now REV to governed speed without smoke, and power (unloaded) seemed normal. Not wishing to tempt fate, I put it in the barn and finished up with the 533, which, of course, took longer than it would have had I been able to use the 2635 (THIS IS WHY I BOUGHT IT.)
Not sure what is wrong but if the tractor was not new I would suspect fuel filters, turbo charger, injection pump, and air filter(s), in that order. Since it is new, I'm guessing a turbo charger seal/bearing or an injection pump issue. There are no computer controlled systems on this tractor, which is another important reason why I bought it.
Thoughts?
In any event, it's MFs problem, though my inconvenience. I will call my dealer Monday.
This is MFs second chance. I've also had problems with the 533, bought new in 2007.
If issues with the 2635 continue until warranty expiration is imminent (BTDT with the 533, and subsequently resolved most if the issues myself.), I will sell both 2635 and 533 and buy one or two Kubotas. Folks do not have issues with Kubotas.
SDT
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