3 pt hitch jumps up and down continuously!

jimgerken · May 26, 2003

My JD4100 has developed a problem, and I thought maybe one of you guys had seen these symptoms before. The 3 pt hitch moves up and down about one-half inch at the swivel balls, all by itself when the tractor is running. The cycle rate is about one jump per second. The only way to stop it is to drop it all the way to the bottom. It will do it anywhere else, all the way to the top. This started after using my new tree getter, although I did not feel I was abusing anything. Is there something which needs adjustment, hopefully? Any suggestions? Thanks! /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Casimir · May 26, 2003

I'm not a hydraulics expert, by any means, but I can't help wondering if you got air in your hydraulic system when you attached/detached the tree getter. Also, was the hydraulic system on the tree getter full when you first hooked it up, or did you pump some hydraulic fluid into it from the tractor? Have you checked the level of the hydraulic fluid in the tractor since you detached the tree getter?
(Just questions that popped into my feeble mind /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif)

jinman · May 27, 2003

It sounds to me like your position control is out of adjustment and there is some overcompensation going on. Another possibility is an internal leak. If you put a load on the hydraulic lift, raise it to the top, and shut off the engine, does the lift hold the load or drop? If it drops, you probably have an internal leak. I've seen this "hunting" syndrome on older tractors, but haven't seen it recently...but then I'm not a tractor mechanic. I'm just making suggestions.

Anonymous Poster · May 27, 2003

My 4300 has started to do it to, it'll go down about 1/2 inch then go back up again, and over and over about once every 5 seconds, it'll do it even empty... Hydraulic oil is top of bubble and I'm not sure what to check either.... does the valve under the seat need cleaning, I think its the rockshaft or something? Anyone else find a fix?

John

vankirt · May 28, 2003

Had the same problem on my 4300. I don't recall what it was exactly, but the dealer replaced a part (something having to do with fluid being able to bypass where it was suppose to go). I remember being told that it was a known problem, so your dealer should be able to help. It's been two years since I had it fixed, and it never happened again.
-Tom

RoyJackson · May 28, 2003

Since Vankirt mentioned replacing a part...it sure sounds like a check valve going bad.

Oops!! Spelled Vankirt's nick wrong originally! Sorry!

jimgerken · May 29, 2003

My 4100 goes in today. I called the dealer and he also said it was a known problem, he suggested probably replacing the valve. It is under warrantee at 1.5 yrs and 100 hrs. Decided to have them do the hyd oil change and screen clean right away too. Thanks for the info.

Anonymous Poster · May 29, 2003

Is the valve hard to replace, if easy, where is it located?

Anonymous Poster · May 29, 2003

Does anyone have a part 3#?

Anonymous Poster · May 29, 2003

I called the dealer, my tractor is under warranty from my 4/2/02 purchase date, he said it was a 5 hour job if I did it myself, have to drop the fenders, trans pan etc... Looks like I'll have to be without a tractor for a while /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif and let them do it. Luckily its a free fix. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Is there an hour limit on warranty's? I forgot to ask....

John

BillyP · May 29, 2003

No hour limit on warranty work. If John Deere says it's a 5 hour job, that's what the dealer will get paid for. If it takes the dealer 7 hours, the dealer will have to eat the other 2 hours. But if the dealer does it in 3 hours, the dealer will still get paid for 5 hours. In other words, there's no cost to you /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Anonymous Poster · May 29, 2003

Cool thanks BillyP! You know never had a JD in for warranty work before, so its all new to me /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Anonymous Poster · May 29, 2003

Passing this on.

I also called the Dealer about the adjusting the rockshaft control valve (as stated in another forum), they stated it can be over adjusted and blow fittings and hoses. They said there really needs to be a pressure tester on the line to adjust it to the correct setting.

John

jimgerken · Jun 1, 2003

Tractor went in on Thursday late afternoon, dealer called Saturday morning to tell me they had found a small aluminum shaving in the check valve. He said they had seen a lot of that symptom. He followed up the repair with a screen clean, filter and hyd oil change (at my request). No adjustments or repairs needed, just a cleaning basically. I'm hoping this will be the end of it, since we should have the system cleaned up now.

Anonymous Poster · Jun 2, 2003

Thanks for the info Jim!

I just dropped my 4300 off this morning.... Kinda sad /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif Its kinda like taking it to the hospital jk
He said it'll take them 4 days to get to it, so maybe by Thursday afternoon it'll be done. Gonna be hard not having a tractor for a week /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

I asked if they put a new valve in, will the warranty pay for a new hydro filter and oil. He said yep.
Cool! Only 100 hours on the hydro oil though...

Let you know if I hear anything else.

John

jimgerken · Jun 2, 2003

I felt the same way. Told my wife our "baby" was going to the hospital. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Anonymous Poster · Jun 6, 2003

Hi Jim,
Update on my tractor. Interesting story this is becoming.
I called Thurs May 29, dealer stated to bring it in monday and it would be done monday. We'll its friday and no work has been done on it yet. The part is on order according to todays call, as it took them 4 days to figure out what was wrong with it. The only reason there ordering the part is cause I told them to replace the hyrdo fluid, new hydro filter, clean the rockshaft control valve, and install a new control valve. The 'tech' called yesterday afternoon and stated he didn't know how to work on these compact utilities and wonder if I had any ideas. Thus I'm a little miffed I told him what to do. I called today there service manager, Friday June 6 (because I'm finding if I don't call I haven't a clue if things are done or not) the parts on order will be in Tues June 10, will be ready to pickup Wed June 11. Needless to say this is the last service or warranty work at this dealer, as a better dealer is 30 miles east of here where my father has bought and serviced his garden tractor.

I don't mind the fact that its taken a week and 1/2, but the fact that I have to pull teeth to find information, the job was stated to be done on monday/tues (as they had the control valve in stock already) and especially when the tech stated he didn't know what was wrong with it.

Just live and learn experiences. I sent my lawnmower rider lx279 in for transmission service (oil change and new belt) on monday as well, it wasn't completed.
I guess we'll see the results come tues or wed. I may come to change my mind about them but so far, its in the 'ok-but poor' service range.
John

Dealer:
Town and Country
Christy Dr.
Jefferson City MO

Anonymous Poster · Jun 11, 2003

Another call to the dealer stealer this morning, according to my last post the part was to come in yesterday, installed and be done today.

I just called today, the part just arrived in the door (right!) and they'll get it installed tomorrow according to the service manager.

So I said I'll come pick it up tomorrow and hung up.
Recalled the placed, asked for the tech working on the tractor.
He has even had the tractor for testing, he said "we'll i got that er part, but itcha ain't gonna get on there till tomorrow, and I'll have to put back the old hydro fluid" I said what? Thats not covered under warranty? He said No.

I didn't want contaminated oil from some crappy drain pan back in the tractor, so I said, new hydro fluid, filter, and I'll pay for it to shut him up.

By this time, I'm a little more than fumming as everything they've done is just pissn in the wind, if you get what I mean.

MY Question: Is a control valve replacement warranty for at least a new hydro fluid replacement, anyone have a similiar experience? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Once I get the bill, I'm writing John Deere Service to validate this hydro oil question, would anyone know a good address or phone number to get my complaint going?

John

John

Anonymous Poster · Jun 11, 2003

typo, sorry.

"He -hasn't- even had the tractor for testing"

Youare · Jun 11, 2003

I had the same symptoms on the new Kubota L3000DT I purchased two years ago, I had only 46 hrs.
on the tractor. The dealer found a metal chip in the relief valve for the 3PH hydraulics. So I guess this
can happen to any one.

Hope you get your tractor back soon and fixed to your satisfaction.

Randy