3550 hst problems,cheap built,lemon?

[Jabonee]

Jabonee,

Denver is the DSM in my area. I am going to try and get linked up with him today. To his credit - he did try to stop by one day a few months ago when I was out of town. Since I missed him the dealer took the tractor to their shop and attempted a fix. What is a realistic expectation? I have never dealt with an issue like this before. On the surface - it sounds simple enough - just fix the leaks, but it has not been that easy. Combine that with issues with the cruse control and dash panel, and I'm about up to my eyeballs in frustration.

Be patient with your DSM. All those guys are stretched thin. Mahindra is aware of the problem and is working to improve it. It also doesn't help that 2 of the DSMs our out of Canada and have been having problems getting into the country. I'd be working the dealer side of it and contacting Mahindra directly. Let the know in detail your issues and your dissatisfaction with your dealer.Your tractor should be made right and your issues corrected. It just sounds to me like your dealership is not up to snuff. I would ask to see the techs. service school certificates.

 

[DavesTractor]

This shouldn't be that hard. What we have found on difficult leaks is we first fix the leak, then do a pretty good test cycle. We run the tractor on the dyno for 1/2 hour at a pretty good load while running the loader up and down. Basically, work it, get the oil hot and give it a little time to see if the leaks are really fixed or not. Some leaks can be tough to fix, but if a tractor comes back for the leak that you thought you had fixed, a dealer needs to make certain the second fix isn't a failure.

This week is the Louisville Show and also the World Ag Expo in CA. I bet many of the DSMs are at these shows. I know it's always a tough week to get in touch with the MUSA folks as they are traveling or at shows, where they try to manage emails and calls on their phones while dealing with dealers and customers at the shows. A busy week for them.

 

[jb1390]

update got back and within 3 hours it stalled again no ck eng light today, leaking hyd fluid again by pump on right side of motor extremely bad design as there is metal plate in front of large nut to tighten up, third time tilt is broke and steering wheel is straight up, brakes don't hold it period. any one want a like new 3550 cheap? over 4yr warranty left but you will have thousands of dollars invested taking back and forth from dealer to home repeat home to dealer repeat, repeat,repeat lol

Steve,
Where are you located? I looked in your profile but did not see it listed.

I am a 3550 HST owner as well, and my machine has not been without it's issues in the year and a half I've owned it. I understand your frustration - believe me.

Here's what I have to offer for what it's worth:
The cap on the fuel tank is the only vent for the tank. If installed tightly, it will collapse the tank. When this happened to me, it led to very difficult starts due to the high vacuum. Mahindra knows about this issue, though they have yet to introduce a new cap. My tank was replaced under warranty. I cut slots in the rubber seal for the cap, so that it cannot form a perfect seal even if over-tightened. If you would like pictures of my modification, I'd be happy to provide them. I'm not sure if this is related at all to your stalling, but it might be worth a check. Loosen the cap and see if the tank hisses, indicating it was under a vacuum.

The brakes are adjustable, and there are multiple catch points. On a steep hill, I need to hit the 3rd click to hold it tight. In reality, if I have to park on a hill, I try to drop the loader or weight to help hold the machine in place. Most of the time I don't set the brake that tight, but it will hold the machine. It takes lots of foot pressure.

The steering wheel tilt cylinder is not the greatest design. I've had issues with mine. On my machine, the issue stems from the fact you can over-extend the pedal, which ends up bending the end of the gas cylinder. The gas cylinder contains a latch inside of it, which is supposed to hold the column when the foot pedal is released. If the end of the cylinder bends, that latch is permanently held open - which will obviously not allow the steering wheel to hold the downward position. Mahindra replaced one under warranty, and I was able to fix the second one when it happened again shortly after. I intend to include a stop on the pedal to fix it permanently.

I have only had minor hydraulic line leak issues, nothing that could not be quickly solved with a couple wrenches. I have not returned mine to the dealer for those - it's far more hassle for me to move the machine than to tighten a fitting. I will look at the main pump line later today, to see if I can offer you any advice on how to better access the fitting.

Mahindra has been pretty good lately in helping me sort out the issues on my machine. I would not give up on your machine just yet, these all sound like issues that can be resolved, and you will not find a more capable machine for loader work in this HP class.

-Jeff

 

[steve stiller]

thanks jeff, jabonee this is there problem, not ours. ive been having problems since day one for a year and Mahindra and there reps, how long do you want me to wait?? I'm from western pa and my tractor normally sits in my heated garage, as I walked back through it last night I noticed diesel fuel now leaking from fuel filter housing area and oil from the oil cooler thinking as front diff is all wet and its right above it. so from day one with rubin involved there dsm and no one including him self can fix problems, also the cruise doesn't work as another guy stated. but in my case it wont work with the under powered tractor. At this point the rep needs to come get my tractor and either refund my money or replace with another tractor. I have no faith in this tractor period. I'm not a farmer and use this tractor to mow my 20 acre field which I mow around total 4 acres and also am a powersports dealer and use it to lift new machines in crates which it does well and main reason that I bought it. but with all the problems and short comings this thing has had I want my tc45da new Holland back!! was 8yrs old, never had a leak and powerful. I really do think I should be able to mow in 2nd gear 4-5mph with ease just like my new Holland and it just stalls out at slightest grade. I have to mow in first at 1-2mph which is a joke. I hate attorneys as a business man but looks as i'm going to have to pay one to get this pos out of my garage.

 

[davesl708]

thanks jeff, jabonee this is there problem, not ours. ive been having problems since day one for a year and Mahindra and there reps, how long do you want me to wait?? I'm from western pa and my tractor normally sits in my heated garage, as I walked back through it last night I noticed diesel fuel now leaking from fuel filter housing area and oil from the oil cooler thinking as front diff is all wet and its right above it. so from day one with rubin involved there dsm and no one including him self can fix problems, also the cruise doesn't work as another guy stated. but in my case it wont work with the under powered tractor. At this point the rep needs to come get my tractor and either refund my money or replace with another tractor. I have no faith in this tractor period. I'm not a farmer and use this tractor to mow my 20 acre field which I mow around total 4 acres and also am a powersports dealer and use it to lift new machines in crates which it does well and main reason that I bought it. but with all the problems and short comings this thing has had I want my tc45da new Holland back!! was 8yrs old, never had a leak and powerful. I really do think I should be able to mow in 2nd gear 4-5mph with ease just like my new Holland and it just stalls out at slightest grade. I have to mow in first at 1-2mph which is a joke. I hate attorneys as a business man but looks as i'm going to have to pay one to get this pos out of my garage.

If the dealer won't work with you on this it is time to check the lemon-laws in your state. No excuse for paying for a tractor to set at the dealers shop. I would also demand credit for all the time it has been in the shop.

 

[Diggernut]

I have a 3540 that hasn't got 15 hrs on it yet and so far I have fixed a pain in the butt to get to oil leak,upper radiator hose coolant leak,re engineered the bolt setup on the backhoe frame so I could actually use the lift arms after removing the bh.When the dealer installed the bh frame they put some bolts in backwards making it impossible to pin up the lower lift arm balls.The low beam headlights stayed on all the time so the dealer drop shipped a new light switch to me and I installed it to get that fixed.On the plus side I have hooked it to a heavy duty 7ft box blade with a hydraulic top link that I rigged up and graded our 700ft rock driveway,moved a bunch a dirt,dug up a couple of stumps before I took the bh off,moved my trailers around with a new ball hitch I made for the bucket,installed a WR Long third function valve and a sun guard top complete with stereo system.With 14 hrs and a half tank of fuel burned this is where Im at with mine and I really like it.The way it looks,the weight,lift capacity and easy operation appeal to me so Im gonna keep mine and keep working on it for sure. :thumbsup:

 

[Jabonee]

If the dealer won't work with you on this it is time to check the lemon-laws in your state. No excuse for paying for a tractor to set at the dealers shop. I would also demand credit for all the time it has been in the shop.

Steve are you dealing with Blair Auto in Altoona? Rueben is a great DSM and its hard to believe that he's not gotten your issuses resolved. I really think the dealer is the biggest problem. Just sounds like they are not doing a good job.Thats why you need to contact Mahindra directly and let your displeasure be known.:thumbsup:

 

[steve stiller]

never heard of blair auto before. I have contacted Mahindra 8 times and never a call back I did walk in on rubin once at dealership and left multiple messages with him on voice mail with Mahindra and never a call back. again the tractor stalled just after they replaced fuel tank and hoses and etc. no eng light on, it did before when new. leaking at a few places, temp gauage doesn't move unless its 80 degrees out, tilt system for steering wheel out. cruise doesn't work. tractor just is under powered, im going to try to find a dyno to put it on and try that. the dealer said they took it to a tractor place before and it was fine although they couldn't or wouldn't give me a name of place and never told me they took it to a place until last time I picked it up. i'm very well known in tri state area and own stiller motorsports, and are known for our customer service and live on rt422 hwy. thinking its time to put big sign up and park tractor out front for 45,000-50000 people to see it daily. hate to do it but still dealing with stuff from day one. its a shame as the tractor does lift extremely well and no tractor in this size does that much lifting. just need to mow more than 1-2mph and not to keep buying fluid for leaks

 

[Jabonee]

Boy Steve, That just doesn't sound like Rueben or Mahindra not returning a phone call. I'm sure your aware that there are 2 other dealers in your area. Have you considered them?:thumbsup:

 

[DK35vince]

i'm very well known in tri state area and own stiller motorsports, and are known for our customer service and live on rt422 hwy.

I know exactly where you are.
I've stopped in your place a time or 2.