3550 hst problems,cheap built,lemon?

[steve stiller]

Is it me or did I get a lemon or are these tractor cheap? bought this tractor back in jan-feb traded in a new Holland 45tcda on paper this tractor has more pto hp which isn't reason of buying it. bought it because of its superior lifting fel (which it does great at) tractor is back for its 5th time of problems lack of power, excessive cranking for start up, staling issues ,parking brake doesn't hold ,hyd fittings leaking. its been at shop this time going on a month with hyd problems leaking again also. the mahrindra rep Rubon is to come look at it again. This tractor will only cut in low gear using the same woods 6 foot mower I could cut 5-6 mph on the new Holland. I can use 2 gear which they said should be no problem on flat or going down hill, soon as you get to any grade it boggs down if your not in low gear. who wants to cut at 2mph? they cant seem to find a problem or at least that's what there computer is telling them. looking for some help if anyones had same problems not with the hyd leaks as it seems everyone is having those problems on these tractors. thanks in advance

 

[Jabonee]

Reuben is a great DSR. He will get you fixed up.

 

[steve stiller]

He seems good to talk to and knowing mahrinda's, hard to get a call back from him. Still having power issues/running issues since day one and dealer has had tractor for over 2 months combined since new. Has to be fuel issue or maybe there teir 4 isn't good? Seems there always waiting on Reuben? Reuben said if tractor stalls you should be able to see it on computer but it doesn't show. I own a motorsports dealership and large offroad racing series and if I was treated my customers the way ive been getting the run around. Isn't good

 

[Jabonee]

Reuben and the other DSR's are spread kind of thin.They have large territories to cover.Mahindra is aware of this DSR/tech support issue and is working to correct it. I hate to say it but if I were in your shoes I'd be raising cane at the dealer. There are things they can do like give you a loaner tractor to use. How long has this dealership been in business selling Mahindra?

 

[steve stiller]

They been in business for couple of years, don't want to bash them or any small business. they never offered a loaner and at this point thinking I need to get out of this tractor as i use it for business and need it 10 times a yr there and to mow my gas well road a few times. i'm paying every month on something that not in my garage when and if i need to use it. I've ran machinery for 30yrs and something's not right with this tractor. My new Holland in five yrs never gave me a issue and was way more powerful than this tractor and its supposed to be 7 more hp at pto. very unsatisfied up to this point with loss of power and all the leaks this tractor has not to mention all my time taking back n forth to dealer on my own dime.

 

[Jabonee]

I would definitely let the dealer know whats on your mind. That may light a fire under things. Maybe get a new tractor out of it.(non lemon) Strange with this thread and as many people that look at this site,If there was an issue with this model someone would have chimed in by now.

 

[DavesTractor]

I'd put that tractor on the dyno to see if the engine is making the advertised HP at the PTO. That would be the first thing after checking codes. That will not tell you about the HST or solve leaks, but let's first see if we have the raw power in an objective manner. It ought to run a 6' mower in normal mowing conditions very easily.

 

[steve stiller]

where do you find pto dyno's never heard of them, are they common at tractor places? I agree it should run 6 foot brushhog the new Holland with 6-7 less pto hp never bogged down running 5-6mph

 

[MossRoad]

Many agricultural tractor dealers and shops have PTO dynos. I recall seeing one at a small IH dealership many years ago. It was just a small trailer. I asked what it was as they were running up a tractor on it at the time and he told me. He said they are fairly common. Make some local inquiries.

 

[Jabonee]

I'd bet money it not performing to spec. based on the description of the engine running. Computer codes only look at so much. There are other things(mechanical) like compression and fuel that the ECU does not look at.

 

[DavesTractor]

where do you find pto dyno's never heard of them, are they common at tractor places? I agree it should run 6 foot brushhog the new Holland with 6-7 less pto hp never bogged down running 5-6mph

Yes, very common. Pretty simply devices. Ours is basically a pump that measures the tractor's efforts. As you screw the pump closed, it makes the tractor work harder. At the point the tractor can no longer hold PTO speed, you look at the dial (ours is old school, not digital). A tractor should make advertised PTO HP easily, so long as it is not really hot out, or measured at a high altitude. The tractor ought to hold the advertised RPM and not over heat.

I think the 3550 HST has 49 engine HP at about 2800 rpm, and 39 PTO at about 2400 RPM. 20% drop due to lower RPM and parasitic losses. That is a pretty normal amount of drop. A super efficient setup, like some of our Deutz-Fahr models will only drop 10%. Some of the newer 30-40 HP Tier IV models, across several brands, will see a more dismal 30% drop.

A TC45A was rated at 39.6 HP at the PTO. If that was the model you had, you have not gained any HP by going to the 3550. And the Mahindra is quite a bit heavier, and that takes some HP. The Japanese built NH machines were pretty efficient at putting engine power to the PTO.

 

[454shooter]

I have a 3550 HST Cab with only 70 hours. It's already in the shop because the PTO, flasher and windshield washer doesn't work.
Dealer says the PTO had a bad ground and is now working. I also have had numerous hydraulic leaks thus far.
Tractor was 45K + and I hope I didn't get a lemon also.

On a side note - I attempted to price John Deere and Kubota also and spent several hours at each dealer but neither
bothered to even give me a price. So much for the economy being bad.

 

[alafarm]

I have a 3550 HST Cab with only 70 hours. It's already in the shop because the PTO, flasher and windshield washer doesn't work.
Dealer says the PTO had a bad ground and is now working. I also have had numerous hydraulic leaks thus far.
Tractor was 45K + and I hope I didn't get a lemon also.

On a side note - I attempted to price John Deere and Kubota also and spent several hours at each dealer but neither
bothered to even give me a price. So much for the economy being bad.

I had the same problem with John Deere and Kubota was not much better. I went to 3 John Deere dealers to buy a 40,000 dollar tractor and could not get a single one to even take the time to give me a price! Amazing!

 

[Btown]

I know some other manufacturers are having power issues too. It seems some have bad EGR valves. Hopefully it's a simple fix.

 

[Navasot]

I know some other manufacturers are having power issues too. It seems some have bad EGR valves. Hopefully it's a simple fix.

It can also be something as simple as the lines running to and from popping off

 

[Navasot]

I know some other manufacturers are having power issues too. It seems some have bad EGR valves. Hopefully it's a simple fix.

It can also be something as simple as the lines running to and from popping off

 

[steve stiller]

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

 

[justinramani]

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

Well if it makes you feel better - my new Mahindra 4035 has leaked hyd fluid since day 1. It still leaks slightly from 3 different locations. Called the dealer two weeks ago - he told me that I would be getting a call from the regional rep..... Yeah - still waiting for that call. I also have issues with the dash not reading RPM properly.

One of my hyd leaks is the same one you describe. Leaks from the banjo bolt/crush washer. I figure that I'll hold onto it for another year or so - then sell it for a loss just to get rid of it. I can't stand to think that I paid so much for such something that has had so many issues. I think it's been to the shop 6+ times since I bought it. Each time it comes back about 65% fixed!!!

 

[Jabonee]

Well if it makes you feel better - my new Mahindra 4035 has leaked hyd fluid since day 1. It still leaks slightly from 3 different locations. Called the dealer two weeks ago - he told me that I would be getting a call from the regional rep..... Yeah - still waiting for that call. I also have issues with the dash not reading RPM properly.

One of my hyd leaks is the same one you describe. Leaks from the banjo bolt/crush washer. I figure that I'll hold onto it for another year or so - then sell it for a loss just to get rid of it. I can't stand to think that I paid so much for such something that has had so many issues. I think it's been to the shop 6+ times since I bought it. Each time it comes back about 65% fixed!!!

I think your DSM is Denver F. He's really good at getting customers issues resolved. Most of the DSMs this time of the year are conducting service schools. Doesn't sound like Denver not to return a call.Your dealer may just be giving you lip service. You may want to push your issues with the dealer. Make enough noise and someone at Mahindra will hear.

 

[justinramani]

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.