4000 Twenty Series E-eydro Problems

start2finsih · Feb 18, 2006

It has come to my attention that John Deere has had many problems with the E-Hydro transimssion. We are debating purchasing a 4320 or 4720 with a factory cab. I am looking for feedback on this tranny. we put 600+ hours a year on a machine and use the loader for grading and laveling, .loading trucks and such. On the rear we carry a harley rake. So this tractor would get lots of use and pto work. If you use your JD to putt around the house and haven't had any problems I wouldn't even expect you to have had any. JD is a good company and I trust their equipment, but in a commerical application with hard use they are rumored to have trouble. A dealer in FL is reported to have replaced 16 e hydros in the last year. If this is confirmed then I may wait a while to let them get the bugs out.

beenthere · Feb 18, 2006

Welcome to the forum.

Not sure where you managed to get such information, or how valid the information was, but it's contrary to what I found out last year. The early ehydros had to be called back in for a computer reprogramming change, but it was minor. Since that time (3+ years ago) my Deere mechanic said there has been essentially no problem. The mechanicals as I understand are the same hydro used before ehydro and that has been pretty bullet-proof.
Also, the large ag Deere tractors have the hydro, as well as the combines and such. Similar, I believe to the construction equipment as well.

Go ask some Deere mechanics as I don't find them 'protective' of Deere and will give you the scoop.

I think you can trust the ehydro of the green. Your info or rumors don't seem to have much backbone to them, IMO. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

jcmseven · Feb 18, 2006

There really are no bugs to sort out. Having good relationships with two large JD dealers and knowing others, and using them myself and having neighbors and friends who put mucho hours on their machines, the ehydro is an excellent and durable transmission. I would have no reservations. The other thing is that in the unlikely event that you would be a rare victim of a bad tranny, JD as a company will bend over backwards in most cases to take care of you. I would not be concerned about this.

John M

BillyP · Feb 18, 2006

JD did have some failure problems with the older 4000 series hydro tractors. I was told that everyone that failed was replaced, even if it was out of warranty and at no charge. It was due to their recommended service interval and too small of a hydraulic oil filter.

This problem was solved several years ago and no more problems.

Compact Utility Tractor Service Interval Change and Improved Hydrostatic Filter

MidGALandscaper · Feb 18, 2006

I have been using my 4310 (e-hydro) with a Harley Rake the last 3 years (900+ hours) with no problems whatsoever. I love the e-hydro and this tractor. It has been good to me. I am currently awaiting delivery of my new cab 4720. It won't be here to the end of March. Man, it is sure hard waiting.

JerryG · Feb 18, 2006

Also, the large ag Deere tractors have the hydro, as well as the combines and such. 
Those aren't hydros.

Ramairfreak98ss · Feb 19, 2006

( Also, the large ag Deere tractors have the hydro, as well as the combines and such. 
Those aren't hydros. )

What are they then? Ive been in combines and powered JD hay choppers/foragers and they were all hydrostatic transmissions with on the fly pump turn on 4wd.

JerryG · Feb 19, 2006

The large tractors don't have hydros. Go to the JD site and look at them. I have just about quite posting anything about hydros. There is no use in it.

start2finsih · Feb 19, 2006

thanks for the replies, I wanted to confirm or discredit the rumor. I will confront the dealer who told me about a dealer in FL that sold JD & Kubota off the same lot (weird) kind of makes me skeptical of him. We are going to check out a few more options before we order the JD, takeuchi tl130, bobcat T190, asv, cat, compact track loaders. We are considering using a harley rake on this type of machine. Again thanks for the input.

karlg · Feb 20, 2006

You and JerryG are both right (partly). The combines and Windrowers ARE hydros, but the large tractors are not. Some of the large tractors have what is called IVT (infinately variable transmissions) that operate similar to a hydrostat but they are very different transmissions. The large AGCO tractors have a similar transmission too, but they call it CVT (constantly variable transmission).