4310 Sick Again

[jd0716]

Well, after 5 1/2 weeks, I got my 4310 back from the dealer after the transmission case cracked when I went to raise my 72" deck. The only theory they have on why the case cracked was that my deck was out of adjustment. Anyhow, I got the tractor back and mowed for about three hours on the weekend. I hooked the loade up and went to spread top soil when I noticed fluid dripping from underneath the tractor at a pretty good pace. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif I parked the tractor so I don't do any damage.

I called the dealer on Monday. The dealer was supposed to get back to me that day to let me know when they could look at it again and to let me know if I could get a loaner. I had asked for a loaner with at least a front-end loader so I could get some spring projects done that I had planned on and had top soil and mulch hauled in for. The dealer never called back and I was pretty frustrated after not haveing the tractor for over 5 weeks and only using it for about three hours before it started leaking. I ended up faxing a letter to the owner of the dealership and to Deere. I haven't heard from the dealer but Deere called and said they are assigning the case to a field rep who should be calling me next week. ANy idea how long it generally takes to resolve something like this once Deere is involved? I love the tractor, but since I bought it a year ago, I have mowed more times with my old garden tractor than with the 4310 because it has been in the shop so much. It has about 104 hours on it now. Most of this is mowing, plowing snow, brush hogging one time and taking my boys for tractor rides up and down the drive. I planned on using the loader this spring and summer but that hasn't worked out.

I guess I am just looking for someplace to vent and input on how long I can expect for this to be resolved with Deere involved. Thanks for listening (reading).

 

[rancar]

It may be premature asking Deere company reps to step in at this point. I wouldn't give up so quickly with the dealer after one contact. OK,.....they didn't call back after you phoned. They could have had a real busy day and your call just maybe 'fell through the cracks'. If the dealer is close by, just walk in the front door and talk to someone in charge of their service department and say something like, "Hey, I bought a 4310 tractor from you guys and I'm having trouble. Can someone here help me out." Get some commitment from them to come to your place to look at and service your tractor. In the meantime.......if they are really good and want to please their customers, they'll loan you a tractor until yours is fixed. Don't be bashful asking for that loaner.

...Bob

 

[Chief]

Were you able to see exactly where the fluid was leaking from? It may be something simple like a line the mechanic that worked on your tractor forgot to tighten or a leaking filter. I am really hesitant to let anyone work on my tractor unless it is absolutely required and I like to either meet the mechanic and know his/her background. I used to work in a John Deere dealership as a mechanic so maybe I am a bit biased. More info. would be helpful and you may be able to fix it yourself. This should not be the case but reality is that in some cases the dealership can make it worse.

 

[DK35vince]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I used to work in a John Deere dealership as a mechanic so maybe I am a bit biased. )</font>

Gee Chief I hadn't noticed !! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[jd0716]

Maybe it was premature to ask Deere to step in. I was extremely frustrated with the whole situation and after going without the tractor for nearly 6 weeks when I was originally told I would have it back in a week and a half just added to my frustration. There have also been some other issues, minor by themselves, but when I put them all together, this was the straw that broke the camel's back. I am definitely willing to give the dealer another chance and don't want to get into the other problems I have had with service. I actually hope to buy a smaller lawn tractor from them in the future.

I hate to cause problems for the dealer because my understanding is that the owner is a pretty honest guy, although I have never dealt with him directly. But I am going to have to see some better service if I am going to continue to spend money there. I am sure it will all work out in the end.

 

[iamgott]

Tryin to contact John Deere is probably the best move you could do. I wish I had done this early on when I started having problems. The dealer shouldn't mind, as long as you dont "burn them at the stake" lol. I had no choice but to imply my dis-satisfaction with my local dealer as they have had to repair the same item over and over again "with little or "no" usage in between". I wish the corporate office had kept an eye on my ordeal from the start, if so, they may have been more willing to help me now. Good luck,,,,,,,,,,gott

 

[jd0716]

Well, the owner of the dealership I bought my 4310 called me a couple of days ago. They are giving me a loaner (Kubota) with a loader and same size deck as my tractor. The owner was very nice and apologized and took responsibility for the service problems I have had (there had been other problems before this). Anyhow, the took my tractor back to their shop and are going over it with a fine tooth comb. Deere has also agreed to extend the warranty an additional year. This is all acceptable to me and I feel confident that I should not have anymore service problems. I feel assured that I made a good choice in Deere and my dealer. Hopefully they will get it back to me soon, but at least I have the loaner to use.

Thanks for the feedback.