4400 problems

TCowner · Jan 17, 2003

Glad to see Deere came through. I suspect you are like most consumers. You realize that a compact tractor is a rather complex piece of equipment and may be subject to some problems but you expect the company to stand behind their product even if it means going out beyond the warranty period. Most of will reward the company if they make a real effort to satisfy us. My experience with Deere was always excellent. There are a few reasons I now own a NewHolland. I believe the TC series are excellent tractors. But what drove me to give NewHolland a serious look was a "jerk" of a salesman at a Deere dealership. I still own a Deere in fact I bought a new X595 garden tractor (bought from a different dealership) last spring. But for now, I am happy enough with my TC40D to stay with NewHolland for the forseeable future. Its all about customer service. Treat the customer with respect and you will usually be rewarded with repeat business.

rdbrumfield · Jan 19, 2003

You are certainly 100% on that.
The one thing about the dealership I work with is that they did stand behind me in this endeavor.
I will say though, it only takes once with me and I'm on to onother dealer and make of tractor. There have been a few take it or go without jerks and they sure lost a lot of business and not just from me. We are down to just one dealer within 60 miles, and attitude is why they are still here.

TCowner · Jan 19, 2003

It's just amazing to me what some of today's business people think of what good customer service is. I understand that there are some people that you can't please no matter how hard they try. But for most of us we simply ask that you work with us to resolve the problem and not treat us as if we are wasting your time now that the purchase is over. I've seen this time and time again when purchasing a new car/truck. The salesman offers you coffee, popcorn, perhaps a free hot dog, appears to be interested in your family, offers to babysit your children, anything to make the deal and then God help us when we own the thing. How quickly they forget. There are some exceptions of course. There was a salesman at one dealership that was completely different and would go to bat for me with the service department and make sure I had a loaner vehicle if needed. My story of the Deere salesman that lead me to the NewHolland dealership is an interesting one. But believe me, I have related my story to dozens of people and have directed at least two compact tractor deals to another dealer (the one I purchased my X595 from). Dealerships spend tons of money advertising to get new customers and repeat customers back. Yet all it takes is one "jerk" and all that advertising money ends up a waste. I was trading Deere compact tractors every 1 to 2 years back to the first 855 in 1986. I had the service department do all of the 50 hour services and purchased all parts, accessories, etc., from the Deere dealerships. I directed new customers who asked where I purchased tractors. I always directed them to John Deere. That has changed now. I still think the Deere 4000 and 4000Ten series tractors are excellent tractors. But one JD salesman sent me to the competition and it may be hard to get me back. I'm sure John Deere will survive nicely without my compact utility business. But if enough customers, like me who are fed up with the arrogance of some Deere dealerships, decide to look elsewhere Deere may begin to feel it where it hurts.

lgjhn · Jan 21, 2003

I'm with you on "arrogant dealers". I'm going thru those pains right now. I bought a 4300 about a year ago while we were living in another state. We ended up back in our home state and ended up purchasing a small farm. Of course when we moved back here, the 4300 came with us. Over the past month, one of the FFL cylinders started leaking profusely....If you think it's tough getting warranty coverage where you bought the machine, try it somewhere where you didn't...just about impossible. Needless to say, I couldn't get any warranty coverage from local JD dealer so I had to shell out almost $300 for a new cylinder. This week, it appears that the SCV is also a mess (bucket literally falls down) and I know that is going to be another expensive repair. This tractor has not been abused...only has about 50 hours on it and the FFL less than 10!!! With the way JD has been here locally and the way this thing is just falling apart, that bright orange is looking better every second.....may just trade it off tomorrow....

rdbrumfield · Jan 21, 2003

Get hold of JD and find out who the district manager is and go for it. Just gets to a guy after they have your money and then don't know who you are.

CTyler · Jan 22, 2003

Warranty work is warranty work. It doesn't matter what JD dealer you bought it from. If the dealer is unwilling to perform the warranty work after talking with them then call JD's customer service. Be sure you have talked to the manager/owner of the dealership and gather the details as to why they will not perform the work. Give them the chance up front.

By saying no or its not covered they hope you'll just walk away and not question it. Its a pain in the but sometimes to get things done that are supposed to be covered.

TCowner · Jan 22, 2003

Yes, and don't be surprised if you get invited to their customer appreciation breakfast. Some of the attitudes of the dealers is amazing. THe effort put out to get business and then when it arrives at the door quickly stops. But you will continue to get invitations back to the dealership. There are good JD dealerships. The one where I bought my X595 and other JD compact utilities is an example. But is just appears to me that many of the JD guys are so convinced you will buy only green they offer you little time and courtesy if you suggest either another color or another dealer. Sometimes if the JD dealer is the only one close you have to bite the bullet and live with their arrogance. But if you have some choices either find one that understands customer service or change colors. I also think we should be sending letters to JD headquarters in Moline,IL letting them know what we experience. I know the dealerships are independent and that one letter complaining may go nowhere but if enough letters were sent (not e-mails) I think the JD corporate management can do something about it. I think everytime one of us changes colors the CEO of JD should know it. I need to write my letter. I might even include a picture of me on the the Newholland.

JerryT · Jan 22, 2003

If the FEL is less than 1 year old it is under JD warranty no matter where you are. You just have to fine the right strings to pull. On another issue - hydraulic cylinders are repairable. I had two fail on my JD FEL after warranty. I bought repair kits from JD, about $15.00 each (as I recall) and couldn't figure out how to take the cylinder apart. Found a small hydraulic repair shop, took them the parts and cylinders and they fixed them for $50.00 each. Wish I understood how to open the JD cylinders?

tractorhal · Jan 22, 2003

The more I talk to the dealer the more I find additional problems. The differential needs to be replaced,the rock shaft valve and who knows what else?

lgjhn · Jan 25, 2003

I've been to 5 dealerships with no assistance in getting actual warranty work performed. It would be hilarious if it wasn't so serious. However at the last dealership, they were the most helpful. They assured me that it was not the SCV, but probably an internal cylinder hydraulic leak. They explained and provided me a way to check it to make sure. I then got to talk to one of their mechanics. He told me exactly how to get the cylinders apart. I had the repair kits already. I came back home and sure enough, the other bucket cylinder showed bad. Within 10 minutes, I had that cylinder on my bench and completely apart. By the end of the afternoon, I had completely rebuilt all 3 cylinders on my FFL (I had already bought one new one). FFL works like new.
At this point, I'm just so glad it's back working and this is really a great little tractor otherwise, but the "dealer runaround" I have experienced regarding warranty issues the past few weeks has really left a terrible taste in my mouth regarding green/yellow.