4520 with 4n1 - put to work

[tom30519]

Looks like JD recognized that there was a problem with too little clearance between the bucket and inlet, and fixed it. If there was a recall then your dealer should have tracked you down. Although, according to my guy here, it doesn't matter where you bought your tractor, all the dealers should be prepared to make it right.

Of course, not all dealers are created equal!

Jon, I envy you your time with the 448! I have a dozen projects lined up for mine, but right now we're rushing to pull those cedar trees out of the swamp while the ground is frozen.

I'm having a blast with this new tractor - my old B414 International sure gave me a lot of good service, and my father before me, but the new baby is a real pleasure to use.

Tom.

 

[GalwayBoy]

Well, I went by my local dealer today with one of my failed hosed and told my tale of woe to the parts man there. He took some preliminary information, and said he would look into whether or not there were any service bulletins on the 4in 1. Regardless, I asked that he pass my concerns on to his district rep. He did agree that I shouldn't be replacing hoses on a tractor with 80 hours on it.

I'll give 'em a week then kick it up a notch.

Jon

 

[tom30519]

Jon, the sun came out today so I was able to position the bucket to get a good photo that shows the indent. This one is from the front...

 

[tom30519]

... and here's one from the back. The indent is a less obvious, but it extends up well beyond the end of the hex fitting.

Also, on my 4-in-1 the square post that the hex fitting threads into extends beyond the diameter of the fitting, so even if the bucket were able to bounce back that far, it would hit the post and not the fitting or the hose.

Hope this helps...

Tom.

 

[GalwayBoy]

Tom,

Thanks for the pics. Yep, it sure looks like JD changed production to address the problem. I've taken some shots of mine as well. You can see the mark left where the bucket impacted the fitting.

Seeing this, I can't but think they'll make it right.

Jon

 

[GalwayBoy]

Another shot, this one of the damaged OEM hose.

Jon

 

[tom30519]

Hi Jon - now you've got me wondering if what I have is, in fact, a JD bucket! When I compare mine to what I see on JDParts, the various parts are mostly identical. There are some major differences, other than the hydraulic inlets: the pivot bushing at the bottom end of the cylinders has a retention flange that is bolted to the frame, rather than just the through-bolt 'pin' shown on JDParts. (The top bushing on mine is the same).

My bucket was expedited as my HD bucket was backordered, so none of the dealer stuff got done: no stickers, for example. So there's nothing on it to make me 100% positive we're talking about the same model.

All I'm trying to say is, before you confront your guy with the photos, let me verify what it is that I got from my dealer! I'll call him tomorrow (Monday).

[EDIT]: Jon, I just took a look at the photo you posted of your entire rig, and it sure looks like the same bucket as I have on mine. But I'll verify that, anyway...

Tom.

 

[GalwayBoy]

Thanks Tom,

It's certainly possible that it's not a Deere bucket.
Mine has round tube on top of the bucket halves where yours look to be square or rectangular. Your hoses also sweep, rather than have an 90 degree ell fitting like mine.

I looked at JD Parts last night and their diagram shows a sweeping straight hose like yours. Go figure.

The counterman at Parker hose where I had my replacements made said it was an odd item anyway as it was a "jump size" I think it was that the fitting diameters were larger than the hose, but I'm not sure. Fluid mechanics 101, crash course for me.

Confusing eh?

I'll try to get some more pics up either in a post or in the gallery, now that I've learned how.

Jon

 

[Cidertom]

I took a good look at my 4-in-1
Deere made, bought first of year. I have an impact mark on the bucket from the square block. No relief area. The hose fitting part of the swivel are not threatened by impact with the bucket. However, I did find a rock wedged between the lower fitting and the bucket. Guess that area will bear watching.

Have any of the other users found a good spot for grab hooks on this bucket? I haven't found a place to weld them on that I'm real happy with yet.

 

[tom30519]

My dealer confirmed that what I have is made by John Deere, although he speculated that it might have been built in Canada for the Canadian market (I'm located in Quebec). To be confirmed - he said he'd get back to me.

I do know that my 400CX loader is made in Canada - it is cast into the masts, and the serial number sticker on the boom also says Made in Canada. Whether the Ontario plant also builds loaders for the US or Euro markets, I don't know... could be the 4in1's are made in more than one factory, and possibly to slightly different designs.

If I find out more, I'll post it here.

Tom.