A more robust Rodent Proofing solution? Is JD purposefully failing to address?

[FunkeeMunkee]

Quick back story: My BF decided to upgrade Jane Deere, a 2002 990. She was primarily used for putting out hay rolls every week the last few years. Before that, some mowing and bush hogging. She lived outside her entire life with 3 different owners, wasn't in bad shape but at the very least, in good condition. Very few mechanical issues, desperately needed new tires (had original ones) and I think the price of replacing them is what spurred the desire to get a new tractor. Settled on a 24' 4044M for the lifting capacity and size, didn't seem to be many new model options in the class size of the 990. Bigger than the 990 and IMO, unnecessarily taller (bigger back tire make more $ so I get it). Really, the 4044M is a bit much just to move hay rolls and occasionally turn over the manure pile, but not my decision - even though I am the only one that uses it.

Fast forward to today: Had this new tractor for 7 months. I think it's buggy asf but I haven't used it enough to confirm my suspicions. It bucks sometimes randomly when put into gear and release the clutch. When started after warm up, put into gear, display doesn't show that it's been put into reverse (or any gear I select) and the transmission is unresponsive, the fix is to shut it off and turn it back on again. Around Aug 13 I went to put a few rolls out and noticed that the throttle was unresponsive. Had the local JD dealer come get it the next day. It took them 8 days to get to & diagnose it and texted me a $5,500 estimate to replace a $2,500 wiring harness and a 2nd $500 harness, the balance was "rodent deterrent' and labor. This was a HUGE shock - a throttle cable for a 990 about $80.I don't think my BF realized that new means more expensive to repair. We know now!

I understand that rodents are, and have always been, an issue with automobiles and tractors, but Jane Deere and a CarryAll lived for 10 years parked in a wooded spot next to a cypress head and wildlife corridor and never had any rodent damage. Moved to a different property and for 3 years, neither Jane, the CarryAll or the ATV, CanAm UTV, 0turn mower, boat, horse trailer, occasional vehicle or RV or my Tack & Feed room have ever had any rodent activity. The property backs up to woods and is surrounded by woody vacant lots. No rodents till this new tractor. I've kept mice and later rats as pets. They are incredible little creatures, rats make fabulous pets and I am well aware of their detructive nature. I don't have an issue with killing rodents but I am not foolish to think that killing a few here and there is going to be a one and done thing. I have too much on my plate already to have to add scheduled pest control into the que of my 2do list.

My questions: Is it possible to add a wired screen "plate" to the underside of the tractor? There's an old reddit thread from someone who did this to his car with some success. I am not bush hogging or mowing anymore and this tractor not only sits pretty high but also will never see uneven terrain as long as its owned by us.

Is anyone familiar with the 4044M that can point out other spots where rodents can access wiring? Can these wiring harnesses be wrapped in a rodent resistant material before the dealership puts the tractor back together or is it possible for me to access them once it's back and do it myself? The dealership says nothign can be doe to protect the wires and that the only solution s to pay to have a pest control company come out. My biggest question is (though I know the answer is $) why, with all the useless technology (to me - I just need a Dumb tractor) they are stuffing into these tractors, hasn't JD (or anyone) come up with a more permanent rodent defense feature?

I am super aggrevated with the JD dealership - have been for years. Closed on weekends. Service backed up for weeks. We don't even live in a very rural area! They've had the tractor for 3 weeks today. Just spoke with them and they say the wiring harness was back ordered and at first it was going to be OCTOBER before they were available, but now say the parts will be in tomorrow but the tractor won't be ready until the middle of next week (because they are closed weekends). Every time they have my tractor it's at minimum a month before i get it back, even just for annual service. I am thinking about maybe moving to a Kubota, everyone around me owns one and they never have thier tractor sitting for weeks waiting for parts or repairs.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions. Sorry for the venting.

 

[dodge man]

You will fibnd it near impossible to keep mice out of it, they can just fit through anything. The best thing is to do something to abate the mice. Sticky traps, poison, cats, etc. I’ve read that there is something in the wiring that attracts the mice to chew on it. I’ve just read that on forums and am not sure it’s true.

 

[Rebeldad1]

dont blame the equipment, blame the mice. doesn't matter what equipment brand you have, if you have mice they will get into anything. Your car or truck, house, barn.

IF you are determined to save your tractor that sits outside Best protection could be a hicube shipping container.

 

[murphy1244]

Its the insulation on the wires. They use a mix including soy beans.
Try using dryer sheets.

 

[beenthere]

Get some mice poison and use it, keep it out and available all the time. Jane will be better for it.

 

[oosik]

I live out in what is called - open range land. I have mice and chipmunks. Always have - always will.

I've tried most everything except open, exposed poison.

My current solution. Leave the hood to the engine compartment open. Mice and 'munks don't like the open environment.

This includes my - pickup, mower and tractor.

 

[Midniteoyl]

Had a Dodge Journey I had the wiring harnesses completely replaced by my car insurance after repairing like 3 times myself due to mice and squirrels. The insulation is made with plant based oils, like soy, and that attracts the rodents and they were attacking any exposed wires, like right at the injector plugs.

After the harness change, I had one more repair to make and found a 'solution' at that time: ALL the wires need covering in wire loom then the loom taped over. At the plugs, where the wire cannot be covered in loom, I coated the wires with GB's 'Liquid Electrical Tape' using several coats, drying ~10mins between each. After that I had no more problems until I traded it in a couple years later.

It's not every OEM that uses these soy insulated wires (current F150 seems immune to rodents), but as soon as I notice, I coat all the wires I can and have no more problems.

 

[tomplum]

Myself, I do blame the equipment. I've talked to too many people that have their wiring harnesses eaten on their new cars that never had issues before. Some kept in an attached 2 car garage.It's not like it never used to happen- as it sure did. But nowhere to the degree it does with soylent green wiring...

Two things that help, Honda rodent tape and those little electronic mouse repellers.

 

[ruffdog]

A good mechanic should be able to repair the wire harness instead of tearing your tractor apart. If the mechanic can't repair the harness, maybe he shouldn't be disassembling a tractor either. It is not uncommon for wire harnesses to be hard to come by.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

The older tractor didn't rely on all the wiring and sensors either. The new emissions and ECMs make the wiring a real mess.

 

[Brown Dog]

… . I am not bush hogging or mowing anymore …. My biggest question is … , hasn't JD (or anyone) come up with a more permanent rodent defense feature …

I had a similar situation with rats after a couple years of letting my in-laws cut hay here on my farm.

I got INVADED with RATS BAD.

How long have you quit bush hogging & mowing ?

Hay Barns are a breeding ground for rats.
Don’t park any eqpt in or near one.

I NOW mow 15acres & Bush Hog another 7 acres = No More Rats.

I cleaned up all my brush piles.

Hawks & Coyotes can NOW catch what few that does make their way onto the farm.

 

[Brown Dog]

Get some mice poison and use it, keep it out and available all the time. Jane will be better for it.

If you have tall grass : you can’t put out enough poison to keep them away.
I tried it.
Read my other post.

 

[FunkeeMunkee]

Myself, I do blame the equipment. I've talked to too many people that have their wiring harnesses eaten on their new cars that never had issues before. Some kept in an attached 2 car garage.It's not like it never used to happen- as it sure did. But nowhere to the degree it does with soylent green wiring...

Two things that help, Honda rodent tape and those little electronic mouse repellers.

I was aware of the change to the materials used to coat electrical wires and why asked if there was something to wrap these 'soylent green' (LOL) based coated wires. I appreciate your suggestion. I'll certainly be looking into Honda rodent tape. The dealer, unsurprisingly, was unwilling to offer any such solution.

 

[FunkeeMunkee]

A good mechanic should be able to repair the wire harness instead of tearing your tractor apart. If the mechanic can't repair the harness, maybe he shouldn't be disassembling a tractor either. It is not uncommon for wire harnesses to be hard to come by.

 

[FunkeeMunkee]

Had a Dodge Journey I had the wiring harnesses completely replaced by my car insurance after repairing like 3 times myself due to mice and squirrels. The insulation is made with plant based oils, like soy, and that attracts the rodents and they were attacking any exposed wires, like right at the injector plugs.

After the harness change, I had one more repair to make and found a 'solution' at that time: ALL the wires need covering in wire loom then the loom taped over. At the plugs, where the wire cannot be covered in loom, I coated the wires with GB's 'Liquid Electrical Tape' using several coats, drying ~10mins between each. After that I had no more problems until I traded it in a couple years later.

It's not every OEM that uses these soy insulated wires (current F150 seems immune to rodents), but as soon as I notice, I coat all the wires I can and have no more problems.

 

[FunkeeMunkee]

I live out in what is called - open range land. I have mice and chipmunks. Always have - always will.

I've tried most everything except open, exposed poison.

My current solution. Leave the hood to the engine compartment open. Mice and 'munks don't like the open environment.

This includes my - pickup, mower and tractor.

I have heard of leaving the hood open but I am not sure if, in rainy FL this is a good option.Our rain comes in from every direction and often it rains sideways. We also have very industrious and prolific blue birds who will nest any where. I might be swapping one creature feature for another.

 

[ruffdog]

There was a spot behind the dash of my TC33D tractor that mice always tried to nest at. I hate smelling mouse so I cleaned the area with Lysol and tied a couple of Fresh Cab rodent deterrent bags to the wires back there. I never had mouse again. I like the smell of Fresh Cab instead of the dryer sheet smell.

 

[scootr]

Surrounded by wheat fields we had the same problems, mice and rats nesting and chewing in cars, mowers, golf carts, tractors, you name it. One day I was visiting a neighbor when a tabby cat came out and rubbed on my leg. I asked him if he had mouse problems, afterall his place backed up to a 50 acre wheat field. I was surprised when he replied no and I looked at the cat again.
Soon after that I got a couple of barn cats, feral rehomed by the PAWs people. Results were nearly immediate and 5 -6 yrs later and we are still rodent free. Not they are not here but they don't live long enough to do any damage. I feed dry food and water. If they want meat they hunt for it.

 

[Brown Dog]

@FunkeeMunkee How long have you quit bush hogging & mowing ?

Regular mowing / bush hogging is way better than a truck load of rat bait / poison.

 

[rScotty]

The older tractor didn't rely on all the wiring and sensors either. The new emissions and ECMs make the wiring a real mess.

Yep. There's been a change in the tractor world. The older tractors - pre about 2012 - were made to be easily repaired; today we have new ones which are made to be easily replaced.

I like that we have both choices. The working features of tractors haven't changed much in decades. More convenience features have been added, but little else has changed.

Today's tractor buyer can choose whether he wants repairability or convenience.
We didn't use to have that choice.

Some say older tractors were easily repairable because they needed to be. There is some
truth to that, but given simple repair & maintenance those older ones are still going strong.
rScotty