advice pls re 4110 problems

[Lotek]

Grump, grump, grump. My 4110 was delivered on 10-21 and has become inoperable both times I've used it. I'm very frustrated and contemplating returning it.

The 1st day I used the tractor, and mowed a small area, the left side of the MMM fell to the ground within about 20 minutes & I couldn't get it reattached. It took the dealer about 10 days to get a service guy out to check & repair (?) it. He had to use a BFH to get the MMM back on. The next time I worked with the tractor, the MMM again fell off; I was using only the FEL & BB.

After 3 days, my salesman came out & was able to dislodge the MMM just by shaking it with his hands. He said it looked like washers were missing, bushings were wrong (or backwards), and that the MMM needed a latch kit. Also, the salesman initially told me that the BB can stay on the tractor at all times & it wouldn't interfere with the MMM. However, it turns out that the BB cannot be raised or lowered independant of the MMM. Is that normal? If so, it seems to be an engineering and/or design flaw because both the MMM and the BB would be on the ground whenever one or the other was being used. Is there a work-around?

The dealer seems to be trying to make things right, but I'm beginning to think this 4110 is a lemon that will have more troubles in the future, and I should return it. I'm only beginning to learn about tractors, I'm not mechanically inclined, and, being a dumb girl, I don't have the hand & arm strength to lift tractor parts that fall off. Any advice or thoughts?? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[Hambone]

Lotek,
Congrats on your new tractor, I think. 10 days to come fix your new tractor is WAY too long. It sounds to me the problem is with the dealer and prep and not the tractor. Obviously the mower was not installed properly. Call the dealer back. Tell them to pick up the tractor, and return when properly repaired, the way it should have been when they delivered.

 

[JeffSpencer]

Do you have any other dealers around there to work with? There are some really crummy dealers. If so, I would dump the dealer you are using now and switch to another one while the warranty is still good! /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

 

[GaryK]

The MMM works off the 3ph arms, the BB will raise and lower with your MMM. You can get a latch kit that will hold up your MMM when using the BB but not the other way around unless they changed the design from the 4100. I always take the MMM when using the FEL and BB, I found that things got banged around otherwise. As far as the MMM, I have never had trouble with mine except for a pin falling out of the linkage and I fixed that with heavy duty cotter pins and washers instead of those large circle clips or whatever they call them JD used. It appears that the trouble you are having is a lousy install job........

 

[klink]

Gary
would you happen to have the part number for the latch kit, or a drawing?

Lotek
I am also disappointed in the 4110 mmm lift design, I bought the mmm lift kit to solve the problem. But the kit leaves a lot to be desired. even with the mmm off the tractor, the lift brackets drag the ground. I like the tractor, but I am working to solve this problem. By next spring, I won't have this problem any longer.

 

[trlong]

Lotek,

I've had a 4115 since June (nearly same machine except HST) and 200 hr.s on it now. Absolutely no problems except a defective fan belt. For that, the dealer picked up the tractor the morning after it failed, to check pulleys, pully alignment,....replaced belt and returned that afternoon.

However, when I bought it and talked about a MMM, the dealer said "you don't want the MMM, too difficult to take on and off, work with other equip....". Got the feeling they didn't want to sell me one. Maybe they knew of problems with them. Bought a 5' grooming mower and love it, even with it's greater turning radius.

Unless you really need the tighter turning radius, and easy height adjustment, I'd tell the dealer to take it back and get a rear grooming mower. If possible, might consider getting a different dealer too. Sounds like the install was poorly done, and the 1st "repair" just as bad.

Tom

 

[bigpete]

That's a pretty lousy install. As far as your concern about whether the deck height system is normal, you are in a CUT class where MMMowers and their mounting systems are less than perfect no matter who makes the CUT. The JD systems employed for suspension, adjustment, and removal are as well designed as any small CUT out there--I looked. I am perfectly happy with my 60"er under my 4110 now that I have learned the tricks and idiosyncrasies.

FWIW, I lost a cotter pin from a drilled pin in the draft assembly due to an improper install and, fortunately, noticed the deck drop right when it happened. I replaced all my cotters with spring key rings, made a few adjustments, and have been mowing beautifully for about 100 hours over the last few months. Don't mow with anything, especially not a heavy boxblade on the 3PH--that's just a plain ol' silly suggestion. Any dealer worth his salt would have made sure you had the deck height kit installed at delivery. At this point, I'd make sure I had that kit installed and make sure the suspension frame isn't bent somehow. I also don't know why a technician would need a BFH to get a deck re-attached.

You don't have a lemon. Rather, you have one of the best small CUTS on the market. I'll testify if needed. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[RalphVa]

My JD 4010 is new, and the 3 pt is still stiff. Without something on it, it won't lower unless I push it down or stand on the arms. So, I'd think that you could latch the 3 pt implement in back with a chain or latch made for that purpose.

Others have mentioned that there are latches for the MMM. They apparently work the same way: need weight to lower the arms. If you latch them in place, no weight on the arms.

Sounds as though they didn't connect your MMM correctly. I didn't buy mine with MMM because I have a Gravely and Lawnboy that mow my relatively small lawn nicely.

My dealer has lots of capable people and is really close by here in Charlottesville.

Ralph

 

[GaryK]

It may be dropping slowly because of the flow control valve adjustment. It controls the rate of drop of the 3ph.

 

[GaryK]

sorry, I don't have the part number. I never got one, made my own up with pieces of chain and turnbuckles. Mine cost about $10