Another new Yanmar 424 owner

[raymondjunk]

Update:
The 4wd stopped engaging at all. ...ever. And the most recent time I attempted it, the lever got completely stuck, locked in the 4wd position, though still with no action on the front wheels. It remains locked in the 4wd position now, a few days later.
When I informed the dealer of the issues engaging 4wd on this SA 424, he immediately said he knew what the problem was. He stated that there had been a recall / service bulletin on the lever that engages 4wd and that they had replaced the lever on his lot. He was confident that it was just an adjustment that was needed to the lever itself, and said he would drive the 2+ hours to my house early next week to fix it on site. He said he would bring a trailer along just in case he arrived here to find that it was something else, but that he was doubtful of that. Yesterday (Saturday) I received an email from him advising me that his regional Yanmar rep lives nearby and that the regional guy would be contacting me early this week to visit my house and check on the 4wd issue, rather than have this dealer drive the 4+ hours round trip.
This certainly seems like good faith efforts to resolve the problem both on the part of the dealer and on the part of his direct Yanmar support.
I'll keep you all posted as to how this works out...

 

[colsonbrooke]

Ya, it sounds like a problem with it. I use my foot to kick mine in right as I start to scoop. And kick it right back out. 4 wheel drive is hard on tires and at $1,700 in wheels under my 424. Well I am going to make them last as long as I can before I have to have them retreaded

 

[raymondjunk]

I noticed that the 3 page supplemeny to the owners manual (Specifically addressing both dealers AND owners) states that SA models 221, 324 or 424 with the backhoe MUST either use wheel weights attached to the rims of the rear wheels, or fill the rear wheels with liquid for weight.
Mine came with neither.
Anyone else have the rear wheels of their TLB model weighted, per Yanmar's specifications?

 

[colsonbrooke]

Yes, I was talking about the parking brake. Just push it enough that it locks. It will still roll. Both back wheels will lock and spin together..... I found it out by accident. While backing out of my shop, I forgot to release the brake. While trying to turn, all it would do is drag and push the tractor straight.
So once I figured out the problem. I tried it out in the field. So now when I pile things really high and the rear slips. I just hit the break and,BAM! I am making 10'+ high Piles of mulch.

The rpms are controlled by a set screw on the injection pump right by the throttle cable. Just back it off slowly till u hit 800 to 900 rpms. Don't go below 600, they say u can get bleeding problems.

 

[colsonbrooke]

Just the 424, and that is if u are going to lift the full 1200lbs. U can upset the tractor if you don't. Trust me, it will tip! I have lifted 3yards of mulch and almost lost it. I was glad I was just over the edge of the truck still or I would have been call ing stepps towing to lift me back up. The back hoe is only like 960lds. U still have to add 300lbs of water.

 

[raymondjunk]

What benefit do you see from reducing the RPMs?
Also, do you know anything about how to adjust the parking brake? I've noticed I will roll with the parking break on, "First notch", or not.

 

[raymondjunk]

So to clarify, you're saying that you do have water weight in your tires?

 

[colsonbrooke]

Well with the rpms, first my " Theory" is the faster it turns, the quicker it is going to wear out. ( I have a Dixie Chopper with 7200 hours on the original motor.) Also on days when I have someone driving it while it is being loaded, it may idle for 6+ hours. I noticed an increase in hours per tank of fuel.
I have not had to adjust my brake. Mine will not roll when locked in the second notch. In matter of fact it will completely stall the engine if you try to push it. But the book says to contact support, and I hear they will walk you through repairs.

 

[colsonbrooke]

I do not, because there are time I use it on nice yards. For the current time being. I only pick up 1/4 pallets. I have been thinking about a lead weight to go under the back hoe. I Don't want to be removing wheel weights or emptying water all the time. I want something I can drop in 3 mins, like I do with the backhoe.

 

[raymondjunk]

Hopefully the end of the 4wd saga with this new Yanmar SA 424 TLB...
First of all, the regional Yanmar rep who apparently deals with dealers all over the southeast dropped by my house yesterday to look over the problem. He was apparently a Deere service manager for many years, was knowledgeable, and obviously wanted to get the issue resolved. He was on the phone with Yanmar tech support comparing symptoms to previously known issues with these tractors, and unfortunately this was not a known issue. He was able to get the 4wd lever "Unstuck", but left saying he'd have a dealer pick the machine up and take it back to a shop for warranty work because 4wd still wasn't turning on when the lever was in the 4wd position.
Secondly... said dealer's son rolled up by 1:00pm the following day, having made the 2+ hour trip with trailer in tow to haul my 424 back for a workover.
He took a look, jiggered with a few things, borrowed a screwdriver, and had 4wd working again in 5 minutes.
The shaft to which the 4wd lever is attached, passes through a thin metal brace just before it enters the gear housing. That brace was offset from the housing by just enough millimeters to allow the shaft and lever enough lateral play to slip off the internal gearing and prevent the gears from engaging when the lever was moved to the 4wd position. The dealer's son used the screwdriver to bend that brace inward slightly toward the gear housing. Now, that brace prevents the shaft from pulling those few extra millimeters away from the gear housing by pinning a roll pin that protrudes from the shaft, between the brace and the housing. It was a 5 minute fix and seems to be all that was required. Sounds like he's going to look into whether there are any bulletins, updates, etc. related to this metal, tab-shaped brace.
Provided this fix sticks, it's looking like a happy ending. So far, it seems promising.