eHydro Problems? Anyone?

Neophyte · May 23, 2008

Hi all! It's been a while since I last posted but I would definitely appreciate some input on this one.

I have had a JD 3320 with eHydro since 1996. I have over 150 hours on it and I have been very happy with my choice.

With that said, I have experienced a few odd issues with the eHydro malfunctioning. On a few occasions, the tractor has remained stuck in forward and I have had to shut the tractor down to stop it. Removing my foot from the forward pedal does not stop it, pressing on the reverse pedal does not stop it and tapping the break does not stop it. It acts like cruise control but unlike cruise control it can't be cancelled except by shutting down the tractor. Obviously, this is a very dangerous condition.

Each time the sticking issue has occured, I had been using the tractor for several hours. Shutting the tractor off seems to reset the problem. However, I can never get the problem to repeat itself after I start it back up. The problem is extremely rare (only 3 times in 150+ hours) but it has definitely occured.

I know there are several fail-safes built-in to the eHydro and they usually work well. I have even tested all the possible combinations of the fail-safes on a few occasions and they always work when I try them.

I called my dealer about it and they had me send it in for warranty service so they could check it out. One of the people from the dealer said it was the first time they have ever heard of the issue. I find it hard to believe that I'm the only one that has ever experienced this.

Has anyone else had these issues with their eHydro???

Thanks

AKfish · May 23, 2008

Hmm... that kind of situation (runaway tractor) would get your attention --- real quick!!

I haven't had a hydro tranny tractor long enough to have experienced the type of problem that you've experienced; thankfully...

Kinda curious about what exactly your dealer did and how they resolved (or not) the problem. Has your 3320 acted up in the same manner since the dealer took it in for warranty repair?

Thanks.

AKfish

shot_gun · May 23, 2008

I have had a JD 3320 with eHydro since 1996.

You might want to check your records. If memory serves me correctly the e-hydro didn't come out till 2001-2002 and the 3320 till 2004. On your problem I can't remember having any problem like this with any of the e-hydro's. We have had loss of drive due to variuos issues but not the hydro sticking in forward. Does the forward pedal actually stick down? or after you return the pedal it still keeps moving forward. This is the first time I've heard of that issue myself. That is the great thing about this board it increases knowledge between customer/dealer/JD. Has your dealer recalibrated the controler?

Partsman2 · May 23, 2008

I have A 2003 4710 ehydro that I bought new. There was a recall on the transmission in early 2004. The dealer came and picked it up, they changed out the transmission and brought it back. The reason for the recall was just what you are describing.
Mine has never done it before or after they changed the tranny guts and I'm pushing 600 hrs.
You might want to check to see if there was a recall that was missed.

Neophyte · May 23, 2008

shot_gun said:
You might want to check your records. If memory serves me correctly the e-hydro didn't come out till 2001-2002 and the 3320 till 2004.

I apologize for the mistake. I meant 2006 not 1996 as stated in my original post. I purchased the tractor in 2006. I don't think it will allow me to edit my original post to correct my brain cramp.

After removing my foot from the pedal, I believe the pedal returns back to the normal position but the tractor keeps moving forward at the same speed. On one occasion, I had the pedal remain stuck down due to a tree branch being caught in the linkage. However, in that case I think the failsafe worked when I tapped on the reverse pedal. This is one of the failsafes built-into the eHydro. You can try it sometime on your tractor. Hold the forward pedal down with one foot and press on the reverse pedal at the same time. Even though you have your foot on the forward pedal, the tractor comes to a stop and flashes an error on the dash. The failsafes do work most of the time. However, in the few cases I have experienced, the failsafes failed to work.

It's odd that one of the service people said that they have never heard of this problem given that there was a recall on the 47xx series for this same issue.

I have not received it back from the dealer yet but I will let you know when I hear something from them.

Neophyte · May 23, 2008

I just did a search on the John Deere website and I found this recall. It sounds similar to my issue but the recall only applies to the 3203. I don't think the 3203 has eHydro.

http://www.deere.com/en_US/newsroom/media/pdf/2008/3203_pedal.pdf

shot_gun · May 23, 2008

It's odd that one of the service people said that they have never heard of this problem given that there was a recall on the 47xx series for this same issue.

I wasn't aware of it either on the new tractors. They did replace some e-hydro's because of the internals that would fail and keep the transmission from returning to nuetral. If the internals had failed in your hydro, to my knowledge your machine would only go in the direction when it failed with not being able to be reset. This is what makes me think it is electrical. The notice you had for the 3203 I do remember we had to go check the screw on the FNR pedals on a couple tractor and loctite them. They had a similar problem on the 2305 with a backhoe the forward pedal would get jammed at the backhoe mount causing it to physicaly to get stuck.

Your tractor is "fly by wire" and it doesn't have the mechanical linkage connecting the hydro stat to the pedals. The problem may be in the forward pedal sensor. The internals may be sticking and not giving the proper signal back to the controler. I have also seen them get cracked from a tree branch ect. and they get water/ moisture in them and not function properly. Admittedly I not positive this is whats happening to you because that usually is a problem you can repeat with out too much difficulty. Please update us if you get it fixed.

nightrodjc · May 24, 2008

It does not sound like a pedal or potentiometer problem, otherwise the reverse pedal would have stopped it. I would take a look at the forward drive solenoid, if it gets stuck it might not care what the E part of the hydro say to do. Jim

Neophyte · Sep 23, 2008

I wanted to post an update.

My JD dealer took the tractor in and made the necessary repairs under the warranty. If it had happened a few months later, I would have had to pay for the repairs. Fortunately this was not the case as the repairs would have cost me up to $2k or so (if I recall their estimate correctly).

They said that they had to split the tractor to make the factory recommended repair. I believe they said that they replaced the differential valve or diverter valve or something along those lines??? Whatever it was, they needed to crack the tractor in half to get to it. Perhaps someone else can shed some light on what they were talking about. If anyone would like additional details, please let me know and I will try to get them for you. I apologize for the lack of details. It has been several months since they made the repair.

While they were making warranty repairs, they also replaced the front axle seals as they were starting to leak.

They also had to repair one of the FEL cylinder seals but that wasn't covered under warranty.

So far, the tractor has not repeated the previous incident but I have not put that many hours on it. Needless to say, I always keep this possibility in the back of my mind and I try to leave myself enough room to shut the tractor down in case it happens again.