I broke it...first day with 2305

[chipsndust]

It’s hard to admit it when I mess something up, but I have learned so much from other TBNer’s who were willing to share their experiences (good and bad), I decided to share mine.
Today was the first day I had time to spend with my new tractor. It was cold, and the ground was damp, but I spent the afternoon trying to learn how to use the tractor and implements.
First, I found out why there was a bar across the lower draft links. I removed it while playing – I mean working – /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif with rear mounted implements. When I put the MMM back on, it wouldn’t raise with the rockshaft control lever. Without the bar, the left draft link on the TPH is not held into position to engage the mower lift mechanism.
Now, here’s the bad news. I took the 200CX off and put it on twice with no problems. Very easy and fast. The third time I tried to detach the loader, I bent the parking stand. I’m not sure what I did wrong. The ground was not perfectly level and it was soft. Next thing I knew the masts were on the front tires. The parking stand bent forward/upward. When I finally got the loader back on, the parking stand was above the weight bracket, and when I tried to straighten the stand (bend it back down where it belongs), it broke where it attaches to the mast.
I’ll call my dealer tomorrow, hope this doesn’t take long to repair. Does anyone know how much this will cost to repair or if it’s covered by my warranty?

 

[bheston]

Well, I can't help you but you may have helped me. I'm getting my loader this week and I will remember not to take the loader off on unlevel ground! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[rockyridgefarm]

Call early, and tell them lunch is on you. Order about 6 pizzas. And tell them about your trouble as you drop them off... Dealers have some leeway...

 

[jeepinator]

I finally took my loader off last week for the first time.
Really, I had no clue what to do. And, you know, manuals are for girls /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
Fortunately I didn't break anything. But it was unnerving and definately not intuitive. The silly thing is, I have no reason to ever take it off. The darn thing drives like a Ferrari without it though, heh.
Hopefully the pizzas will get you some help. If I gave my dealer 6 pizzas, they' each get a pizza /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[kennyd]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The ground was not perfectly level and it was soft. )</font>

They is the key to your trouble. Soft and unlevel.
The first time I took mine off, in the grass, it took about 1 hour to get it back on! The loader shifted when it came off and just would not align properly to get it back on!

It is HIGHLY recomended that loaders be removed on a hard level surface...

 

[Buckie]

morning. been there, done that, TOO! It should not be too expensive to repair. you may have to wait.....if they need to order a part. I can't put a 2210 loader on without a hammer! Don't forget to take a bit of weight off your front tires in the future as you detach....force the bucket downward just a little to press it level if you are not on concrete. also don't forget to relieve the pressure on BOTH ends. Use the joystick to relieve pressure on the tractor side; and press the tip end of the FEL hoses to relieve pressure on the bucket side. makes reattaching the hoses MUCH easier. Don't feel badly.....learning all this stuff is definitely a trial/error deal. The manual doesn't come close to telling you how to do it!

 

[TOL1488]

That sucks /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif but thanks for posting it.

 

[orlo]

Wow, what a bad day. I don't take my loader off often. I just took it off in the fall to put the Snowblower on and just put it on last week. No problems, but I did it slow, and it was parked on a concrete floor in a garage. My biggest problem was realizing that the manual shows incorrect (or maybe just a bad picture) of the host routing... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

I don't take the loader off otherwise. When I mow I just take the bucket off to drop 180lbs and leave the loader on. No problem and without the bucket you'll avoid rocking as long as you have loaded tires.

Good luck at the dealer.

 

[ddivinia]

Don't feel too bad, I seem to break everything when it is new. The learning curve can be steep on new equipment sometimes. I have never taken a loader off, I might want to try it at the dealer first!

I bet they cover it under warranty, my dealer seems to cover everything. The service is one of the main reasons I do business with them.

On the MMM, I had to figure that out on my 2210. That is one of the reasons I got a i-match setup. The i-match will keep the arms in enough to keep the lift working.

Let us know how it turns out.

D.

 

[chipsndust]

Thanks, Darin (and everyone else)
Called the dealer today, he's coming tomorrow to pick it up. Here's a pic of the broken stand. I'll let you all know how I make out.

 

[ddivinia]

Dude - that is broke. I bet htye fix it. Have them show you hwo to do it a couple times or just leave it on there!

D.

 

[flwiii]

Thanks for the post. I will have to watch that if I take it off anymore.

I have taken the loader off of my 2305 twice. The first time was on uneven ground, but not soft (no such thing where I live). I did of course lift the front wheels off the ground before starting as per instructions from the dealer. It was a bear to get back on as one casting was below the pin by about 1/4 inch.

Second time I took it off, I did it on the concrete drive and it re-installed fine, but the 4th quick connect leaked afterward. It eventually quit and now I only take the bucket off if need be.

 

[JohnnyTractor]

I've pulled my 3x - twice the dealer was there. Don't feel bad; it is NOT intuitive at all. I second the hard, level surface. For sure it's lost if it gets crooked on you. Let's us know what the repairs add up to.

 

[chipsndust]

Got my tractor back today. Repair was not covered by warranty, but dealer "ate" pick-up and delivery charges.
$210 parts, $60 labor.
This time, I just took the bucket off, left the loader on. (Good advice from some of you guys!) Fits in my shed with the rest of my treasure. I'll have to take the loader off this fall when I put the snowblower on.
I have a nice tractor and implements for making a level flat surface before this winter!

 

[bigreddmax]

Hey Chipsndust....how did they fix it ? Did they replace the arm with a new one ?
I did the same thing /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif Do not know what caused it /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[bigreddmax]

Hey Chipsndust....how did they fix it ? Did they replace the arm with a new one ?
I did the same thing /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif Do not know what caused it /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[chipsndust]

They replaced the stand. Picked the tractor with loader up, took to the dealer, made the repair, and brought it back. Cost about $200.00.
I now have a flat, level, hard packed area to remove the loader. Now that I'm used to it, I take it off and put it on quickly with no problems. Much better mowing without the loader on. VERY important that you have a level hard surface for removal!

 

[chipsndust]

They replaced the stand. Picked the tractor with loader up, took to the dealer, made the repair, and brought it back. Cost about $200.00.
I now have a flat, level, hard packed area to remove the loader. Now that I'm used to it, I take it off and put it on quickly with no problems. Much better mowing without the loader on. VERY important that you have a level hard surface for removal!

 

[Buckie]

hi. Amen to everything said in other posts. I have owned a 2210 and actually banged the thing silly with a hammer, trying to get the FEL back on. why the heck doesn't JD tell us tips, like relieving pressure on BOTH ends (not just the tractor hoses). You will learn far more about your tractor on this site than any place else,including that *(&^%&$ manual JD provides. I found that keeping the hose ends very clean, using a bit of spray lubricant, relieving pressure, and keeping that hammer handy for the stand....was the key. Learned the hard way that level hard surface means (for me) concrete! The FEL on the 2210 is notoriously tough to take off....but, it is a wonderful tractor and you will be amazed at all it can do. Great toy!!!! congrats to you on the purchase.

 

[Buckie]

hi. Amen to everything said in other posts. I have owned a 2210 and actually banged the thing silly with a hammer, trying to get the FEL back on. why the heck doesn't JD tell us tips, like relieving pressure on BOTH ends (not just the tractor hoses). You will learn far more about your tractor on this site than any place else,including that *(&^%&$ manual JD provides. I found that keeping the hose ends very clean, using a bit of spray lubricant, relieving pressure, and keeping that hammer handy for the stand....was the key. Learned the hard way that level hard surface means (for me) concrete! The FEL on the 2210 is notoriously tough to take off....but, it is a wonderful tractor and you will be amazed at all it can do. Great toy!!!! congrats to you on the purchase.