JD 3120 Engine Bolts Falling Off -How do you talk sense to your dealer?

[HawaiiOrganic]

I don't know if I got a lemon, or if these are common problems but I have been more then a little disappointed with this model.
250 hours on this machine, was doing some light mowing, did my standard undercarriage check, and noticed an engine mounting bolt sticking out. EVERY SINGLE BOLT ON THE LEFT SIDE WAS FINGER LOOSE! There's like 8 bolts in that line up. What gives John Deere??!!
To add insult to injury I was told by my dealer that this was on the maintenance schedule! What? Oh yeah, right there at 250 hours is "make sure your engine isn't on the ground" ...
A call to JD headquarters informed me that the dealer has all the power to decide whether something is manufacturers defect or not. I don't know who with half a brain could call an engine falling out of a otherwise mint condition machine anything but manufactures defect.

Other problems I've been having with this piece of crap include:
- Wheel drag, uphill and down
( I love noticing the engine bogging down with no load on it, look behind and see a 100yrd skid across the lawn)

- Metal flakes in the engine oil, (waiting for the sample to come back)

- The instrument cluster fogs (The JD fix is to replace the glass with one that doesn't fog, not stop the water from soaking the electronics!)

- This thing has so many wires hanging off the bottom, as soon as you take it off the golf course lawn, you'll loose your MFWD sensor and countless others that really could have found a better place to ground.

I was going to just throw some thread lock on the engine bolts and tighten back in, but I was so pissed I took it down to the dealer to see what else I was missing. I had just brought it in at 220 hours for unrelated repairs, and he didn't catch those bolts on his walk around.

I will not be buying a John Deere CT again. And I can't wait to unload this piece of work on a JD enthusiast that can maintain his delusions through a life of downtime and repairs.

Is there such thing as a CT manufactured today that doesn't have all their wires dangling below the chassis? I'll start shopping there.

 

[dieselfreak]

WOW, that sucks. I cannot believe the attitude you are getting from JD, and the dealer. That is pathetic. Did you hear back on what else may be wrong??


Well, I am soon going to singn on the line for an MF1635. Maybe you should have a loot at a different colour.

df.

 

[Scotty370]

I've owned John Deere's from '72 to present, 6 total. Currently have 3! And am sorry for your unfortunate experiance. My dealers have always been helpful, whether I bought new from them, or a unit on the roadside.That said, I'm not trying to throw gas on your 'well lit' fire, but, guess I kind of wonder.... It appears that you purchased this from "Joe Schmo" some 6-7 months ago. You've made statements that the previous owner used it on hard surface in 4x4. You also claimed that "looks like someone used it as a Bulldozer..." You belittle the dealer for not finding loose bolts when you took it in for "...an unrelated problem..." If anyone took a tractor to a Dealer for say "..a rear brake is 'hanging up'...", should they be responsible for the trouble with engaging the PTO, or the cylinder 'leak-down of a loader or hoe? I'm wondering if you weren't so 'fired-up' by the time you got to the dealer, that he was...............ah............less than enamored .......with your problem 'presentation! I've taken 'roadside tractors' to the dealer, after purchase, and said "Hey, I just bought this, and know nothing about it. Replace all the fluids, and spend an hour or so and give it a full 'going-over' From tire pressure to functionality. What can I expect, what needs attention?" That's paid dividends for me in the past. First of all that I 'trust' them, and am willing to give them a C-Note or so, so they understand that "Yeah, I didn't buy this from you, but want to be 'partners' from now forward!" That's my look at it! Yeah, you can b!tch at the dealer, and argue with corporate, but in the end, It's buyer beware on used stuff, and ya can keep 'hammering', build a relationship, or get out the "Lock-Tite", tighten the bolts, and live pi$$ed off, or sell it! ~Scotty

 

[kennyd]

Good luck with your next machine.

 

[HawaiiOrganic]

Yes I am fired up to the point of being unreasonable. However I have been around long enough to know when to show it, and the guy fixing my machine gets all smiles. I asked the dealer to take a look at it when it was a new purchase and see what he could find(and shelled out $500 for a repair that I knew was operator caused). So when I bring it in 50 hours later, and he tells me that it's not covered if the motor falls out because I'm supposed to maintain these things on my visual inspection.
It just can't be seen as reasonable to be checking engine mounting bolts every 50 hrs. AND what upsets me most is what else is about to rattle off? But c'mon guys, shouldn't any reasonable dealer just say "Wow! That's not supposed to happen on these fine machines, let me take care of that for you." And just friggin' do it.
I do however take back my slight on JD enthusiasts in general, as I know they have some good stuff out there, but it is certainly not to be found in my CT where the seat seems to be the only thing of much quality(very comfy).
A front grill that falls apart if you look at wrong, a engine that tried to abort itself, power steering piston junctions that drop the loop down for extra snagging ability, so many wires hanging down it looks like it got more hair in it's crotch than a someone who spilled a bottle of rogaine in their lap, a throttle that decides what RPM is good for itself, a transmission inhabited by poltergeist that decide which direction, how fast, and what wheel it wants to turn, but at least if I get thirsty, I can take a drink out the instrument cluster-where there's sure to be a nice pool waiting for me. It seems to be the smallest hp in it's weight class ever, (silly me for thinking 30 horse would be enough to drive itself up a hill) and somehow seems to still be the loudest. (BTW, anyone else notice these Ultra Low Sulfur Yanmars are REALLY a lot louder than comparable hp engines from every other brand?)
DieselFreak, hows the underside of the MF's? I've never looked into them? Do they keep their wiring out of the way? I think I'll start a new more positive thread for that question:
WHICH TRACTOR HAS THE CLEANEST UNDERCARRIAGE? I want to be able to drive this thing over 3 inch saplings if I get the urge. My '93 f350 can do it all day long, why can't a tractor?

 

[CrownHawg]

so many wires hanging down it looks like it got more hair in it's crotch than a someone who spilled a bottle of rogaine in their lap,

That there is FUNNY, I don't care who ya are.....LOL!

 

[jenkinsph]

Wow! Tough to have so many problems with such a low hour machine. Hope you can get it all worked out. Just read all your threads before this reply.

It would appear that the prior owner abused this machine that you bought from him. John Deere and the dealer are not the culprits here and were not the abusers. Regretably you discovered the abuse after it was too late. You need to get over some of the anger and admit to not fully checking out the tractor before you purchased it and hopefully remember this so history doesn't repeat itself. I might add that years ago I made a similar mistake when buying a Ford 5000, so it is easy for me to pinpoint the blame.

Moving on, I would have to go through the whole tractor again to size up all the problems I could find and try to address them. I suspect most of the problems you are having can be fixed with out too much costs and then have a decent tractor.

This is a low clearance tractor and I would be cautious how I used it around these sapplings you speak of. You may need to change how you attack the problem of clearing and cleanup. When I am clearing properties I work my way in from the edges clearing and cleaning up as I go.

Hope it all works out for you,

 

[Spudland_Dave]

WHICH TRACTOR HAS THE CLEANEST UNDERCARRIAGE? I want to be able to drive this thing over 3 inch saplings if I get the urge. My '93 f350 can do it all day long, why can't a tractor?

A 1993 era Deere 955 can do it all day long as well...and i'll bet the 2010 F350 has more wiring and "sapling catchers" then your trusty '93.....
Its called progress....one step foward, two steps back

All these little gizmos, gadgets and doo-dads we so love on our machines of any color often have a "cost" thats not always financial...

Wiring or not, I would'nt trade my 3520 for my FIL's 955.....

 

[crashz]

I'm with Steve on this one. I vaguely remember some of your posts (probably beacuse you're in Hawaii )and I believe it has to do with the use of the tractor prior to you buying it. Loose engine mounting bolts can be attributed to severe loader use (abuse) and actually you are lucky to catch it before the engine block or transmision tunnel broke.

Can't help you with the wiring. I suggest investing in some zip ties and wire shielding. That could help. My old 770 has very little exposed wiring, but I'm still careful driving over rough terrain.

I will somewhat agree about the dealer though. Sounds like you did bring it to him to fix abuse problems, and they should have at least suggested a full "once over" service before giving it back. Especially knowing that the tractor was abused. If you declined additional help or service, then bad on you.

Sounds like you have just had a bad expereince all around, and honestly, it sounds like you are now soured on JD. Thats OK, it happens. But you'll never like that tractor again. Maybe try another brand and dealer?

 

[LBrown59]

What gives John Deere??!!
Other problems I've been having with this piece of crap include:
- Wheel drag, uphill and down
( I love noticing the engine bogging down with no load on it, look behind and see a 100yrd skid across the lawn)
I will not be buying a John Deere CT again. And I can't wait to unload this piece of work on a JD enthusiast that can maintain his delusions through a life of downtime and repairs.

*:laughing: