Snow JD 3520 temporarily loses power while blowing snow

[JDSUPREME]

I have a 2010 JD 3520 with a front mount 59" snowblower. I have an intermittent problem where the tractor will lose power (not stall), the lights will dim, the heater blower slows, and the hydrostatic drive stops. After 30 secs or so, full power resumes and all devices function properly. No error code comes up and nothing seems wrong. Last night this happened 5-6 times within the span of 1/2 hr and then didn't occur again the rest of the night. It is not the first time it has happened. I did find almost the same issue being described by another poster. Unfortunately, it was several years ago and I don't know if he still visits the site or not. I did shoot him an e-mail asking. His conclusion was snow was causing issues around the alternator and after covering the left side of his hood grill, the problem went away. I will try that as an easy and quick fix. Any thoughts or similar issues with other John Deere owners/operators? Here is the other poster's post: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/john-deere-owning-operating/133999-weird-problem-tonight.html

 

[bill in ny]

I have a 2010 JD 3520 with a front mount 59" snowblower. I have an intermittent problem where the tractor will lose power (not stall), the lights will dim, the heater blower slows, and the hydrostatic drive stops. After 30 secs or so, full power resumes and all devices function properly. No error code comes up and nothing seems wrong. Last night this happened 5-6 times within the span of 1/2 hr and then didn't occur again the rest of the night. It is not the first time it has happened. I did find almost the same issue being described by another poster. Unfortunately, it was several years ago and I don't know if he still visits the site or not. I did shoot him an e-mail asking. His conclusion was snow was causing issues around the alternator and after covering the left side of his hood grill, the problem went away. I will try that as an easy and quick fix. Any thoughts or similar issues with other John Deere owners/operators? Here is the other poster's post: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/john-deere-owning-operating/133999-weird-problem-tonight.html

are you sure you're not having a fuel problem? it sounds like the fuel is gelling.

 

[JDSUPREME]

are you sure you're not having a fuel problem? it sounds like the fuel is gelling.

I don't think so. I probabky mistated the problem. The tractor never loses rpm's, I just lose the hydrostatic drive and the electrical system fades. I was out blowing some snow tonight and it happened twice. Both times it seemed to be after a lot of snow had blown back over the tractor.

 

[CobyRupert]

The tractor never loses rpm's, I just lose the hydrostatic drive and the electrical system fades. Both times it seemed to be after a lot of snow had blown back over the tractor.

Does anybody know if, or how, the hydrostatic drive is related to the electrical? Is this tractor ehydro?

 

[arlen4720]

Does anybody know if, or how, the hydrostatic drive is related to the electrical? Is this tractor ehydro?

Yes, it would be eHydro. So, the forward/reverse proportional valves would be electrical.
I know when I get allot of snow blown into my Jeep, the alternator quits charging for a minute or so.

 

[CobyRupert]

Throw snow on it in black of night and look for sparks. Joking..(I think) And/or test the output of the alternator. Something is shorting from snow. Hard to find when it's intermittent. Maybe dealer has insight.
My dealer did on my LX280 riding mower/snowblower. Tractor's engine would sputter after powder snow sprayed back on it. Turns out the air cooled Kawasaki draws a lot of air through it, for cooling engine /heating air before drawing into the carb, where powder snow was fouling plugs. Bought a tighter (winter only) fan screen so engine runs hotter, but he also suggested to just put some duct tape (of course!) on the existing screen to air reduce flow.

 

[CobyRupert]

whoa, whoa, whoa...did you say heater blower??!! Are the heater electric or just the blowers? I'm on top of a hill in swirling winds snow blowing on a open station LX. Now I'm jealous. My eyelashes stick together man!

 

[JDSUPREME]

Yes, it is an ehydro. I'm convinced it is something electrical and obviously impacted by the snow penetrating through the grills.

 

[CobyRupert]

And possibly the combination of running heavy electrical load (lights and heater) at the same time.

 

[rayclar]

Is your fan, altenator belt tight, might be slipping?

 

[JDSUPREME]

Will check those things once I get the hood unfrozen.
With all the snow on it and the very cold weather we have been experiencing,
couldn't get the hood open last night. Thanks for the input

 

[MattLynch]

I have the same problem with mine snowblowing or operating in blowing snow. I only notice it as night as my work lights will get dimmer and dimmer and then all of a sudden get bright. I assumed it was the alternator icing up, not too worried about it as long as it doesn't stop charging for too long.

 

[JDSUPREME]

Have you had any discussion with John Deere about it?

 

[Dave M7040]

My M7040 Kubota experiences dimming lights etc when show blows over the engine. It is just the belt slipping for a few seconds.
Dont worry about it just try and blow the snow from a direction that does not have a cloud of snow pass over the tractor from the blower discharge.
Dave M7040

 

[JDSUPREME]

Thanks Dave. I'm convinced it is something as simple as that too.

 

[pilogan]

I have a 3320 with the same issue and what I determined was that snow was getting on to the Alt belt causing it to slip. I tightened the belt and the problem went away. I go through this about once a winter where I need to re-tighten the belt. I have yet to come up with a permanent solution.

 

[JDSUPREME]

I blew snow twice over the weekend and both times was very diligent about not having snow blow back over the tractor. Never had the issue occur.
I did check the tension of the alternator belt and it seemed pretty tight. I still might cover the grills to prevent the snow dust from entering. There seems to be
enough clearance that air movement won't be an issue in the winter months.

 

[pilogan]

What I have found with my tractor is that the belt needs to be very tight-I put a bar between the alt and the engine block and put enough tension on the belt so that it is very difficult to deflect the belt more than 1/2 inch along the longest distance between pulleys. I should also point out that my tractor has a V belt-if JD has switched to the micro v belt with spring loaded belt tensioner this problem would likely go away.

I blew snow twice over the weekend and both times was very diligent about not having snow blow back over the tractor. Never had the issue occur.
I did check the tension of the alternator belt and it seemed pretty tight. I still might cover the grills to prevent the snow dust from entering. There seems to be
enough clearance that air movement won't be an issue in the winter months.

 

[gregmartin]

I have the same problem of slippage from the rubber wheel basic transmission setup on walk behind snowblowers.

 

[harddock]

When it is happening try easing up the electrical load. Shut off the heater and the lights and see if it helps. May just be the strain on the charging system.