JD 4400 hydro problems I need your input please.
- Thread starter Hillbilly
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Mike_S
Silver Member
Hilllbilly--my first 4400 HST (an early model) had some of the symptoms of your tractor but not all. There was never any issues with the FEL. BUT, there were many issues with the damned thing suddenly freewheeling when going down a hill or losing power going up a hill or freewheeling for an extra 20 feet on level ground and there were times that it would suddenly slip when in gear and then catch up with itself. My first clue as to the problem was when I cleaned the suction screen and found it covered with metal filings to a depth of 1/8 inch or more, and even after carefully cleaning it and changing hyd oil and filter, it still acted up until the HST tranny was replaced under warranty. At that time, I was unaware of the little rockshaft filter beneath the seat. I wonder when you changed the hyd oil and how the suction screen looked when you did?? Mike S.
CVHoss
Gold Member
Hillbilly,
I don't know if this could have anything to do with your problem or not, but if you haven't had the update done to the remote mounted rockshaft filter, I'd have them do it even if you had to pay for it yourself. The parts don't add up to much more than $50.00. After reading all of the stories of dislodged rockshaft screens, I had my dealer order the parts to update my 4400. We agreed that if he pulled my screen and it was still in tact, I would pay for parts and labor to install the update. I just didn't want to have to worry about it happening after the warranty was out and messing up the whole system. Well, even though I had not been experiencing any dramatic problems with my 3ph, when they pulled the housing, the screen was gone. Luckily, it had lodged in the first control valve it hit and they didn't have to go further into the tractor to find it. Since it was dislodged, they are filing the whole deal as a warranty claim. I guess it would depend on how far the little screen got in the system if it became dislodged, but if it has, it could strengthen JMIII's theory.
Hoss
I don't know if this could have anything to do with your problem or not, but if you haven't had the update done to the remote mounted rockshaft filter, I'd have them do it even if you had to pay for it yourself. The parts don't add up to much more than $50.00. After reading all of the stories of dislodged rockshaft screens, I had my dealer order the parts to update my 4400. We agreed that if he pulled my screen and it was still in tact, I would pay for parts and labor to install the update. I just didn't want to have to worry about it happening after the warranty was out and messing up the whole system. Well, even though I had not been experiencing any dramatic problems with my 3ph, when they pulled the housing, the screen was gone. Luckily, it had lodged in the first control valve it hit and they didn't have to go further into the tractor to find it. Since it was dislodged, they are filing the whole deal as a warranty claim. I guess it would depend on how far the little screen got in the system if it became dislodged, but if it has, it could strengthen JMIII's theory.
Hoss
gewpe
New member
Hillbilly,
Like I said, I have a new used JD 4400. I’ve had it for about 3 months and it’s out of warranty. I think it’s a 99 model. I had the lost rockshaft filter, the loss of power going up hill and week before last problems with my fel bucket cylinders leaking down. All hydraulic problems!! I did not find this forum until 2 days before I bought the tractor so I have not had the benefit of all the knowledge here until after the fact.
I really envy you guys with the warranty!! I got my tractor from a dealer, in the town where I work, but it’s 50 miles from home. With no warranty, I would pay for hauling the tractor back and forth to diagnose problems. Therefore, I have addressed these problems myself. The dealer is pretty helpful but not the most knowledgeable. They didn’t admit to knowing anything about the rockshaft filter. I figured that out here on the forum. The loss of power uphill seemed like low fluid and so I added fluid and that fixed that. I installed a toothbar three weeks ago and I think I caught a tooth with the bucket down and blew seals (in both cylinders!!). That was a good lesson in diagnosing hydraulic problems.
With all these hydraulic problems and the posts I have seen about problems with the 4400 hydraulics, I decided I need to change the fluid, filter and inspect the suction screen. I was prepared for the worst. Afraid I would find the screen covered with metal fillings and the fluid cooked. Without a warranty, I thought I might be the proud owner of a real lemon.
Well, I just finished the fluid change tonight and feel much better. I don’t think the hydraulics have been serviced before, at least not documented. The suction screen had a reasonable amount of trash, some gasket sealant (blue and green), dirt and a very small amount of metal. The fluid seemed OK too. A little dirty, but reasonable for 300 hours.
All in all, I think it the tractor is OK and I think I have just had a string of hydraulic coincidences. I will be very interested to see what your dealer comes up with as an explanation for your symptoms. Please keep us informed.
gewpe
Like I said, I have a new used JD 4400. I’ve had it for about 3 months and it’s out of warranty. I think it’s a 99 model. I had the lost rockshaft filter, the loss of power going up hill and week before last problems with my fel bucket cylinders leaking down. All hydraulic problems!! I did not find this forum until 2 days before I bought the tractor so I have not had the benefit of all the knowledge here until after the fact.
I really envy you guys with the warranty!! I got my tractor from a dealer, in the town where I work, but it’s 50 miles from home. With no warranty, I would pay for hauling the tractor back and forth to diagnose problems. Therefore, I have addressed these problems myself. The dealer is pretty helpful but not the most knowledgeable. They didn’t admit to knowing anything about the rockshaft filter. I figured that out here on the forum. The loss of power uphill seemed like low fluid and so I added fluid and that fixed that. I installed a toothbar three weeks ago and I think I caught a tooth with the bucket down and blew seals (in both cylinders!!). That was a good lesson in diagnosing hydraulic problems.
With all these hydraulic problems and the posts I have seen about problems with the 4400 hydraulics, I decided I need to change the fluid, filter and inspect the suction screen. I was prepared for the worst. Afraid I would find the screen covered with metal fillings and the fluid cooked. Without a warranty, I thought I might be the proud owner of a real lemon.
Well, I just finished the fluid change tonight and feel much better. I don’t think the hydraulics have been serviced before, at least not documented. The suction screen had a reasonable amount of trash, some gasket sealant (blue and green), dirt and a very small amount of metal. The fluid seemed OK too. A little dirty, but reasonable for 300 hours.
All in all, I think it the tractor is OK and I think I have just had a string of hydraulic coincidences. I will be very interested to see what your dealer comes up with as an explanation for your symptoms. Please keep us informed.
gewpe
Rthe dealer could not duplicate the problem I was having,He went ahead and serviced the Hydro/filters/screens per my request,he told me if the problem reoccured to contact him so he could get down there and witness the problem 1st hand,21 days left on my warranty......I bet John Deere will be glad to see the clock run out,the JD stock will probably increase 20% on the day my warranty expires.
Guys,
My loader and hydraulics and hydro was giving me a problem...well the dealer came and got it...they could not get it to duplicate.....well they bring it home and I go to the woods and everything is ok....I use the bucket to move a tree top,ok...I go a little further and the back blade will not lift,I think not again....where is the dealer when I need him?I try to back the tractor up a road with the blade down.This is not going to work.....I get off the tractor and touched the control on my 4 in 1 bucket that causes the bucket to open in the middle so I can grapple.Guess what...the blade comes up.I think something is strange,well to make a long story a little longer.....the problem all along was the loader/bucket handle that controls the grapple capability...was pulled back too far and causing the hydraulics to work all the time.The handle is stiff and does not have a good feel to it,in other words you can have it pulled back too far and not know it.Also while the tractor is in the shop,I asked the dealer to service the hydro and filter..well yesterday I get a bill in the mail for $300 + for trying to find a problem that did not exist and the hydro service. /w3tcompact/icons/eyes.gif
My loader and hydraulics and hydro was giving me a problem...well the dealer came and got it...they could not get it to duplicate.....well they bring it home and I go to the woods and everything is ok....I use the bucket to move a tree top,ok...I go a little further and the back blade will not lift,I think not again....where is the dealer when I need him?I try to back the tractor up a road with the blade down.This is not going to work.....I get off the tractor and touched the control on my 4 in 1 bucket that causes the bucket to open in the middle so I can grapple.Guess what...the blade comes up.I think something is strange,well to make a long story a little longer.....the problem all along was the loader/bucket handle that controls the grapple capability...was pulled back too far and causing the hydraulics to work all the time.The handle is stiff and does not have a good feel to it,in other words you can have it pulled back too far and not know it.Also while the tractor is in the shop,I asked the dealer to service the hydro and filter..well yesterday I get a bill in the mail for $300 + for trying to find a problem that did not exist and the hydro service. /w3tcompact/icons/eyes.gif
All too common of a problem Hillbilly, An add on not working the way it is supposed to robbing hyd's from the power beyond back to the 3ph. Seems to me they should have figured that out for you. Sorry to here it cost you 300 bucks to figure it out for yourself. That 4-in-1 valve shouldn't stick like that. Sounds like a good issue to reclaim some lost funds.
joecdeere
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If thats the same dealer that sold it to you and installed and set it up, I would expect them to cover the cost of not properly
adjusting it. I would begin with a polite but firm talk with the service manager, if this doen't seem to go right, ask for BOTH him and the owner to set down with you, I don't believe you will need to go past this. I've been in tractors almost 20 years, very few times after the owner gets put on the spot, do you need to go higher. Be firm but, above all be polite.
adjusting it. I would begin with a polite but firm talk with the service manager, if this doen't seem to go right, ask for BOTH him and the owner to set down with you, I don't believe you will need to go past this. I've been in tractors almost 20 years, very few times after the owner gets put on the spot, do you need to go higher. Be firm but, above all be polite.