John deere 3320 cavitation fluid related?

[Justjake450]

Hey all I am looking for some opinions here. I have a 2012 3320 which is getting close to 500 hours and I love this tractor. The only issue is I have the so called cavitation and jumpy 300cx loader and 3-point. Which sounds somewhat common in this line and my dealer, lots of research, hours of troubleshooting say there isn't really a resolution to this (which I find hard to believe) anyway I have ran the machine for a few years telling myself there is nothing to be done and the issue hasn't got any better or worse. All in all this issue drives be crazy and I hate to sell a great tractor for just this 1 issue. So I'm to the point I'm willing to try anything and am considering trying a few different fluids in it. Hydraulic system has been serviced to JD spec fluids with no issues found in the past and the issue has always been the same. I am thinking about trying some universal fluid or synthetic to look for any improvement. Sound like a good or bad idea? Thanks for any input or even better a different way to solve this issue!

I'm sure a few will ask what all has been checked out for this issue and all troubleshooting has been done and I have narrowed the issue down to a blip down in charge pressure with the cavitation sound. relief is okay and responds well to shimming adjustment but problem continues. Suction manifold has been replaced incase of pin hole and everything resealed on suction side. pressures and flow okay, no debris found in system ever.

 

[beenthere]

Interesting !
But don't follow the problem or the attempt at solution.
Maybe others know more about it, and we can be enlightened what is going on.

 

[Deere Dude]

So what fluid is being used right now?

 

[Cperk]

My 4120 calls for low viscosity hydraulic fluid. What does your tractor call for? Reason I’m asking is the dealer gave me regular hydraulic fluid one time and it cavitated like crazy. My wife of all people asked why did my old bucket say low vis and this one didn’t. Lol That’s how I figured it out. Drained it all back out and filled back up with low vis. Problem gone, albeit $175 later.

 

[Justjake450]

Its running low viscosity hy-gard currently

 

[kennyd]

My 3720 does this occasionally, and I’ve read of many others that have it happen constantly. My machine has under 200 hours and I use the JD Hygaurd fluid. This seems to be the luck of the draw-some have it and some don’t. I’ve never heard of a solution...

 

[Oldtink]

My 2010 model 3520 will make that sound when lifting an 800lb. 7Ft RFM after mowing for 2-3 hours but not when I first start the tractor. I questioned my dealer's shop manager about switching to regular HyGard and he suggested I not do that. I respect and value his opinion and stuck with the LoVis.
Close to 800 hours on the tractor now and nothing has changed, still works just fine just annoying to hear that sound. My JD has a better health care provider than I do.

 

[Kubota 2350]

My JD has a better health care provider than I do.

:laughing::laughing:

 

[Cperk]

Its running low viscosity hy-gard currently

Can you mostly hear it in the steering? Worse in cold weather? Wonder if there’s an inline strainer on yours? Heard some have got stopped up and some screens have even calapsed causing cavitation noise.

 

[Justjake450]

No the steering is fine, only really noticeable in loader and 3-point lift. The only thing that really makes it worse is when your traveling a lot/faster and using the loader. It does have inline screen and its clean.

 

[Spindifferent]

I use regular Hy-Gard in my 2005 model 3520 because the air-temperature range of regular Hy-Gard goes up to 122 degrees F, and I'm in Texas. While we thankfully don't get temps that high, the Low-Viscosity Hy-Gard only goes up to 86 degrees F, and 86 degrees would be a nice cool Summer for us.

I have a little over 800 hours on my 3520 and do occasionally have a jerky motion to 300cx loader when raising the loader arms upon first use of the loader. Bucket curl, steering, and 3-point all function smoothly. The jerky loader motion seems to disappear after a couple cycles of up/down and then all is good.

I don't use the loader often, so this does not bother me.

Is your 3320 an e-hydro unit? Also, I wonder if this could be related to the spool valve functionality?

 

[Justjake450]

Awesome! yep its e-hydro. Some say that is the cause as it aerates the fluid when traveling. I just cant imagine this is good on components or how a tractor like this is designed to work! Here in Kansas I work in some pretty hot weather too along with very cold but dealer still says low-vis. Still get the same results if its 100 or 10 outside and any were between so I doubt it has to with which Deere fluid I'm using. I just wonder if a different brand fluid would be less likely to be aerated by traveling if that's in fact what is causing this issue as some say including some dealers.

 

[Deere Dude]

Awesome! I just wonder if a different brand fluid would be less likely to be aerated by traveling if that's in fact what is causing this issue as some say including some dealers.

I wouldn't just try different stuff because every time that is done and don't work out a couple hundred bucks minimum is lost. Does the dealer suggest going from lo-vis to regular or the other way around.

I told my dealer I wanted hydro fluid for my 2010 3720 and he was automatically going to give me regular hydro fluid. I had to urge him that I wanted Lo-Vis because that is what is on the dipstick and the owners manual. I run mine in Tennessee and I can't believe Kansas is any hotter than it is here and all is good. Keep us posted if ypou try something different though.

 

[Deere Dude]

Awesome! I just wonder if a different brand fluid would be less likely to be aerated by traveling if that's in fact what is causing this issue as some say including some dealers.

I wouldn't just try different stuff because every time that is done and don't work out a couple hundred bucks minimum is lost. Does the dealer suggest going from lo-vis to regular or the other way around.

I told my dealer I wanted hydro fluid for my 2010 3720 and he was automatically going to give me regular hydro fluid. I had to urge him that I wanted Lo-Vis because that is what is on the dipstick and the owners manual. I run mine in Tennessee and I can't believe Kansas is any hotter than it is here and all is good. Keep us posted if ypou try something different though.

 

[Spindifferent]

Interesting reading on Hy-Gard for those that may not have seen this:

PMB Product:

My 3520 Owner's Manual has this to say:

"Choose oil viscosity based on the expected air temperature range during the period between oil changes.

John Deere Low Viscosity HY-GARD™ transmission/hydraulic fluid is recommended. John Deere HY-GARD transmission/hydraulic fluid may also be used for temperatures above -18? C (0? F).

Other oils may be used if they meet John Deere standard JDM J20C or J20D."

 

[Cperk]

Interesting reading on Hy-Gard for those that may not have seen this:

PMB Product:

My 3520 Owner's Manual has this to say:

"Choose oil viscosity based on the expected air temperature range during the period between oil changes.

John Deere Low Viscosity HY-GARD transmission/hydraulic fluid is recommended. John Deere HY-GARD transmission/hydraulic fluid may also be used for temperatures above -18? C (0? F).

Other oils may be used if they meet John Deere standard JDM J20C or J20D."

I think my 4120 manual is about the same. I live in Alabama and on a 40 deg f day, mine with low vis will cavitate a little in the steering before the fluid gets warmed up. When I tried the reg hy gard the cavitating would never go away no matter how warm the fluid got. Filter is new and screens clean. I do hear the cavitation worse after about a year has gone by and the suction spin on filter needs changed. I change it every year if it needs it or not.

 

[radios1]

an Accumulator can fix that. Accumulators | Hydraulics & Pneumatics

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Try raising the fluid level in the sump. The pump might be sucking in air. Did your dealer check the internals of the pump and how it gets its suction. For hydraulic fluid of any viscosity air introduced into the pump suction is the primary cause of cavitation. Any obstruction in the suction side will starve the pump creating a negative pressure and causing it to whirlpool air in. I doubt the fluid used is the problem. As this is a common problem it may well be a design flaw. Might be a real expensive recall for the OEM so it is ignored.

Ron

Ron

 

[Justjake450]

Try raising the fluid level in the sump. The pump might be sucking in air. Did your dealer check the internals of the pump and how it gets its suction. For hydraulic fluid of any viscosity air introduced into the pump suction is the primary cause of cavitation. Any obstruction in the suction side will starve the pump creating a negative pressure and causing it to whirlpool air in. I doubt the fluid used is the problem. As this is a common problem it may well be a design flaw. Might be a real expensive recall for the OEM so it is ignored.

Ron

Ron

Yes I ran it up to a gallon over full with no improvement so I put it back to the full. I agree I don't think the fluid itself should cause this due to all the conditions it happens but just looking to try anything! since I can see a drop in charge pressure when this happens I'm considering removing resealing and inspection charge pump. possible it is pulling some air in and not causing an external leak I guess.

 

[Deere Dude]

Could it be the wrong dipstick? I was having trouble with mine at lower RPMs but the hydro was at the lower hash mark on the dipstick, so I figured one quart low, but close enough. Then I filled it to the full mark but it actually took a gallon to move that half inch, then all was good after that. So when the manual says it takes x gallons, I don't believe it. But you went to one gallon over so that should negate that scenario.