John Deere 4000 series promotional video

[JOR_EL]

CowboyDoc,

I said A., you said B.

A.[[[... before-improvements-were-made versions of their equipment ( those come in all colors you know) ]]]
B. [[[Every new model that comes out comes out with bugs. It doesn't matter who the mfg. is.]]]

A.[[[.,.. and honesty to the consumer doesn't require putting all your past design failures in a spotlight, centerstage.]]]
B.[[[That doesn't mean you have an inferior product or that you should pay for a mistake for the rest of your corporate existence and that you should publicize all your past failures.]]]

Sounds like we're on the same page to me!

B.[[[WITH that said that is not to say that corporations don't cover things up they do,]]]

And when/if they do (no matter who they are, or what their standards GENERALLY are,) some of their customers will be unhappy, and naturally, will talk about it.

I guess where we part company is when you describe that talking as "bashing". I see plenty of compliments about JD scattered through these posts, and hear a desire to remain loyal to what is considered a fine product line. But a rip in the emporer's clothes is a rip, ...and how it is addressed does not go un-noticed/un-remarked.

[[[The disappoinment with Deere centered on the refusal to admit there was a problem. I doubt that 4000 series owners would have been "blasting" Deere if they had just admitted the problem. ]]] Do you really think that it is unreasonable for JD4600 to feel this way?

IMO it is generally best to simply address the issues, and forego characterising/"labeling" the comments of other posters. Others have done this ("tirade" comes to mind), ...and it adds little to the discussion, but does cause some "bristling" among list-members.

Readers can decide the merit of any post for themselves.

Your comments on the attitude of the JD employees with whom you've spoken were encouraging to hear. I'm glad the "same pride from years ago" is alive and well.

For the record, I'm very happy with my 4700, although most of my use so far has been "forklifting". Works like a champ!

Larry /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[JATO_RaT]

I didn't exactly know to whom to reply to about this. Larry sent me an email and an attachment describing this axle. I could not unzip the attachment but will shoot over to my very close John Deere/Kubota dealer today. I need diesel anyway so I'll stop an get the information. Curiosity has got me wondering what "trick" they did to make it turn so tight. Thanks Larry, Rat...

 

[JOR_EL]

Rat, What I tried to send you was a set of photos of the "new" MFWD axle and the old one. Thought they would at least let you know which you were looking at, on any given tractor.
I tried to post them to the whole list, but can't seem to get it right. Wrote Muhammad for advice, so maybe I'll still get them posted. /w3tcompact/icons/tongue.gif

larry

 

[JATO_RaT]

Just got back from my Kubota/JD dealer. Saw a new 4700 and 460 loader on his lot. Axle looked normal and well designed. I like the well protected steering arms. I've broken 2 and bent them many times. Rat...

 

[deere4600]

I agree with some of the responses to my post a week ago about the 4000 series promotional video. I would not expect John Deere to put together a video pointing out where Kubota and Newholland have better features than the Deere. I would also not expect John Deere to off a video that highlights past mistakes rather than highlighting its acomplishments. I only said I found it "interesting" that John Deere showed the soft footed 4400 gliding over the turf without a hint of turf scarring. I took delivery of a new 4400 (ordered from factory) with a 72" mid mount mower and it works great. I have absolutely no complaints about the MFWD axle. But this is my third 4000 series tractor. My first one, the 4300 with the old axle was a turf tearing monster. I used that tractor for custom mowing and each turn required several forward to reverse cycles to avoid the turf damage. It took longer to mow with the 4300 than the 855 it replaced. I filed a complaint immediately with John Deere and instead of getting a response that they were working on a fix I got a response that the axle provides "satisfactory performance" on turf. My issue with John Deere was not that there was a problem but the way it was handled. I don't understand the post on this board stating that not all of the axles were a problem. Over at the Compact Tractor Board site (j.plan.com) the only posts I recall that weren't complaining about the axle concerned tractors not used for mowing. The new designed axle is so much different than the old that it is hard to believe that the turf tearing problem was only an isolated one. My second 4000 tractor was a 4600 which I also used for mowing. It had the same problem. But before I took delivery I got a commitment from my dealer that the axle would be replaced if the turf tearing existed. One pass on the property and the turf was flying again. I had the new axle installed 3 months later. It worked great and there is no comparison between the performance on turf between the two axles. No one has been more of a loyal John Deere customer than me. My history with John Deere dates back to my youth but includes my first tractor purchase in 1983. My loyalty would have been unblemished had I received a response to my original complaint ackowleding the problem. But for nearly one year John Deere refused to respond adequately, in my opinion, to the problem. I think JD lost sales due to the axle problem and the complaints from owners. It they had just handled the problem in a more customer friendly manner the complaints would have been less brutal and customers would have been boasting of another reason to buy a John Deere, that being the company's dedication to customer support. Instead, we were left with belief that we were going to have to live with the axle problem. I am glad the axle issue is behind us and I am willing to "let go." All I said in my original post was I found it interesting. There may be other 4000 series owners who use a different word. John Deere has an excellent tractor on the market now. There are still some creature comfort issues that I would like addressed for future tractors.

 

[cowboydoc]

Larry my first comment was that no offense to anyone. I was just pointing out the other side of the coin on things is all. I did not in anyway mean for my post to be taken as critical of anyone. I just wanted to show that the other side admitted and fixed the problem as soon as they knew about it. The axle problem was only for certain serial numbers and not all of them. Only a small percentage of tractors were affected.

My only point was that stories get blown way out of proportion as far as to the extent of problems. What about the other 98% that didn't have problems? Did not mean to "flame anyone" so please don't take my post that way.

 

[Hillbilly]

How is this "bashing bad" bad? These kinda of discussions keep these big corporations on their toes and keeps them from getting complacent,they will stonewall like any big corporation,until the pressure gets big enough then they will reluctantly admit there faults.Look at Ford and Firestone,two big companies neither one wants to admit fault,but someone is to blame.

 

[crowlej]

How do you identify the "Old" axle? I'm in the process of buying a 4300 (New). Is this something I should be worried about?

 

[cowboydoc]

Crow,
Your dealer should know this. If you aren't convinced from him get the serial # from it and call JD headquarters and tell them you want to know if this serial # is one of the affected front axles. Or just call another dealer and they can give you the info. there as well.

 

[JOR_EL]

Re: John Deere 4000 series old/new axles

Hi Crowlej, Welcome aboard! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

My best description (maybe not using proper terminology ) would be:

The OLD axle, has TWO hydraulic cylinder/rods, one connected to each front wheel assembly, for steering.

The NEW axle has ONE hydraulic cylinder/rod connected to the RIGHT SIDE ONLY, (looking forward from the seat) with the left wheel assembly connected to the right with a straight rod. I.e., the right wheel assembly turns the left wheel assembly when your input thru the steering-wheel turns the right one.

I still haven't figured out photo-posting on this site, so my pictures can't help, ,,,hope this word description is adequate. (Anybody else out there want to post some old/new axle pix?)

[[[Is this something I should be worried about?]]]

I would! You're buying new, ...gonna have it a long time. Get it right!! /w3tcompact/icons/tongue.gif

Larry