John Deere Quality Control Problems

[BlueBerryFarmer]

I have owned green tractors for decades (starting with my 1966 JD 2510) and have noticed quality failing badly in the newer machines, notably those being manufactured in India -- case in point: 5055E and 5075 tractors experiencing multiple "assembly line" issues --- seat belts hanging/binding up/improperly installed, neutral safety switches improperly installed (o-ring failures), leaks throughout cooling, oil, hydraulic systems all related to assembly line quality control failures and the list goes on and on...........:thumbdown:

Have to say I've not seen similar issues with the orange machines I've purchased...........

 

[Tx Jim]

I'll add 3 pt hitches that get stuck in the raised position and it's difficult for this former JD dealer employee to believe that JD hasn't in about 20 years cured this "little SNAFU" in photo!!!!!

 

[mfreund]

If people here did not buy them, maybe they would not import them.

 

[MattLynch]

Mine was assembled in the US and I can say quality control sucked, so its not just tractors coming out of India. Leaks, loose bolts and fittings, stripped bolts, paint falling off, etc.

 

[Verticaltrx]

I would have to agree. We have a 2550 Deere (built in '85 in Germany) and it has been one of the best tractors we've ever owned, basically 30yrs and 3000 trouble free hours. We also have a good bit of Deere equipment (1219 moco, 337 baler, 1008 bush hog, 1600 moldboard plow, 95 rear blade, etc) purchased in the 80's-early 90's and it has all been trouble free and excellent. Some of the newer Deere equipment (late 90's 446 round baler and 702 wheel rake) has been pretty good, but had a few small issues.

Next Deere tractor we bought was a '98 4400 compact utility tractor, it was a total basket case. You could tell they did very little R&D before rushing it into production as there were many issues that were just poor engineering or poor QC. Got rid of that tractor at 1700hrs because it just had too many recurring issues. Latest Deere was a 2010 (or 2011?) Deere 5045e. Now has 500hrs on it and it uses coolant, has a small oil leak, sometimes the hydraulic SCVs get stuck and overheat the fluid (to the point the trans gets so hot it tightens up the brakes and bearings/gears/whatever until the tractor no longer wants to move), and the internal adjustments on the 3pt hitch have been wrong since new so that the fluid is constantly flowing through the 3pt valve unless you bump the lever down after raising it. All tractors were purchased new, never abused and maintained by the book.


Hello, Does anyone from Deere read this stuff? .....I guess not, or they just don't care anymore.

 

[Tx Jim]

702 rake although green & yellow wasn't built by JD as it was outsourced from Tonnuti. I bought a brand new model 704 built by Tonnuti that the frame broke several times within it's one year warranty and I told JD rep's that the initial rake purchase should have included a portable gasoline welder. JD is not the same company nor does it produce the same dependable tractors/equipment as they did back when I was employed by a JD dealer in the 80's.

 

[DVR]

New 5045d 10 months ago currently 130hrs (what I can recall so far 2 service trips, 1 pending)-

Fuel gauge showed dead empty after 7.5gals were used (dealer said it was repaired)
Fogging gauge cluster (dealer replaced)
leaky battery (dealer said it was taken care of)
neutral safety switch issue (dealer replaced starter presumably so warranty would pay)
mis algned hood (dealer made adjustments. not satisfied)
improperly applied hood decal (dealer replaced, shoddy installation)
quickly rusting hardware (dealer replaced or painted some fasteners, I painted some myself)
Faded seat (dealer replaced)

leaky battery damaged radiator, pan below battery and mounting hardware (I replaced battery with an AGM, pending svc visit to address damage)
starter not engaging properly (pending svc visit)
Fuel gauge shows dead empty after 7.5gals are used (pending svc visit)


Purchased new, dealer told me it was assembled in Georgia, was fresh new stock with no lot time.
Turned out made in India, 2012, many signs of lot exposure...
Was delivered in the pouring rain and I trusted the dealer at their word. That will never happen again and has never been an issue before. Dealer was terrible in regard to addressing issues.

Overall the tractor is strong and has done a good job plowing, bush hogging and spreading. Problems have been a nuisance but have not kept me from doing the work I needed to do.

I am switching dealers for the next service visit. I am also shopping for an additional 4wd cab tractor.

 

[BlueBerryFarmer]

Even the JD technical manuals are a joke and they let simple errors through fairly regularly--- look in TM900019 (04NOV08) Page 240-10-3 (Service Manual for the 51xx, 52xx, 53xx, 54xx, 50xx tractors) for example, to see how they spelled Turn Signal Relay "Turn Signal Realy"----this kind of quality control (or lack thereof) is unacceptable. The company needs to clean up its quality control act or customers will go elsewhere.

 

[Verticaltrx]

The company needs to clean up its quality control act or customers will go elsewhere.

I agree completely, but where are they going to go? Kubota is probably at the top with quality control and good engineering, but they are starting to slip as well. This is especially true of the Kubota products made in the USA, (loaders, backhoes, mowers, some tractors) the quality just isn't the same as the tractors from Japan. A lot of the other tractor companies are just as bad or worse, none of them care about building a quality product anymore.

I blame the consumer as much as the manufacturer. People demand more power and more features at a cheaper price, and that's what the mfg's are making, at the cost of quality.

 

[fieldman12]

I agree with what you said that customers are part of the blame. Today's tractor brands seem more and more like looking at cheap riding mowers from Lowes. The hoods are cheap, less built in weight and seems like each year more and more plastic is added. I also see issues where the steel does not seem as good of quality and neither is the bolts like they use to be. If I could order a refurbished old tractor with warranty like a new one I would rather go that route any day. I also prefer to run older tractors in most cases. Part of the problem though is most people that buy smaller Utility tractors do not use them to the same level they did thirty years ago or so. Back then people would plow, till, and even pull a planter in small fields. Now there just used for mowing, garden tilling, and some baler work.

I agree completely, but where are they going to go? Kubota is probably at the top with quality control and good engineering, but they are starting to slip as well. This is especially true of the Kubota products made in the USA, (loaders, backhoes, mowers, some tractors) the quality just isn't the same as the tractors from Japan. A lot of the other tractor companies are just as bad or worse, none of them care about building a quality product anymore.

I blame the consumer as much as the manufacturer. People demand more power and more features at a cheaper price, and that's what the mfg's are making, at the cost of quality.

 

[fishrman]

Oh my gosh! I agree with everyone of you guys!! I was going to start a new thread on what I should purchase and still may but I have a big farmer friend who bleeds green! He has not been real happy with my first tractor choice for about 5 years now. It was a nice little tt45A New Holland. Nice little tractor that came with some peeling paint on the fenders(brand new) and other issues like when I about killed myself last fall mowing with it because when I pressed in on the clutch in an emergency situation after I place it in the wrong gear to go down hill I managed to press the clutch pedal onto the other side of the clutch stop so I had no clutch! Just little things like that but I decided it time to get a 4 wheel drive machine and I kind of wanted hydro transmission. Sooo, I have been looking the last week or so and local dealer thought I needed a 5045 E John Deere. He didn't have one but he was telling me what a great machine it was etc. He told me there was a dealer about 70 miles away that had one I could look at. I was in the area and stopped by to look at it. First impression was that it has good solid fenders on it and it appears a little bigger than my TT45A. Has a little plastic tool box on the fender that I though looked cheap. I tried to open it up, it is kind of like a kids tackle box. In trying to open it, I managed to pop the fastener off of it! Soo, now I am wondering how many other things on this machine are cheap. I looked at the dash and was unimpressed. Not even a digital dash in this digital age. The little decals here and there on the dash and elsewhere looked like they were about ready to fall off and no doubt, would in no time. I could go on and on but you guys are so right about the quality control. I think it is a good basic machine, maybe, but it is just not finished off well. I think the dealer gave me a great trade price of a little over 13000 difference and included the loader for that price but I just can't pull the trigger. They have 60 months interest free right now that he was trying to sell me on and I told him I would just as soon pay cash as the deal says 60 months interest free OR 1500 off if you pay cash! He told me he had all the discounts already built into the trade and that I couldn't get the other 1500. off. Huh?? I don't get it!! The deal doesn't say that and I don't get how he can say that if I don't want the free interest deal! It makes no sense to me! He had no idea I was going to be saying that I wanted to pay cash so I don't know how he could have even built in the 1500 off into the deal and then offered the interest free too. I wonder if he now realizes he offered me to good of deal and doesn't really want me to take it. I don't really have a clue.
Anyway, I decided I would like to look around a little more before pulling the trigger and also thought if I went with Deere, I might be wise to price the 5055E rather than the 5045 as you can get the automatic reverse feature. I think that would be very handy, especially when using the loader.
The other machine I have looked at is the Kubota MX4800. That machine looks to me like they spent a little time putting it together and appears to be finished off well. Also, think I would like the hydro. drive in it. The one I looked at didn't come with the ag tires but rather turf tires and I am not sure about that for traction etc. I do use mine mostly for mowing about 20+ acres of crp and minor disc work etc. I have no idea where the Kubota will be on the trade difference but am thinking he won't be close to the 13200 that the Deere dealer told me.
Any thoughts or help with this decision will be appreciated. Also, we have a Mahindra dealer only 20 miles away so thought I might check it out as since they are made in India too, what would the real loss be other than it wouldn't be green? It is really a sad thing to think about when we have Americans out of work!

 

[bilrus61]

My JD dealer told my dad that his 5075M was made in USA. He even told my dad that even the engine is made in USA in Georgia. "I've been down there and saw them making the engines". He said. Well when we got it home the engine was made in Mexico and the transmission was made in China. The front trans casting said India on it and the hydrolics had made in Brazil. All well and good but the JD salesmen must be instructed to fib about where they are made and most folks swallow it right down. Oh and on the side of the sticker it had "Made in USA" in big letters!

 

[fieldman12]

At one time the 5000 series where made in the USA and in Georgia. I have seen a few 5103, 5203 also made in the USA. Note the ones that where made in the USA had the black belly and where identical in every way I could tell except they ended up painting the belly green when moved to India. Like you said either the dealer is telling a lie or they have not kept up with the times. I was thinking the M series where made in the USA but I do no for a fact the front fwd axle is made in china. I will have to look at an M the next time I'm at the dealer.

My JD dealer told my dad that his 5075M was made in USA. He even told my dad that even the engine is made in USA in Georgia. "I've been down there and saw them making the engines". He said. Well when we got it home the engine was made in Mexico and the transmission was made in China. The front trans casting said India on it and the hydrolics had made in Brazil. All well and good but the JD salesmen must be instructed to fib about where they are made and most folks swallow it right down. Oh and on the side of the sticker it had "Made in USA" in big letters!

 

[Notforhire]

The other machine I have looked at is the Kubota MX4800. That machine looks to me like they spent a little time putting it together and appears to be finished off well. Also, think I would like the hydro. drive in it.

Just so you don't think JD cornered the market on tractor problems;

Before I bought my JD I looked at the MX series. At that time I owned a Kubota L3240 GST.

First thing I noticed, it had the same jerky hitch problem as the standard Kubota L tractors.
I would suggest that you do a search on this forum for Kubota jerky hitch.

The dealers will tell you several things ranging from, I never heard of that problem to, it only affected a few of the smaller standard L's and was fixed years ago.

Unless something has happened recently, the problem exists in both the L and MX line. According to some members of this forum that got stuck with a jerky hitch tractor, Kubota's attitude is if you don't like the hitch, buy a GL or M series. (Which are smooth, by the way.)

Not all the tractors have the problem, some work fine. It has to do with the amount of slop in the system I'm told. (poor QC)

I would suggest that if you are interested in a MX you TEST the actual tractor you intend to buy.

Another thing to keep in mind, the MX series is closer to a L series than a M series. Light rear end etc. So it's really a CUT rather than a full size utility. Now that's not good or bad, it's just apples to oranges, when compairing it to a 5000 series JD.

Bill

 

[fishrman]

Just so you don't think JD cornered the market on tractor problems;

Before I bought my JD I looked at the MX series. At that time I owned a Kubota L3240 GST.

First thing I noticed, it had the same jerky hitch problem as the standard Kubota L tractors.
I would suggest that you do a search on this forum for Kubota jerky hitch.

The dealers will tell you several things ranging from, I never heard of that problem to, it only affected a few of the smaller standard L's and was fixed years ago.

Unless something has happened recently, the problem exists in both the L and MX line. According to some members of this forum that got stuck with a jerky hitch tractor, Kubota's attitude is if you don't like the hitch, buy a GL or M series. (Which are smooth, by the way.)

Not all the tractors have the problem, some work fine. It has to do with the amount of slop in the system I'm told. (poor QC)

I would suggest that if you are interested in a MX you TEST the actual tractor you intend to buy.

Another thing to keep in mind, the MX series is closer to a L series than a M series. Light rear end etc. So it's really a CUT rather than a full size utility. Now that's not good or bad, it's just apples to oranges, when compairing it to a 5000 series JD.

Bill

So, you are saying the Deere 5000 is a tractor built more for farm use than the MX of Kubota? I did notice a substantial difference in total weight between the two. Seems the Deere weighs over 1000 lbs more and I would think that would have to do with the weight of the materials used with bigger components.
I am not sure I understand what you are referring to by a jerky hitch.

 

[Verticaltrx]

So, you are saying the Deere 5000 is a tractor built more for farm use than the MX of Kubota? I did notice a substantial difference in total weight between the two. Seems the Deere weighs over 1000 lbs more and I would think that would have to do with the weight of the materials used with bigger components.
I am not sure I understand what you are referring to by a jerky hitch.

As was mentioned, the MX kubotas are basically a large compact tractor with big tires. The MX, large standard L (like the L4600) and the grand L's are all the same basic tractor. They just mix and match features and a few parts to make the different models. None of those tractors had problems with the 3pt hitch however, that was limited to the L2800/3400/3700/3200/3800. A true comparison to the 5e series is the smaller M series, whether or not Kubota markets it that way.

 

[ovrszd]

Not starting a brand war at all. My Kubota M9540 had zero quality control issues. Nothing improperly assembled. Nothing loose and falling off. Nothing out of adjustment.

When I was shopping I started at my local JD dealer pricing a 5085M. $6K higher than the M9540. Dealer steered me away from the E models saying they were experiencing quality control and transmission issues. When I got a price on the M9540 he said that's what I should buy. I appreciated his honesty and integrity.

Assembled in USA means nothing to me. Generally our workforce has priced itself out of the race and that profit has to be regained somehow. Most likely it's gonna show up in quality control.

 

[fishrman]

Not starting a brand war at all. My Kubota M9540 had zero quality control issues. Nothing improperly assembled. Nothing loose and falling off. Nothing out of adjustment.

When I was shopping I started at my local JD dealer pricing a 5085M. $6K higher than the M9540. Dealer steered me away from the E models saying they were experiencing quality control and transmission issues. When I got a price on the M9540 he said that's what I should buy. I appreciated his honesty and integrity.

Assembled in USA means nothing to me. Generally our workforce has priced itself out of the race and that profit has to be regained somehow. Most likely it's gonna show up in quality control.

I am getting confused. Is the MX and M in the same series? In looking at the book, it appears they are to me. But, some would say, it isn't the tractor that the 5000 series Deere is??

 

[vtsnowedin]

Not starting a brand war at all. .

You are way to late to be the one to start it! It gets quiet from time to time but a skirmish or artillery duel can break out at any time. There is a truce declared around any member with a problem that might be helped with advice from a member of any color persuasion and the TBN rules of brand warfare
forbid squashing a scut with a big Ag "mines bettren yours."
Play nice.

 

[k0ua]

I am getting confused. Is the MX and M in the same series? In looking at the book, it appears they are to me. But, some would say, it isn't the tractor that the 5000 series Deere is??

The MX and the M series Kubota are not in the same family to my way of thinking.. This is neither good nor bad, just is. The MX series are great tractors, just light in weight, and are really more like CUTS than Utility. I really like my Kioti, heavy, well made, all steel etc. It is NOT made in USA however, but apparently more and more of the JD's are not either.