John Deere Quality Control Problems

[Verticaltrx]

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 guess you've had good luck then. We've had several issues with our new Kubotas due to QC issues. I've had to replace a steel hydraulic line three times on my B3200 due to a poor weld/design. All the pin retention bolts were loose on the B3200 loader. The quick coupler wasn't welded straight so attaching the bucket takes a hammer (both on new B3200, B2920 and SSQA on M9540). At only 600hrs the M9540 occasionally loses hydraulic pressure. There are probably other things I have forgotten.


IMO it's just pick your poison when buying a new tractor, they all have issues nowadays.

 

[Notforhire]

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.

Besides my personal experence, I would suggest you read; http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...7-mx5100-jerky-3pt-hitch.html?highlight=jerky

 

[Grateful11]

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.

Tractordata.com is usually your friend when comes to getting basic info on tractors: TractorData.com John Deere 5045D tractor information

 

[Grateful11]

We had zero problems with the JD 5065M here on the farm, it currently has about 315 hours on it. Yes the engine is made in Mexico, tranny from China, hydraulics from Brazil, the 2WD front axle is from India and the cab is made in USA. It's the first Deere tractor on this farm and the farm has been here for over 100 years.

5065M pulling a NH 9' DiscBine
New Holland H7220 DiscBine being pulled with John Deere 5065M - YouTube

 

[DVR]

Tractordata.com is usually your friend when comes to getting basic info on tractors: TractorData.com John Deere 5045D tractor information

Thanks but I'm familiar.
I've owned several tractors and we have 3 JD's on the farm now. The 5045d/mx6 was an impulse buy when trying to track down parts for a rhino bush hog. Not the norm but I saw one on the lot, asked a few questions and decided to buy.

 

[ovrszd]

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.

I always play nice. And you can dig thru my three thousand and some posts and you'll never find me saying mines bettren yours.

Brand wars tend to start when someone makes a comment concerning their personal experience with whatever brand. Then someone that owns that brands get defensive. The original comment is rarely an attempt to shoot a round across the bow. But the responses almost always are...... Human Nature.

 

[vtsnowedin]

I always play nice. And you can dig thru my three thousand and some posts and you'll never find me saying mines bettren yours.

Brand wars tend to start when someone makes a comment concerning their personal experience with whatever brand. Then someone that owns that brands get defensive. The original comment is rarely an attempt to shoot a round across the bow. But the responses almost always are...... Human Nature.

It is very civil here compared to other forums with other themes. Very refreshing actually. I think sometimes people will throw out an opinion that will bring out disagreeing views just because they are bored and want something to banter about. A bit like trash talk on a basketball court.

 

[J F]

It is very civil here compared to other forums with other themes. Very refreshing actually. I think sometimes people will throw out an opinion that will bring out disagreeing views just because they are bored and want something to banter about. A bit like trash talk on a basketball court.

It's called "trolling". There's a spray for that. :laughing:

 

[fieldman12]

I hope Deere,Case Ih, Agco, and all the other companies start doing better quality control. I watch old tractor videos all the time with AC, IH etc., running there equipment through all kinds of hard test and they show them doing all kinds of quality control. We seriously need to get back to quality no matter where its made if we want these companies to survive. I understand there is allot of working parts to a machine but in this day and age we should have better ways to do quality control than we ever have in history. It's sad it comes from the factory with issues but I also think the dealers are dropping the ball. When the dealer gets these machines there suppose to set them up, inspect them, and clean them. It looks like they anymore like to get through the machines as quickly as possible no matte what the color. I can see a few minor issues but nothing beyond that in my opinion should happen. It also goes to show you it don't matter if there union or non union workers, cheap paid, or paid allot, or for the most part what country there from. We seem to be getting the issues from all over.

 

[ovrszd]

I agree Fieldman. Very well stated.

 

[murphy1244]

I was very fortunate to pick the dealer I have. I have not had any loose Bolts or missing parts. No junk in the Hydraulic fluid either.

 

[ovrszd]

Murph, the dealer I bought my 9540 from let me load it on the trailer 3 gallon low on Hyd Fluid, 400 miles from home. So, with that, I don't assume he was much on the details of dealer prep, tightening loose bolt, replacing missing parts, etc. So I base my tractor's very sound quality control on the assembly plant.

How ya ben Murph?

 

[murphy1244]

Dealer prep can make or break a Tractor brand. Kubota was #1 in prep in the early 80s then basked in glory as the quality slipped down. Richard this low pressure rain day's have been killing me bones. Still setting up tubing for the Compressor. Should come in soon. How you been?

 

[ovrszd]

Dealer prep can make or break a Tractor brand. Kubota was #1 in prep in the early 80s then basked in glory as the quality slipped down. Richard this low pressure rain day's have been killing me bones. Still setting up tubing for the Compressor. Should come in soon. How you been?

I'm good Murph. Wish I was closer, I'd love to come help ya with the air project. If there's anything I can do for ya, holler, I'll come. Ain't never ben to Ohio.....

 

[murphy1244]

I'm good Murph. Wish I was closer, I'd love to come help ya with the air project. If there's anything I can do for ya, holler, I'll come. Ain't never ben to Ohio.....

Hey I finally finished today and my joints are killing me. You Sir are always welcome at my place. No more work today oh boy's.

 

[bushhog28]

I might go back orange...

 

[vtsnowedin]

I might go back orange...

Well it has been a year and a week sense the last post on this thread so your going to have to bring us up to speed on what has happened lately or at least tell us were you last posted in this thread to save us rereading all of it.

 

[fishrman]

Well, I should add that I did end up purchasing a 5045D 4 wheel drive with loader and now have about 50 hours on it! The only thing I have done so far is replaced the plastic toy tool box that comes with it! I can honestly say those guys in Indian seem to have built a pretty good tractor. (at least, so far!)

 

[vtsnowedin]

Well, I should add that I did end up purchasing a 5045D 4 wheel drive with loader and now have about 50 hours on it! The only thing I have done so far is replaced the plastic toy tool box that comes with it! I can honestly say those guys in Indian seem to have built a pretty good tractor. (at least, so far!)

:confused2::confused2: A 5045 in four wheel drive would be a 5045 "E" not D.
Yes the little plastic tool box is chintzy, but I think it is where it is just to keep people from letting kids ride on the fenders. The ones they sell to the India market often have a "Mother-in-law seat" bolted in the same place. "When in Rome do as the Romans do".
Do do the fifty hour check list. Recheck the wheel lug nut torques and snug up the clamps on all the radiator hoses.

 

[fishrman]

:confused2::confused2: A 5045 in four wheel drive would be a 5045 "E" not D.
Yes the little plastic tool box is chintzy, but I think it is where it is just to keep people from letting kids ride on the fenders. The ones they sell to the India market often have a "Mother-in-law seat" bolted in the same place. "When in Rome do as the Romans do".
Do do the fifty hour check list. Recheck the wheel lug nut torques and snug up the clamps on all the radiator hoses.

I knew when I said that it was wrong!! Silly me! It is a 5045E!!
Yep, the 50 hour check list is on my bucket list!