L3400 grinding and shifting problem

[Shimon]

I think WTA may be onto something here...even though it is a new tractor...it is quite possible the dealer put the wrong fluid in the transmission. Of course, they would never admit to that but it is worth checking out.

 

[DiezNutz]

The thing is , I did not buy a hydro, I don' t want a hydro, I want a simple gear tractor...working as it should.

Can I ask why you wouldn't want a HST? You said you're doing loader work, most can't imagine doing that with anything other than a HST, or at the very least some type of shuttle. Reliability of HST is at least the same or as many will claim better than gears, and resale value of HST is definitely higher.

To be honest, I would have to say that you did not pay a premium dollar for a broken tractor, you paid a standard dollar for a standard tractor with basic features. If it's because you didn't really know all the benefits of HST when you bought, we can accept that. If it was ONLY because of the extra cost of the HST, then that's not a good enough reason given how you're using the tractor. Very few people COMPLETELY strap themselves on a tractor purchase (it's a luxury item unless perhaps you're a farmer), and if they did then they really can't afford to operate & maintain it either. Most of us can always make a few sacrifices to get those absolute must-have features.

 

[N80]

Can I ask why you wouldn't want a HST? You said you're doing loader work, most can't imagine doing that with anything other than a HST, or at the very least some type of shuttle. Reliability of HST is at least the same or as many will claim better than gears, and resale value of HST is definitely higher.

Well, I'll answer that question. I don't want or like HST. In my mind HST means less power for more money. I do a fair amount of ground engaging work. I do tons of loader work (5 hours yesterday alone) and my gear drive doesn't bother me a bit. I like the simplicity and affordability and if I break something in my tranny, I can fix it in my B-I-L's shop. Not so with a hydro.

Now, I'm not knocking HST for anyone else. I'm not arguing that it isn't great for loader work, it is. But I think there are plenty of valid reasons not to want HST. For me, I wanted the most HP I could get for the money and HST never fits that bill.

To be honest, I would have to say that you did not pay a premium dollar for a broken tractor, you paid a standard dollar for a standard tractor with basic features.

I disagree with that. What makes a dollar 'premium' is how hard it is for me (or anyone else) to come by that dollar, not what you buy with it. The L3400DT is not a 'premium' tractor, but that doesn't make his dollar worth any less to him.

If it's because you didn't really know all the benefits of HST when you bought, we can accept that. If it was ONLY because of the extra cost of the HST, then that's not a good enough reason given how you're using the tractor.

I disagree with that too. HST costs more whether you know its benefits or not. If you have a budget, you have a budget. I don't think some people get that, but some of us actually live by our budgets. If I've got $20k for a tractor, $21k breaks the deal. It has to stop somehwere. And even if you don't have a budget, a gear drive tractor is still a perfectly resonable option. If I were buying another tractor today, with no budget limitations, I'd still buy a gear drive, or possibly a shuttle shift.

Very few people COMPLETELY strap themselves on a tractor purchase (it's a luxury item unless perhaps you're a farmer), and if they did then they really can't afford to operate & maintain it either. Most of us can always make a few sacrifices to get those absolute must-have features.

Are you saying that people don't bury themselves buying luxury items? The credit card companies beg to differ. I don't mean to pick at you, I'm just not sure suggesting that this guy bought the wrong tractor just because the one he got is defective is a reasonable approach. I make a pretty healthy living, but there are still only so many dollars to go around. Spending more than my budget would mean spending less on something else. I suspect there are plenty of people out there who fit into such constraints.

Now, if the OP is clueless and simply can't drive a tractor, and thus is having problems due to operator error, then sure, HST would be a reasonable alternative. It is certainly easier to drive. I think that is how a lot of tractors are sold to people who have never had tractors. And in my experience, every dealer I went to steered me towards an HST machine so unless he bought used, he surely must have been introduced to HST.

Personally, I think his tractor is defective. If a tire is spinning when in Neutral, something is wrong. And if there is something major wrong and the dealer lets him return it, I would agree, HST might be worth looking into, but I certainly don't see buying a geared tractor as a rooky mistake.

 

[ccsial]

I checked a couple L 3400 at the dealer nearby, they shift fine....

I lost a pin on a 3 point hitch while using a box blade the other day, and when I put the tractor in neutral, left rear tire was still getting some "power", it had tendency to turn. So, it was in neutral... and left wheel was grabing, trying to turn, but did not have enough power to actually move the tractor. It was weird, I had to turn the motor off to put the pin back. / all in uneven terrain/. The right side tire did not move at all. The tractor had 2 hours on it at that time.


Joe

Sounds like your clutch needs adjusting.

 

[RayMunising]

If it's because you didn't really know all the benefits of HST when you bought, we can accept that.

Who exactly is this "we" you're representing?

 

[cityfarma]

I have a L4400 and I get slight grind if the shuttle has been in neutral, clutch released then put in the clutch and move shuttle to F or R. The grinding does not happen moving from F to R or back. I simply wait a short time and ease the gear lever into gear. The grinding only happens if the clutch is released while in neutral.

Cityfarma

 

[N80]

Sounds like your clutch needs adjusting.

I may not be thinking clearly, but even if the clutch is out of adjustment, there shouldn't be any power going to the rear wheels when it is in neutral.

 

[ccsial]

I may not be thinking clearly, but even if the clutch is out of adjustment, there shouldn't be any power going to the rear wheels when it is in neutral.

Your thinking clearly. I didn't read it very carefully. I was thinking it was in gear with the clutch in and creeping. If it creeps in neutral there is some serious friction in the tranny. This would account for shifting problems too. I'd want a new tractor. This can't be a common problem.

 

[praha]

Thank you guys,
Thank you George for a perfect answer .
I mentioned paying a top dollar, since I paid over 17000 dollars for the tractor and FEL. I could have bought it cheaper, but I want to give a bus. to the dealer I want to use for any future service. He ask for a " TOP " dollar, or the highest price of all/3/ dealers. / The difference between L3400 and GL 3240 was only 1100 dollars/.....I paid his /17200/ price without any objections.
I don't want to discuss money here. It was my choice and I chose a gear L 3400. I would n e v e r complain about this model without a serious reason.
The size and the weight of L3400 was also important for me , since I have F 150 to tow it with.... 7000 lb trailer. I did not want to buy 10400 GvWR trailer.
And a loader work is very easy once I am in gears. And I love to have a gas pedal.

There's also a different perspective I may look at this problem. What if I want to sell it a year from now or after a warranty's over??? ... what kind of explanation I should give to a potential buyer?????... it grinds when you shift it , but hold the clutch down for some time, it's been doing since brand new.but that's OK???????/ Yeah, right. I would not buy it, would you?
And I am almost sure , that a dealer would use it as an excuse for lowering the value of the tractor.

I guess this tractor was built friday afternoon. I had a gas pedal stuck several times when 0 hours on it, I fixed it. 3 point hitch control is lousy, I can't start it once a while. I have to touch and move shifter, clutch, ignition key and try several times before I can start it again. I don't even mentioned this to my dealer, it is imposible to fix, I know that.
What bothers me is the grinding. I just want to get it fix. Period.

Thanks again to all.

Joe

 

[N80]

I can't start it once a while. I have to touch and move shifter, clutch, ignition key and try several times before I can start it again. Joe

You do know that it has to be in neutral to start it, right?

Please let us know how this gets resolved, but do resolve it. If you are really getting power to the rear wheels while the tractor is in neutral, that is an extreme safety hazard. I cannot imagine how that could happen, but if it did, its a real problem.