Max28 loader control issues?

[linuxman51]

This weekend I hit my threshold for 'acceptable inconsistencies' with my max28 :laughing:

Was helping a friend out in his back yard (residential, but he'd done an astronomical amount of damage and then let weeds grow for almost a year.. the poison ivy was 4ft tall!), mostly surface dirt work, just a lot of it in tight spaces, no big deal. Tractor was good for most of the day (as it typically is), I got off of it for ~15 minutes and left it idling in the shade while I went to get some water, when I came back the vertical control on the FEL was suddenly.. extremely difficult to work, and would stick and hang going up or down.. which makes smoothing quite a bit more difficult. Since it'd been sitting still, I cycled everything to the extremes as best possible thinking that perhaps air had gotten in there (although who knows how, but hey, stuff happens), no change. finished what I could, loaded it back up, and took it home and let it sit. The issue remains with the tractor off, unfortunately, so back to the dealer it went today. Anyone else have anything like that happen? all the hydraulic fittings were tight, nothing appeared to be bent up or kinked (not that that would make a difference with the tractor off). Bummer, but eh. The guys at the dealer have been great to talk to and were great to work with in the past, so I don't anticipate any issues there, just kinda.. surprised, I've put a whopping 110 hours on it since I bought it in dec '12.

The other lesser issues (altho one apparently jumped the shark this morning too)--ignition system problem. Thought it was the battery, replaced that, all electronics work, but the starter wont' hit from the key without extensive fiddling with the clutch, pto lever and key. No one item consistently gets it working, so I'm not sure what they're going to find there. Apparently my warranty expired in dec 14, so if that's going to be some giant pita for them I'll figure it out later on my own. can't be too many things in that particular loop.

The least of the issues (and it may not even be an issue, it could be operator error), the diff lock doesn't seem to work. Only ever encountered a couple of occasions where it would have been nice to have, and the few times I even remembered that it was a problem I was busy using the tractor so I couldn't take it in for what may be an extended service layover (really don't have the time to do that now, but it gets me out of extensive landscaping for a little while, so I'm good with that.. )

But after two and a half years, I have to say, it's been one of the best tools I've ever bought, and it's turned a number of large jobs into minor more manageable jobs.

 

[DavesTractor]

On the diff lock, remove the right rear tire and you will see the adjustment. Shorten the turnbuckle a little and it should engage. As to the fiddley starting, you need to run down with certainty which safety switch is the issue. Often the operator runs over a stick that flips up and slightly bends the HST neutral pedal switch bracket. The other issue is the PTO safety switch, that is up top and easy to see/test/adjust. Not sure what is going on with the loader valve, but there is a cap on the spool at the other end of the valve and it has some little balls and a spring or two in it, if it gets out of adjustment or rusty it will make the spool notchy when you go up or down. It could be that. If you take it apart yourself, you need to make sure you don't lose any parts.

4 foot tall poison ivy? Not for me, I might catch it just reading about it. That's nasty.

 

[linuxman51]

hm, hst neutral pedal switch.. that might be it, I didn't fiddle with it this morning. the pto one may need to be adjusted as well, occasionally I've had to push it back (laziness kicks in when you've read about the issue several times and a quick bump is all you need haha)

 

[j wilson]

hey dave...seen your reply on the diff lock adjustment, i too have had a hard time engaugeing the diff lock, it seems like it is a hit or miss type of thing...so i went to the garage, pulled rt. rear tire and shortened the throw rod...how much play should be in the lever before you feel resistance when trying to lock the diff. its pouring rain here so i cant take it out and try it...thanks

 

[DavesTractor]

hey dave...seen your reply on the diff lock adjustment, i too have had a hard time engaugeing the diff lock, it seems like it is a hit or miss type of thing...so i went to the garage, pulled rt. rear tire and shortened the throw rod...how much play should be in the lever before you feel resistance when trying to lock the diff. its pouring rain here so i cant take it out and try it...thanks

I don't have any specs on that handy, but when I did the last one it was pretty evident to me when I had it right. Jack up both sides so you can mess with spinning either side axle to see if you have it locked or not. Make sure the diff lock will fully un-engage itself after you are done adjusting. I suppose if you got it too tight it would stay locked. Please send rain.....

 

[mike69440]

hey dave...seen your reply on the diff lock adjustment, i too have had a hard time engaugeing the diff lock, it seems like it is a hit or miss type of thing...so i went to the garage, pulled rt. rear tire and shortened the throw rod...how much play should be in the lever before you feel resistance when trying to lock the diff. its pouring rain here so i cant take it out and try it...thanks

Something i need to fiddle with also the first time i have a real reason to pull the RT rear tire.

PS, I have about 21 hours on it now.

My least favoite thing on the Max is the jerky loader control.
Wouldn't be nice if Mahindra had a recall to fix these issues. (DREAMING!)

 

[DavesTractor]

Something i need to fiddle with also the first time i have a real reason to pull the RT rear tire.

PS, I have about 21 hours on it now.

My least favoite thing on the Max is the jerky loader control.
Wouldn't be nice if Mahindra had a recall to fix these issues. (DREAMING!)

Recalls are generally for stuff that can result in really big problems or that pose a significant safety risk. Otherwise, just having a warranty works fine. The diff lock adjustment is a 30 minute job, less if you are in a hurry. It is quicker to pull the tire and adjust it then to load it up, tie it down and drive it to the dealer. Plus you get to know your tractor a little better. Squirt a little white grease or something around the shaft on both sides where it goes into (through) the transmission case while you are there.

I wish all compact tractors had more progressive spools in the loader valves where you can feather them more easily with a big load. People like you and I (and pro operators) that operate some high dollar equipment are the ones that notice the controls. The less experienced operator just gets used to the way these controls work and they work fine for them. It is very, very rare for us to hear a customer complaint on the quality of the hydraulic controls on a Mahindra.

As you know, a really nice set of controls/valves will cost more than the entire loader on this Max. I have pilot controls on my Takeuchi and they are superb, but you expect that on a $50k plus machine that is designed to be worked hard 8 hours a day.

You can take almost any brand of compact tractor, with the exception of the commercial units, and test the loader controls with maximum load and you will find that a little input on the joystick results in more than desired drop of the bucket. Do the same test with a normal half load and the joystick feels pretty good. It would seem to me that the spool could be chamfered a little where the grooves are cut in to allow just a little oil to pass with small spool movement, but apparently it isn't that easy. Not sure why. I've been tempted to chuck a spool up in the lathe and test my theory. Anybody else try that?

 

[mike69440]

Recalls are generally for stuff that can result in really big problems or that pose a significant safety risk. Otherwise, just having a warranty works fine. The diff lock adjustment is a 30 minute job, less if you are in a hurry. It is quicker to pull the tire and adjust it then to load it up, tie it down and drive it to the dealer. Plus you get to know your tractor a little better. Squirt a little white grease or something around the shaft on both sides where it goes into (through) the transmission case while you are there.

I wish all compact tractors had more progressive spools in the loader valves where you can feather them more easily with a big load. People like you and I (and pro operators) that operate some high dollar equipment are the ones that notice the controls. The less experienced operator just gets used to the way these controls work and they work fine for them. It is very, very rare for us to hear a customer complaint on the quality of the hydraulic controls on a Mahindra.

As you know, a really nice set of controls/valves will cost more than the entire loader on this Max. I have pilot controls on my Takeuchi and they are superb, but you expect that on a $50k plus machine that is designed to be worked hard 8 hours a day.

You can take almost any brand of compact tractor, with the exception of the commercial units, and test the loader controls with maximum load and you will find that a little input on the joystick results in more than desired drop of the bucket. Do the same test with a normal half load and the joystick feels pretty good. It would seem to me that the spool could be chamfered a little where the grooves are cut in to allow just a little oil to pass with small spool movement, but apparently it isn't that easy. Not sure why. I've been tempted to chuck a spool up in the lathe and test my theory. Anybody else try that?

I Fixed (saved) one of my very sticky control valves in my PC75UUS with a little steel wool and some new seals.

I did repair by hand, proably only removed a few atoms of material with a light polish.

These valves are hand lapped for extremely Tight Toleraneces.

One cold day I could not install a feul pump plunger that i warmed in my hand, due to thermal expansion. I had to wait till it got cold. It was smaller than a 5/16" drill bit.


PS watch out for dusty Chicken Poop! My hands actually look like the clean hands of an office sissy, (which I am) as I've been out for the count for 5 days now.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/projects/89163-busy-wife-weekend-19.html

 

[linuxman51]

still no word from the dealer yet, reckon they got covered over. glad I didn't plan any landscaping projects for this weekend

 

[linuxman51]

well, it had a funny way of getting resolved... Dealer adjusted various things and was apparently almost done with it.....and then it got stolen off their lot last night along with some other stuff :shocked: :thumbdown:

 

[linuxman51]

so I reckon keep an eye out for a 2012 max 28hst with a loader, hoe, bit faded paint, and 109 hours on it in the southeast.


not that I anticipate it turning up.

 

[oldpilgrim]

ouch !!!!

However, I see a NEW tractor in your future !

 

[linuxman51]

yeah. I thought maybe after stewing about it for a little bit and eating lunch I wouldn't be... well its really kinda hard to describe the emotion.. kinda nauseous would be close.. but it really hasn't gotten any better. could be worse I guess, could have been stolen from the house (along with my own trailer and god knows what else), but... still..

 

[oldpilgrim]

I wouldn't stew about it, it's the dealer's responsibility. That's what he has insurance for. You'll come out of this better than you went into it.

 

[linuxman51]

Yeah I'm trying not to (doesn't really help anyway). Perhaps it's the chinese buffet I had for lunch.:laughing:

 

[SirReal63]

I am sorry to hear about it getting stolen, I cannot imagine how that must feel. Looking on the bright side, this will make it easier to get a larger tractor, if you are so inclined.

 

[linuxman51]

Yeah it sucks. unless it turns back up undamaged in the next couple of days I guess I'll be out a tractor for a while. nothin' like planned spring property work getting pushed into mid/late june

To tie up the OP though, the no-start issue was apparently something knocked loose in the harness (but I was told I would have struggled to find it. Fair enough, these guys have no idea how long I've been building and installing aftermarket automotive engine management systems ), Cool. Loader control resolution was a bit vague but the service manager talked about adjusting something. I'm not sure what would have been adjusted there that would cause it to stick and be difficult to move with the tractor off and the loader on the ground, but hey-problem's solved now right?

no mention on the diff lock, but I imagine they probably did what was recommended earlier in this thread by Daviestractors(I think I got that right), or maybe they were able to get it to engage and I was just hammfisting it or something (who knows).

 

[linuxman51]

Update (I'll link back to this thread from the stolen thread, mainly just to help anyone else that has the misfortune of this)... Still no tractor, although a little bit of the delay is my fault. For those who are curious how these things work, this is how my experience with this has gone down:

Dealer filed a claim for my tractor with his insurance. It was recommended (for to expediency) that I contact my insurance as well.

Mahindra finance Insurance asked why I was talking to them as this should fall under the dealer's ins. They have a very rudimentary valuation process that is almost *never* going to work out in the owner's favor, they are interested in covering the costs of the loan and nothing else. with the options and hours, they valued my tractor out around 17,000 (after the built-in deductible or whatever). They mentioned that I should contact my home owner's ins and that as a last ditch effort go back to them.

Home owner's (USAA), after a few minutes determined that it would in fact be covered under my policy as it spends the vast majority of it's life and use on the property. Not sure of the exact valuation because they couldn't get one for me without filing a claim and I didn't want to start that ball rolling unless the dealer's ins pushed back or did something else stupid. $1k deductible there too. (in addition to higher rates and losing the no claim discount we get)

Expressed concerns to the dealer, and waited to hear from his ins. Finally, around june 4th they got in touch with me, said that they came up with a replacement value of 22,000 less a 1,000 deductible. I asked why I was responsible for a deductible on a policy that wasn't mine, the guy got off the phone and I reckon checked with someone, and about a week later called with a settlement offer of the full amount (22k). It took Mahindra finance a couple days to get me a copy of the payoff statement, but all the paperwork has been turned in so I'm back to waiting. Lack of acknowledgement and communication from the ins co has been probably the most aggravating aspect of this process aside from the missing tractor.

From a valuation standpoint I think it's reasonable based on prices I've seen across the us for a max28 hst tlb with just over 100 hours, but I doubt it would've covered shipping had I opted for a replacement, and there would have been other issues. I'm out the finance charge and the insurance, but I reckon it could always be worse. When the dust settles, I'll order up a 26 hst tlb and hopefully not have to worry about this stuff again.

 

[linuxman51]

Wasn't hot down here yesterday afternoon, not at all

Over all, I am *extremely* pleased with my dealer's handling of this situation and his willingness to go above and beyond without me having to gripe about it.
(but I should have loaded the tractor on my trailer instead of letting their guy do it, he went too far forward. I only had a few miles to go on rural roads, but any further than that and I would've stopped and re-balanced things backwards about a foot/foot.5)

So, that's the resolution to the issue. The dealer's INS cut two checks, one to mahindra finance for the remainder of the loan, and one to me for the remainder of the valued price.

Now that it's hotter than the hinges of ****, I can get back to heavier work.

 

[aeblank]

I'm amazed that box blade stayed...
Glad it worked out. I guess your loader valve doesn't stick anymore. Good job fixing that.