New 2320... a couple issues

thebadchek · Sep 3, 2007

Howdy everyone. My wife and I just bought a new 2320 w/ 200cx FEL and 62d MMM last week. With much help from the posts we read here we feel we bought the right tractor. So, I wanted to share a pic with everyone and say hello as a new member. It has been working great. I agree with others, this is a grass mowing monster

We have had a couple issues though...

While the wife was mowing a pasture the other day, the tractor started to overheat and we had to wait 'till it cooled before starting again. We had to blow out the front grille screens twice before finishing as they were full of grass. Since then, at the recommendation of the dealer, I lowered the front of the deck just a tad and this seems to have reduced the amount of dust being thrown out of the deck. I saw in a previous post about someone having the same problem with the front grille screens filling up with dirt and grass causing the overheating. I can't find that thread again. Is this a common issue and if so, what was the solution?

Also, the manual isn't really clear about whether to leave the engine at idle speed for long times. Is it OK to leave the engine at idle while working off the tractor, or should we shut it off every time?

EdC · Sep 3, 2007

thebadchek

I have not had any overheating problem with my 2320 but then I don't mow with it either. I do plan on getting a shredder in the next year or two. These tractors are really hard workers for their size. My weekend project was to move and level 55 tons of rock and it went through it without a hitch. Okay, one hitch but it wasn't the tractors fault that I forgot to put the geotextile cloth down and didn't notice until I had spread about ten ton's of 3 inch rock.

When I work my tractor hard I let it idle for a few minutes after I am done to let the temperature come down and then turn it off. I don't let it sit and idle for long periods of time. By no means do I have a lot of experience with tractors though; that is just what my dealer told me to do and it does seem to work.

Welcome to TBN!!!

prosperity · Sep 3, 2007

Hi, and welcome badchek.

A beautiful machine it is!

Your first issue -
This is kind of common with these machines set up with a mid mower deck. Although I don't finish mow with my 2520 (have a Z for that), I did mow a lot with my 2210. When in anything heavy, the front screens will quickly clog up. And, one of the main problems is that you can't see those screens when on the tractor. As a matter of fact, my wife used to occasionally look out the window at me on the tractor, and see if my screens were clogging up - a couple waves of her hand and I knew to stop and clean the screens.

I've never found a solution - just have to get used to keeping an eye on them.

As for idling - it is never a good idea to idle a diesel engine for a long period of time. What happens is, when idling, the temperature of the cylinders will cool, and not all the fuel injected will burn - the unburnt fuel will then wash down the cylinder walls causing improper lubrication.
Basic rule of thumb for me - 2-3 minutes idling is OK - anything more than that I will shut it down.

Hope that helps some - and congratulations on your beautiful new machine!

BigD9 · Sep 3, 2007

Is that what my 2320 looked like brand new??? Wow, not a scratch on it!

The front screens on my tractor fill up a lot of the times, especially now that it is sooooo dry. I just got off my 2320 a few minutes ago and it was all clogged up after mowing about 2 acres of weeds. Seems like they are all that are growing except for around the septic laterals!

So far my tractor has never overheated and I have worked her hard. My FEEL has sure made life easier for me, and I have moved a "mountain" of clay/rock the contractor left from the basement excavation. I need to get a tooth bar next. I hear it will allow the bucket to dig like nobody's business.

We now have 40 hours on the tractor and the only problem we have had with our 2320 is the MM deck. The gear box on the deck went bad after about 5 hours of use.

JSR LLS · Sep 3, 2007

Badchek,
Beautiful machine you have there! I am about ready to pull the trigger on a 2320 myself. My wife thinks we should wait until spring, so I might be saying I'm ready for a few months?!? I have read some threads about the clogging as well. How high was the pasture that you were mowing and how thick was the grass/weeds? Just curious, as to the fact that a little of our mowing is in pasture grass. Have fun with the new toy.

Yseesee · Sep 4, 2007

Well, I have 2520 and I've had the same problem. The only thing I can think of to do is jump off the tractor from time to time and check the grill. It sure would be nice to have a temp gauge so you could keep an eye on it!!

Gator6x4 · Sep 4, 2007

thebadchek said:
Howdy everyone. My wife and I just bought a new 2320 w/ 200cx FEL and 62d MMM last week. With much help from the posts we read here we feel we bought the right tractor. So, I wanted to share a pic with everyone and say hello as a new member. It has been working great. I agree with others, this is a grass mowing monster We have had a couple issues though...

While the wife was mowing a pasture the other day, the tractor started to overheat and we had to wait 'till it cooled before starting again. We had to blow out the front grille screens twice before finishing as they were full of grass. Since then, at the recommendation of the dealer, I lowered the front of the deck just a tad and this seems to have reduced the amount of dust being thrown out of the deck. I saw in a previous post about someone having the same problem with the front grille screens filling up with dirt and grass causing the overheating. I can't find that thread again. Is this a common issue and if so, what was the solution?

Also, the manual isn't really clear about whether to leave the engine at idle speed for long times. Is it OK to leave the engine at idle while working off the tractor, or should we shut it off every time?

View attachment 84961

This is a problem with the John Deere MMM mowing decks. On my X495 the screens would cover over when mowing in the yard. I discussed this with my dealer and he ordered a kit, two thin shaped metal strips. The strips are bolted on the bottom edge on the front of the mowing deck. The holes are already pre bored in the deck. Makes a WORLD of difference. No more dust flying or screens clogging. Made me a happy camper. Check with your dealer and see if such a kit is available for your deck. If he pleads no knowledge, call John Deere.

cast_and_blast · Sep 4, 2007

I think it's a HUGE leap to state that there is a "problem" with JD MMM decks. I have a 2305 with a 62C and it's primary use is mowing; I don't have the issue with the front screen getting clogged. There are thousands and thousands of these MMM in use.

The thin strips are actually used with the powerflow unit - I'm in process of getting a bagger system setup on my 62C and saw them listed in the manual (they are optional).

Good luck!

Scott

thebadchek · Sep 4, 2007

Thanks for all the info. I guess I will have to just keep an eye on it while I am mowing. Like I said, its not as bad now that I lowered the front of the deck just a bit. As far as the FEL, we have used to it move a couple pain in the a** rubber mats last weekend. They are so hard to move because they are heavy and have nothing to grab onto. Loaded them into the FEL and moved them quick. Now my wife says we need to have a load of dirt delivered just so we can play in it... who's toy is this anyways?!

JSR LLS- The grass was about 8 inches high, and kinda thick. We just replanted it this past spring and its grown in great. Trying to keep the chamber bitter at bay though by cutting it. But, to be fair, the ground was pretty dry as we havent had rain in a week. The 2320 cuts like a champ though. Took us 45 min to cut an acre that used to take 3 hrs.

UpstateNYMarine · Sep 5, 2007

Keep an eye on the FEL while mowing. When using the MMM it may be easier jsut to pull the bucket off with the quick detach things. But if the grass is high I found the FEL was hitting the taller grasses and sending the "little fuzzies" into the grill. Now when we put the MMM on we just drop the bucket. We leave the rest of the FEL on...just drop the bucket off.

Best of luck with the 2320 though. It has been a great machine for us. I kept thinking that one day I may need a larger machine but everything I try with this tractor it does without a problem. Even have an LX5 brush cutter on it and it cuts like a dream in all the fields. Since they have been cut down the clover comes up real nice and lots more critters coming around these days.

Gator6x4 · Sep 5, 2007

John Deere has several kits for their mower decks. 1.) Mulch Kit 2.) Leaf Kit and 3.) Anti-Blowout Kit. The Anti-Blowout Kit Part# AM 133765 is the kit my dealer ordered for my deck. If such a kit is available for your deck it will make a world of difference in the amount of dust and grass clippings that spill out the front of the deck when mowing.

tonybada · Sep 5, 2007

that is a beautiful machine! I am looking at that model as well it would look very nice in my backyard. Good luck with it and keep us posted on the screen issue.

unreconstructed · Sep 5, 2007

I posted recently about the overheating problem with the 2320. I cut pasture grass from 3 inches to 12 inches from thin to thick ( the fel bucket was not hitting the grass in either case). I had the screen clogging problem in all cases except in the instance where I mowed my lawn. Keep in mind I am in West Texas and it does not take long for grass to dry out--the lawn is always watered so no dry grass in the yard.

My machine is now at the dealer awaiting a new motor. I have 24 hours on it. Had problems from day one which I was afraid was my fault as I had the heating problem from onset--attributed it to the clogged screens. After it was torn down, the dealer said it looked to be a factory defect from get go, so the clogged screens probably just added to the problem.

I was constantly getting off and cleaning the screens--more getting off and cleaning than mowing. How much of that was the defect, I don't know. Just know that I will be paranoid now, especially as someone else mentioned, the tractor has no temp gauge.

My opinion is that the mmm is useless out here unless you like to get on and off the tractor a lot or don't mow unless you catch it right after a heavy dew or rain. I do like the tractor and actually bought it to mow under my oaks at my place in the hill country (Texas). It gets dry there also, but is muich wetter than here in West Texas.

I thought of getting a RFM, but not so sure that will work on some of my pasture acreage ( am getting it ready with MX6 and 5203 but is a bull in china closet) . Maybe an LX-5 and sharpen up the blades. Have not figured that out. I just want a more finished look on some of our "pet" acreage than the MX6 will deliver. Again, the 2320 will be my tree tractor.

That's my experience so far, but like another poster said--there's a bunch of them around that have given the owners no problems. I just think it is a function of dryer climate and dryer grasses.

I too shut off my tractor if I am off more than a couple of minutes or so.

Best regards,

gbates.

EdC · Sep 6, 2007

unreconstructed

Ouch, sorry to hear about your 2320. Sure hope the dealer and Deere are taking care of you at no cost (other than the inconvenience).

jcmseven · Sep 6, 2007

The only way I really see to solve this problem is to go with a RFM. The natural design of the air intake will allow the JD to suck in whatever particulate matter it can into the screen. Because these are relatively small machines and lower to the ground than a larger framed tractor, they run through whatever they are cutting (airborne particles). The RFM option would help alot, but is not a good option for all due to its decreased manuverability. My X595 that I used to own did the same thing, but because it took in air at the driver's compartment I could easily keep an eye on it and it seemed to not take in as much debris. My current 3720 does not have a problem. The screen is much larger and the tractor sits much higher, so it does not clog. Until a better intake design is available it basically means you will need to stop every 45 minutes or so in certain conditions to scrape off debris, but when you figure how much more efficient this little machine is than your previous one, you are still coming out way ahead. Sorry about your problem there. Also, I concur with the other posters, I do not believe in idling any diesel more than five minutes without cutting it off. It wastes expensive fuel and the engine does not like it. Especially the Yanmars as they tend to overfuel when idling--not good.

John M

unreconstructed · Sep 6, 2007

The conversation I had with the store manager was that Deere is taking care of the situation with no charge to me. I actually took this machine in when it had 16 hours on it because of the heating problem There was a pinhole in the radiator neck and I got a new radiator. I told them the thing still did not sound right to me--it missed when started, smoked too much, and didn't even smell right. No one listened. So 9 hours later, the little guy gave it up. Even though a new motor is forthcoming, I am dubious that it will be put back together so that i have a trouble free tractor down the road for years to come. Sometimes that's how the cow eats the cabbage I guess.

I may go RFM or just an LX5 for the cleared areas, but the MMM is just too
good under those trees to give up on it. I can handle clean out every half hour or so, but every 2 or 3 minutes tries even my patience. Might as well get out the old Lt 133 and give er a go.

viking65 · Sep 6, 2007

2 seasons of mowing lots of dry grass with the 62D MMM...no overheating problems

unreconstructed · Sep 7, 2007

Viking65

How often do you clean your grills? Badcheck and I seem to share a common problem.

viking65 · Sep 7, 2007

unreconstructed said:
Viking65

How often do you clean your grills? Badcheck and I seem to share a common problem.

I don't clean anything until I am finished mowing. Then I use a leaf blower to get rid of grass and leaves stuck to the grills. Under the hood I use the leaf blower to blow off any dust and debris around the radiator, radiator screen and engine. So far so good. I also do the same on the 62D MMM and the rest of the tractor. Only takes a few minutes.

thebadchek · Sep 7, 2007

Thanks for all the input. Sorry about your troubles unrecon. I hope yours is better once they put a new engine in it. Like I said, mine seems to not be putting as much debris into the grille now that I lowered the front of the deck a little. I have since mowed my lawn and another pasture with it and had no problems. It did collect some debris, but I blew them out with an air compressor when I was done.