Problem with HPX......

[cowboydoc]

I would be very mad about this. I would get ahold of Deere corporate. They take these issues very seriously and are usually on the ball with this.

 

[Dargo]

Unfortunately I walked away from being a life long JD customer this last year. I'd purchased nearly 200K of new JD products over the last decade and was pretty well brushed off by them. I suppose they figured that since I'd always purchased green that I always would. I'd never considered orange until JD gave me the cold shoulder on some issues. I sort of felt that after spending close to a couple hundred grand with them over the years that I'd get a little better treatment. Not. You ought to go drive one of those RTV's. I drove an HPX first and the JD dealer "expected" me to be right back and buy. One drive of the RTV and I was out of the green business. I'm sure I didn't "teach them a lesson" by my leaving, but I'm happy with my decision. Hopefully they will make things right for you and you don't have to make any moves.

 

[flyingn]

absolutly agree. I drove the HPX and the 6 wheel gator and was not impressed. The RTV is so far ahead of Green it not funny. I do like JD's mowers tho. We have had good luck with them recently..

Frank

 

[Y2KF250PSD]

Yesterday I called and spoke with the Customer Service Hotline. They issued a case number for the issue and were helpful. They basically explained that my options were to take the machine to a different dealer for service or negotiate with the current dealer. She did state that anytime an issue is entered into the "Dtac" system, a resolution is always returned within 24 hours. I emphasized this had not occured in 3 weeks. She was unable to understand why my dealer had not received a response.

She also gave me a phone number for Corporate Headquarters. When I called it, a receptionist referred me back to customer service. She would not allow me to speak to any type of executives. I then called the dealership and spoke to the owner. He stated he was aware of the situation and assured me the problem would be resolved.

Here's the good part! Shortly after these phone calls, the dealership calls and tells me they need to pick up my gator and that they're expecting a response from Dtac. Told em to come get it, if it's not repaired by Monday, there was no need in returning it.

Last night at around 6pm, I received a call from another John Deere Representative. She stated that my case had been forwarded to her and assured me it would be corrected.

She said she would be contacting the dealership and also their technical services for a 3 way conversation.

Directly after this call, I received a call from the Service Manager at the dealership telling me that "Dtac" had not responded as of yet.

We'll see what happens next......

Chuck

 

[cowboydoc]

Just keep at them Chuck. You can get the #'s of deere execs as well. PM me and I can help you if this doesn't work. If Deere is going to pride themselves on quality and customer service then they dang sure better back it up.

 

[Y2KF250PSD]

Ah....... the saga continues!!! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Just got a call from the Service Manager. He finally heard from the infamous "Dtac". It seems there is a design flaw in the routing of the fuel line and possibly in the carburetor jetting. This jives with exactly what we've all figured, because it has been vaporlocking. My question then was why are there not any other reported issues? The S.M. stated that Dtac had several reports from users of the HPX exhibiting the same symptoms as mine. (Why this took a month to hear about and figure out is beyond me).

So, Dtac is aware of the design flaw and is currently working toward a solution. They advised the Service Manager to somehow insulate and/or reroute the fuel line in order to ascertain if this corrects the problem. They're requesting me to be the "beta tester" to see if this works. I try to be a reasonable man and told them that was agreeable. I told 'em that as long as they're making an effort and taking some action, I can live with a little mechanical research and discovery.

Now, I know at least one of you guys (Cowboy Doc) also own HPX's. Are you having any problems with yours? Have you worked it hard (towing or loading it down)? If you're not having these issues, it may be because it hasn't gotten hot enough in your region yet. It's in the upper 90's here and, of course the heat onsets the problem. How many other members have bought an HPX?

I'd appreciate responses to verify what seems to be occurring with these machines.

Bottom line: We're on the road to a cure or I'm gettin smoke blown up my @$$, time will tell.

Thanks for all responses!

Chuck

 

[Y2KF250PSD]

Service Manager called me late yesterday and told me they had obtained some foam type insulation tubing from the local NAPA store to wrap the fuel line. This was per Dtac's recommendation to ascertain if this alleviates the vaporlocking.

He said they ran the machine about 20 minutes and guess what? The insulation melted !!

This aint too surprising (to me at least) since that portion of the fuel line is within 8-10" from the muffler! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif I'm really surprised these issues weren't addressed prior to releasing this model. Maybe they put it on the market without enough testing. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

They're schemin on rerouting the fuel line now to see how that works.

Also received another call from the lady at customer service who pretty much told me all the same info.

But, at least they are keeping me briefed on what actions are being taken and the results. I appreciate that. It's unfortunate I had to raise so much to get em off high center but now things are finally on track and progress is being made. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Chuck

 

[riptides]

Good for you getting them into action.

Bad for them, it took you to get them going.

I can understand (maybe) their situation, "no one else reporting problem". BUT

They could have handled it better.... and maybe they can learn from it.

Bottom line so far:
They are working the issue and keeping you informed. That is goodness.

Best of Luck!
-Mike Z. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Y2KF250PSD]

You guys are probably tired of reading about this but here's another update /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Service Manager called this morning and said they rerouted the fuel line on the exterior of the engine compartment as much as possible and plan on returning the machine to me later this afternoon.

I'm off the next 2 days so I'll use it and we'll see if this is the solution.

I'm betting (and hoping) it is. I also appreciate the support I've received here!! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Chuck

<font color="red"> Disregard the above post! Service Manager just called and said it's not fixed. Said he ran it for a bit and it died and wouldn't restart. There's no question in his mind now that the entire system needs redesigning. I tend to agree. </font>

 

[Dargo]

Gosh, sorry to hear about your problems with the HPX. I am not out to knock the HPX at all, and in other posts even stated that I liked it's looks better than the RTV, but I'm now glad I decided on the RTV rather than the HPX I nearly bought. It's odd, but the John Deere dealer actually sort of helped me make up my mind. When I was comparing the two, he told me that Kubota was only "buying market share" and there was no way they could continue to put out a utility vehicle with a diesel engine, power steering, hydro dump, and 4 wheel drive with the build quality it has for the money they are currently selling for. He said that the RTV would be priced quite a bit higher soon. Being that Deere still doesn't have their diesel out, at least as of the 15th they didn't, and I really didn't want a gas engine, I went with the RTV. Also, since I spoke with the JD dealer on the 15th, I asked him if there were any problems with the HPX, and he told me that with any new product to expect some "issues". I didn't press, but being that this is a pretty large dealership, I'm wondering if the problem like yours is what he wasn't talking about. Needless to say, he is really looking foreword to getting the diesel HPX which should arrive at his place in a couple of weeks. If you really like the HPX, I'd hold out for one of those. Either way, good luck!