Problem with my compact JD 4200 collar shift

psychewe · Jan 30, 2013

I know that these tractors have a history of shifting and hydraulic pump problems (already had the hydraulic oil with filings removed once....) But this latest issue is going to cost me a fortune and I need advice. Back in December, we noticed that there was an oil leak from somewhere below and to the right of the seat. According to a relatively knowledgeable neighbor (we live in a farming community) it was a compromised hydraulic oil seal. Tractor went into the shop in town and they fixed the oil leak problem. There had been no other issues with the tractor when it left our farm - no unusual noises - nothing. We had just used it to spread gravel for a new concrete pad. When the tractor came back, the folks from the shop said that the loud engine noise was "normal." No it wasn't - it never made that noise - a sound like gears binding up - in the 10 years we have owned it. So I drove it for an hour (worked fine) but then called my neighbor over to ask him about it. He said "no way! It should not make that noise" So it went back to the shop and now they tell me that there is a bad bearing on a shaft and that will be $2,500 in labor just to open it up.....really? I send it to them to fix a busted seal and now I have this problem? I know very little about tractors and will sit down with them tomorrow to go over the December bill (which they forgot to send me) but does anyone out there know if one can create this gear binding sound by (1) fixing a seal (2) checking the hydraulic oil for filings or (3) adjusting the clutch which is the only things they were asked to do last month. If you have questions, ask away and I will do my best to answer. Thank you in advance for your time.

John_in_TN · Jan 30, 2013

I really can't answer your question, but will offer a couple of comments. I did own a 4200 collar-shift for several years.

The hydraulic system and transmission share the same oil sump. The suction screen is at the very bottom of that sump. I don't know how anyone could check that screen for metal chips without draining that sump (as I recall about 7 or 8 gallons of oil). Did they refill it with the correct, clean oil, to the proper level?

My 4200 experienced failure of the two bearing on the main shaft of the transmission. My tractor was out of warranty, but JD supplied the replacement bearings at no charge. I paid my JD dealer just under $1500 for labor and misc materials (oil sealant, shop supplies, etc.) to do the repair. The repair took them two full days to complete, part of the time with two repairment working.

psychewe · Jan 30, 2013

Apparently Oregon is not the place to have tractor problems! Interesting that you mention the transmission/hydraulic oil. My neighbor and I checked the level when we were going over the strange engine sounds. At first we couldn't see the oil in the glass window, so we moved the tractor to a more level location and it did appear in that window. However it looked virtually clear to me - not yellow at all - and I was wondering if that was normal. Since you did have a bearing go on the shaft, how did it manifest itself - did you hear any strange sounds (like gears locked too tightly together) and was it gradual or did it happen virtually one day to the next? Thanks again for your time.

John_in_TN · Jan 30, 2013

Yes, I first noticed the problem as a gear noise. Best I can describe it: when the tractor was in motion, it sounded like the trasmission gears were runing "dry" (without lubricant). Not terribly loud, but obviously not right.

The dealer first drained the sump, then removed the suction strainer. Pieces of the metal ball "cage" from the bearings were in the bottom of the sump, behind the strainer.

I first noticed the problem as I was pulling the tractor out of my shop (where I park it). I took it to the dealer right away without useing it any more.To be honest, I had last used the tractor the afternoon before for some very heavy PTO work. Basically I ran it for about an hour at full load. I suspect the problem started during that session (that main shaft also powers the PTO), but I didn't hear it above the sound of the mower.

psychewe · Jan 30, 2013

Bingo - that is exactly the sound I am hearing and that started after the seal was fixed. When the tractor left here for the shop to get the seal fixed, it wasn't making the sound and when we got it back, it was. Interestingly we never ran the PTO when we discovered the initial seal problem as all we were doing was moving gravel with the bucket to put down a new concrete pad in the equipment barn. So there is no chance that we couldn't hear it over the noise of the PTO. I only use the PTO for field mowing and last did that in June/July. I use the tractor in the fall for cleaning out the barn as well as for moving gravel about.