Recall

cef2lion · Dec 22, 2003

I just noticed this on the JD WEB site. It wasn't dated and I have not seen any other posts on it. Thought I would pass it along. My 4410 falls in the serial number range and I have an E-mail into my dealer.

http://www.deere.com/en_US/newsroom/2003/releases/common/031219_tractorrecall.html

IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE

Dear John Deere Customer:

In voluntary cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Deere & Company is recalling certain 4000 Ten Series Compact Utility Tractors (CUT) and 110 Tractor Loader Backhoes (TLB) with Hydrostatic Transmissions.

PROBLEM: An internal failure may occur within the Hydrostatic Transmission (HST). The failure prevents the transmission from returning to neutral after the pedals are released. This can allow unexpected motion or cause the tractor to continue moving.

PRODUCT: John Deere models with HST's in the following serial number ranges.

Model Serial Number Ranges
110 TLB with HST LV0110T211067 through LV0110T211617
4210 CUT with HST LV4210H220677 through LV4210H221025
4310 CUT with HST LV4310H232267 through LV4310H233638
4410 CUT with HST LV4410H241367 through LV4410H241821
4610 CUT with HST LV4610H260774 through LV4610H260906
4710 CUT with HST LV4710H270806 through LV4710H271286

WHAT TO DO: Please contact your John Deere Dealer immediately to make arrangements for installation of improved parts. All parts will be installed without cost to you.

Do not drive the tractor until your John Deere Dealer has repaired it. Inform everyone who operates the tractor of the potential danger. If a failure occurs and the tractor continues moving, please follow these steps.
Reduce the engine speed by moving the throttle lever to slow.
Shut off the tractor by turning the ignition key to off.
Note: This will stop the tractor abruptly.
Engage the park brake to prevent movement.
Remove the ignition key from the tractor to prevent others from starting the tractor.
Inform your John Deere Dealer of the situation.
Do not drive the tractor until it has been repaired.

Please insert this letter into your operator's manual.

We hope this recall will not cause you any undue inconvenience. Our efforts are intended to ensure your continued satisfaction with John Deere products and safe operation of your John Deere Tractor.

If you have any questions, please contact the Customer Communications Center at
1-800-537-8233.

Sincerely,

John Deere Worldwide Commercial and Consumer Equipment Division John Deere Commercial

cef2lion · Dec 22, 2003

I just got word back from my Dealer and it doesn't look like a simple job?

Craig

Hi Craig,

My name is Dave Bishop, I'm the Service Mgr here at Wineland's. John forwarded your email to me. Yes, on Friday I learned of the recall. Please call myself or Ken Bowser (Shop Foreman) and we'll make arrangements with you to have this recall completed. The recall involves replacing the Hydro transmission.

rockyridgefarm · Dec 22, 2003

OK, what's the REAL risk? Should we really NOT drive the tractor? Should we wait til the warranty is about up? that way you get a brand new tranny when the nwarranty is about gone. I assume there will be a reasonable warranty on the new part. (I mean that if if something fails related to the hst change, you don't have tto rely solely on the original warranty) How long should the tractor be gone..?

cef2lion · Dec 22, 2003

My parts for the recall will be at the Dealer in two days. They are arranging to pick up my 4410 in a day or so. They suggested 4 days to complete the work.

Since this is being viewed as a safety recall it is my guess that Deere has to warn users not to use the tractor till it is repaired. If the problem does occur they have provided information on how to stop the tractor. My concern is you might find youself in a situation that you don't have time to react and could hurt someone.

This recall only effects a certain range of serial numbers. You have to wonder what might have caused the issue? Was there an engineering change and the problem surfaced?

Craig

rockyridgefarm · Dec 22, 2003

Well, I called the dealer, before I could say anything, including who I was, they told me that there was this recall, and that they had already verified thet i was NoT included.

Thanks for the heads up, LionMan!

JDgreen227 · Dec 22, 2003

Another example of how the TBN members look after each other...THANKS for the information. My 4210 is not listed in the serial number range. You were told the dealer has to replace the transmission itself? Wow. I also wonder how the problem was discovered.

755inNY · Dec 22, 2003

I assume there will be a reasonable warranty on the new part. 

Any time I have had warranty work done with a covered replacement part, the new part was only covered for the time remaining on the original warranty. Waiting probably won't get you any more time on the replaced part except for a zero time tranny. Even that may not be the case. Depending on what the defect is, they could replace your tranny with a rebuilt tranny with the defect corrected. Some times, if there is a sufficient quantity of units affected, it is cheaper for the manufacturer to have the assembly returned to a factory service center to be rebuilt by trained personnel with the proper tools and materials. Just because the dealer says the recall specifies that the tranny be replaced does not mean replacement with a factory new unit.

Jeff

yellowsocks93 · Dec 22, 2003

I believe that we have had all of the hydros we have sold in the 4000 series compacts have been back to the shop for repairs. I see them all the time. Thats one reason I would never buy a hydro. I hope you get your problem fixed on the first try. By the way, would you consider JD again for future purchases even with this major recall?

Old_Hickory · Dec 22, 2003

I have used and abused my JD 4400, about 850 hours on it and believe me I do work my tractor in a way JD did not intend it to be used for. I have had other problems but not with my hydro.

Heath · Dec 23, 2003

I've heard that hydrostatic transmissions are one of the most trouble free mechanical components ever developed for tractors. The comment about hydros being frequently broken down really surprises me!

rockyridgefarm · Dec 23, 2003

I work in an auto dealership doing IT. I cannot tell you how many times I hear that we are ALWAYS having this or that problem, or we NEVER sell to this segment. I pop out a report from our databases, and VOILÀ myth disappears!

I AM NOT saying yellowsocks is wrong, he obviously voted with his dollars to NOT go HST. But I believe the real numbers will show the greater reliability if the HST (and believing so, spent my dollars THAT way)

I am THRILLED with mine, and he seems to really like his. What more could we ask for? And yellowsocks, please keep telling us what you think. Working in a dealership AND actually owning green makes you another valuable member!

Old_Hickory · Dec 23, 2003

( I've heard that hydrostatic transmissions are one of the most trouble free mechanical components ever developed for tractors. )

Heath,
They are,you know it and I know it.

Heath · Dec 23, 2003

I know that I've never had a problem with my HST unit. My best friend is an airline mechanic and had to learn the ins and out of hydrostatic theory when he was in school. I'm not up on the technical aspects of HST units, but he told me there is really no way any mechanical components can wear out. He gave me a 15 minute breakdown of hydro one day when I showed him my tractor which he made me feel VERY good about having a HST on my tractor. And he doesn't even own a tractor!

JDgreen227 · Dec 23, 2003

And I know hydros are reliable, I bought a JD 318 back in 1989 and it now had 1400 plus hours on it, you can call the hydro system well maintained if two filters and fluid changes in 14 years count. I have used the front blade to bang around 400 pound rocks, pulled tons of broken concrete and dead trees using full throttle from a standing start, backfilled my foundation with twenty yards of fill sand on a 99 degree day and at the end of that job the hydro fluid wasn't even hot.
My little JD has worked harder for me than Deere ever intended it to be worked and has never given me any kind of problems with the HST. NOBODY can convince me hydrostatic transmissions are not reliable.

_RaT_ · Dec 23, 2003

Certainly the reliability of hydrostatic transmissions was of great interest to me prior to my tractor purchase. The entire purchase process was in itself a great education for me.
I learned so much about NH, JD and Kubota. I was not even aware of HST at the time and my many hundreds of hours of experience was dedicated to manual and manual shuttle transmissions. I must admitt to HST ANXIETY but after MChalkeys comments about HST and two of my local dealers and one distant dealer also giving me their opinions, I was quite convinced of their durability. I have yet to question what they told me and quite frankly, I have found more benefits over and beyond their comments through almost daily use of my HST. The bottom line for me has been ultimate control of the tractor, there's more to that then meets the eye. Those of you with HST may understand that or perhaps in the future will, but suffice it to say, HST has made my tractoring job so much easier. I hope that any of those affected by the JD recall on their HST receive great service and long lasting use. Rat...

cef2lion · Dec 23, 2003

My Dealer has ordered the recall kit which includes the hydro transmission. They are picking up my 4410 this Friday.

I just completed the 50 hours service. When I get the 4410 back service said I will need to follow a 50 hours service schedule on the new transmission. While discussing this with the service manager I found out that the recall says to drain and re-use the hydro fluid in the new transmisison.

This morning I sent an E-mail to my sales person expressing two concerns.

That they are re-using the hydro oil instead of new fluid. Is this common practice or would others be concerned not knwoing what the issue is with the current transmission?

I'm going to have to pay for another 50 hours service that I just completed.

Craig

MikePA · Dec 23, 2003

That they are re-using the hydro oil instead of new fluid. Is this common practice or would others be concerned not knwoing what the issue is with the current transmission? 
I'll be interested in hearing the dealer's explanation for this. I can't imagine why they'd recommend reusing hydro fluid except as a cost saving measure. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Old_Hickory · Dec 23, 2003

I have never re-used my oil,but I must admit after changing it I could not see anything dirty,the filter was clean and the oil was clean and not discolored. The only thing I wonder is if the heat etc could damge or lessen the lubricating abilities.
But for no more than it costs and no more often it is changed,I vote go with a new filter and new oil.

johnno · Dec 23, 2003

Wheeeewww! Only over by 90 numbers on my 4310 but that will do it. Something finally went right for me. To those who have to have it fixed, hope everything turns out alright.

John

JDgreen227 · Dec 23, 2003

You have no way of knowing exactly what the recall problem is or if it involves any components that may have caused metal shavings or other contaminates to mix with the new fluid you just put in....and it's a sure bet that the work your dealer is going to do will introduce some. I feel Deere is wrong to reuse the fluid they are draining out and they should be willing to include new fluid with the warranty work.

And, since you just serviced the hydro system I think they should pick up half the expense of the next 50 hour service.