3720 Power Steering Line

[sunnyside360]

Today I found a very deep gouge worn into the power steering hose on the right front side of my 3720 tractor. It happened because the hose rubbed against the frame when the front axle pivots. The tractor has about 140 hrs on it. Wish I had found it sooner before it got so bad.

Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this on their 3X20 tractor and how it was remedied.

 

[dirtworksequip]

I have a 3520/cab. The hose and line routing is terrible. When I first got the tractor I went over it to see where I could maybe change some hoses around to prevent them from rubbing and premature failure. I did change a few, but I'm sure I missed some also. That's one complaint I have............it seems Deere did not use ordinary care or much thought in the line and hose routing. Your not alone if that makes you feel any better.

I did post a thread about hose wear a couple months ago.

Sincerely, Dirt

 

[sunnyside360]

I have a 3520/cab. The hose and line routing is terrible. When I first got the tractor I went over it to see where I could maybe change some hoses around to prevent them from rubbing and premature failure. I did change a few, but I'm sure I missed some also. That's one complaint I have............it seems Deere did not use ordinary care or much thought in the line and hose routing. Your not alone if that makes you feel any better.

I did post a thread about hose wear a couple months ago.

Sincerely, Dirt

Dirt, I did a search prior to posting this thread and did not find anything. After your post above, I did find your thread using your id -- believe it was posted 2/2008.
Anyway, you say you bent the curved steel line to alleviate the problem. I'll look at mine to see if I can do the same but I doubt if these steel lines will move much without breaking. I was thinking about loosening the steel connector at the ps cylinder and turning it down instead of up but then you risk catching the hose on something as it would probably be lower than the cylinder. Thanks for your reply/help.

 

[dirtworksequip]

As I said...........there are a lot of hoses that will eventually wear out because of contact from another line or something else. It seems to be worse on the cab tractors. Just go over your tractor and check it out. Then tweak any hoses or lines to prevent them from wearing. That's one thing nice about the geared tractors.............there are way less hoses,lines and electrical parts to rub against each other.

Sincerely, Dirt

 

[sunnyside360]

As I said...........there are a lot of hoses that will eventually wear out because of contact from another line or something else. It seems to be worse on the cab tractors. Just go over your tractor and check it out. Then tweak any hoses or lines to prevent them from wearing. That's one thing nice about the geared tractors.............there are way less hoses,lines and electrical parts to rub against each other.

Sincerely, Dirt

Will do as you suggested. Will also go over my 4320 (less than a year old) and look for hose chaffing. I can maybe see new model tractors having some issues like this but the 3720 model was out for over two years when I ordered it new from the factory. Oh well, sometimes you just have to roll with the punches and do what you have to do. Thanks again for your insight.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

I had read many posts about the poor hose placements on the 3x20's before I got mine...one of the first things I did was get under my 3520 with the creeper and have a Look-See... apparently my dealer must have had to fix some of these hose issues because there must be a box of zip ties under mine...I really couldnt find any hoses I needed to address...
I must say, overall, most of the "known issues" posted here were already addressed by my dealer before delivery....

 

[Nuru]

Anyone care to post any pics?

 

[sunnyside360]

I had read many posts about the poor hose placements on the 3x20's before I got mine...one of the first things I did was get under my 3520 with the creeper and have a Look-See... apparently my dealer must have had to fix some of these hose issues because there must be a box of zip ties under mine...I really couldnt find any hoses I needed to address...
I must say, overall, most of the "known issues" posted here were already addressed by my dealer before delivery....

You are very fortunate to have such a dealer. He was obviously already aware of the issue. I'd pay more on purchase price for a dealer like yours. I should mention that the problem is much worse if you have the front A-frame 3PH and 72" 7-Iron Mid Mount Mower because of the special bracket on the right side which I have.

Yesterday, I fabricated a metal hose protector from a piece of galvanized sheet metal approx 1/64 inch thick. It is half-moon shaped and about 3" long. It fits tightly on the hose where the chaffing is occurring and is taped in place. I also put a piece of heavy duty garden hose about 4" long (with a slit) over the metal sleeve and taped it in place. I intend to monitor it closely and leave it this way if it works out OK.

I will look to see if installing a zip tie might help further, but the rubbing is occurring very close to the L-shaped metal tubing part of the hose where it is attached to the hydraulic cylinder so there is little give to the hose. If it weren't for the special bracket for the front 3PH the zip tie would probably work.

 

[sunnyside360]

Anyone care to post any pics?

I will post pix if I can get over to the barn this afternoon.

 

[Nuru]

Ok, that will be fine and Thanks

 

[sunnyside360]

This hose problem is not the fault of John Deere. I just happen to have the Front Hitch Operators Manual and on page 5 it clearly states to disconnect the hydraulic line at the ps cylinder and to install an elbow fitting as shown in figure MX22120. The JD dealer obviously did not install the elbow and hence the line rubs on the bracket/support which is installed for the front 3PH. According to the manual the elbow comes with the front hitch kit.
I'll be over at the JD dealer bright and early Monday morning to pick up the elbow. I may also ask the dealer to replace the hydraulic line.

 

[kennyd]

RTFM!

 

[sunnyside360]

RTFM!

I agree. The dealer who installed the feature should have read the manual and installed the front hitch properly. I paid over $30K for the JD 3720 cab tractor with most all features, plus 72" MMM and front snow blower and expected all to be installed correctly. Guess it was a bad assumption and should go over everything else that was dealer installed -- at least the features which I have the manuals for.....
Thanks for your insight.

 

[dirtworksequip]

I have sometimes found that if you have read all the install insructions, you may know more than the dealer.

Sincerely, Dirtworksequip

 

[Spudland_Dave]

You are very fortunate to have such a dealer. He was obviously already aware of the issue. I'd pay more on purchase price for a dealer like yours.

LOL...Yeah thats why I bought a JD, the dealer is good. Although I will say this...Thursday when I went to pick up my rear glass I honestly thought about selling the 3520 and getting a CIH Cabbed unit instead...Dealer might be good, but they also need to put some of that Polyurea Grease in a tub at the parts counter, Vaseline isnt quite good enough for JD's parts pricing. I buy parts for some red equipment we have around and they always knock a few bucks off here and there when you ask.
I didnt pay more on the purchase price, but I'm certianly paying more as time goes on.... If my dealer wasnt so bleepin good with everything else, I'd look for a better/cheaper JD parts source..

 

[sunnyside360]

I have sometimes found that if you have read all the install insructions, you may know more than the dealer.

Sincerely, Dirtworksequip

Yeah, I'm finding this out the hard way. However, I don't have manuals for all installed features & equipment. I was lucky to have the one for the front 3PH. There are some really good dealers out there if you can just find them.

 

[sunnyside360]

LOL...Yeah thats why I bought a JD, the dealer is good. Although I will say this...Thursday when I went to pick up my rear glass I honestly thought about selling the 3520 and getting a CIH Cabbed unit instead...Dealer might be good, but they also need to put some of that Polyurea Grease in a tub at the parts counter, Vaseline isnt quite good enough for JD's parts pricing. I buy parts for some red equipment we have around and they always knock a few bucks off here and there when you ask.
I didnt pay more on the purchase price, but I'm certianly paying more as time goes on.... If my dealer wasnt so bleepin good with everything else, I'd look for a better/cheaper JD parts source..

I agree. JD parts are ridiculously high priced but we don't have many options. Massey Ferguson, IH, Case, and Kubota parts are also very high. Don't know if it is true but someone said Case backhoes are sold at low margins and they make their big money on parts.

Good luck with your glass installation.

 

[sunnyside360]

Just got back from visiting the JD Dealer about the hose issue. Service mgr agreed to install the elbow fitting per the front hitch installation manual and to replace the PS hydraulic line all at no charge.

So, if you have a front hitch for the 3X20 series tractor check to ensure the hydraulic line at the right side of the power steering cylinder is not rubbing against the brace/bracket installed for the front hitch.

 

[Nuru]

LOL...Yeah thats why I bought a JD, the dealer is good. Although I will say this...Thursday when I went to pick up my rear glass I honestly thought about selling the 3520 and getting a CIH Cabbed unit instead...Dealer might be good, but they also need to put some of that Polyurea Grease in a tub at the parts counter, Vaseline isnt quite good enough for JD's parts pricing. I buy parts for some red equipment we have around and they always knock a few bucks off here and there when you ask.
I didnt pay more on the purchase price, but I'm certianly paying more as time goes on.... If my dealer wasnt so bleepin good with everything else, I'd look for a better/cheaper JD parts source..

You might occasionally call the dealers in NH and they might present you with some very good deals and no tax.

 

[Nuru]

This hose problem is not the fault of John Deere. I just happen to have the Front Hitch Operators Manual and on page 5 it clearly states to disconnect the hydraulic line at the ps cylinder and to install an elbow fitting as shown in figure MX22120. The JD dealer obviously did not install the elbow and hence the line rubs on the bracket/support which is installed for the front 3PH. According to the manual the elbow comes with the front hitch kit.
I'll be over at the JD dealer bright and early Monday morning to pick up the elbow. I may also ask the dealer to replace the hydraulic line.

When i installed mine, the manual said that if you cannot adjust the hose from in-between the bracket and the axle, then install the elbow fitting. Mine seems okay and so I let it stay stock, but if I see ot start to get too close, I will change it out.