'07 John Deere 3520 Hydraulic problems

[bdblount]

I have a 1.5 year old John Deere 3520 tractor with a 300 CX loader. It is a hydrostatic 4x4 model. Ever since I've had the tractor the tranny whines a lot and the loader and three point lift are very jumpy. I brought it back to the dealer several months ago and they said they couldn't find any problems (classic response), however they did change the hydraulic fluid and all filters.
The tractor still has the same problems. When you raise the loader it is very jumpy and makes a lot of whining sounds. When the three point hitch is raised with a load it will slowly lower a couple of inches over a few minutes and then bump back up on its own. Its almost like it is losing pressure slowly and then all of the sudden a valve or something changes and the fluid surges back through the system. Any suggestions on the matter would be greatly appreciated.

 

[kennyd]

Welcome to TBN

What you are describing is definitely NOT normal. If your machine is still under warranty then you need to find a different dealer who wants to help...

The 3PH jumping is a symptom of the rockshaft valve being bad...and JD did have a run of these on the 3x20 series tractors.

As far as the loader, it could be a bad coupler, Or when they changed the fluid and filter they did not remove and clean the return screen that is in the system. How nay hours on your machine?

 

[bdblount]

The tractor has about 175 hours on it and is it still under warranty. Before I brought it into the shop I called around to a few dealers and asked if they knew anything about these problems. One said he had cleaned out some pieces of trash caught in some valve ports. This dealer was about 200 miles away or I would have brought the tractor to him. As an added note the tractor has loadmatch- could this have anything to do with it?

 

[radman1]

Loadmatch won't have anything to do with that problem. Your hydraulics are not right. Keep hasseling the dealer for find a different dealer to fix the problem under warranty. I have none of those issues and my tranny has no whine.

 

[bdblount]

Could it possibly be air in the system? How could I bleed the system to make sure there is no air?

 

[kennyd]

The system is self-bleeding, so that is unlikely the cause.

 

[Kernopelli]

Your issue definitely isn't normal and I agree with kennyd that it sounds like a 3 point hitch control valve issue. I remember reading that this series had an issue w/ those valves. Another scenario from experience with my personal tractor (non JD), it could also be a symptom of debris either in the control valve or in relief valve.

The loader is surging for a reason. Your dealer is blowing smoke and hoping you'll just deal with it. They are probably being honest by saying "we couldn't find any problems." However, when the symptoms persist after they looked at it, it is obvious that what they really meant is "WE don't know what's wrong with it, we'll try making a superficial effort and hope that satisfies you enough that you'll decide to live with it". Give me a break, it's under warranty. No one likes being a jerk but lets be real, you spent a ton of money on a top of the line product and if it doesn't work correctly. It is very reasonable to expect the dealer to either fix it or get with their JD rep and figure out how to make it right. Is this unreasonable? Absolutely not! I would take it back to the dealer and let them have an honest shot at fixing it. If that is unsuccessful I would be having some phone conversations with John Deere.

 

[kmw70]

Hi, did you happen to figure out the hydraulic jumping problem? I have a 4210 and I am starting to experience the same conditions. I have had my tractor for about 5 years and it just started this abnormal performance.

Any help is much appreciated!!

KMW

 

[bdblount]

I brought the tractor in to the dealer and they found it to have a cracked rocker shaft on the three point lift lever. When I picked it up it seemed to be OK (not great). They assured me the problem was solved. Well, that was six months ago and the problem is as bad as it ever was (maybe worse). I believe the tractor has a bad hydraulic pump and they patched it up so it would pacify me until the warranty expired. Well, guess what, the warranty is expired and I'm stuck with this thing and its lackluster performance. I guess I'll buy a new pump for it at some point.

 

[Just Bill]

Hello
Call John Deere and explain the problem.
At this point you have nothing to lose.
I bet they are interested in the problem and they will fix it or they wont.
Either way tell every one you talk to about your experence , good or bad.

 

[gogreen]

My 3520 has started the jumping in the 3 point hitch system. I have 550 hours and I did push a lot of snow with the rear blade this winter. Now, the 3 point hitch will drop about an inch or two over about a minute or less and then it will jump back up. I am going to change the hydraulic fluid and filter but I doubt that will fix it. I also need to see if I can tighten the rockshaft lift handle, as now when I hit bumps it will move forward on its own. If anyone can explain the problem with the rockshaft valve mentioned earlier in this thread, I am listening to see if I could have that problem.

 

[tjc1989]

Hi,

I realize this is an old post, but was thinking the answers from kennyd and Kernopelli would probably relate to my Branson rear lift problem. I was certainly glad to hear that the problem is not unique to Branson tractors, nor that the lack of effort to resolve the problem is just not Branson dealers , either.

 

[bdblount]

I'm really starting to hate this tractor. This things seems to be getting worse every time I use it. Right now, if I raise the 3-point all the way up with a grader box attached , kill the tractor, and then watch. Within five minutes it has fallen all the way to the ground. I have a rear SCV with a hydraulic top link attached. Oddly enough this cylinder seems to operate perfectly, but the 3 point lift is all over the place. The loader freezes every once in a while and is generally very sluggish. The tractor whines a lot. I know someone with a Kubota 3940 HST and it doesn't do any of this. Could it be the cylinder that operates the 3 point lift? Does anyone know a phone number for John Deere?
These dealers are nothing but money vacuums, I'd like to fix this thing myself if I knew what to fix. That way I know it would be right.

 

[rickyddriskill]

I'm really starting to hate this tractor. This things seems to be getting worse every time I use it. Right now, if I raise the 3-point all the way up with a grader box attached , kill the tractor, and then watch. Within five minutes it has fallen all the way to the ground. I have a rear SCV with a hydraulic top link attached. Oddly enough this cylinder seems to operate perfectly, but the 3 point lift is all over the place. The loader freezes every once in a while and is generally very sluggish. The tractor whines a lot. I know someone with a Kubota 3940 HST and it doesn't do any of this. Could it be the cylinder that operates the 3 point lift? Does anyone know a phone number for John Deere?
These dealers are nothing but money vacuums, I'd like to fix this thing myself if I knew what to fix. That way I know it would be right.

Did you ever figure out the 3pt hitch problem on this tractor? I have a 2007 JD3520 with around 1000 hours that is starting to do the same thing.

 

[rickyddriskill]

My rockshaft drop rate is getting worse and worse. The dealer said they put a scope in it and hydraulic oil is leaking around the piston. I don't trust my local dealer so I was curious if anyone ever found a good solution to this problem on my 2007 John Deere 3520?

Thank you in advance.

 

[sd455dan]

My rockshaft drop rate is getting worse and worse. The dealer said they put a scope in it and hydraulic oil is leaking around the piston. I don't trust my local dealer so I was curious if anyone ever found a good solution to this problem on my 2007 John Deere 3520?

Thank you in advance.

Sounds like the rockshaft piston seal(s) is failing, and needs replaced,may also need to hone the inside of the cylinder if it is scored. Have had to replace the one on my Chinese tractor and my 3000 ford.
when the 3 point rockshaft leaks down there is a feed back mechanical mechanism that opens the hydraulic control valve to lift the 3 point back to its original location. if the leak is bad enough it can cause a lot of cycling up and down.
this course of action is assuming the dealers troubleshooting is correct. Hope this is helpful

 

[rickyddriskill]

Thanks Dan!

 

[jodebg]

Kenny-

Can you tell me where the return screen is on the JD 3520. I have to change the fluid and filter soon and would like to
do everything that needs to be done before the new fluid and filter are installed. Thanks.

Welcome to TBN

What you are describing is definitely NOT normal. If your machine is still under warranty then you need to find a different dealer who wants to help...

The 3PH jumping is a symptom of the rockshaft valve being bad...and JD did have a run of these on the 3x20 series tractors.

As far as the loader, it could be a bad coupler, Or when they changed the fluid and filter they did not remove and clean the return screen that is in the system. How nay hours on your machine?

 

[kennyd]

Go here: John Deere Ag - New Equipment: Technical Publications - Equipment Search

Select your model then pic open station or cab in the serial number range you have, then there will be a link to the owners manual. Without knowing this info I can can't help more...

You can also look in www.jdparts yourself, it's free and the same basic system the dealer use at the parts counter. There is a quick tutorial linked in my signature also.

 

[jodebg]

Thanks for the links. The manual shows an inline hydraulic filter that is able to be removed, cleaned and reinstalled. Would this be the return filter that you referred to?

Looks like the drain plugs are all allen bolts. Can you tell me if they are metric or SAE on this John Deere? Need to buy a set and the tractor is not here to check the bolts.

From what I can see there is a small filter

Go here: John Deere Ag - New Equipment: Technical Publications - Equipment Search

Select your model then pic open station or cab in the serial number range you have, then there will be a link to the owners manual. Without knowing this info I can can't help more...

You can also look in www.jdparts yourself, it's free and the same basic system the dealer use at the parts counter. There is a quick tutorial linked in my signature also.