John Deere 2013-2015, 5E series brake problem?

[frank w]

Your man was out here about 2 weeks ago and fixed the clutch problem. Now it works I hope the next time I use it it is still works like it does now. What I would like to know when can I expect the brakes ,E mode, 4 wheel drive fixed. The JD Rep has never called me is there something that he don't have a answer to. I refuse to let this rest until all things are fixed. If JD can not fix the problems then I want a refund. this has gone on to long. Sounds like JD don't want to admit they messed up. I paid for a tractor with everything working. Now I want what I paid for. If their president was in my shoes he would want what he paid for.
Why don't the JD rep call like I asked you to tell him I wanted to talk to him.
Please reply. Frank

This was E mailed on 09-21-15 at 8:30 am.

 

[KYThunder]

I owned a 5205(forerunner of the now E series) which had excellent brakes. Since then I have owned a 5065E and a 5055E both of which have had the issue of the pedal going much farther on the first pump than the second but both had plenty of brakes at the first pump, the pedal just travelled further.

 

[meyerld]

I have heard of this issue, but have had two different E series tractors and both had great brakes.

 

[wabbaww]

Hi - This issue of a "soft brake" pedal is exactly what I've experienced on the 5065E we purchased in April 2015. It is a 2014 model. Im very dissatisfied with JD approach to resolving this problem by having Customer Service document my complaint, then call the dealer. The dealer's approach seems to be that they only sell the tractors not design them and that I should simply operate the tractor with its current brake system. Completely unacceptable. My perspective is that they should be trying to resolve this with JD(not me), especially since they've observed almost casually that they have several tractors with similar brake problems operating in the area. After my 2nd call to Customer Service, they called the dealer' service dept, who then informed them that they told me I would get better braking performance by locking the brakes and keeping the machine in 4wd mode. Ridiculous. JD Customer Service did document my complaints and after my emphatic requests she said she'll try but couldn't guarantee the area field rep will contact me.

This brake system is a lawsuit waiting to happen, and I'm baffled that JD doesn't seem to understand the seriousness of the situation. I almost hit a jogger because of these brakes. I've contacted the person who operates our state's Extension Tractor Safety program, he thoroughly agreed with me and forwarded my comments to their Ag Engineer Specialist. I also called the Better Business Bureau, and the state Attorney General Office. I agree most likely the only way to get JD attention on this matter is to have enough Customer complaints reach their attention. My other option is to sell this tractor and get another, and if asked I would NOT recommend this tractor to another customer.

 

[fishrman]

Hi - This issue of a "soft brake" pedal is exactly what I've experienced on the 5065E we purchased in April 2015. It is a 2014 model. Im very dissatisfied with JD approach to resolving this problem by having Customer Service document my complaint, then call the dealer. The dealer's approach seems to be that they only sell the tractors not design them and that I should simply operate the tractor with its current brake system. Completely unacceptable. My perspective is that they should be trying to resolve this with JD(not me), especially since they've observed almost casually that they have several tractors with similar brake problems operating in the area. After my 2nd call to Customer Service, they called the dealer' service dept, who then informed them that they told me I would get better braking performance by locking the brakes and keeping the machine in 4wd mode. Ridiculous. JD Customer Service did document my complaints and after my emphatic requests she said she'll try but couldn't guarantee the area field rep will contact me.

This brake system is a lawsuit waiting to happen, and I'm baffled that JD doesn't seem to understand the seriousness of the situation. I almost hit a jogger because of these brakes. I've contacted the person who operates our state's Extension Tractor Safety program, he thoroughly agreed with me and forwarded my comments to their Ag Engineer Specialist. I also called the Better Business Bureau, and the state Attorney General Office. I agree most likely the only way to get JD attention on this matter is to have enough Customer complaints reach their attention. My other option is to sell this tractor and get another, and if asked I would NOT recommend this tractor to another customer.

I totally agree! Something should be done! My dealer simply adjusted mine for me and told me they were better than the specs that Deere was giving for the brakes. Better isn't good enough for me!
Will be anxious to hear how you get along with the complaint.

 

[MF283]

I just saw this thread, my 07 5303 has the same issue, it will stop it on first push, i've learned to push it fast, let off & get right back on it to get to work the way all my older tractors did.

Ronnie

 

[wabbaww]

I operate a 5065E (2014 model) that we purchased in April 2015. It has the same brake issues as described in this thread. I do get a hard pedal after releasing the brakes and then reengaging them. Totally unsafe especially on hills! I'm very surprised that JD would market such a product since this is a LAWSUIT waiting to happen. I almost hit a jogger because of the slow braking response. Since August, I've had the brakes bled, had the pedal travel measured(which is within spec) called Customer Service twice(which simply calls the dealer who then says to me "there's nothing we can do" ) The last time I called Customer Service I learned that the Service Manager had told them that they'd told me to get better braking by keeping the brakes locked and the machine in 4wd mode. Ridiculous. After my repeated requests, the Customer Service rep said she'll try but couldn't guarantee that the area Field Rep will contact me. The dealer's response seems to be that they want nothing more to do with it( they just "sell the tractors"), and Customer Service just documents my complaints and assigns me a case number. Very poor customer service from both John Deere and the dealer.

I've contacted our states Attorney General and the Better Business Bureau which seems to have to only result of filing a formal complaint. The Extension Specialist who manages our state's Tractor Safety program agrees with me as does their Ag Engineer.

Anybody have any ideas on how I should proceed from this point?

 

[wabbaww]

I have the same brake problems with our 5065E (2014 model purchased in April 2015) Since August 2015 Ive experienced very poor customer service from both the local dealer and John Deere Customer Service. This is a very different braking system from older models and should have been made clear to me before purchase.

This is a lawsuit waiting to happen. The Extension Specialist who runs our state's Tractor Safety program agrees with me that this is an unacceptable braking system. I may very well file a formal complaint with the Better Business Bureau and our state's Attorney General if I don't get this situation resolved. Does anyone have other ideas on how to resolve this?

 

[Magicman710]

Loudon, thanks for the reply, and I hope you can get the 3 pt hitch problem fixed. Mine started gradually slipping down a few months ago, but it didn't come back up. The friction control on the levers just needed to be tightened up and that fixed it. I thought it was strange that I had to adjust that after a little over 2 years of use. I ran my 5210 for 13 years and never once had to adjust it.

It sounds like I should have been harder on my dealer about fixing my brakes. Nobody ever offered to buy mine back or extend the warranty. I sent that video to my dealer's service manager and he sent it to a higher up at JD; their response was that it was "in specs". I wonder if I could sell that video to Kubota?

How is the friction control adjusted?

My 5055e cab has a really tight rockshaft control lever.

 

[Tx Jim]

How is the friction control adjusted?

My 5055e cab has a really tight rockshaft control lever.

My guess without access to a 5055E tech manual is by tightening/loosening cap screws(parts key 3) note that washers(parts key 5) are spring type.