3720 3 point settles

[Deerescaper]

I have a 2006 3720 with 600 hrs. My 3 pt settles with the engine running and the tractor speeds up for a second or so as it corrects itself. Have changed hydraulic filters and fluid according to manual and have had it to my dealer twice for the problem. They claim it is within JD specs for how much it drops in so many minutes. Last time all they did was open and close the drop valve and it seemed to work better for a few hours. Then back to same condition. Loader settles too when engine is not running. Couple other tractors in my area and they leave 3 point attachments in the air and they don't settle when left and parked for a week or more. Anyone else having a similar problem as I'm wondering if there's an internal seal leaking oil causing pump to correct itself constantly. How can I get dealer to get more serious about this as I want it fixed before warranty runs out. It's been doing this for 300 hours and dealer just seems to try the band aid approach. Any suggestions? TIA

 

[jd110]

The loader will tend to drift down due to the style of control valve. If it leaks alot, the cylinder packings may need to be replaced. The three point should drift very little or none. If you close the rate of drop all the way, will it still drift down? If so then probably the piston seal is leaking. It could also be a bad control valve, but they are pretty reliable usually. Deere does post "normal" leakdown specs, but in my opinion, what they allow is excessive. Do you have another dealer in your area that might be more willing to help you out. If not, a call to deere's customer service hotline might produce results.

 

[radman1]

I can stand a little loader drift but can't stand any significant 3 pt drift. Yours is a case of hope it gets a little worse before warranty runs out. I can leave a blade up on my 3720 all night and still up in the AM. I would keep complaining and try to get it resolved before warranty is up.

 

[Deerescaper]

Thanks for the reply. I will close the drop rate valve and see what happens. I agree I need to either try another dealer or have JD light a fire under this one's @$$. My son works for Caterpillar and told me the same thing that customers come in with complaints and if they're within Cat specs they are told they need not fix it under warranty status. If customer raises heck with Cat then they are allowed to proceed. Only real problem I've had with the tractor other than leaking front wheel seal and fuel sending unit which dealer replaced with no arguments.

 

[Cidertom]

I don't know what deere & co did that makes it so picky but this is a problem that cropped up starting about 2000. The original "fix" was the introduction of the high pressure filter before the hydraulic gets to the 3 pt. The problem stems from some particle that gets to the 3pt valve and gets lodged or causes scoring somehow. If you open the rate valve and fast cycle the lift several times it sometimes clears it's self. The other workaround is tightening the correction up. By adjusting the linkage you have more frequent, but much smaller "corrections" DTAC has had several listings for this issue. My 4520 takes about 3 days to leak down a 1000lb blade. I can live with that. Before the fix my old 4300 would drop and recover every 30 seconds, I could not live with that. My dealer got it fixed under warrenty.

 

[KHutch]

I have a 3320 that had the same problem. The dealer could not fix mine it was also in specs. I have a service manual and ran all of the the test John Deere had in there on my lift. I Found that my pressure release valve was leaking down. I had a dealer order a new one and I put it on myself. I gave the dealer the old one it was covered under warrenty. That fixed my problem there have been more with the same problem.

 

[dirtworksequip]

Yea, I've heard that "within specs" crap before. That is the new one used for, we are not responsible for whatever problem you are having because it is within our allowable tolerances.

Sincerely, Dirt

 

[Deerescaper]

Amen Dirt, That's the feeling I'm having with the local dealer.

Thanks KHutch; for the info on the pressure release valve leaking. My dealer has a new service tech and I'm going to get pretty aggressive with him on getting to the bottom of this thing.

Cidertom ..Where would I find any dtac info or contacts?

Thanks to everyone as I don't feel like the only one out here with the same issues.....

 

[Cidertom]

I wish we could hack into the dtac database (did I just say that? No I would never say anything like that!) even if just to look around. My dealer is pretty good and hunt's in it for me even when I am doing my own work. Again I thank the tractor gods that my dealer is real good (see the thread I had on the 448 hoe relief valve).

Is the relief valve intergral to the rockshaft valve or after it? I can't remember what the schematic looked like. If that is the problem, the rapid cycle "fix" would make sense as it would cause the relief valve to open and flush it's self. I wonder if we are dealing with one problem or multiple problems with the same symptom.

Even with the problems over the years, I still think the jd is a good product.

 

[ddivinia]

Thanks for the reply. I will close the drop rate valve and see what happens. I agree I need to either try another dealer or have JD light a fire under this one's @$$. My son works for Caterpillar and told me the same thing that customers come in with complaints and if they're within Cat specs they are told they need not fix it under warranty status. If customer raises heck with Cat then they are allowed to proceed. Only real problem I've had with the tractor other than leaking front wheel seal and fuel sending unit which dealer replaced with no arguments.

Can they give you the written spec? Can you verify it?

I got the run around on hydraulics on my 2210. The second I turned it off - they implements fell. Their answer was you should lower you implements when you shut down anyway.

Ah - it is a safety feature then, eh?

I would verify the specs and then **** - pull the safety card on it. They might have a liability issue on their hands...

D.