gcinsetn
New member
Would like input & theories on why my JD 870 is losing power.
My problem occurred Friday while I was using it to scoop up some dirt for the yard. All was well and going down a slightly declining part of our rock road to go for another scoop. I heard what seemed like an instantaneous clash of steel. Before, during and after this, the engine didn't sound any different, stutter, die, and heard no grinding noises. I continued to work without apparent issue for another 30 min or so. After stopping and turning around to return to the house I suddenly could not get any power in 2nd or 3rd range at all; the tractor tried to turn the wheels but they just wouldn't roll. I was able to limp, and I mean that in the weakest sense of the word, back home in 1st range.
So yesterday I replaced the primary & secondary air filters, and both the fuel filter at the tank and engine. Found the old air filters were just ok but the fuel filters, especially the one at the fuel tank, were pretty much showing their time was up, lots of artifacts in there. With all this done & as before, the tractor is starting & running normally. Engine sounds good but is still only able to roll the wheels in 1st range. RPMs look normal per groundspeed as well as I can tell. Thought about trying to verify the speeds I can get JD's chart on the fender but haven't tried yet.
Some background on my tractor is that when not in use, we've been holding down the clutch with a large "C" clamp to avoid the clutch/flywheel sticking problem some (including us) have occasionally been blessed with. Wondering if that may have any piece of action here?
All thoughts, comments, suggestions, questions, & theories are welcome ... short of a miracle, I'm thinking a very expensive JD hospital visit may be in the near future...
My problem occurred Friday while I was using it to scoop up some dirt for the yard. All was well and going down a slightly declining part of our rock road to go for another scoop. I heard what seemed like an instantaneous clash of steel. Before, during and after this, the engine didn't sound any different, stutter, die, and heard no grinding noises. I continued to work without apparent issue for another 30 min or so. After stopping and turning around to return to the house I suddenly could not get any power in 2nd or 3rd range at all; the tractor tried to turn the wheels but they just wouldn't roll. I was able to limp, and I mean that in the weakest sense of the word, back home in 1st range.
So yesterday I replaced the primary & secondary air filters, and both the fuel filter at the tank and engine. Found the old air filters were just ok but the fuel filters, especially the one at the fuel tank, were pretty much showing their time was up, lots of artifacts in there. With all this done & as before, the tractor is starting & running normally. Engine sounds good but is still only able to roll the wheels in 1st range. RPMs look normal per groundspeed as well as I can tell. Thought about trying to verify the speeds I can get JD's chart on the fender but haven't tried yet.
Some background on my tractor is that when not in use, we've been holding down the clutch with a large "C" clamp to avoid the clutch/flywheel sticking problem some (including us) have occasionally been blessed with. Wondering if that may have any piece of action here?
All thoughts, comments, suggestions, questions, & theories are welcome ... short of a miracle, I'm thinking a very expensive JD hospital visit may be in the near future...