I have a problem with my mower that after talking to several different repair shops, I am CONVINCED is either a design flaw or a manufacturing defect. My John Deere Z535M Z-track was purchased directly from a John Deere dealership (ie. not tractor supply or Lowes) 3 years ago.
After the first year (I somehow did not get their "extended warranty") I started having issues with the drive transmission (forgive me if I call parts by the wrong name). In essence, when I push on the handles, the left side would grind & whine and not go at the same speed as the right side. I did a search on the problem and found an adjustment for the handles - which helped a little. For a little while.
It is to the point now that I can only mow for ~15 minutes - until it gets warmed up good. Once that happens, the left side will simply not move (neither forward nor reverse) - it just sits there and makes a grinding/whine while I spin in circles.
Here is why I think this is a manufacturer defect - even now, at 3 years, the mower only has 240 hours on it. The last mechanic I took it too seemed to know exactly about the problem - but he was shocked when he looked at the hours - indicating that he usually only sees this on mowers with well over 1000 hours. The transmission is supposed to be one of those "no maintenance" type units. On other mowers he has fixed required pulling the transmission out completely and replacing the entire unit.
Is this a known problem?
Is there some way I can FORCE John Deere to repair this (the same way that car makers issue product recalls)?
After the first year (I somehow did not get their "extended warranty") I started having issues with the drive transmission (forgive me if I call parts by the wrong name). In essence, when I push on the handles, the left side would grind & whine and not go at the same speed as the right side. I did a search on the problem and found an adjustment for the handles - which helped a little. For a little while.
It is to the point now that I can only mow for ~15 minutes - until it gets warmed up good. Once that happens, the left side will simply not move (neither forward nor reverse) - it just sits there and makes a grinding/whine while I spin in circles.
Here is why I think this is a manufacturer defect - even now, at 3 years, the mower only has 240 hours on it. The last mechanic I took it too seemed to know exactly about the problem - but he was shocked when he looked at the hours - indicating that he usually only sees this on mowers with well over 1000 hours. The transmission is supposed to be one of those "no maintenance" type units. On other mowers he has fixed required pulling the transmission out completely and replacing the entire unit.
Is this a known problem?
Is there some way I can FORCE John Deere to repair this (the same way that car makers issue product recalls)?