JD 4520 Cab AC failure

[ddivinia]

The AC worked fine last weekend while raking hay. Friday morning it didn't.

Blower is blowing, clutch is engaging - still nothing

Called dealer - they sent a tech out.

We cleaned the condenser, but that didn't fix it. The low and high side readings are wrong. Looks like compressor time.

Going to get up really early to finish raking hay. Cab tractors without any AC in Texas Summer is crazy hot.

I hooked the rake to the 5525 cab and showed my wife how to drive it. She has always been scared of the gears, etc. I figured raking would be a good way to learn how to drive it. I think she wants a bigger tractor now...

D.

 

[sunnyside360]

Gees, what a bummer. If I remember correctly, that is a fairly new 4520. Cab tractor in hot summer sun is awful even here in central Pa. Let us know how it turns out. Good luck.

 

[froggy]

This maybe just the right excuse to look at the new 5000 "M" series!!

 

[ddivinia]

Gees, what a bummer. If I remember correctly, that is a fairly new 4520. Cab tractor in hot summer sun is awful even here in central Pa. Let us know how it turns out. Good luck.

11 months old... They are thinking compressor or expansion valve...

D

 

[ddivinia]

This maybe just the right excuse to look at the new 5000 "M" series!!

Dude - have you looked at a M series? I saw one today for the first time. It looks like a 6000 in a 5000 frame. From the 3 point, frame, etc.

Awesome,
D.

 

[sunnyside360]

11 months old... They are thinking compressor or expansion valve...

D

Well, at least it's covered by warranty. Hopefully, the JD dealer will send a service truck out to your place to fix the problem and you won't be w/o it for long.

 

[ddivinia]

Well, at least it's covered by warranty. Hopefully, the JD dealer will send a service truck out to your place to fix the problem and you won't be w/o it for long.

They sent a tech out Friday night to look at it. They were going to pick it up on Sat and get on it. I needed it this weekend so they are going to come get it on Monday. All good - my dealer rocks.

D.

 

[nmu98]

Please keep us informed as to the repair. My memory sucks, but I don't recall reading about many of the AC units failing, just more complaints that they don't work well..... I hope it gets fixed fast!

 

[froggy]

Dude - have you looked at a M series? I saw one today for the first time. It looks like a 6000 in a 5000 frame. From the 3 point, frame, etc.

Awesome,
D.

Only the literature. Hope the local dealer gets one soon so I can drool all over it.

 

[ddivinia]

Only the literature. Hope the local dealer gets one soon so I can drool all over it.

I was very impressed with it - I think the price point might hurt sales. Of course, it might make the E series look reasonable.

The coolers in the front tilt forward with undoing a couple thumbscrews so they are easier to clean. I really like that feature.

D.

 

[froggy]

I was very impressed with it - I think the price point might hurt sales. Of course, it might make the E series look reasonable.



D.

No kiddding, when I priced the 5065M I found I could get a Kubota M9540 for the same price. The best bargain at JD is the 5000E series "limited" editions.

 

[ddivinia]

No kiddding, when I priced the 5065M I found I could get a Kubota M9540 for the same price. The best bargain at JD is the 5000E series "limited" editions.

5105M was $11K more than a "left over' 5525 cab.

D.

 

[jenkinsph]

Darin,
Did the tech check the evaporater coil for dirt build up? I ask since I read your thread on the cab filter. The expansion valve will not function correctly if the coil is loaded with dirt.


Steve

 

[ddivinia]

It was clean. We blew out the condenser also - no change.

They are picking it up in the AM.

D.

 

[ddivinia]

They picked up my 4520 and they have determined that the compressor is toast. They think I am not keeping the condenser clean enough and the head pressure popped some valve up in the roof and trashed the compressor. These things get dirty, geez I hope it doesn't self destruct every time get it dirty.

Parts should be in on Wed and I hope to have it back for the weekend round of projects.

D.

 

[jenkinsph]

Darin,
Thanks for the heads up on this, since we have to run the AC to stay in the cab I now know to watch this closely.

It has been very dry and dusty here in New Mexico and I have found this to be more of a problem with my new 4520 cab than my older 820.


Steve

 

[ddivinia]

Darin,
Thanks for the heads up on this, since we have to run the AC to stay in the cab I now know to watch this closely.

It has been very dry and dusty here in New Mexico and I have found this to be more of a problem with my new 4520 cab than my older 820.


Steve

Yeah - I don't buy the dirty condenser story. I cleaned it when he said it was dirty. It was not caked up top to bottom. The lower part was somewhat dirty, but come on.

That is an interesting point. I think the 4520 gets more crap up there than my 5525. I wonder if it is due to the hood design or ride height.

D.

 

[jenkinsph]

One of the things might be that these new designs with turbos, tranny coolers and AC simply need a much higher air flow to work compared to the older tractors. But, again not many issues with my JD110 tlb which has a Laurin cab and Hammond AC. The backhoe of course doesn't have to work around airborne clippings though.


Steve

 

[ddivinia]

One of the things might be that these new designs with turbos, tranny coolers and AC simply need a much higher air flow to work compared to the older tractors. But, again not many issues with my JD110 tlb which has a Laurin cab and Hammond AC. The backhoe of course doesn't have to work around airborne clippings though.


Steve

I can accept that the unit will not work as well if the cooling is compromised, but having the compressor blow up due to that - that is a piss poor design. I need to pull out the tech manual. Surely they have a pressure switch or something to cycle the compressor.

D.

 

[jenkinsph]

Well today I was working on an AC system with a high head pressure and low side was freezing the coil and decided the expansion valve was sticking and was very slow to equalize when turned off. So whether your problem was a dirty condensor is debateable since I would think the mechanic would have a hard time knowing if the expansion valve is functioning properly without first fixing the compressor.



Steve