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

[wes9953]

Wes - I posted on another thread about mine completely losing braking power. Its on page 2 now and has a title about a 5045 being a lemon. My no brakes experience is currently the last post in the thread. But the reason I lost braking power completely was because the hyd fluid got so hot that the temp beside the pto reached 301. With the fluid hot enough to do that, I had no brakes. Was yours extremely hot when you lost braking power? I notice you were mowing, and running the pto is what usually heated mine. Changing the fluid and filters helped mine a lot. I suspect my fluid was ruined because it got real hot 4 or 5 different times.

I'd get a laser thermometer and keep it on the tractor all the time.Check the temp often and if the outside of the driveline gets over 250, shut it down.

Good luck with it!

Mine was hot,but not pegging temp Gauge.i just bought mine a couple of days ago with 122 hrs being an 2010 the oil looked very clean.i put about 8hrs on it in two days mowing,i parked it with no petal intill this am.full petal this am,i put about 6 more hrs today with no problems and regulary pumping brakes just incase .got me baffled...

 

[wes9953]

This is a subject we've been discussing in rustyshackleford's thread about the problems he's had with his new 5E series tractors. I have had a similar problem with my new tractor.

Simply stated, when I push the brake pedals on my 2014 5075E tractor, they go straight to the floor and do not provide enough braking to stop the tractor. With the second and subsequent pushes, the brakes work nicely. If I don't use the brakes again within a few seconds, the pedals go to the floor again. My dealer and apparently John Deere also, say this is normal and within specs for my tractor.

I'd like to get an idea how many other owners of the 5055E, 5065E and 5075E tractors of model years 2013-2015 are experiencing this problem. This forum is just a start, as most owners do not participate here, but it should be a good place to begin. I don't know if this problem is specific to the cab models and will be interested to learn more from your responses.

I intend to address this problem directly with John Deere, as they have apparently limited the amount of support they are willing to authorize my dealer to provide; it took several weeks for my dealer to get authorization from JD to come out and test the brake system pressure, and that's apparently all they gave him the ok to do. My dealer has been very responsive to my needs , but without any instructions or reimbursement from JD, I understand why he cannot provide any further help with this problem.

The legal advice I got is to gather as many other owners as possible to join in my claim. I am also going to contact OSHA for help and if necessary, the state's attorney general's office. My tractor is not safe to operate. My insurance carrier has assured me I would be covered in the event of an accident but that with the information I've provided so far, they would subrogate any claim against John Deere. I have the impression JD is ok with that and can only guess it's because finding and implementing a solution to the problem would cost them more.

??????????
I just bought a 2010,jd5055e with 122 hrs and after putting about 6hrs on it while mowing up hill trying to shift to a lower gear i had no brakes.going down hill backwards with no brakes wasn't normal to me.very lucky i jacknife back into 10' bush hog with no injures....

 

[LoudonNH]

Yup, it's a problem...

 

[fishrman]

After doing a search on Google, I found this problem being discussed on this site. I am having the exact same issue with a 5045E, 2014 or 2015 model, not sure which year it is exactly. Only 55 hours. My son actually uses it more than I do and brought the matter to my attention just yesterday when he showed me one of the hydraulic hoses starting to be worn because of the excessive brake pedal movement on the first stroke down of the brake. Truthfully, I am not even sure the hoses for the FEL are mounted correctly to start with. I will try to post up some photos. I haven't talked to my dealer yet about this issue but sounds like I need to but if Deere isn't going to do anything about it, then I am not sure what good it will do!

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[vtsnowedin]

Well that is a very different setup from my 2012 5045E . with a 553 loader. . My hoses run from the joy stick bottom below the steps then up the loader frame nowhere near the brake pedals.

 

[LoudonNH]

If I found that set-up on my tractor (and without seeing any more than what's in your photos) I would add 90 degree fittings to the hydraulic coupling at the end of each hose to direct them away from that area (or at least that one hose). I would do it right away too, because the damage the brake pedal will to to the outer casings of the lines WILL result in a leak at some point, even several years down the road... That is not a place where you want a leak. It could ruin a nice pair of work boots! I also wonder if the plate the fittings are set in might not be mounted properly.

 

[fishrman]

If I found that set-up on my tractor (and without seeing any more than what's in your photos) I would add 90 degree fittings to the hydraulic coupling at the end of each hose to direct them away from that area (or at least that one hose). I would do it right away too, because the damage the brake pedal will to to the outer casings of the lines WILL result in a leak at some point, even several years down the road... That is not a place where you want a leak. It could ruin a nice pair of work boots! I also wonder if the plate the fittings are set in might not be mounted properly.

I agree with you on all counts!! Not sure they mounted the hydraulics correctly either! One of the reasons I have contacted another dealer about the issue. They have started a warranty claim on the concern. I was told that certain ser. numbers below some point were more afflicted with this problem than the newer ones. They won't know until they tear into it whether or not the brakes can be helped. Sounds like it may improve it but not cure the way they work. In other words, instead of the first pedal movement being 4 and 1/2 inches, it may be 3 inches when they are done. On the second pump of the brake instead of being 3 inches it may be 2. For me, the brake really doesn't work like it should until the 3rd pump. I will let you know what they come up with. They were to pick it up today.

 

[fishrman]

Tractor taken to dealer and getting back today!.
I am not a mechanic so I won't do a good job of explaining this but my dealer did some research on the subject at the Deere level and told me that Deere is aware of the issue! Apparently they did make a change in the brakes at some point. I can't tell you which serial numbers they started the change on but basically, they can't make the brakes change to NOT have a difference between the first pedal push and the second but they CAN lessen the severity or the distance one has to push the pedal down by putting in a different (for lack of a better term) piston size. This will reduce the distance of travel. In my case, he told me that, even as new as my tractor is, it was before the change but that he bled the brakes and that they went from about 5 and 1/4 inches for the first pedal push to 3 or so and that is actually better than the new change. In other words, they never had to put in the newer piston but, I suspect if they had, it would have or could have shortened up the stroke even more. Also, since my pedal had been hitting the hydraulic hose they put in a 90 degree and told me I wouldn't have that issue again. As well, told me the hydraulic hose's were in the correct position as if they were put on the outside, they would be subject to having something get caught on them. Bottom line is, I guess, the way the brakes work is normal but it is not normal to have excess distance involved when you push on the pedal and there is a help but nothing that can change it to be more like our car brakes, for example. The second push of the brake will always be more like we all want than the first push!

 

[frank w]

Loudon,Nh Please put my name on the list. I have had problems with Brakes, Clutch,E mode, 4x4 drive and the dealer helped it a little. I don't blame the dealer because they can only do what JD tells them what to do when the tractor is in warranty. It might help if we get Kids safety on the farm group involved. I have had trouble with JD on problems with a 6020 and JD does not care what you or me think of them. The $ bucks $ is number one to them. I think JD is a big supporter of this group. I almost hit the side of my truck because of bad brakes. Glad no one was between the tractor and the truck.

 

[frank w]

I will join as soon as you call me. Dealer got the clutch back working good again. No luck on brakes or E mode. Asked the dealer to ask the field rep. to call me. that was about 2 weeks ago. He has not called yet. Here is a copy of the Email I sent to the dealer.

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.