John Deere 4400 reliability.Is green a myth ?

eee · Oct 18, 2004

I have had a JD 4400 for over 4 years now. I use the heck out of it and I have had some problems as well. I fix the thing and I go on.The tractor has 1116 hours on the clock.

The safety switch under the seat has failed.
1 fan belt replaced under warranty.
I have bent and replaced the lower lift arms.
I have had to replace the adjusting rod/bar on the left lower lift arm.(broke)
It had a new starter replaced under warranty because of a hard starting issue that was resolved by a piece that was replaced/ installed in the electronics.
I have had an intermitent loose wheel bolt problem.
I have my 3rd differental lock which has failed (about a year ago)I am not going to spend any more money on this part,I can use the steering brakes.
I had to replace both the axle housings.
I have the old style axle and had to replace both tie rod ends ( $210 apiece)
The plastic side covers do not stay in place very well the same with the front grill cover,there is not much holding the covers in place to begin with.One of the ears on the side cover is broken.
The plastic around the ignition switch is cracked.
I had to intall a new seat belt (button came apart)
Last night the speed range selector quit working. I was in the woods and I could not get the tractor into low range or any range,I crawled underneath the tractor and found the part that is pivoted by the handle and was able to get my channel locks on it and turn it,it went into low range. I had to help it with my channel locks one more time and when I got to the house I intentionally moved the selector out of low range and I then could not move it to any range regardless of what I tried to do. It appears I am going to have to tear into the tractor again and fix it right.
I have the 430 loader and 4 in 1 bucket,some of the hoses have been replaced because they are in an area that gets a lot of movement and rubbing on the loader arms.
The Yamnar engine has performed flawlessly ( 1100) The hydro has performed well.
I can't help to wonder if JD is coming out with the new line up of compacts because of the problems associated withe the 4000 and 4010 series.
I always liked green,but if I were to buy another tractor I am going to take the JD binders off and go look at Kubota/CNH/CASE/AGCO/ Massey. A neighbor of mine bought a new Massey Ferguson that is a 29 HP and I could see nothing wrong with it,I do not know if my JD would be a better value than his Massey after comparing the 2 tractors.
The biggest thing that kept me with JD is the strenght of the company and parts availability and the company not merging with anyone else.
I have several JD green implements,if I ever do switch I can paint the implements to match what ever brand I go with.

SteveH_CT · Oct 18, 2004

( I always liked green,but if I were to buy another tractor I am going to take the JD blinders off and go look at Kubota/CNH/CASE/AGCO/ Massey )

If I bought again I'd do that anyway - even if I was 100% pleased with my JD. I like to know what the competition is up to, and who knows, they may have a demonstrably better product.

On the other hand - if the dealer has been supportive I would likely stick with him if the products were essentially equal.

I've had some minor issues with my 4310 - the most annoying relates to the wiring underneath the tractor. I hope on ANY subsequent re-design that they channel the wiring through some sort of protection. It's crazy how they've left it exposed on the underside - I caught it up again this past weekend - and that was after I "armored" all the wiring with duct tape /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif. Back to the drawing boards... I may have to buy real underbody armor yet. But other than that mine has taken a beating and keeps coming back for more.

cowboydoc · Oct 18, 2004

I have a JD 4600 with over 2000 hours of extremely hard use and I haven't done one thing to it. I'm surprised that you have had so many problems. It sounds like alot of the issues were from too much strain on the unit.

eee · Oct 18, 2004

Like I say Doctor I have used the tractor very hard,I will definately go up in size on my next one. The 5000 series look nice. I blame myself for a lot of the problems and some I blame John Deere. Maybe I let my emotions get the best of me when I made the original post,let me get it fixed and back in the drivers seat and my mood will improve.

cowboydoc · Oct 18, 2004

I certainly understand your frustration. I often wonder how well some of the other brands would hold up myself. Very few people here use their tractors hard enough to really see what they will do and how they will hold up to stresses at the end of their capacity.

To be honest I have expected my loader to break, hitch arms, etc. But I really wouldn't blame the tractor for that as I know that I am really pushing this thing beyond what it was capable of.

eee · Oct 18, 2004

I have close to paid for the tractor with my timbering work. I never dreamed when I bought the tractor I would get the amount of use out of it I have.

SteveH_CT · Oct 18, 2004

Good point - I've worked mine hard - and it shows - it's kinda scratched, a dent in the brush guard, and one cracked ROPS light... but it still runs well and strong. I figure I would have paid somewhere in the area of 8 to 10 thousand for the work I've done so far - in my mind the tractor is paying for itself. I'm about to send it in for it's 150 hour service... I think I'll have them go through it and get it as close to new as possible. I'm not worried about looks, just anything it might need mechanically. It's earned it's keep so far and I think I owe it a good mechanical massage.

rockyridgefarm · Oct 18, 2004

Yup, it is easy to get frustrated when something is broken...

It might help to take your own list and categorize it:

Stuff that broke for no good reason. (manufacturer defect or design fault)

Stuff that broke that was purely my fault.

Stuff that broke that are due to the combination of design fault, and my snagging it...

Then when considering a new unit, check to see what has been improved by the manufacturer. And DO look at other brands that will also provide good support. What have they addressed that will help you?

Interesting that you mention timbering. Many of us are using machines that have an ag heritage in all sorts of brush. Someone that uses theirs in improved fields doesn't need to pay extra for some of the protection we need.

So when looking at an upgrade, factor skid plates into the package!

eee · Oct 18, 2004

( Very few people here use their tractors hard enough to really see what they will do )

Thats like how many people have 4WD and actually use the 4WD,let alone the low range, ( in there SUV's and trucks etc. )

Gary_in_Indiana · Oct 18, 2004

I have a question and a comment for you. First, since I just replace both sides of my rear axle housing last weekend, I wonder if you could tell me what happened to cause you to replace yours?

Lastly, I noticed that you wrote that you had to replace some of the hydraulic hoses for your 4 in 1 bucket on your FEL because they were damaged by rubbing on the loader arms. I just spoke with my Deere dealer today about getting a 4 in 1 bucket for my 4200 and remember him telling me that the set of hoses for that bucket are braided lines just to prevent the problem you describe. The hose set was something over $300 but the steel braiding over the hoses are designed to protect them from the kind of wear and subsequent damage you describe. Do you have the braided lines Deere recommends or regular unprotected hydraulic hoses?

I have the 430 loader and 4 in 1 bucket,some of the hoses have been replaced because they are in an area that gets a lot of movement and rubbing on the loader arms.

Gary_in_Indiana · Oct 18, 2004

"how many people have 4WD and actually use the 4WD, let alone the low range?" 

If you're talking tractors, I use 4WD AND the locking differential in low range quite a bit. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

If you're talking soccer Moms in their Escalades, I agree completely. I always say that most people with SUV's don't even drive them on wet grass. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I don't know whether I should be proud or ashamed and embarrassed that I've buried my Tahoe in mud so deep I had to force the door open to get out. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

At least I found out one thing; I know what it can and what it can't do. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

eee · Oct 19, 2004

( I have a question and a comment for you )

Ask all you want, I love to talk.

( First, since I just replace both sides of my rear axle housing last weekend, I wonder if you could tell me what happened to cause you to replace yours?
 )

I was skidding timber with my Farmi timber Winch
and was going through a mud hole on a culvert and snagged the winch on the culvert and broke the housing while attempting to free the tractor.
The new housing is built better than the original housing,every since I got my tractor new I have used it pretty darn hard,I have several hours over a 2 year period pulling the back blade to cut roads and do some landscaping work.
The last year and a 1/2 I have been dragging some big logs over some steep rough terrain. IE: 16" to 20" through logs 12 to 20 feet long.
Basically I make the tractor earn its keep and then some. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
But I am willing to spend the money to keep it maintained in good working order as needed.

JerryT · Oct 19, 2004

I've had a 4400 for 4 years and have about 800 hours on it. My repair history follows:
1. HST saftey switch.
2. Front axle seals twice, once under warranty and once I did myself.
3. Fuel shut off valve.
I blame the front axle seal failures on my never ending ability to get my tractor stuck, to the axles, in the sandy soil of SE Texas.
I did replace the battery (dead) after 2-1/2 years.
This strikes me as an excellent record considering how we use these things. My total repair cost (excluding the battery) is around $150 and except for the HST Switch the work was not difficult.

eee · Oct 19, 2004

( I blame the front axle seal failures on my never ending ability to get my tractor stuck, to the axles, in the sandy soil of SE Texas. )

My left front axle seal leaks a small amount,I have had my tractor stuck( several times)....and thats an understatement.
I had to replace my battery at 2 years,do you have the old style front axle on your tractor ?

JerryT · Oct 20, 2004

No, my 4400 came with the new axle. I really believe that the front axle seal problem is caused by sticking the front in muck up to the axle and then spinning the wheels trying to get out. Particularly a problem if you have real sandy soil like we have in the country around Houston. This is really a simple and cheap repair if you have access to a shop press. Need the seal and liquid gasket from JD and about one hours worth of work.

eee · Oct 20, 2004

( I really believe that the front axle seal problem is caused by sticking the front in muck up to the axle and then spinning the wheels trying to get out. )

I agree about the sand/grit...
I have the old axle and I have no problems with the axle,I think it is a better built ( solid) axle than the newer ones.

texastomtom · Oct 20, 2004

i was using my 4wd low range to pull out my 2wd tractor

go a 4wd tractor now - havn't needed to pull it out yet

/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

eee · Oct 21, 2004

( go a 4wd tractor now - havn't needed to pull it out yet )

I have had the JD 4400 4wd buried different times,there is times I have not been able to push myself out with my loader. I have had to use 9000 lb Warn winch,block and tackle. I had to use/hire a backhoe one time(to keep me from going over the hill).

Mike_S · Oct 21, 2004

Roughcut--regarding the 4400 reliability--it depends... My first 4400 (with 440 FEL and MMM) was a very early model and was an ABSOLUTE with the following issues within the first 100 hours:
--bad front end--needed replacement
--axle range shifter linkage needed replacement
--battery leaked acid
--HST tranny went out*
--brakes replaced (kept locking up or grabbing and robbing power)*
--hydraulic pump failed*
(*due to poor quality control--large quantity of aluminum millings found in transmission fluid)
--too many little things constantly went wrong to list (would not go into high range, tranny sight glass broke, dash glass fogged up, leaking transmission fluid, and LOTS of other issues.)

This tractor spent almost as much time at the dealer as at my house. JD had NOT done their field testing and there were quite a few PIP's and "Fix as Fails" on these early models.

NOT trusting this early model after all of the repairs, which the excellent dealer gladly made to the tractor, I bit the bullet and purchased another new 4400 but from a different dealer. Had the original 4400 been a vehicle in my state, the lemon law would have forced JD to provide a new vehicle, but JD would have nothing to do with replacing that one--would not even talk to me about a free replacement or helping me with a decent deal on a replacment, but would gladly just keep repairing it on a regular basis. I liked the design, potential capability and size of the tractor, so wasted $5K and traded it off on the second 4400 which has been trouble free (except for the leaking battery) for four years. This 4400 has been awesome and I am blessed with another excellent dealer. I have NO allegiance to JD or the color green--especially after losing $5K on the first tractor plus all of the frustrations that came with that tractor. My experience with Kubotas has been exemplary--the last one I had went ten years and the total repair bill was a ten dollar tachometer cable!!!! (then I traded it off on a 955). Thus, if I ever need another tractor during my retirement, I would look at all brands and dealers in my area.