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NCIA | I just received a letter from Deere concerning an issue with the driveshaft or u joint from tranny to front axle failing. Includes some configurations of 9100-9400 and all 20, 30 and R series. If breaks could cause damage to hydraulic system and cause loss of steering and brakes. They want you to inspect it daily until they contact you. Oh yeah they don't want you to exceed d2 or 16 on power shift. That part I'm gonna forget I read. Any NAT folks have this problem? |
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Zabcikville, TX | Not yet. I will say though, that's about the only thing that hasn't broken on our 9400. |
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Central ND | Got the same letter here too, haven't checked any of our tractors yet. |
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| Have Heard Deere Is Going Back 16 Years - That's A lot Of Tractors To Inspect |
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SW Iowa | Yep, got mine. Someone was killed last month in central Ia. Talked about this yesterday with several posts...
http://talk.newagtalk.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=556134&mid=457... |
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| Dealer came and inspected mine yesterday |
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North Central Iowa | Its no wonder they have this problem. Look at the size of u-joints in the steiger and new holland tractors and they are at least 50% bigger. |
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Central Illinois | Thank you for posting because I did not get a letter yet. I wonder if they will try to protect the hydraulics or fix the drive shaft so it doesn't cause the damage.
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Grandfield, Ok. | All u-joints will fail. Proper lubrication will help to extend their life. Trucks loose theirs also causing brake problems,etc. Check your u-joints on all equipment on a regular basis. |
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Sunburst Montana | We have owned and run every series between the 9000s up to the R series. Currently run a 9420 and 9570R. Only U-joint issue we had was on the 9400 in the between the tranny and pivot and that was when it was a few years old. I ain't going to worry about it and but I will ask our salesman next time I see him. |
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South East Illinois | There is a PIP out from Deere check your dealer for more info
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North Central Iowa | I got the letter and have talked to a few deere people close to the situation. When the shaft breaks it mangles the hydraulic lines. When the lines break you lose steering and brakes. When this happens it forces the steering cylinders into an instant left hand turn. If you are lucky enough not to collide with someone you are still gonna go for a 24 mph ride across the oncoming traffic lane, down through the ditch, and into something. |
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Central Iowa | I had this very thing happen to me in May 2012. Going down the road, shaft (u-joint) broke, took out the radar, no hydraulics, no brakes, no steering...good thing no one was coming at me. The thing went right into the ditch! Luckily it was a shallow ditch and NO ONE GOT HURT, except my wallet....$17,400 in repairs!!! The drive shaft hit the frame and twisted the pinion shaft - needed a new ring and pinion - JD 9320. Prayers to those hurt. |
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Walnut Grove, MN. | I have a 9420. What should one look like if it's about to go out? Does it go out at any time or at a certain amount of hours? |
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North Central Iowa | The letter says to get underneath of it and inspect the u-joint for discoloration from heat damage, any play between the bearing caps and the end of the shaft, any seal damage, and looseness or distress anywhere on the component. I heard the 9330 involved in the fatality had more than 4,000 hrs on it. |
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| We had this very thing happen to our 9330 a year and a half ago. It's a scary deal at road speed and have no brakes or steering. Neighbor farmer had it happen to his 9530 about the same time. We replaced the u-joints on our other 9330 after that to prevent it from happening again. Deere should have known about this problem long ago |
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Walnut Grove, MN. | Are the new ones heavier? What makes the new u joints better? The ones on our 9420 are grease able, will that help? |
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Central Minnesota | This could turn into a big headache for everyone! Mother Deere, and owners of 9xxx series tractors.
You could check that Ujoint in the morning, and by noon going down the road, and could have an issue. Deere is going to try to get out of it. Everyone will.
But now is deere trying to make everyone aware of the issue? or fix the problem correctly by actually bringing every 9xxx series tractor in and fixing them, ON THEIR DIME? How many people will see a high dollar price tag in fixing this, and then decide to live on borrowed time, and not fix it. Just check it until they have the problem or breakage in the field? Or for it hoping to happen in the field. But because deere made everyone aware of it, they are covering their butts of liability?
I got the letter too on Friday. Hopefully they get this figured out in a hurry. Nobody needs another accident! |
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| We have had those u-joints fail, and it can cause major damage. Like others have said, it can take out the hyd pump, ring and pinion, auto-trac valve and several lines. The bad thing is that many times when those tractors come in the shop we hear "I thought I was feeling a vibration for a few days" |
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Wallis, TX | Just wondering, as I don't have a dog in this fight..... Why couldn't you make a 'hoop' around the driveshaft so if the u joint fails the driveshaft will just bang around in the loop and not take out the lines? |
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SD | Can someone scan and post a copy of this letter? Thanks |
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ND | twraska - 5/17/2015 10:48
Just wondering, as I don't have a dog in this fight..... Why couldn't you make a 'hoop' around the driveshaft so if the u joint fails the driveshaft will just bang around in the loop and not take out the lines?
I am sure Deere is working on this, just doing the inspection for now and come back later and install the guard. Different versions of front diff and years so I am guessing later this summer install the guard so the driveshaft doesn't bang around. |
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 (9000 letter 001.jpg)
 (9000 series letter 2 001.jpg)
Attachments
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 (0KB - 174 downloads)
9000 letter 001.jpg (182KB - 315 downloads)
9000 series letter 2 001.jpg (211KB - 281 downloads)
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ND | This exact thing happened on our 9620. Even worse when the shaft went it took out the shaft in the transmission also. Cab had to come off very spendy. |
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sw MN | What is up with the 8960? I have the tractor but no letter. |
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ne south dakota | Thanks, will take copy to dealer. boz |
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N East Sask, Canada | Checked our 9300, drive shaft/u joints look fine. Noticed that the input shaft with damper on back of engine DOES have a safety hoop to catch a failure. About 3/4" u shaped bolt attached to a substantial metal bracket above it. On each side of frame at the lower drive shaft, several holes would allow a heavy metal bracket and similar u bolt. Easy fix I'd say, now hurry up with stamping out a few thousand. They should go to oldest tractors first, like our 1998. |
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Central Iowa | I have not been a John Deere fan-but I do want to say that I am impressed that they are "manning" up to this and being proactive. Their actions might not catch all of the failures, but by making owners aware of it there will be potential failures avoided and perhaps lives saved. Because of this letter, perhaps my life or a loved one's life won't be impacted. Thankfully, they are not following the accepted practice the auto manufacturers use, and ignoring it until the evidence is overwhelming and the federal government is involved. Things like this could happen to any manufacturer, and probably have, but have been ignored until the problem fades in time. Deere and Co. taking action to protect their customers and motorists is commendable, and greatly improves my perception of the company. |
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South Western Ontario, Canada | redline - 5/19/2015 12:43
I have not been a John Deere fan-but I do want to say that I am impressed that they are "manning" up to this and being proactive. Their actions might not catch all of the failures, but by making owners aware of it there will be potential failures avoided and perhaps lives saved. Because of this letter, perhaps my life or a loved one's life won't be impacted. Thankfully, they are not following the accepted practice the auto manufacturers use, and ignoring it until the evidence is overwhelming and the federal government is involved. Things like this could happen to any manufacturer, and probably have, but have been ignored until the problem fades in time. Deere and Co. taking action to protect their customers and motorists is commendable, and greatly improves my perception of the company.
Yes too bad it took a death to make it happen though...... |
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Attn John Deere 9xxx wheeled tractor owners
