Hello. I need some advice.
Tractor is a 2006, I bought it new. Summer of 2015, the right brake started howling when applied. I was loading logs on the sawmill with it. I flipped up the metal lever so the brakes could be separated. I began using the left brake only. 20 minutes later, that one started doing the same thing. Hydro fluid was low, about a gallon or so (Backhoe quick connect was the problem). I added more fluid and it made no difference. Both brakes howl independently of one another.
The brake pedals have always been good. No difference in travel than from new. At the time, it had about 425hrs on it. There is no feedback from the pedal to indicate anything is warped. It now has 450hrs.
I brought it to a dealer last summer, who changed the fluid & filter with Super UDT. They adjusted the brakes so there was a lot more travel to the pedal. I brought it home, mounted the loader back on, then the backhoe. Within 10 minutes, the noise was back. Called the dealer. They said it is nothing to be concerned about, just brake chatter. Said as the brakes are applied, there are "ramps" that the mechanism rides up on. In time the two parts start to chatter as a groove is worn into the ramps. They said it was the fluid I was using, and that it would go away in time as the new Kubota fluid had a chance to start penetrating the parts.
I had been planning a 2nd tractor purchase for some time, and pulled the trigger on a 2007 L5240 in August of 2015. I used the 5240 last year to put in all of our firewood for 3 families.
I want to get the L3400 fixed. It has been mostly sitting (unless I need the backhoe, and I am not crazy about using it with the noise it makes). I am ready and willing to bring it in the garage this winter and tear down the rear end. I have looked at the parts diagrams and I don't see anything too difficult. I will purchase a service manual.
Before I do any of this though, I have found anti-chatter additive for John Deeres with wet brakes. From what I understand, some models of John Deere's (like the 970, 1070) are prone to this problem. I found that New Holland also makes an additive. I don't think I have anything to lose by trying a couple of bottles. Tractor is a shuttle shift, so I don't have to worry about a foreign fluid messing up a hydrostat.
Should I try the additive, or open it up to see if the howling is a symptom of a bigger issue?
Tractor is a 2006, I bought it new. Summer of 2015, the right brake started howling when applied. I was loading logs on the sawmill with it. I flipped up the metal lever so the brakes could be separated. I began using the left brake only. 20 minutes later, that one started doing the same thing. Hydro fluid was low, about a gallon or so (Backhoe quick connect was the problem). I added more fluid and it made no difference. Both brakes howl independently of one another.
The brake pedals have always been good. No difference in travel than from new. At the time, it had about 425hrs on it. There is no feedback from the pedal to indicate anything is warped. It now has 450hrs.
I brought it to a dealer last summer, who changed the fluid & filter with Super UDT. They adjusted the brakes so there was a lot more travel to the pedal. I brought it home, mounted the loader back on, then the backhoe. Within 10 minutes, the noise was back. Called the dealer. They said it is nothing to be concerned about, just brake chatter. Said as the brakes are applied, there are "ramps" that the mechanism rides up on. In time the two parts start to chatter as a groove is worn into the ramps. They said it was the fluid I was using, and that it would go away in time as the new Kubota fluid had a chance to start penetrating the parts.
I had been planning a 2nd tractor purchase for some time, and pulled the trigger on a 2007 L5240 in August of 2015. I used the 5240 last year to put in all of our firewood for 3 families.
I want to get the L3400 fixed. It has been mostly sitting (unless I need the backhoe, and I am not crazy about using it with the noise it makes). I am ready and willing to bring it in the garage this winter and tear down the rear end. I have looked at the parts diagrams and I don't see anything too difficult. I will purchase a service manual.
Before I do any of this though, I have found anti-chatter additive for John Deeres with wet brakes. From what I understand, some models of John Deere's (like the 970, 1070) are prone to this problem. I found that New Holland also makes an additive. I don't think I have anything to lose by trying a couple of bottles. Tractor is a shuttle shift, so I don't have to worry about a foreign fluid messing up a hydrostat.
Should I try the additive, or open it up to see if the howling is a symptom of a bigger issue?
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