[Rule292]

I have to say, I do the same as Sundancer. Other than starting tractor and parking on hill my brake pedal don’t get used

That's exactly why brakes are super important on this tractor.

Go to start it and it has to be in neutral. No brakes and that tractor is taking off on you with nothing to stop it or you.

Made worse by the neutral "safety" switch which should be replaced by a brake pressure sensor so that the tractor can't roll away on you from being in neutral when you start it and go to accelerate and find out you're not in gear.

 

[Rule292]

That's a very wide swath of tractor owners affected!

I'd love to see a recall over the old style "parking brake".

I remember the OP in this article having two threads on unsafe items. The tone reminded me of someone ginning for a class action lawsuit.

 

[Rule292]

As long as it's in gear. If not you're in for a hell of a ride!

This reminds me. Today after work I'm going out and bypassing the "neutral SAFETY start switch".

Since it will likely take Deere a while to have enough spares for the rank and file consumer to fix his/her tractor. One can presume that dealers doing repairs of units in house will get first crack at the new/improved product.

@JeepinChamp looks like your company is the same as most of ours. The bean counters won out over the engineers on this item.

 

[Rule292]

I believe that's what happened. When they updated the part gave it a new p/n and have now made that the backward compatible standard.

Being this sounds like a full scale recall they've known about it for a while. It will be interesting to see what the official fix will be.

I ordered the new part yesterday from Green Part Store to take advantage of the TTWT free shipping one final time. I'll change it myself for my own peace of mind.

I looked at the computer generated image and the broken one in Apsey's picture and could not see (at least to me) where the computer generated image of the "new" product is beefier in the area where the old one split.

I probably should order the replacement since I doubt my dealer (or ANY dealer) will just hand it to you to put on for liability reasons. And my dealer does not have mobile service.

 

[Rule292]

Most likely made a pot metal. Looks like aluminum but not the same density or strength.

Looks like Zamak(Zamac) to me.

 

[Rule292]

I no longer have a 1025r but now have a 2038r and don't think it's on this paralyzing list of recalls. After looking at this problem, it future emphasizes the bad situation of the neutral in the transmission. As you can see if you have this problem and are on a hill then shift to neutral then you go for a terrible ride. I see "no reason" on hydrostat why you disconnect the transmission from the power train. If there is a pedal level position before you start I understand but the current design is really dangerous on slopes. On the old tractors I "never" put the tractor out of gear on hill...depressed the clutch but this was a safety protection to prevent runaway. Deere seems to have a strange way of approach safety. Pot metal parts on most critical points to save money. Wow, who's running that ship now. Just think of also this way...if your young kid or grandkid got on tractor on a slight slope and you failed to apply the brake and they try driving...first thing is to grab and lever and then go to neutral...look at that situation.

Instead of the dumb lawyer mandated RIO we ought to have a neutral start override in its place. OR just tie the brake pedal to starting and override the inane and dangerous neutral start switch when the brake is depressed.

The possibility of a broken bellcrank and the loss of brakes makes it much more important that the driveline be coupled at all times.

 

[Rule292]

Not every hydrostatic machine has a neutral. But those without it typically have a bypass lever to facilitate pushing to towing.

My x738's hydrostatic doesn't have a neutral nor a neutral safety switch.

It won't start unless the brake pedal is depressed.

And it has the hydro release rod.

 

[Rule292]

Somebody should make a copy of the part on CNC out of proper steel and make a fortune selling them for $50. I talked to my dealer and he said Deere has NO answers and NO replacement. But we will be getting a letter "soon" telling us not to use our machines.
What'l ya bet they have tens of thousands of the Chineseum parts that they will have to junk...

My dealer only had the stop sale order and nothing else as of yesterday.

The money they'll save moving crap to Mexico is going to be made up for the parts and labor to fix our tractors.

 

[Rule292]

I'm beginning to believe this to be true. If it's not an updated part at least I'll have a spare should something happen before a real updated bellcrank is available from Deere.

Maybe they are going to claim a bad batch or batches of metal?

Mine is rough so I wonder if it is the beginning stages of zinc pest.

Let us know the country of origin... though for most small parts Deere seems to shop the US.

Just think, at one time they'd engineer and make things like this in house. To last.

 

[Rule292]

We produce a lot of parts for Deere at our shop. All are various grades of steel though, no aluminum or pot metal. 99.9% of the parts we make are larger than the bellcrank. Most are turned pins up to about 12" in diameter and 24" in length.

But I will say, even at that, material quality is a BIG issue. Many of our parts get turned, then go to heat treat, and then come back to be milled. It is always a challenge at heat treat because the material quality varies so much from batch to batch. We never know how the parts are going to react to milling after heat treatment. Bad parts that slip by gets Deere's approved suppliers (who we work for) blaming us or the heat treat company. But in reality most of the time it comes down to the Communist Red Chinese material.

That's 'zactly why all major manufacturers of vehicles did their own castings and forgings. To control quality from the pour through the finished product. Unfortunately that costs money, since most of us in the US making those castings and forgings would like a wage we can survive on.

This was probably also an engineering oversight driven by bean counters. One of those "a casting should be fine. It's just a little metal piece on a 1025 (lawn) tractor" when choosing what seems to be a relatively chintzy casting.

 

[Rule292]

I called my dealer and they said that John Deere would contact me directly if there is an issue with my machine. A search of my machine did not indicate there was a product improvement for my 2018 ("J") 1025R.

Is this for real?????

The only thing out at the moment is the Deere Stop Sale order. The notice posted originally by Kenny with the Deere memo was that the subsequent details and the Mandatory Safety Product Improvement Program were forthcoming.

There's nothing yet on the CPSC web site where any consumer product recall like this would show up.

 

[Rule292]

If you had this problem, please contact me at johndeerebrakefailure@gmail.com
Thanks
Bill
Apseydeere

You keep posting this. Why?

What are you planning on doing with this information?

 

[Rule292]

I have been collecting information about brake bellcrank failures since December 2023, when mine broke within 30 minutes of using and needing the brakes.
If the bellcrank had failed while I was lifting my Floating Docks, the tractor and myself would have been underwater in my lake.
It really scared me. (I was in the cab)
I soon realized that my brake failure was just one of many. I have documented more than 25.
My correspondence with John Deere Corporate was very discouraging but I persisted.
John Deere knew of this problem for many years, but it appears to have been hidden from those who could do something about it.
I advised those who contacted me to email their incident report to John May ( CEO), and contacts in their legal department.
Pot Metal (from which the bellcranks are made from) are fine for Non Stressed cosmetic parts and Match Box toys but not for Brakes.
Many claim that they Never use their Brakes, but I use mine and don't consider working Brakes as optional equipment.
My brake failure could have resulted in a fatality.
I wanted to prevent a serious incident from occurring, and hopefully I have.

John Deere seems too complacent about small issues with their products.
Air filter mount causing engine failure, and not notifying customer about the PIP.
A simple fix but I was without my tractor a month waiting for the new engine, when $150 in parts would correct the problem.
Bill
Apseydeere

Doesn't Canada have a consumer product safety organization?

In the US, the CPSC investigates complaints of unsafe consumer products. They force voluntary or mandatory recalls of consumer products with unsafe components. As they seem to have in this incident.

Just curious as to the communication with Deere's legal department.

 

[Rule292]

I guess it is official

Still not on the CPSC web site though or the Deere recall page:

Recalls & Product Improvement Programs | John Deere US

John Deere products are exceptional quality. In the event of a recall, information is shared with consumers as quickly as possible.

www.deere.com

 

[Rule292]

My letter arrived today. It states that Deere expects to start receiving replacement parts in October. Reading between the lines, anything before (different than original) replacement parts are at the dealerships, replacement will be in-kind. If the part lasts XXX hours or days, the new (old stock) part should have a similar life expectancy...not a long-term solution so if you need to let Deere have your tractor for weeks to fix now and then again in the future that's a lot of time.

My thought: I will ask my dealer to let me install the new part when it gets here to save transportation and time. They have been good with warrantee work (sway bar chain on 3-point, corroded fuel neck) by handing me a part and letting me drop the old part the next time I drove by.

Mine came today also.

The "We have determined the root cause and are working very hard to get replacement parts. We expect to start receiving those parts in October 2024" part is interesting.

The beauty of outsourced everything versus making run of the mill castings in house.

Wonder whether they're going to be built in China, India or the lowest bidder and quickest supplier onshore?

 

[Rule292]

There is also a scenario where a parked tractors brake fails and it rolls away. This could be even more dangerous as it can roll over somebody looking the other direction and completely unaware of the danger.

Made much worse by the fact that the tractor has to be in neutral to be started, which breeds the habit of leaving the tractor in neutral with the "parking brake" on.

 

[Rule292]

The most irritating part of it all is, on my '22, it's always been an issue and they recently came out about it.
And they have the nerve to call me and let me know I haven't made my payment yet. I don't see anything in my contract about buying a yard ornament.
My entire yard is on two sloping hills and I always use the brake.
I kind of laugh when people say they live on flat land and never use their brake. Now I know why I get door dings at shopping centers and there are so many "fender benders". Don't use your brake. I don't really care how you use your tools unless they affect me.
I know this has all been said before.
Fix the problem as soon as possible.
That's good customer service.

 

[Rule292]

CPSC has it posted now. John Deere Recalls Compact Utility Tractors Due to Crash Hazard

" Incidents/Injuries:

The firm has received four reports of the brake linkage failing, including one hospitalization and two impact injuries and minor property damage to the tractors."

CPSC says Deere will come and RIP if we can't get it in for service. Yeehaw!

"If the consumer is not able to transport the tractor to a dealer’s location, then the dealer will make arrangements to repair the unit at the consumer’s residence. John Deere is contacting all known purchasers directly"

 

[Rule292]

I think we’re getting dramatic here. Leave it in neutral and push it on the trailer. Or use a winch. Some form of common sense should apply here. If you think you need to immediately not use your tractor then that message is for you. Call your dealer. They’ll come to the rescue. But if you get a trucking fee then you can argue with the dealer. Read the small print on your contract of the tractor.

I'm guessing that since this is a safety recall the usual "transportation to and from the dealer is on your dime" does not apply.

The CPSC cite:

John Deere Recalls Compact Utility Tractors Due to Crash Hazard

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled tractors and contact an authorized John Deere dealer to schedule an appointment to bring the tractor into the dealer for a free repair. If the consumer is not able to transport the tractor to a dealer’s location, then the dealer will make...

www.cpsc.gov

"Remedy:
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled tractors and contact an authorized John Deere dealer to schedule an appointment to bring the tractor into the dealer for a free repair. If the consumer is not able to transport the tractor to a dealer’s location, then the dealer will make arrangements to repair the unit at the consumer’s residence. John Deere is contacting all known purchasers directly"

 

[Rule292]

This doesn't include transport to or from the dealer. It offers those that are not able bring it in to have someone come to the machines location to fix it.

It may come down to how soon do you want yours fixed and if you are willing to wait for that one person the dealer has driving around fixing these to make it to your house. I would sure hate to be that person in somewhere like Minnesota or North Dakota doing this in November or December.

I don't know of a recall that has ever included transport and there are very few that offer "we'll come to you". There is probably a good reason to JD's advantage that they offered this.

I gathered that from the recall notice on the CPSC site, thus my original Deere will RIP it" (repair in place) statement in the earlier post

My dealer is an L&G dealer only so they don't have a service truck to the best of my knowledge. If it means they have to send someone on their schedule that is fine since after I finish up some land work and moving logs the tractor basically sits all winter unless it snows.

I would think that Deere has a vested interest in getting these up and running. Business is only afraid of two things, government and lawyers. A class action lawsuit could be costly if an unsympathetic judge sees that they are rendering our tractors useless by dragging their feet with getting them fixed. Of course the lawyers will get millions and we'll get a free oil change if and only if we bring in the tractor to the dealer.

I need to order my filters for my 2nd service so I will talk to my tractor guy when I go in to pick up the stuff.

In the meantime this week I will jump the neutral switch so I at least have hydro brakes.