[Jsaint70a]

Once again received the dreaded hoc error on my tractor. From reading threads over the last couple of years, I have come to the conclusuon that water maybe causing the hoc error. The last time I had the actuator replaced, I decided not to wash the tractor. I also have the tractor under a shed so it doesn't get wet when it rains. I didn't have any issues cutting the grass last year.

I spread some fertilizer last weekend and and thought I better wash the tractor so it doesn't rust. So I went about lightly rinsing the tractor and washing it with a brush. I didn't spray underneath so I didn't get water on the actuator. I also avoided getting water on the controls. I didn't even use the pressure washer.

Needless to say, on Wednesday evening the grass was getting a little long. So I removed the loader and hooked up the mower for the first time this season and all was going great. I cut the grass and it was looking sharp (thinking I really do love this machine). My next project was to scoop the barn out with the loader. No problem right!! I have a JD 2032r with an awesome easy to remove mower. So I go under the shed to remove the mower deck, set it to 0 and push the lever. Arghh. Probably not what I said. HOC error.

The only thing that I can think of is that water somehow got into the controls or actuator when I washed it this past weekend.

My conclusion is the JD 2032/2038r with a mower deck should NOT be washed, EVER.

Maybe that is not a scientific conclusion. This is the fourth time I have had this issue and I have been lucky enough to have the dealer or Deere cover the repair. My 2032r is just over 5 years old with 430 hours total. I know they are not going to do anything for me this time. (Understandably)

So the problem now is how do I remove the mower deck and lift components when you get the hoc error? Then is it better to sell it for scrap or is there a market for a nice mower deck that I can't use? Then the next question is what Kubota mower would you recommend, the zero turn or the good old lawn tractor.

Then I will need to build another shed to house a mower that I really didn't want because I purchased a Gator and the awesome 2032r that transforms into a lawn mower. I LOVE all of these decisions. Thank you John Deere!!

 

[dodgeman]

It might have nothing to do with getting wet either. It’s to bad they don’t make the command cut optional and the deck lift tied into the 3 point standard.

 

[Drifterbike]

Sorry for your trouble. Mine has the 72" and i have had a HOC code one time. My son hit a stump hard enough to bend the 7 Iron mower deck and when we took the deck off to hammer the deck back in to place the HOIC code came on has we tried to put the deck back on. Call the dealer the following day and they picked it up one morning and it was back home before i was from work. Just knocked the adjustment out of wack. They realigned it and no problem since. Good luck with yours

 

[wildbranch2007]

you may want to look at the following link. HOC error, I took apart the electric actuator...

 

[Kennyd]

I think there was an issue with water getting in the switch too?

 

[Herminator]

I think there was an issue with water getting in the switch too?

That is what I remember as well. There is a thread about that somewhere.

Knock on wood, 5 years and no issues. I high pressure wash it a couple times a year but don't directly spray the console or dash directly but do not protect it either. When I did the wagon ride at the pumpkin patch it got the dust rinsed off daily with just a hose and no soap, still no issues.

 

[414concrete]

Collectively I believe we determined the issue is the switch/dial is not waterproof but rather water resistant. Take it apart and cover it with conformal spray. Done. No issues ever with mine and it’s 5yrs old garaged all the time. I pressure wash the entire machine A LOT. My neighbor always asks me if I bought a new tractor when he sees me 😂. For +$40k you’re damn right I’m gonna wash it.

Out of Warranty Command Cut Failure 2017 2032r

What do you think about the possibility of "potting" the circuit board with silicone caulk? I have seen industrial applications where the entire board has been slathered with a layer of silicone.

www.greentractortalk.com

 

[fishnjim]

May need to recalibrate. Those HOC errors seem to grow in frequency over time and then it fails like mine did. I don't think has anything to do with water, mine's stays in enclosed shed and I blow it off with air. Don't take in out in rain.
Could've been an earlier generation switch or something. They've updated some of these parts.
The seductive salesman. You don't want to manually adjust your mower height, this one does it from the console. It worked flawless, til they replaced it, then one day, I was cutting and raised the deck to clear the concrete drive, put it back down, didn't look, but missed it's set point, and scalped the hill. All down hill since then... It didn't throw codes until much later. That's when I took to dealer, but no help there. I think a simple manual indicated screw drive or hydraulic actuator would've been smart.

 

[JDGreen-n-Yellow]

Water getting into circuit boards and switches? Aren't tractors made to live outside? Some (in normal times) sit out on dealers lots through thunderstorms, hail, snow, summer heat, etc., with no protection whatsoever. I can understand them not being up to powerwashing, but they should be pretty weather immune otherwise. Hopefully they sorted this stuff out in the current model year, or just put a good old hand crank on there and call it a day.

 

[fishnjim]

Certainly the connectors are all weatherproof. So the device should meet that standard, but some of this stuff comes ex USA and who knows what they follow.
Like I said, I don't agree water is the main issue with HOC issues. It's a bit deeper in the design.