John Deere x520

I bought a very nice used 2007, X520, with 153 hours on it. When I engaged the 48C deck, I got a harmonics type vibration that you could hear and feel in the seat and steering wheel. I had one bad bearing on the right spindle that I replaced, probably because it has a power flow bagger for it that's not on it now. The belt is new and after much searching I saw that the double tightener pulley appeared to be out of concentricity. I pulled the deck out and checked the pulley with a dial indicator........035 out on the top one and .022 on the bottom one, exactly across from each other. I went to my local dealer and showed them the problem. They had a new pulley at another dealership and had them send it down. A good friend works in the L&G area and asked him whether that would be under warranty since it was that way from new, and he said since it is a used mower, he doubted if Deere would do anything about it. He suggested I call customer service, and see what they had to say. Long story short, nope, they would document my problem, but I would be out the $83.00 for the new pulley. I told the lady rep that documenting it didn't do much for my wallet. Too bad, no cigar. The new pulley was from CHINA and a check of it was less than .005. I put it on and it runs like a top. What think ye???

Irv

You got by CHEAP. STOP WHINING!

Bob, would you have said that if it was yours? Let's say you bought a used tractor with 153 hours on it and the engine gives out. An inspection of it shows that the rod bearings were the wrong size from the factory and now its going to cost you a bundle to fix it. Would it be OK to say to you, "no big deal, it was a used tractor". "Stop whining". I think you would have been justifiably cranky. So I guess what I'm saying is, it was the principal of the thing more than anything else. If a part is not up to spec from the factory it seems to me that there should be some responsibility on their part. Just my opinion......... Oh and one more thing, since I got by cheap, just send me the 85 bucks. It not a big deal. Thanks.

Irv

Point is, you bought it used, with no warranty.

You were able to fix it yourself for $83. What do you think it would have cost you if had dropped it off for diagnosis and repair and they threw a few parts and a half-day at it before solving the vibration?

A friend of mine bought a relatively new (used) John Deere combine, no warranty, and the engine ventilated itself the second or third day he used it.

Over $17,000.00 out of his pocket!

Be glad you're not "that guy"!

On the other hand, you might go on the 'net and find contact information for the John Deere Customer Relations Dept. and relate your story to them. Who knows, might get some satisfaction.

Why would you expect an 11 year old machine
to have any warranty, even with low hours?
You have no proof it was like that when new,
lots can happen in 11 years.

The thing is, I DO know its original, because I know the guy that bought it new. I haven't asked him yet why he didn't report that to Deere when he got it. It was hard not to notice it.

Irv

Bob.
I AM glad I'm not that guy! But let's just say that an inspection of this engine found the pistons to be .030 undersize from the factory? I would be hard pressed to understand having to pay that kind of money for a factory defect, used or not. A lot can go wrong on a combine that can be not excused for from a previous owner, I understand that. Just sayin'.
However, my pulley was not welded correctly in the beginning. It's out of concentricity on both pulleys, period. It should not have made it through inspection. I didn't mention, that my friend at the dealership and I started a used X540 on the lot to see if it vibrated like mine, and it did, but not as bad. I'm thinking they might of had a run of bad pulleys that was never addressed. If the wheels are damaged, deck bent, bad spindles, etc. I can understand that, but how do you make a pulley go out of concentricity?
As for contacting JD Customer Service, if you actually read my first post, I stated that I did contact them. Once before I got the new pulley, and once after I got it and tried it out so see how it worked. The first young lady was sympathic to my problem, the second one, not so much, so sad, to bad. She said ask the dealership. I did, the boss of the operation shrugged his shoulders and shook his head. I didn't expect him to stand it when it was Deere's fault.

I designed and built machinery for use in the factory where I worked for 31 years. If had I built one that made parts out of spec, do you supposed I could have said, sorry, its used, the operator beat the snot out of it, to bad. Don't think so, it's my fault, I'll fix it.

Sorry for the long post, but to my way of thinkin', it still ain't right.

Irv