
John Deere Electronic vs Mechanical Controllers
![]() | Hettric
Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 133 MA ![]() |
2007-11-12 148119
Hi, I have a JD 755 and like everybody aspire to a larger tractor. In my case a 30 hp JD. I like to work on my own stuff so am Leary of upgrading to a computer controlled model. It frustrates me to no end that I am helpless to do much on my car and truck. please advise what was the latest pre computer model (4300?)I thought was the 4310 but I see ads listing E-hydro. Or is this a non issue, that is, are needed computer diagnosis or related problems rare.
Thanks
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John Deere Electronic vs Mechanical Controllers
![]() | hardwood
Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 3583 iowa ![]() |
2007-11-12 148125
Hetric; I have the JD Tech manual for my 4310, it explains most all the systems well enough that even I with my quite limited computer knowledge and an ohm meter would feel comfortable working on it. Frank. ....
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John Deere Electronic vs Mechanical Controllers
![]() | Hettric
Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 133 MA ![]() |
2007-11-12 148126
Thanks Frank, I knew you had a 4310, hoped you would comment.Have you had or heard of any computer related problems? Just what does the computer control?
Thanks ....
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John Deere Electronic vs Mechanical Controllers
![]() | kwschumm
Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 5764 NW Oregon ![]() ![]() |
2007-11-12 148127
The computer mostly controls the transmission and safety interlocks. The most common problem seems to be with the wiring underneath getting caught on sticks and brush and getting damaged or, in the case of the eHydro, getting the potentiometers out of whack. If the wiring is protected by tucking it up tight that's half the battle. Or you can get a skid plate kit from JD if you don't use a mid-pto. That will protect it very well. The computer does have a semi sophisticated diagnostic system that flashes a light in patterns to point you to the problem. A tech manual, like Frank mentioned, is a very good idea if you do your own work. Not cheap but knowing how stuff works can set your mind at ease. Rarely some items would require special diagnostic equipment to fix, for others a meter would do fine. ....
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John Deere Electronic vs Mechanical Controllers
![]() | hardwood
Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 3583 iowa ![]() |
2007-11-12 148128
Hetric; I just gave the tech manual another look. I don't see a main computer anywhere in the wiring schematic. Far as I can see most everything is pretty simple to diagnose with a meter. I remember someone on the form having a problem with the E-Hydro switch under the pedal, but nothing other than that. Frank. ....
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John Deere Electronic vs Mechanical Controllers
![]() | hardwood
Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 3583 iowa ![]() |
2007-11-12 148129
KWE; Perhaps the poteometers, cruse dontrol switches, etc. each have a small built in computer of some sort, but nowhere in the tech manual is the word computer used. Frank. ....
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John Deere Electronic vs Mechanical Controllers
![]() | Billy
Join Date: Oct 1999 Posts: 975 Southeast Oklahoma ![]() ![]() |
2007-11-12 148130
I think the technical name is Controller instead of computer. ....
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John Deere Electronic vs Mechanical Controllers
![]() | kwschumm
Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 5764 NW Oregon ![]() ![]() |
2007-11-12 148138
In the electronic world the terms "processor" and "microcontroller" (or controller) are often used interchangeably, with the difference being a microcontroller has additional hardware to more easily interface to the outside world of inputs and outputs (relays, switches, etc). The term "computer" sort of encapsulates all of them. And then there's the ever popular "brain" :) ....
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John Deere Electronic vs Mechanical Controllers
![]() | candoarms
Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 1932 North Dakota ![]() ![]() |
2007-11-13 148166
If the M1 Garand doesn't need digital controls, neither does a tractor.
The day some idiot puts a chip in my combat rifle, I'll club him upside the head with it........for that's about all it would be good for anyway.
Joel ....
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John Deere Electronic vs Mechanical Controllers
![]() | kwschumm
Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 5764 NW Oregon ![]() ![]() |
2007-11-13 148177
If a horse doesn't need hydraulics then why should a tractor :)
There's nothing inherently wrong with electronics, it just takes a different way of looking at things. They are often easy to troubleshoot and fix with a little knowledge. Cost, well, that's another story but custom machining of obsolete parts isn't cheap either. In the case of the 10 series JD machines they can be retrofitted with the previous generation parts for the non-electronic approach if the electronics are no longer available. Myself, I'd like electronics a whole lot more if it wasn't for ROHs. Look for the lifespan of anything electronic, including life saving products, to be reduced by half or more in the coming years. Thanks a lot, EU. ....
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John Deere Electronic vs Mechanical Controllers
![]() | Billy
Join Date: Oct 1999 Posts: 975 Southeast Oklahoma ![]() ![]() |
2007-11-13 148201
Ken, with the technical manual if you try to look up computer, there's nothing there. It's called a controller. That's what I was getting at. ....
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John Deere Electronic vs Mechanical Controllers
![]() | kwschumm
Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 5764 NW Oregon ![]() ![]() |
2007-11-13 148208
Sorry Billy, Gotcha :-) ....
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