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Just bought a Deere 333E

Ray450

Active Member
Joined
Jan 15, 2015
Messages
39
Location
GreenvilleTexas
Occupation
Police Officer and offroad race promoter
After testing several out, mostly Takeuchi's (really wanted a TL10 cab, just too much money), I just pulled the trigger on a JD 333E ROPS with 2600 hours. First CTL. Traded in a 20 year old Ford backhoe that was just too awkward for most of what I do. Anyway, the only real issue I could find, was the sprockets look worn to me. Tracks look good, and since I assume you usually go through a couple sets of tracks before changing the sprockets, that I can replace the sprockets alone. They are less than half the cost of a single track, so I don't want to risk tearing up the tracks with bad sprockets. Of course the place I bough it from said they have hundreds of hours still to go. IMG_2128.JPG
What do ya'll think? There's a local store with them in stock for just a little over $400, not Deere brand. This is for my use on 144 acres, probably won't ever put more than a couple hundred hours a year on it. Also plan on greasing everything, usual oil/filters ect. Any other suggestions right off the bat? I don't even have a hour on it yet. IMG_2127.JPG Any good sources for parts, manuals and rock grapple? Maybe a tooth bucket and/or tooth bar.
 

KSSS

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 27, 2005
Messages
4,321
Location
Idaho
Occupation
excavation
I would replace those sprockets. They are shot. I would also dump the oil in the drives and replace with new before doing anything with it.
 

tool_king

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 29, 2010
Messages
2,145
Location
new jersey
Occupation
road mechanic owner
After testing several out, mostly Takeuchi's (really wanted a TL10 cab, just too much money), I just pulled the trigger on a JD 333E ROPS with 2600 hours. First CTL. Traded in a 20 year old Ford backhoe that was just too awkward for most of what I do. Anyway, the only real issue I could find, was the sprockets look worn to me. Tracks look good, and since I assume you usually go through a couple sets of tracks before changing the sprockets, that I can replace the sprockets alone. They are less than half the cost of a single track, so I don't want to risk tearing up the tracks with bad sprockets. Of course the place I bough it from said they have hundreds of hours still to go. View attachment 179554
What do ya'll think? There's a local store with them in stock for just a little over $400, not Deere brand. This is for my use on 144 acres, probably won't ever put more than a couple hundred hours a year on it. Also plan on greasing everything, usual oil/filters ect. Any other suggestions right off the bat? I don't even have a hour on it yet. View attachment 179555 Any good sources for parts, manuals and rock grapple? Maybe a tooth bucket and/or tooth bar.
Those sprockets are totally shot .They will tear up your tracks .Replace them .
 

Ray450

Active Member
Joined
Jan 15, 2015
Messages
39
Location
GreenvilleTexas
Occupation
Police Officer and offroad race promoter
Yea, I had a feeling they needed to go. I have the sprockets on hold, might try and swing by today. I'll change the Final drive gear oil as well, looks like that's not very hard. It is hard to find much info, other than JD wanting you to just buy all JD fluids/filters. I assume 85/140 gear oil is good for the final drives?
 

Hobbytime

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 21, 2016
Messages
709
Location
usa
Yea, I had a feeling they needed to go. I have the sprockets on hold, might try and swing by today. I'll change the Final drive gear oil as well, looks like that's not very hard. It is hard to find much info, other than JD wanting you to just buy all JD fluids/filters. I assume 85/140 gear oil is good for the final drives?
why dont you buy the service manual for that machine and you wont have to guess on oils and how to work on it, its an investment not a cost for the manual..
 

Ray450

Active Member
Joined
Jan 15, 2015
Messages
39
Location
GreenvilleTexas
Occupation
Police Officer and offroad race promoter
No it still costs, about $200. I'm sure I'll end up getting one, but it probably still wont list the viscosities or anything other than their products. I've only had the machine for 3 days. So far all I can find from Deere is, PLUS-50™ II Hydraulic & Hydrostatic oil, and Plus 50 gear oil and Plus 50 so on and so on, and I don't have a Deere dealer very close. In my experience, a lot of the manufacturers just buy fluids and filters, rebrand them, try to hide what they are and then charge you double. This is my first Deere, and CTL, but not my first piece of equipment. I've had several tractors, a backhoe and rented CTL and dozers on numerous occasions. I sent the closest Deere dealer a request for prices (since they're not posted), and have not heard back. I've found all my filters in stock at close-by Napa and OReiley's stores, and the sprockets. I'm sure the dealer with the sprockets (HeavyQuip) carries plenty of gear oil since they specialize in undercarriages, but I bet they don't carry the JD oil. So it would be nice to pick some up while I'm there getting them, just need to know the viscosity.
 

KSSS

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 27, 2005
Messages
4,321
Location
Idaho
Occupation
excavation
I am not sure what weight they recommend, but I would not use any other weight but what is called for. When it comes to finals, I only use the oem oil at the recommended weights. Perhaps I am anal that way, but considering the cost of replacement and the small amount needed, I will pay for the extra cost for the two pints of oil or whatever it is to fill the finals.
 

tool_king

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 29, 2010
Messages
2,145
Location
new jersey
Occupation
road mechanic owner
No it still costs, about $200. I'm sure I'll end up getting one, but it probably still wont list the viscosities or anything other than their products. I've only had the machine for 3 days. So far all I can find from Deere is, PLUS-50™ II Hydraulic & Hydrostatic oil, and Plus 50 gear oil and Plus 50 so on and so on, and I don't have a Deere dealer very close. In my experience, a lot of the manufacturers just buy fluids and filters, rebrand them, try to hide what they are and then charge you double. This is my first Deere, and CTL, but not my first piece of equipment. I've had several tractors, a backhoe and rented CTL and dozers on numerous occasions. I sent the closest Deere dealer a request for prices (since they're not posted), and have not heard back. I've found all my filters in stock at close-by Napa and OReiley's stores, and the sprockets. I'm sure the dealer with the sprockets (HeavyQuip) carries plenty of gear oil since they specialize in undercarriages, but I bet they don't carry the JD oil. So it would be nice to pick some up while I'm there getting them, just need to know the viscosity.

I will take look and see if I have the manual.If I do I can email it to you .What is your email address?
 

Hobbytime

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 21, 2016
Messages
709
Location
usa
No it still costs, about $200. I'm sure I'll end up getting one, but it probably still wont list the viscosities or anything other than their products. I've only had the machine for 3 days. So far all I can find from Deere is, PLUS-50™ II Hydraulic & Hydrostatic oil, and Plus 50 gear oil and Plus 50 so on and so on, and I don't have a Deere dealer very close. In my experience, a lot of the manufacturers just buy fluids and filters, rebrand them, try to hide what they are and then charge you double. This is my first Deere, and CTL, but not my first piece of equipment. I've had several tractors, a backhoe and rented CTL and dozers on numerous occasions. I sent the closest Deere dealer a request for prices (since they're not posted), and have not heard back. I've found all my filters in stock at close-by Napa and OReiley's stores, and the sprockets. I'm sure the dealer with the sprockets (HeavyQuip) carries plenty of gear oil since they specialize in undercarriages, but I bet they don't carry the JD oil. So it would be nice to pick some up while I'm there getting them, just need to know the viscosity.
that is probably true, but then you can google the name brand oil and see what the specs are to match it up with a noname, if thats what you want todo..as others have said the small amount of oil you will need for that machine it may pay in the long run to pay for name brand..whats the saying" penny wise and dollar foolish"..LOL...for engine oil any name brand that meets spec is good but for hydraulics I would stick with dealer brand, for the hours your gona put on the machine you arent talking big money for the dealer brand oil and you know its 100% right for that machine...parts are not cheap to replace and the labor to go along with it..I have service manuals for all my equipment and they dive lots of good pointers and info when needed..
 

stars&bars44

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 2, 2015
Messages
142
Location
Trinity NC
Occupation
Earthmoving
I run synthetic gear oil in our drives. Kubota shop foreman recommends it. Been running 140w. He says change it once a year no matter how many hours. May be over kill, but that's what we do.
 

Ray450

Active Member
Joined
Jan 15, 2015
Messages
39
Location
GreenvilleTexas
Occupation
Police Officer and offroad race promoter
Ray
Manuals were emailed to you .
Got them, thanks. They will come in very handy, I'm still trying to figure out all the controls on this thing. I changed out the sprockets, final drive gear oil (GL-5 85/140 was listed as an alternative), changed oil/filter, both air filters, one diesel filter and greased everything up. Put in a fire extinguisher and the only thing left for now is the hydraulic filter, but I have not done that yet because all I had was cheap hydraulic fluid I buy for my old Massey. Those sprockets were pretty tough, I think it would have been 4 times faster if I just had someone sitting in it operating the tracks. I climbed in and outa that thing at least 50 times and used ratchet ties to hold my pry bars in place to get one side of the track off front roller. Rather than deal with removing 400 pound tracks by myself, It gave me enough slack to ratchet them up and outa the way for the new sprockets. The bottom skid plate was missing, so I have to find one or make one, probably be easier to just make it. IMG_2144.JPG IMG_2141.JPG IMG_2143.JPG
 

Ray450

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Joined
Jan 15, 2015
Messages
39
Location
GreenvilleTexas
Occupation
Police Officer and offroad race promoter
Made the skid plate and changed the Hydraulic filter. Manual says to use the Deere Plus 50 or Hydrau fluid. Hydrau is factory fill and from the color, I think that's whats in it. After reading up, I like the specs of Hydrau better, as the Plus 50 oil seems to be used primarily so the engine oil/hydraulics can share the same fluid type. I went to the local dealer and the sales person said he never heard of it, and to use Hydra, showing me plenty on the shelf. While I was there a mechanic showed up and said they had some in the back, and took me to a pallet of dusty Hydrau. So I bought a 5 gallon bucket for $75, since I couldn't find what I thought was the same stuff elsewhere (ISO 68 with zinc) that was really any cheaper. I also discovered that without the skid plate, there was a good amount of mud under the cab, and a leak or at least it leaked a lot at one time. Didn't really see any leak now. I may buy another 5 gallon bucket and swap out all fluid later, after I clean out under the cab and make sure it's not leaking any more. Fluid from the filter looks good. I'm hoping to start using this equipment more than working on it soon! I was not impressed with my local JD store. The counter salesman was new and little help, then I asked about buying a bucket, grapple and forks and got even less help. None of the Deere dealers ever got back with me from email contact, or even a quote on the sprockets I needed. I called another one (got machine and left a message) to try n get a price on a 84" tooth bucket. The store I went to said there was one in stock at the Athens store an hour away they could get in a few days, so I called the Athens store to just drive and pick it up there, and they told me they didn't have one. Anyway, I found a Blue Diamond 84" tooth bucket in stock, specs show it may be slightly bigger/heavier than the JD, so I may be driving a couple hours to go get it. There's plenty of no name (I assume Chinese cheap buckets) closer for around $400 less. I'm scared of them. I assume 12,000# 100 HP would destroy them pretty quick. Anyone recommend another brand that isn't crazy expensive in the Dallas metroplex area, or comment on the Blue Diamond utility tooth bucket? May pick up their 6000# rated pallet fork carrier while I'm there. Really want a grapple, but can't decide (or afford all 3 attachments) between the root rake style (shorter/thicker bottom tines, cylinders in back, huge opening) or rock style (open long flatter bottom, two independent cylinders on top, but don't have to clamp to carry everything). I'm leaning towards the root rake style, because I think I'm less likely to destroy them grubbing up locust trees, or hitting roots trying to clear east Texas woods. I actually like the idea of the bigger one piece, all the way across top for back raking, and since mine is open cab, might give me a little more protection not having that opening right in front of me between the two independent clamps of the grapple when I'm charging into a pile of downed honey locust trees with 3" thorns. I think less branches will find their way past?
 

Ray450

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Jan 15, 2015
Messages
39
Location
GreenvilleTexas
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Police Officer and offroad race promoter
Good grief, I've never had such a hard time spending money. I can't seem to get anyone at John Deere to talk to me. I thought I had at least found a good toothed bucket, and was ready to go get it. They sent this, "Here are the prices you requested from Blue Diamond. All the attachments are in stock except the Grapple Rake would take three weeks to get." I assumed that meant they had the bucket, but no, they don't apparently have anything in stock. Ok, the metroplex is huge, there has to be some descent 84" toothed buckets out there somewhere? I'm heading to Pinkey's in Farmersville to look at their buckets, forks and grapples. Not confident in the quality of the products they carry though, but at least I bet they act interested in taking some money.
 

KSSS

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Feb 27, 2005
Messages
4,321
Location
Idaho
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excavation
If you want an excellent dirt bucket, made in America, go to Virnig. Outstanding dirt buckets, I also have a Virnig scrap HD grapple, also excellent.
 

Ray450

Active Member
Joined
Jan 15, 2015
Messages
39
Location
GreenvilleTexas
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Police Officer and offroad race promoter
Yes, I've seen some of the Virnig stuff, looks very well built. I finally got a good contact at JD, bought a tooth bucket from Deere, their getting me a price on a HD wide pallet fork. Funny, I stopped by Himes equipment, since they are the closest to me. They had a beat up used bucket they said they would sell for $1,550, and one used wide HD pallet fork carrier they said they wouldn't even sell ( I have some very HD 54" forks I welded an extension on with a 2" bar to use on a backhoe loader bucket). The new JD HD tooth bucket cost me $1,500. I'll probably hold off on a grapple for a while so I can get a good one, and will just use the forks to move downed trees for now, one of the reasons I want a wider 5'-6' HD, so I can throw on my extra forks if needed. Pinkys stuff is mostly made by Jenkins Steel, seems like pretty well made stuff. I like their grapple for the price, they just seem to be sold out of everything I need.
 

JNB

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Feb 13, 2012
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823
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North Texas
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Flyin' low and rollin' slow...
I bought a set of Construction Attachment forks from Pinkys that are very well made. I've also purchased a few other things from Pinkys over the last few years and they seem to have decent prices from what I've seen. If you're willing to have stuff shipped, rootgrapple.com has a good reputation for attachments.
 

Ray450

Active Member
Joined
Jan 15, 2015
Messages
39
Location
GreenvilleTexas
Occupation
Police Officer and offroad race promoter
Can't get into those manuals anymore. I'm getting a active ECU
code 2950.05 , Suction Air Throttle Actuator , out of range low. Any suggestions? I also finally got my forks, ordered a 6' wide Jenkins Steel with 5' forks rated at 5,500#. I wanted wide to see if I could get by with these instead of getting a grapple. Unloaded yesterday and seemed to work well with forks spread about 5' apart. Only got to play with them for about 30 minutes last night. Only issue was it took a month and a half to finally get them. I want to order the 84" Jenkins Brush grapple (not sure why they call it a brush grapple when it looks like everyone else's root grapples). But if I can get by with these forks moving brush, then I can spend the money on other equipment needs.
 
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