John Deere 4310 Problems (5 Main Problems + Solutions)

John Deere 4310 is one of the most popular models of this brand. However, it is still not above some common problems now and then. Almost all John Deere 4310 users face some common problems.

Engine problems are the most common in John Deere 4310, including overheating and not working. Repairing the fuel tanks and cleaning different parts reduces most of the problems. In electrical and PTO problems, often the switch is the main culprit. Steering cylinder and pump repair resolve almost all steering problems.

You can fix most of the problems by yourself. Some problems require professional attention. Keep reading to know more about it.

John Deere 4310 Engine Problems: Solved

Let’s get into John Deere 4310 troubleshooting. These following engine problems are common with a John Deere 4301 tractor. 

Symptoms	Reasons	Solutions
Low Engine Power	Defective governorIncorrect fuel jet timing Leaking valve seat	Clean the governor, replacing damaged partCorrect the fuel jet timing Change the faulty valve seat
Engine Runs Rough	Sticking throttle cableFaulty engine control unit Incorrect fuel	Replace the throttle cableManage the faulty ECU Use right fuel
Engine Overheating	Lack of coolantClogged radiator screens Damaged fan belts Excess load on the tractor	Refill coolantClean and unclog the radiator screen and fins Replace fan belts Don’t put excess load on the tractor, or slow the tractor speed with a heavy load.
Difficulty In Starting Engine	Low battery chargeStuck fuel tank vent Filter clogging Exhaustion pipe clogging Injector problems	Charge the tractor batteryClean fuel tank vent Change the fuel filter Clean the exhaustion pipe Clean corroded or dirty fuel injector, replace if found damage.
Diesel Engine Knocks	Lack of oil in the engine	Refill the engine oil

Problem 1: Low Engine Power

If your tractor faces a reduced engine power issue, a “Low engine power” message will appear. Furthermore, the vehicle will be difficult to accelerate. 

Reason:

The low engine power message occurs because of various reasons, including a defective governor, incorrect fuel jet timing, and a leaking valve seat. For these reasons, adequate power doesn’t flow to the engine. 

Solution:

You have to go through all the components one by one and check if they are working correctly. 

Start with checking for defects in the governor. 

• Inspect the wires from the engine through the governor for any damage like torn wire. 
• Check if the governor bearing is broken. Replace the damaged bearing. 
• Check all the platforms of the governor for corrosion; if found any, use WD-40 rust remover to clean those. 
• Lubricate the friction points of the governor. 

If the governor is alright, check the fuel jet timing. 

• Incorrect fuel jet timing will cause high readings on the exhaust temperature meter. Moreover, you will notice black smoke from the fuel injection pump. 
• To Adjust the fuel jet timing, using the pump roller guide adjustment screw, turn the plunger up and down. 

Finally, check if the valve seat is leaking. 

• Low-quality valves or incorrect installments can cause the valve to leak. 
• If the valve is damaged, replace it with a good-quality valve. If the installment is incorrect, unplug and install it correctly. 

Problem 2: Engine Runs Rough

You will notice an irregularity while running the engine. The tractor will seem like running on an uneven path even when it’s a smooth road. Moreover, the engine will make excess noise.

If there’s any problem with the ECU, the check engine light will show up. If you also notice abnormal shaking and slow gear, the problem must be with the ECU. 

Reasons:

Smooth engine running operation gets hampered because of sticking throttle cable, faulty engine control unit, or incorrect fuel. John Deere 4310 runs on diesel. If you use petrol or other fuel, you will face this problem. 

Solution:

• First, make sure you haven’t used incorrect fuel. 
• Next, check if the throttle cable is sticking. The only solution to remove a sticking throttle cable is to replace it. 
• To resolve the problem with ECU, it is recommended to consult a mechanic. You shouldn’t attempt to repair the ECU unit by yourself for that. 

Problem 3: Engine Overheating

Naturally, the engine remains a little heated. Around 180 degrees Fahrenheit is the normal temperature for a running tractor engine.

However, overheating engines are an indication of serious problems. You can also notice steam or smoke from the engine, along with loud, rumbling noise. 

Reasons:

Faulty coolant in the cooling system is the main reason for engine overheating. Moreover, clogged radiator screens, damaged fan belts, and excess load on the tractor are also the reason for engine overheating. 

Solution:

To check and refill the coolant system:

1. The coolant system is in the radiator. Open the radiator’s cap and check the system’s cooling level to see whether it’s full. 
2. If the cooling level isn’t up to the maximum, refill it with coolant and water in a 1:1 ratio. 

To check the radiator: 

• Stop the tractor and cool the engine down before cleaning the radiator. 
• Check if debris or dirt is stuck on the radiator screen or fins.
• Use a washcloth and detergent to clean the screen and fins, and rinse it with water. You can also vacuum the radiator.  

Next, check the fan belt: 

1. After putting the tractor in emergency stopper mode, lift the engine cover to remove the spark plug wire. 
2. Check the fan belt for wear and tear. 
3. To replace the worn-out fan belt, unscrew the bolts that protect the belt tensioner. Pull out the belt by sliding the belt tensioner.
4. Place the new fan belt in the slide tensioner and slide it back. Tighten the bolt. 
5. Reassemble the spark plug wire and engine cover, and you are done. 

Make sure you don’t load excess product in the tractor. The loading capacity of John Deere 4310 tractors is given below. 

Factors	Capacity
420 loaders full height lift (At pin)	1195 pounds
420 loaders full height lift (at 500 mm)	895 pounds
430 loaders full height lift (At pin)	1261 pounds
430 loaders full height lift (at 500 mm)	1045 pounds

When you lift heavy products even within the limit, drive the tractor at a lower speed to avoid the engine from overheating. 

Problem 4: Difficulty in Starting Engine 

This is an irritating situation when your tractor keeps cranking several times before you can start it permanently.

Sometimes, the engine keeps cranking but doesn’t start, or the engine may completely stop working, and the John Deere 4310 won’t start. 

Reasons:

The reasons behind these problems are given below: 

• Low battery charge
• Stuck fuel tank vent
• Filter clogging
• Exhaustion pipe clogging
• Injector problems

Solution:

You have to go through all of the reasons behind the engine start difficulty one by one and resolve them. 

Start with charging your John Deere 4310 battery and see if the problem goes away or not. If charging the battery doesn’t help, go for the next one. 

Tools Required: a medium container, wrench, vent cleaner, damp cloth, and a hard brush.

Here is the process of cleaning the fuel tank vent. 

1. Uncover the fuel tank cap. Place a container to catch the diesel under the fuel tank. 
2. Remove the nut from the fuel tank base with a wrench and drain all the fuel.
3. Using an air-compressed vent cleaner, blow out dirt and debris from inside the fuel tank vent. 
4. Take out the fuel lines and clean them the same way.
5. Reassemble everything and refill the fuel tank. 

After that, change the fuel filter. While changing it, make sure you take out the old filter completely. Sometimes, the metal base of the filter can get stuck inside, and the new filter doesn’t get enough space to sit correctly. 

Next, check the exhaust pipe and make sure there is no debris stuck on the pipe. Take a hard brush with a long handle and clean the exhaust pipe. 

If nothing of the above works, check for the injector. If you find any damage, corrosion, or dirt in the injector, replace it with the help of a professional. 

Problem 5: Diesel Engine Knocks

Some noise from the engine is normal. However, it is not normal if the engine makes a knocking sound while driving. Because of some reason, your John Deere 4310 tractor can make a noise like in the following video. 

Reasons:

The unusual knocking in the diesel engine of JD 4310 happens because of a lack of oil in the engine.

Solution:

You have to add oil to the engine. To refill the engine oil:

1. Remove the drain plug by using a wrench. Don’t forget to catch the old oil in a container. 
2. Remove the oil filter with the wrench and replace it. 
3. Attach the drain plug and tighten it correctly. 
4. Add oil up to the marked level. John Deere Plus-50 oil is a good choice for this tractor model.

John Deere 4310 Transmission Problems: Solved

Any problem with the tractor’s transmission will give you a hard time changing gears. Here are some common transmission problems with John Deere 4310.

Symptoms	Reasons	Solutions
Hard Shifting Transmission	Misalignment in transmission	Correct the transmission alignment.
Front Axle Causes Constant Rumble	Faulty gearDamaged or stuck roller bearings	Repair the gear.Clean the roller bearing, if any damage is found, replace it.

Problem 1: Hard Shifting Transmission

With John Deere 4310 tractor, sometimes you may feel rough gear shifting or a thud feeling while shifting the transmission. 

Reasons:

This problem occurs due to misalignment in transmission. During gearbox setup or installation, a little tolerant-level misalignment can result in severe misalignment after a few drives. 

Solution:

Correcting the transmission alignment will solve this problem. Have the transmission aligned with the help of a mechanic, as this is a tricky process?

Problem 2: Front Axle Causes Constant Rumble

Another common problem with the John Deere 4310 tractor is constant rumbling noise from the front axle. This is also a transmission-related problem. 

Reasons:

Faulty gear and damaged or stuck roller bearings are the main reasons behind this rumbling noise. 

Solutions:

Inspect the gear for possible damage.

• Check if there is any leakage in the gearbox. 
• There can be a smell of burning rubber from the gearbox. 
• Gear slippage is another sign of faulty gear.
• If you find a fault in gear, replace the gear. 

Check the roller bearing to see if the gear is alright, but the rumbling noise still doesn’t go away. 

• Make sure the roller bearing is correctly installed. 
• Lubricate the bearing with a generous amount of grease. 
• If you notice any visible damage, including a crack or break in the bearing, replace it with the help of a professional. 

John Deere 4310 Steering Problems: Solved

Steering problems in the tractor shouldn’t be ignored. Otherwise, you can lose control of the vehicle, and an accident can occur. If you are facing the following problems with the John Deere 4310 steering, take action soon. 

Symptoms	Reasons	Solutions
Steering Wheel Spinning Too Easily	Low hydraulic oil levelFaulty steering cylinder Faulty power steering pump	Refill the hydraulic tankRepair the steering cylinder Repair the steering pump
The Steering Wheel Spinning Too Tightly	Low hydraulic oilLevel Leak in the hydraulic connection	Refill the hydraulic tankRepair the hydraulic connection
Steering Does Not Work	Air inside the hydraulic systemHydraulic oil level is very low Steering cylinder is faulty	Remove the air from the hydraulic systemRefill the hydraulic tank Repair the steering cylinder

Problem 1: Steering Wheel Spinning too Easily

If the steering wheel spins too easily, you will have less control over the steering. It will turn the vehicle more than you intend it to. You may also hear a knocking sound while steering the tractor. 

Reasons:

Low hydraulic oil level, faulty steering cylinder, and faulty power steering pump are the main reasons behind this problem. 

Solution:

First, check the oil and refill it to the maximum. After that, identify if there is a fault in the steering cylinder. If the steering cylinder is faulty, the cylinder will leak oil.

Here’s how you test for a cylinder leakage: 

1. Start your John Deere 4310 engine.
2. Left-turn the steering wheel all the way.
3. After that, turn off the tractor.
4. You will find the hydraulic hose fitting on the left side of the cylinder. Disconnect it from the cylinder. 
5. Start the engine again at a high idle. 
6. Keep left turning the steering wheel. 
7. Now check if there’s any oil leakage from the cylinder. 
8. Oil leakage is an indication of a faulty cylinder. Replace the cylinder with a new one. 

If nothing from the above works, check the defect in the power steering pump. Various faults can be found in a power steering pump, including a worn-out pump, the air in the steering pump system, loss of fluid, and a clogged system. Identify the problem and fix it. 

Problem 2: The steering Wheel Spinning too Tightly

A tight steering wheel also gives you less control over turning., You have to put in the excess effort to turn the vehicle. Forcing the steering can cause further damage as well. 

Reasons:

Lack of hydraulic oil level and leak in the hydraulic connection are the main reasons behind this problem. Moreover, damage to the power steering pump can be a reason for this. 

Solution:

You have to try and eliminate all the reasons one by one. First, check the hydraulic oil level and refill it if necessary. One of the main reasons behind John Deere 4310 hydraulic problems is the lack of oil level in the hydraulic tank.

Here’s how to refill the hydraulic tank:

1. Remove the hydraulic dipstick by twisting the cap. 
2. Carefully place a funnel on the hydraulic tank hole.
3. Keep purring hydraulic oil in the tank. Keep checking the oil level with the dipstick occasionally. 
4. Don’t overfill the hydraulic tank. 
5. Attach the dipstick back when you are done refilling.

Now, make sure there is no leak in the hydraulic connection. If you notice any oil leakage, you have to replace the connection.

Finally, look for problems in the power steering pump, as discussed above. 

Problem 3: Steering Does Not Work

For some reason, the steering may stop working, and your John Deere 4310 won’t turn over. It is hazardous to drive the tractor in this situation. 

Reasons:

The steering will stop working if air enters the hydraulic system. Moreover, If the hydraulic oil level is very low or the steering cylinder is faulty, the steering will stop working. 

Solution:

• You must remove the air inside the hydraulic system by opening the bleed valve and allowing the air to escape. 
• Check the oil level and refill it. 
• Look for faults in the steering cylinder and replace the faulty parts. 

John Deere 4310 PTO Problem: Solved

You can quickly get rid of the PTO problem of your John Deere 4310 tractor by following the solutions mentioned in the table. 

Symptoms	Reasons	Solutions
PTO Not Engaging	Faulty PTO switchFaulty connection with the wiring harness	Replace the faulty switchEnsure correct connection with the wiring harness
Rear PTO Won’t Spin	Faulty PTO switchFaulty Solenoid	Replace the PTO switchReplace the solenoid

Problem 1: PTO Not Engaging

One of the PTO problems is the rear, mid or both PTO doesn’t engage at all. The PTO indicator light from the dash light also doesn’t work. 

Reasons:

Faulty switch and faulty connection with the wiring harness cause this problem. 

Solution:

First, check if the connection from the PTO switches to the wiring harness and solenoid to the wiring harness connection is alright. Make sure there is no loose connection, damage, wear or tear in the connection. 

Now, check the switch:

1. Park the tractor with the emergency brake on. 
2. You will find the PTO switch in the control panel on the right. If you find John Deere 4310 mid-PTO not engaging, concentrate on the mid-PTO switch, and if the rear PTO is not engaging, check the rear PTO switch. 
3. From the wiring harness, detach the switch connection. 
4. Take an Ohm meter and test the switch in both the on and off positions. If the switch is working alright, the Off position will have  A&C, D&F, and G&H continuity in the meter, and the on position will have A&B, D&E continuity. 
5. Replace the switch if found damaged. 

Problem 2: Rear PTO Won’t Spin

In this situation when you try to engage the rear PTO, the PTO indicator lights turn on, but the shaft doesn’t spin. 

Reasons:

Faulty rear PTO switch and faulty rear PTO solenoid can be why the PTO is not turning. 

Solution:

First, check for the faulty switch and replace it if needed, as described above. If the switch is working correctly, check the rear solenoid.

1. Detach the rear or mid-PTO solenoid, whichever is not working, from the wiring harness. 
2. There will be four terminals in the solenoid. Take both terminals close to the notched end. 
3. Use an ohm meter to measure the resistance on those two terminals. If the solenoid is not faulty, the resistance will be between 10.5-11.5 ohms. If it’s not in the range, the solenoid is faulty.
4. Replace the faulty solenoid. 

John Deere 4310 Electrical Problems: Solved

Electrical problems are typical for any vehicle, including John deere. Find out those problems from the following table. 

Symptoms	Reason	Solution
Fuel Gauge Not Working	Mismatched connection	Reattach the wires correctly
Lights Not Working	Faulty lightLoose wiring harness connection Faulty switch	Replace the lightRepair the harness connection Replace the switch

Problem 1: Fuel Gauge Not Working

Fuel gauge is essential to keep a tab on the fuel level. But for some reason, your tractor’s fuel gauge can stop working. 

Reasons:

John Deere 4310 fuel gauge not working problems occur as a result of mismatched connection and a blown fuse. If the installment of fuel gauge wiring is faulty, this problem happens. 

Solution:

Make sure all the wires are connected correctly with the fuel gauge and wiring harness. Also, make sure the earthing is appropriately done. 

Problem 2: Lights Not Working

In this case, one of the lights has stopped working, including the headlight, tail light, dash light, etc. 

Reasons:

Faulty lights, loose wiring harness connections, and faulty switches can be the reason behind this problem.  

Solution:

Start with testing out the light first. Replace the light with a new one and see whether it works or not.

If the new light doesn’t work, you must check other things. However, don’t worry as you have to buy a new light. Store it to use later. 

Next, check the wrong harness connection. Make sure the connection isn’t lost, and there is no wear or tear in the wire. If you find a loose connection or faulty wire, repair them. 

Finally, check the light switch. Open up the switch cover and check the voltage with a  multimeter. The reading should be near 12 volts for a good switch. If the switch is found faulty, replace it. 

John Deere 4310 Maintenance Tips

Above mentioned John Deere 4310 e-hydro problems would occur less if you are careful enough to maintain the following tips. 

• You should check the hydraulic oil level and engine oil level of your John Deere 4310 tractor daily. Refill them if necessary. 
• Regularly check the coolant level and refill as required to avoid engine overheating. 
• Change the engine air filter, fuel filter, and front axle oil every month. 
• Change the hydraulic fluid and transmission fluid every 15 days. 
• Replace the suction side filter twice a month. 
• Don’t try to load excess weight on the tractor. Follow the capacity level. 
• Only use diesel as fuel in the John Deere 4310 tractors. 

FAQs

Why Doesn’t My John Deere 4310 Tractor Backhoe Motor Crank? 

John Deer 4310 backhoe motor doesn’t crank because of wrong fuel, faulty fuel pump, and incorrect fuel pump timing; use diesel as fuel in this tractor. Repair the fuel pump and correct the fuel pump timing. 

Is A John Deere 4310 A Good Tractor?

Yes, John Deere 4310 is a pretty great tractor. It is a moderate-sized tractor with John Deer’s unique ehydro technology. Apart from some fundamental tractor problems now and then, you will not have much trouble with this vehicle. 

Does John Deere 4310 come with a warranty?

John Deere 4310 comes with a 1-year warranty. You can get free service and any faulty part replacement within this period. Moreover, this warranty is transferable if you sell the tractor to someone else within a year. 

Conclusion 

This article covers the common John Deere 4310 problems with proper reasons and solutions. I hope it will be helpful for you.

Adequate maintenance of the tractor will save you from most of these problems. If you are confused about anything, consult a technician.

That’s all for now. All the best with your tractor. Have a nice day!