The John Deere 2025r is a powerful and versatile tractor that can be used for farming and agricultural work thanks to its 62-inch drive-over mower decks, and it boasts over 1 ton of hydraulic lifting power and a liquid-cooled 25hp engine.
As one of the best in its class, it packs a lot of punch and a hefty purchase price to go with it.
But there are quite a few issues that can crop up with the 2025r, which range from clutch and transmission issues to problems with the electronics.
So is it worth buying despite these issues? Today, we’ll look at those issues, how you might fix them, and whether this hefty unit is worth the steep price.
The most common problems with the John Deere 2025r
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Adaptability and versatility are the names of the game when it comes to this John Deere tractor. With multiple mower decks, a snowblower, front-end loaders, and even a backhoe. This can indeed be a one-stop shop for all your tractor utility needs.
However, as with many units focusing on versatility instead of mastering a single task, it can often struggle in certain areas and have a few issues crop up.
So whether you are a prospective buyer, or an owner looking to troubleshoot their 2025r, keep reading as we will cover all the main issues this machine may encounter.
1. Problems with the diesel engine
Of course, one of the big selling points of this compact utility tractor is its hefty 25hp liquid-cooled diesel engine.
However, while not issues necessarily unique to the 2025r John Deere tractor, it does encounter some problems relating to the engine that, as an owner, you will likely need to deal with.
- The engine doesn’t start – possible issues include the fuel filter being clogged and must be cleaned out. There also may be air in the fuel system. The fuel injection nozzles might also be dirty or defective and should be checked and replaced if necessary.
- Engine stalls suddenly during operation – The timing of fuel injection pumps may be off, resulting in an incorrect fuel-to-air ratio and requiring adjusting. The fuel filter may also be plugged up and require cleaning. Also, ensure the engine has time to adequately warm up if the weather is cold and it’s been idle for a long time.
- The engine is overheating – The radiator core may be clogged, or the radiator cap may also be leaking. In both scenarios, clean the radiator and change the cap. The next thing to do is check for adequate coolant fluid and refill if there isn’t. Then check the engine system for any leaks.
- The engine is lacking power – Check that all the fuel lines are clear and that new, good-quality gas is being used, aged gas or blocked lines will severely hinder the engine’s ability to operate at full power.
- Engine stalls when idling the tractor – The idle speed has been incorrectly set and will need adjusting. You may also need to check the fuel injection pump and replace it if it has become damaged.
2. Transmission issues
The hydrostatic engine uses pressurized oil to pump the pistons, which is why the John Deere compact tractor’s moving capabilities are so great. But sometimes, people encounter the hydrostatic transmission system creating excessive noise without apparent cause.
This is commonly related to excessive strain on the engine, which a high transmission load can cause. The maximum load on the 2025r is well over a ton. But if you lack transmission fluid or the transmission filter element is clogged, it will reduce that maximum load, resulting in it struggling to perform.
The obvious fixes are first to lower the total load on the machine and reduce strain. The second step is to clean the transmission filter element to ensure it can supply enough transmission fluid. Then finally, you should check that there is adequate transmission fluid and top it off if necessary.
If you are using hefty loads on the machine, you may also find the transmission oil overheating, ensuring enough fluid and the filter isn’t clogged. You should also check the entire tractor cooling systems to ensure they operate efficiently.
You may also find the oil drain line clogged, resulting in fluid backing up and leaking from the machine. You should check all seals and gaskets, replace them if necessary, and clean the drain line if it’s clogged.
3. Issues with the hydraulic system
If your hydraulic system is not operating or seems to be having issues, you should take a few common troubleshooting steps to restore it to working order.
If the machine has been idle for a while and the hydraulic fluid may be old or contaminated, discard it and use fresh hydraulic oil. This is also an excellent opportunity to bleed the system and ensure there isn’t any air that’s crept its way into the hydraulic pipes.
If you find that the oil pressure is low and you are sure the fluid level is good, you may need to clean the hydraulic filter element, inspect the pipes for any signs of leaks, and repair them accordingly.
There may also be an issue with the hydraulic pump. This should also be inspected and replaced if it turns out to be faulty.
4. Hitch is not operating optimally
Issues with the hitch can often be traced back to the hydraulic system.
If you find that the hitch raises or lowers exceptionally slowly or doesn’t move at all, it may be jerky and unsmooth.
This can be, once again, caused by air in the system due to hydraulic oil that’s become old and should be replaced with fresh oil and bled to ensure there is no air in the cylinder.
In addition, the hydraulic cylinder itself may be broken, meaning the pressure cannot be adequately built. In this scenario, the cylinder will need to be either repaired or entirely replaced by a trained mechanic – it is not recommended to service this problem at home.
5. Issues with the steering system
Many users of the John Deere 2025r have reported that the steering system has been experiencing some issues. There are three main problems that you may encounter with the steering system on your machine:
- The steering is not responsive and has too much movement and ‘play’: The most common cause is the column couple or shaft, which has become worn out and isn’t creating a solid connection. In this case, you should replace the worn parts. You may also find that the steering pump is broken and may need repairing. Finally, the power steering control valve may also be worn, inspect this and correct it if necessary.
- The steering is unnaturally stiff: The most common cause of excessively stiff steering may be due to air being trapped inside the system, in which case you will need to bleed any air that has made its way in. Finally, you should check the steering fluid reservoir and ensure there is enough fluid in there, or it may affect the performance of the steering system.
- The tractor is pulling in a particular direction: The most common cause of this issue is uneven tire pressure. As this will offset the weight as you drive, it will slowly lean over to the side with less pressure on the front tire. Ensure there is equal pressure across all four tires to fix this issue. This may also result in a more even cutting/plowing result if you use something like the mowing or snow attachment.
6. Electrical system issues
While these issues are relatively universal across the John Deere range, they are worth mentioning as you will undoubtedly encounter them at some point.
The most common issue with the electrical system is that the battery either doesn’t charge or doesn’t seem to hold the charge for an adequate amount of time after charging.
The first thing to check here is that all the electrical wiring connections are solid and power is being provided from the battery to the rest of the tractor. You should also check the connections and ensure they are stable and tight. If you see any wear or corrosion on the connection point, you may need to clean it with a wire brush.
If the battery connection seems fine, but it still seems to drain inordinately fast, then it may be a case of the battery itself being worn out, in which case you should replace it with a new one.
You may also find that the starter turns slowly or doesn’t crank. This is also commonly related to the battery, so you should perform all the same checks here. You may also check if the starter is still producing an electrical current. If it’s not, it will need to be replaced (thankfully, these are very cheap).
John Deere 2025r problems: are they a deal-breaker?
While there are a lot of universal issues here you will still encounter on other models within the John Deere range. We feel that the modularity of the model, coupled with its price tag may make it undesirable unless you plan to utilize a good portion of the available attachments.
Suppose you need a tractor for a specific purpose, such as mowing or lifting. In that case, we recommend getting a more directly specialized model in that area as it will be purpose-built to perform that task and be less susceptible to the underperforming areas of a ‘jack of all trades’ kind of vehicle.
Marvin is an expert in farming equipment with a strong background in agricultural engineering. He graduated from Kansas State College of Agriculture, where he received a degree in Agricultural Engineering and specialized in farm equipment design and maintenance.
