Vermeer 352 Problems

[Liston]

Not being funny mate ,but a guy on here had to fit a winch to his 7015 because it got stuck so many times,thats not acceptable either,he wasn't the only person to moan about the drive problem..

If the user takes a 1800kg machine in the mud then hes got the wrong model for his job. thats why its avalible on turf tracks and 0r 4 x4..
but the machine was not broken down:bang: and does not fall to bits when its grinding.
If your wheels fall of your truck when driving down the road, do you say well thats just the way they build the truck, , I don't think so.:deadhorse:

 

[911crash]

both
wheels stops and the motor stalls...happens at the same time

I still have this problem and been learning to deal with it. I have learned how to push it just enough before it stalls. when the autosweep was working it was much easier, now it takes a little more skill to fly through the stumps. Hopefully soon ill have time to drop her at Vermeer and get another raped repair bill

are you grinding on fast speed or slow

 

[JP Stump]

I own a professional stump removal company in Missouri. I purchased a new Vermeer SC352 diesel that is now 2 years old and 600 hours. During that time I have had to invest over $4,000 in repairs for driveline, motor mounts, and electrical problems. I am not at all satisified with this piece of equipment and was wondering if there were other 352 owners with similiar trouble?

I am also a professional stump company and have owned my sc352 for exactly 3 years that has 640 hrs. I just blew the engine this weekend after a long list of previous problems. This machine is making me sick to my stomach.

 

[JP Stump]

I own a professional stump removal company in Missouri. I purchased a new Vermeer SC352 diesel that is now 2 years old and 600 hours. During that time I have had to invest over $4,000 in repairs for driveline, motor mounts, and electrical problems. I am not at all satisified with this piece of equipment and was wondering if there were other 352 owners with similiar trouble?

I am also a professional stump company and have owned my sc352 for exactly 3 years that has 640 hrs. I just blew the engine this weekend after a long list of previous problems. This machine is making me sick to my stomach.

 

[stumpy66]

both
wheels stops and the motor stalls...happens at the same time

I still have this problem and been learning to deal with it. I have learned how to push it just enough before it stalls. when the autosweep was working it was much easier, now it takes a little more skill to fly through the stumps. Hopefully soon ill have time to drop her at Vermeer and get another raped repair bill

I always grind on the non fast setting, i find the motor bogs down only when you take too much out of a stump and you are cutting into the stump so that you are also cutting on the up stroke so to speak.....if you try to use too much of the wheel the cut it will bog down. this is not auto sweep, its direct drive and no clutch effect with the belts...tightening makes the damage potential worst. if this is happening a lot, you need to change your technique or develop one. i suspect that you have the machine on fast setting...your teeth are not as sharp as they could be and that you dont work on the stump in a progressive manner..all of this will wear your clutch and cause vibration....just my 10 pence worth. I think that the 352 can work bloody hard for its size......is there a machine that can work as quick for so long. i have taken a multi stem beech, 12 feet + and 3 feet tall out to a depth of 10 inches inc clear up in 7 hours. thats a good work rate. Is there a machine to match it? where is the competition?.

 

[twoodward15]

I have a friend that works for vermeer. He isn't a member here, but he does come on and look at the problems people are having with their machines occasionally. People in the industry see and hear what you are saying. Just remember that when you take your machine in to be fixxed that these guys are the fixxers, they didn't build the POS, they are just trying to fix it to get you back to making money. Be nice to them and they will make sure you are back to work asap. A little honey goes a long way.
A note to him..... Hey jerky, what's up?

 

[bevebob]

clutch

after purchasing my 352 aug 04 the nightmare began,clutches(over5)3 i footed the bill on uncountable electrical problems,bolts falling out everywhere,espectally the manifolds-broken motor mounts,radiator mount cracked radiator and abunch of bs from vemeer.i have discovered the wiring harness like the clutch is a warranty isssue they are tring to get me to pay for.this machine itself is a nightmare and should have been a recall

I too have had numerous problems with the vermeer 352 with the clutches. I am now in the process of replacing my third clutch. This time it took out the shaft, pump pulley, belt, and of cource the clutch itself. Bought it in 2005 and problems started in 2006.

 

[prentice110]

I too have had numerous problems with the vermeer 352 with the clutches. I am now in the process of replacing my third clutch. This time it took out the shaft, pump pulley, belt, and of cource the clutch itself. Bought it in 2005 and problems started in 2006.

Bob, Im glad you brought this back up. I was planning on buying one of these later this year, based on the times ive rented them,(always ate stump well, did see some design flaws on the early ones.) . After seeing all the problems that people are having with such low hours, I think ill stay away from this pile.

 

[kiwidiesel]

Bob, Im glad you brought this back up. I was planning on buying one of these later this year, based on the times ive rented them,(always ate stump well, did see some design flaws on the early ones.) . After seeing all the problems that people are having with such low hours, I think ill stay away from this pile.

Try demonstrating a new one. Apart from two electrical problems and a crap paint job, my 18 month old 352 boogeys. Have fitted Yellow Jacket teeth and i will tackle any sized stump. The diesel is economical and torquey and the 4WD means we never get stuck. Have seen an early 352 working and they are like two different machines. As the old saying goes, try before you buy.
Dont engage clutch above idle speed if you want it to last.

 

[bombdude]

Well, 2 years next month & approx 530 hours. Here's my experience.

Slung the belts at 3 months and broke a front wheel drive chain within the first year.

Broke the other drive chain just after a year old. Started running it with the covers off so I could wash it out every once in a while & haven't broken any since.

Last fall (about 1 1/2 year old) I found 4 of the engine mounting bolts broken. Actually 3 broke, one was backed out & gone. At the same time, the hydraulic hub for the front wheel assembly went out. ($800 part) My front wheel was floppin'.

Did my homework & found that there was a recall on the engine bolt issue. My local dealer covered that as well as replacing the hub. No charge.

No issues since. Who knows, it may die today, but overall I'm happy with my 352.

 

[kiwidiesel]

Well, 2 years next month & approx 530 hours. Here's my experience.

Slung the belts at 3 months and broke a front wheel drive chain within the first year.

Broke the other drive chain just after a year old. Started running it with the covers off so I could wash it out every once in a while & haven't broken any since.

Last fall (about 1 1/2 year old) I found 4 of the engine mounting bolts broken. Actually 3 broke, one was backed out & gone. At the same time, the hydraulic hub for the front wheel assembly went out. ($800 part) My front wheel was floppin'.

Did my homework & found that there was a recall on the engine bolt issue. My local dealer covered that as well as replacing the hub. No charge.

No issues since. Who knows, it may die today, but overall I'm happy with my 352.

Also removed chain covers, cut down on problems but we replace chains if they look suspect. A regular blowout and lube with spray on dirt bike chain lube extends their life.
Like all the other grinders we have owned,
the first rule of thumb is maintenance maintenance maintenance. We go over the machines several times a week, removing guards. greasing and check tightening where required. Still on original belts after more than 400 hrs and they still look like new. Sharpening is a pain but pays in the long run as it puts less stress on machine and operator and cuts down on repairs and maintenance
Compared to many other grinders i have seen or operated the 352 is good at its job and no worse than anything else in the market.

 

[treeclimber101]

Alright here my list of problems with our 352's , four clutches , one upper gear box one lower, motor mount bolts shearing at the engine flush , real pain to fix ,the hydraulic ststem from the front to back the front wheels move much faster than the back , when we had that problem it broke of the rear drive chains for the wheels, last but not least the turbo line was cut by the fan belt so the turbo was trash, they are great when they run almost like 26,000 machine should ....

 

[gr8scott72]

Alright here my list of problems with our 352's , four clutches , one upper gear box one lower, motor mount bolts shearing at the engine flush , real pain to fix ,the hydraulic ststem from the front to back the front wheels move much faster than the back , when we had that problem it broke of the rear drive chains for the wheels, last but not least the turbo line was cut by the fan belt so the turbo was trash, they are great when they run almost like 26,000 machine should ....

Um, wow. That's all? :monkey:

 

[treeclimber101]

Um, wow. That's all? :monkey:

Well , thats two machines one with just under 1000 the other with around 450 I like the new Rayco's...

 

[gr8scott72]

Well , thats two machines one with just under 1000 the other with around 450 I like the new Rayco's...

You mean the only ones on the market WITHOUT a remote? That Rayco? (Or tracks for that matter.)

 

[kiwidiesel]

Well , thats two machines one with just under 1000 the other with around 450 I like the new Rayco's...

Just wait until you start replacing the polychain drive belts and then you will wish you had your old machine back.

 

[prentice110]

in case anybody is still interested, when the bandit first came out, they were the worst ones yet. The first year or two I mean. I dont know how they are now but we rented one when they first came out and the thing died with less then 30 hrs on it. The guy from the rental place told us everyone who rented it had the same problems since it was new and they were in the process of trying to make bandit take it back. just some food for thought. Probably just rushed production...

 

[bevebob]

clutch shaft

after purchasing my 352 aug 04 the nightmare began,clutches(over5)3 i footed the bill on uncountable electrical problems,bolts falling out everywhere,espectally the manifolds-broken motor mounts,radiator mount cracked radiator and abunch of bs from vemeer.i have discovered the wiring harness like the clutch is a warranty isssue they are tring to get me to pay for.this machine itself is a nightmare and should have been a recall

When you had the clutches replaced, did they pull the shaft and check that? I discovered that the key way was ground to almost twice the size it should have been but was told that the company has never really had a problem with this and it was probably from normal wear?????????????/ We think that is what has been causing problems with our clutch system.:bang:

 

[Bigstumps]

Alright here my list of problems with our 352's , four clutches , one upper gear box one lower, motor mount bolts shearing at the engine flush , real pain to fix ,the hydraulic ststem from the front to back the front wheels move much faster than the back , when we had that problem it broke of the rear drive chains for the wheels, last but not least the turbo line was cut by the fan belt so the turbo was trash, they are great when they run almost like 26,000 machine should ....

What did those gearboxes cost?? I demoed a 352 before I bought my machine - the sales guy from Vermeer told me he no idea about the gear box cost when I asked - I guess he knew it would frighten me. I wonder if you could buy the electric clutch from Rayco and save any money - seems like they were about $300 for my old 1625.

 

[gr8scott72]

Just wait until you start replacing the polychain drive belts and then you will wish you had your old machine back.

I think I'd rather replace the polycog belt than the clutch and gearbox.