Well, that was fun...

[mfl61]

I recently bought an early model JD 4300, with low hours. It's been doing pretty good, except that the three point hitch wouldn't raise as high as it ought. Then yesterday I was out bush-hogging my little 7 acre spread. My brother was on the tractor while I was doing some damage to a few small trees with my chainsaw. Anyway, he got down to tweak the side-to-side alignment on the hitch. When he got back up and tried to start it, no go. It had decided the PTO was engaged and would not listen to reason. We spent a couple of hours negotiating with it, then had to leave it in the field over night (not happy about that, no one around to watch it.)

Went back this morning with tools and a manual, the blessed thing fired off and ran like nothing ever happened! So, we finished mowing and loaded it up on the trailer and took the tractor back to check it out and see what was what.

We dug into it a bit, lubed everything we could find, and got the three point to raise and lower properly. After which, it went back into "PTO engaged" mode and wouldn't start, again. I was commencing to feel a little.... peevish.

With tools and a manual to work with, we were able to do a little high-level troubleshooting and found the safety switch for the PTO was fubared.

Tomorrow is Good Friday. I wonder if my local Deere dealer is going to be open??

mfl61
JD 4300 w/FEL

 

[mjncad]

Tomorrow is Good Friday. I wonder if my local Deere dealer is going to be open??

mfl61
JD 4300 w/FEL

There's money to be made, I'm sure they'll be open.

Glad to hear the fix is a simple one.

 

[Thomas]

Know the feeling about leaving equipment else where over night. ;(

Glad you found the problem..does give one peace of mind when doing so.

Tractor dealer close on Friday..thats like no bar-q sauce at cook out.

 

[mfl61]

Yeah, I was afraid it was going to be a real money type of problem, which would have been a bad thing. As it is, a comparatively easy fix that I didn't have to pay to have done.

As to if they will open today.... well, this is south Louisiana, and there is a marked tendency to take any excuse to close shop and party, especially when you can call it a holy day!

Guess I'll know pretty soon...

mfl61
JD 4300 w/FEL

 

[mfl61]

Sunshine Equipment, my local Deere dealer, was open, but the switch had to be brought in from another store. They called when it came in, assured me they were open untill 5pm. Got there at 4:40; doors locked, lights out. Guess I'll pick it up Monday.

mfl61
JD 4300 w/FEL

 

[Thomas]

Do make one sputter little bit.

 

[Hooked_on_HP]

Put a jumper wire in it untill you get your new switch. That is unless you need an excuse not to work.
Bill

 

[mfl61]

I jumpered it to get it moved around to where I needed it, then on to other non-tractor related projects. No danger of not working, unfortunately! Planted a nice Shumard Oak my wife wanted, continued to wage war on the yaupon on the rear fence line, lots more on the to do list for today, then tomorrow, crawfish boil time, no work allowed!

mfl61

 

[Ductape]

Know the feeling about leaving equipment else where over night. ;(

Well, when a guy lives in a tough neighborhood like yours..........................

:laughing:

 

[Thomas]

Ductape.
"Well, when a guy lives in a tough neighborhood like yours.........................."

Having one of these critters guarding better than dog.