Snow L3400 HST starts but won't run in cold weather

[Chilly807]

Thanks for all of your ideas, I could not have figured this out without your help. The problem was the seat safety switch lever. It was stuck and once I freed it up, the tractor ran today. I wish I had a barn to keep the tractor in, but it is outdoors and there has been enough rain, sleet and snow blowing here that gets under the seat. Thanks!

Hey, that's great news! I think you posted the solution while I was typing my last post. It might be something as simple as a switch that has some lubricant that gets stiff in cold weather.. I wonder if the switch works to kill the engine if you move out of the seat now? If not, be careful. We'd hate to lose you, you're still new and shiny

Sean

 

[k0ua]

From the looks of the wiring diagram, there's no neutral switch on the HST version of the L3400. Which means you can start it in any range as long as the clutch is depressed. As soon as you depress the HST pedal, it brings the seat switch into the loop, which looks for weight in the seat. Under those conditions, the only position of the seat that won't kill the engine is fully down with an operator in it.

The DT (gear) version of the tractor doesn't have a clutch switch, however the shuttle or range select lever must be in neutral before the starter will engage. In both versions, the PTO must be disengaged to start the engine.

At first I wondered about the lack of a clutch switch on the gear drive version that I have, then I realized it allows you to start the engine while you're standing on the ground as long as it's in neutral. Handy for warmup or running the hydraulics, but I still always check to be sure it's really in neutral before turning the key. You're standing right in front of a rear tire when you turn the key, so if the neutral switch isn't working you're in a world of hurt if it goes ahead. It's easy to develop bad habits, something you have to remember when you run somebody else's tractor.

To answer your question Katahdin, yes it should allow you to use the hand throttle, even if the transmission isn't in neutral since there is no neutral switch as far as I can see. You just can't touch the HST pedal. James (K0ua) had one of these a few years ago, he should be able to say for sure. I'm not sure if northeastern was using the hand throttle or pressing down on the HST pedal with the trans in neutral. If it was still dying using the hand throttle I'm at a loss as to what is going on, unless it's running out of fuel instantly for some reason. Being in neutral shouldn't make a difference if you press the HST pedal.

Sean

Sean you are correct on the HST version the engine will crank in any Transmission range as long as the clutch is pressed in and the HST pedal is centered (and PTO lever is off). If you come up out of the seat while the HST pedal is not centered the engine will instantly die because the fuel solenoid will shut off. So if you raise up out of the seat while trying to see the tip of your forks going into a pallet you are in trouble. But if you raise up out of the seat with the HST pedal centered the engine will continue to run for a couple of seconds which allows time for you to reach down and pull up on the seat, allowing the other section of the seat switch to come into play to allow the engine to continue to run for off tractor operation, like for instance running your wood chipper. I hope this helped.

 

[Carl_NH]

Thanks for all of your ideas, I could not have figured this out without your help. The problem was the seat safety switch lever. It was stuck and once I freed it up, the tractor ran today. I wish I had a barn to keep the tractor in, but it is outdoors and there has been enough rain, sleet and snow blowing here that gets under the seat. Thanks!

A $10 tarp and few bungee cords over the hood and dash/seat areas might be a good investment!

 

[Coyote machine]

Good one. As I stated earlier, once you narrowed it down to either fuel or electrical then you're able to troubleshoot properly. Advice to tarp over is a good idea. And spray the seat switch contacts with an electrical contact cleaner. I would leave the seat in the down position when covered so moisture/condensation are less likely to get caught up the switch....

 

[TSO]

Not too brag or anything ... but you're welcome!

I accept donations of beer or vodka

 

[Chilly807]

So if you raise up out of the seat while trying to see the tip of your forks going into a pallet you are in trouble.

I hear you, I like to stand up briefly while I'm mowing to look for debris ahead of me, but not possible with this tractor. Ah well.. At least I only hit it once, after that the 'hog has less trouble with it :laughing:

Sean

 

[Thomas]

Good to read your up and running again Northeastern.

Heck of good topic also great knowledge given by all.

 

[Thomas]

TSO.
"Not too brag or anything ... but you're welcome!
I accept donations of beer or vodka"
..............................................................................
What..no cigar.

 

[TSO]

TSO.
"Not too brag or anything ... but you're welcome!
I accept donations of beer or vodka"
..............................................................................
What..no cigar.

Lol sure, why not.

 

[Thomas]

Send me your address my friend..smooth cigar of your choice close to it on the next stagecoach out.