TC40DA Loses power on inclines

RV0313 · Oct 28, 2015

I have two issues and I'm not sure if they are related.
Issue #1 When cold starting the engine the glow plug light doesn't illuminate, I typically just hold the Key for a few seconds and then start the engine without any problems. After the engine has run for any amount of time and I turn it off, when I go to start it again the glow plug light comes on as if the engine is cold. This happens all year long winter or summer, I know in the winter the engine is cold but the glow plug light doesn't come on. Not really a problem as I haven't had any trouble starting the engine it's just annoying.

Issue #2 when traveling in II gear Hi speed the slightest incline causes the tractor to bog down and barely will move. This happens on the slightest incline in a field or on pavement with out any attachments on the tractor. I gear and low speed seam to work fine.

I've changed the oil and filter, both air filters, fuel filter and the fuel pump none of which have seemed to help.

I've been having these problems for over a year and haven't been able to figure out their cause.

w1ebb · Oct 28, 2015

Hi RV.
Issue #1. The module that controls the glow plug timer is going bad. My TC35 acted the same way. It is located on the drivers left side of the drivers side of the firewall. It is a Bosch module, roughly an inch square. Your local parts house (Bumper to Bumper, NAPA) should be able to match one up for you by matching the terminals on the bottom of the module. NH specs this part at 50 amps but I replaced it with a 40, and the glow plugs work as the should. I cannot find the box that module came in but I did buy the only other part in town (but it was a 30amp). This other module, just for reference is an SMP Intermotor RY265.

Issue #2. Require more info. What RPM are you travelling at? Are you pulling a trailer or implement? And by "bogging down and barely moving," is the engine trying to stall and the tractor almost come to a stop?
Your tractor being a "DA" model, it is a hydrostat drive, right?

Scott

w1ebb · Oct 28, 2015

Hi RV.
Issue #1. The module that controls the glow plug timer is going bad. My TC35 acted the same way. It is located on the drivers left side of the drivers side of the firewall. It is a Bosch module, roughly an inch square. Your local parts house (Bumper to Bumper, NAPA) should be able to match one up for you by matching the terminals on the bottom of the module. NH specs this part at 50 amps but I replaced it with a 40, and the glow plugs work as the should. I cannot find the box that module came in but I did buy the only other part in town (but it was a 30amp). This other module, just for reference is an SMP Intermotor RY265.

Issue #2. Require more info. What RPM are you travelling at? Are you pulling a trailer or implement? And by "bogging down and barely moving," is the engine trying to stall and the tractor almost come to a stop?
Your tractor being a "DA" model, it is a hydrostat drive, right?

Scott

keg99 · Oct 28, 2015

Issue #2 - I agree with W1ebb. Need more info. Not sure I understand what "II gear Hi speed " and "I gear and low speed " mean. There is a Hi and Lo selector on the left and a "Rabbit" and "Turtle" on the right. I find the Hi speed setting in the "Rabbit" mode (II gear Hi speed ?) does not have much power to pull hills - just use that for flat travel when in a hurry. The Hi speed setting in "Turtle" mode does fine for most work, but not on steep hills or when running heavy attachments. For most hills/heavy work I am using the Lo Speed setting in the "Rabbit" mode. Lo speed and "Turtle" are for really steep and difficult situations.

RV0313 · Oct 29, 2015

Thanks Scott,
I'll look into replacing the glow plug timer.

Issue #2 yes, its hydrostat drive. Even at full throttle it slows down going up hill. I'm not sure if the rpm's drop or if it the travel speed just slows. It even slows down in II Lo just not as much. Last night it was pouring down rain, I'll take her for a spin tonight and try to get more details.

Thanks for your help
Rob

RV0313 · Oct 29, 2015

Keg99
tractor has a gear selector of I and II left of seat and it has a Hi/Low speed control toggle switch right of seat which is also the same as the buttons on the bucket joystick Rabbit (Hi) and Turtle (Low). My problem occurs in gear II both in Rabbit (Hi) or Turtle (Low). I'm not sure if it occurs in gear I. I'll test it out tonight.
When the tractor was new it had no problem traveling up the driveway in gear II HI, so this isn't an issue of just using the wrong gear combination.

Any help is appreciated thanks, Rob

w1ebb · Oct 29, 2015

Hi Rob, please be sure to watch the tachometer and note the RPM too, please. Note the engine sounds, any transmission sounds, listen for any odd or different sounds, and check to see if the tires are spinning and losing traction.
People think of Louisiana as flat, but west of the Ouachita River, its very hilly. My TC35 gear tractor in fourth gear and high range lugs down about 150 RPM or so on the bigger hills when driving it from my house to my hunting lease 7 miles away.

Scott

jcl22 · Nov 8, 2015

my tc45 will do the same thing from time to time the linkage is bent alittle if i spray lube everything it will work fine for a month.

easy way to check is go full pedal down in rev then go forward do the pedals go the same distance down? mine will be a inch or two higher for forward direction then rev

there should be a old post from jim and it show him replacing linkage and what it looks like apart

Ferdinanddeltoro · Jul 25, 2021

RV0313 said:
Keg99
tractor has a gear selector of I and II left of seat and it has a Hi/Low speed control toggle switch right of seat which is also the same as the buttons on the bucket joystick Rabbit (Hi) and Turtle (Low). My problem occurs in gear II both in Rabbit (Hi) or Turtle (Low). I'm not sure if it occurs in gear I. I'll test it out tonight.
When the tractor was new it had no problem traveling up the driveway in gear II HI, so this isn't an issue of just using the wrong gear combination.

Any help is appreciated thanks, Rob

RV0313 said:
I have two issues and I'm not sure if they are related.
Issue #1 When cold starting the engine the glow plug light doesn't illuminate, I typically just hold the Key for a few seconds and then start the engine without any problems. After the engine has run for any amount of time and I turn it off, when I go to start it again the glow plug light comes on as if the engine is cold. This happens all year long winter or summer, I know in the winter the engine is cold but the glow plug light doesn't come on. Not really a problem as I haven't had any trouble starting the engine it's just annoying.

Issue #2 when traveling in II gear Hi speed the slightest incline causes the tractor to bog down and barely will move. This happens on the slightest incline in a field or on pavement with out any attachments on the tractor. I gear and low speed seam to work fine.

I've changed the oil and filter, both air filters, fuel filter and the fuel pump none of which have seemed to help.

I've been having these problems for over a year and haven't been able to figure out their cause.

Rob,

How I hope you solved your power loss problem!

I am having the exact same problem with my TC35D. No power in 2-Rabbit. It will barely pull itself up the driveway and it used to pull a small load up the driveway in 2-Rabbit. Happens in 2-Turtle also, just not as much. And occasionally it does it in 1-Rabbit and 1-Turtle when under load. The RPMs noticeably drop. From Wide Open Throttle around 2500 RPMs 1o about 1500. It NEVER used to do this.

I have changed ALL filters and fluids. Cleaned fuel tank and fuel lines. I'm going crazy trying to find a solution.

Please help!
Thank you!