Snow Tractor won’t start tonight.

[Idaho Ryan]

2016 2555HST Cab.

I plowed snow for about 2 hours this morning with no issues. When I was finished, I locked the brakes and after I turned her off, I topped the fuel up (from 3/4 to all the way full).

I came back to her about 5 hours later and now she won’t even turn over!

I have 12.9 volts at the battery, and about the same at the starter. I put a JumpPack on the battery and still won’t turn over.

All the lights, radio, and heater blower work just fine.

I pulled every fuse I could find and they were all good.

It has been about 16 degrees here but she started this morning.

Any suggestions or troubleshooting is appreciated!!!

 

[RustyA]

Related to parking brake being on possibly pto accidentally engaged? Sounds like a safety lockout not allowing it to crank?

 

[Idaho Ryan]

Related to parking brake being on possibly pto accidentally engaged? Sounds like a safety lockout not allowing it to crank?

So just mess with the PTO handles in the cab…?

 

[RjCorazza]

There are usually several safety interlock switches. I don't know what you're machine has, but the ones to be aware of are :
Operator Presence (seat)
PTO
HST Neutral
Brake
Clutch (some HST machines have a clutch)

 

[RustyA]

Not knowing how your tractor is set up I'm just suggesting making sure everything that can stop it from cranking be off or in a neutral position. Not sure if parking brake affects your cranking so I would turn that off as well just to eliminate it as a cause? Something is different now than when it cranked earlier.

 

[zzvyb6]

How many hours ? (starter went south ?).
Battery cable corroded ? (Once it's running, battery is not in the loop, so it 'runs' off the alternator supply).
Pedal position ? (not in 'neutral').
Seat switch (closure prevented by snow or ice buildup).
Block the fuel solenoid closed and hit the starter solenoid with your jump pack.
PTO engaged accidently (as mentioned previously).

 

[Idaho Ryan]

Related to parking brake being on possibly pto accidentally engaged? Sounds like a safety lockout not allowing it to crank?

So I cycled the PTO handle forward and backwards. I tried starting the tractor with it in all 3 positions, Fwd/Neutral/Back. Still nothing.

 

[Idaho Ryan]

Related to parking brake being on possibly pto accidentally engaged? Sounds like a safety lockout not allowing it to crank?

Is there a way to see if the brake switch is dead? And where is the dang thing…?

 

[Idaho Ryan]

There are usually several safety interlock switches. I don't know what you're machine has, but the ones to be aware of are :
Operator Presence (seat)
PTO
HST Neutral
Brake
Clutch (some HST machines have a clutch)

So mine does not have a seat safety switch, PTO was cycled and it did not start in and position (FWD,Neutral,Back), Brake was applied and let spring back a few times to cycle it (wonder if the brake switch is bad?), HST pedals were cycled, and I have no clue where a HST Clutch would be located….

 

[Idaho Ryan]

How many hours ? (starter went south ?).
Battery cable corroded ? (Once it's running, battery is not in the loop, so it 'runs' off the alternator supply).
Pedal position ? (not in 'neutral').
Seat switch (closure prevented by snow or ice buildup).
Block the fuel solenoid closed and hit the starter solenoid with your jump pack.
PTO engaged accidently (as mentioned previously).
View attachment 775558

400 hours, I have 12.9 volts at the battery and the starter, I cycled the HST pedals several times, there is no Seat Safety switch (I’ve started it from standing outside the cab), PTO handle was cycled several times and it would not start in any of the 3 positions. I don’t know how to ‘Block the full solenoid closed. I can put my Jump Pack on the starter but I dont know about fuel solenoid….

 

[camshawn]

Do your headlights dim when you try to start? If so, you may have a dead battery or bad battery connection. A volt meter on the + of the starter does the same test. The reading should not be less 10.5v. Otherwise, if your battery is good, chase the start cct from + to each of the safety switches back to the starter Solenoid. Cam

 

[Idaho Ryan]

Do your headlights dim when you try to start? If so, you may have a dead battery or bad battery connection. A volt meter on the + of the starter does the same test. The reading should not be less 10.5v. Otherwise, if your battery is good, chase the start cct from + to each of the safety switches back to the starter Solenoid. Cam

I’ve given up for the evening and decided to drink. Thanks for the suggestion, I’ll try tomorrow.

 

[RustyA]

So was the tractor parked for 5 hours after plowing with parking brake on? If so maybe brake switch is frozen and stuck? Does it look like brake lights are on with key in run position? May have to thaw switch with heat gun or hair dryer?

 

[Sergei1]

Have you pulled the battery cables off and cleaned the terminals on it?

 

[Idaho Ryan]

So was the tractor parked for 5 hours after plowing with parking brake on? If so maybe brake switch is frozen and stuck? Does it look like brake lights are on with key in run position? May have to thaw switch with heat gun or hair dryer?

That is a great suggestion. Today is the ONLY time I’ve set the brakes when finished for a period of time. I usually park on a very slight incline and chock the back tires. I’ve been told to NOT set the brakes for fear of freezing them up in cold humid temperatures; 15 degrees tonight with about 75% humidity (North Idaho).
Can you tell me where the brake switch is located on a 2016 Mahindra 2555 HST Cab unit?

 

[Idaho Ryan]

Have you pulled the battery cables off and cleaned the terminals on it?

I have not; but they appear clean with zero corrosion and I’ve got 12.9v at the battery and just under that at the Hot connection on the starter.

 

[thclimer]

Again, not knowing your tractor that well, but if you said that you normally don't use the brake and have started it by standing outside the cab I'm having a difficult time trying to understand how applying the brake this time would prevent your starter from turning over.

Have you tried to keep the ignition key turned as you cycle the PTO and speed range levers back and furth as this might help find that sweet spot.

My understanding is when you apply the brake somewhere along the arm of the brake peddle a microswitch is being closed or opened try following the arm looking up above your dash to see if there are any microswitches which connect to it, or if you have a lever that you need to pull to keep the brake engaged look at that lever as well.

Do you have an operators manual with an electrical schematic that you could post?

As others have indicated 12+ volts on a battery does not necessarily mean it has the cranking amps available for starting.

Keep us posted on what you find/try as we will try to help.

 

[Sergei1]

I have not; but they appear clean with zero corrosion and I’ve got 12.9v at the battery and just under that at the Hot connection on the starter.

Even reading the voltage doesn’t mean there’s not a problem with them or the battery as it could also have issues, have you had it tested as it could have internal problems, also is this the original battery.

 

[RustyA]

Said he doesn't normally set parking brake and starts tractor from outside cab. Now we set a parking brake and left it on for 5 hours after snow plowing. In my mind this is the variable that is different. My money is stuck brake switch but waiting to hear if brake lights are on with key in run position.

 

[thclimer]

Said he doesn't normally set parking brake and starts tractor from outside cab. Now we set a parking brake and left it on for 5 hours after snow plowing. In my mind this is the variable that is different. My money is stuck brake switch but waiting to hear if brake lights are on with key in run position.

I agree but what I struggle with, is that it is almost like his tractor doen't need to have the brake set for it to start, so why would setting the brake now make it not start?

I always set my parking brake, but I'm pretty sure as long as I'm in my seat and the range selectoris in one of the neutral positions I can start the tractor.