955 won't crank after running strong..

StrmChzr · Sep 19, 2016

I was helping a buddy clear out the woody drainage beneath his pond dam yesterday and turned my tractor off then wasn't able to restart it.. I had pulled a few logs out of drainage basin with a chain attached to my FEL when I decided to turn tractor off so we could saw large log into more manageable pieces. I was on a slight incline perpendicular to slope, so I stayed on tractor while log was being sawed. When I tried restarting tractor a few minutes later, my 955 wouldn't crank??? Lights came on, but no nothing after that (no starter click or anything).

I didn't have any tools onsite so I'm headed back to property today with voltmeter, jumper wire, and toolbox to try troubleshooting issue. I don't feel like its electrical problem as tractor fired up immediately and ran incredibly strong just prior to me turning engine off?? It seems like i've tripped a "kill switch" safety mechanism, but whadaiknow???

Any thoughts or insight for me?

beenthere · Sep 19, 2016

Leaving it in a gear (or close) would be first thing to come to mind. Good luck getting it started with booster.

StrmChzr · Sep 19, 2016

Just thinking out loud, but would a hydrostatic tractor have a gear to be left in? I'm not super savvy with tractor technology, so wondering if this is something I overlooked? I did notice the forward pedal seems slightly compressed (i.e. not flush with reverse pedal) and when i tried to pull it back, i think the reverse pedal moved opposite direction and I don't feel like either forward/reverse pedals ever returned to "normal"...

When I turn key to ON, oil light and battery light turn on, but when I turn key to START the oil light and coolant light turn ON, battery light turns off, and motor doesn't crank whatsoever...

Wagtail · Sep 19, 2016

StrmChzr said:
Just thinking out loud, but would a hydrostatic tractor have a gear to be left in? I'm not super savvy with tractor technology, so wondering if this is something I overlooked? I did notice the forward pedal seems slightly compressed (i.e. not flush with reverse pedal) and when i tried to pull it back, i think the reverse pedal moved opposite direction and I don't feel like either forward/reverse pedals ever returned to "normal"...

When I turn key to ON, oil light and battery light turn on, but when I turn key to START the oil light and coolant light turn ON, battery light turns off, and motor doesn't crank whatsoever...

Yes it does. It must be in N (neutral). Ensure that the parking brake is on, or that you're seated with the brake depressed (for safety reasons).

On my 4105 (High/Neutral/Low) there's a bit of a 'semi' position that fools me at times. I just shift it a bit to make sure it's in the correct position.

UnclePaul · Sep 19, 2016

I would also make sure you did not bump the pto lever.

TractorGuy · Sep 20, 2016

My 855 has failed to start on occasion and the problem is in the ignition switch or contacts on the ignition switch plug. When it happens I can spray the switch and contacts with WD40 and pull the plug off and on and it will start again until it doesn't. I can also jump it at the starter and get it to crank. It has happened 3 times but not in a few months.

Going to replace the switch soon since I broke the key off in last weekend.

Dennisfly · Sep 20, 2016

Are all of your cables tight and clean for the battery and starter? I once had a ground cable on my 855 (from the engine to the frame I believe) that was loose and caused similar symptoms.

Egon · Sep 20, 2016

Take a look underneath!

StrmChzr · Sep 21, 2016

Quick update:

My buddy tried booster jumping the starter while I was sitting on tractor with brakes depressed in case it came to life, but no such luck... When connection was made there was sparks but starter didn't crank... I removed starter and battery to take them in to have tested at local auto parts store today...