B3200 HST Won't Start, Safety Interlock? Please Help

kmassing · Sep 1, 2014

2010 B3200 HST with <200 hours, has always been a dream to operate.
I mowed saplings a few hours Saturday with the rear brush mower and when driving it back to the house I noticed the Battery icon illuminated. I did not see it on when I cranked the tractor to go to the field, and I'm not sure when it came on.
Back in the driveway at the house I disengaged the rear PTO and drove to the shed where the tractor sleeps.
Before I turned the tractor off I checked the voltage at the battery and had normal alternator voltage of around 13.5-14 volts, so I was wondering why the Battery light was on.
Being late and tired I turned the tractor off to check stuff Sunday morning.

Well, now my 3200 won't turn over, the lights on the dash look normal, the oil and glow plug light come on as they should, no battery light. The solenoid actuates.
I crawled under the tractor and the 2 safety switches on the left (sitting in seat) seem to be working fine. (I see one is the rear PTO switch, not sure what the other is).
There is another on on the right side and I can't figure what actuates it, which I need to know also.
The 2 seat switches seem to be working, with the switch on I can actuate the solenoid by operating them by hand.
So, what I am asking is what is the top most switch on the left side and the one on the right side??
When I get it cranked I'll investigate the darn battery light if it's still on.

Any other advice will be greatly appreciated, my dealer is closed today, and I need to get some work done.

Thanks much,
Ken

Rocky Hoffler · Sep 1, 2014

You said it was hst the l3700hst I had had a switch under the dash lower right side that was controlled by hst pedal to make sure it was in neutral this switch would pop up out of bracket and it wouldn't crank . I would take my finger and push it back in place for it to crank didn't fix it because it work as a antitheft device. don't know if this will help good luck

herringchoker · Sep 1, 2014

The B3200 is really an updated B7800, which is what I have. If you were cutting saplings maybe one sprung up and dislodged something. On the B7800, the right side switch is activated by centering the hydro pedal. I had that switch come loose on mine. See this thread:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/153385-kubota-7800-wont-start.html

At post #12 there are pictures of the setup.
Hope this helps.

whistlepig · Sep 1, 2014

I think there are three safety switch's on my B7800. One won't let the motor start if the PTO is engaged. One is on the seat and will kill the motor if it is running if there is no weight on the seat when the hydro or PTO is engaged. And one on the hydro pedal. Try rocking the hydro pedal with the ignition switch turned on. If the hydro pedal is not in the neutral position it won't start. It only has to be a smidgen off.

David Devuono · Sep 2, 2014

My B3200 came with a manual, two keys and a 30 amp fuse. Wonder if you blew the fuse on yours? I believe it is down low on the left side engine, can't miss it. Having said that, what I can tell you is, don't drive over sapplings, there is way to many sensitive pipes and hoses under the B3200 to go into the bush with. My hoses are all displaced and I had to change some seals on one pipe.

Before you do anything, see if you have a spare battery or booster pack, or booster cables you can try. Possible the battery is bad, will run lights but not turn over a starter? There are two selinoids, one for the starter and one for the fuel shut off, (IE no longer have to pull a rod or cable to stop the engine). First click on the start key is the fuel Selonoid and the second click would be the starter selinoid.

kmassing · Sep 19, 2014

I hate to see problems hanging after finding a solution.
My B3200 was in the shop for 2 1/2 weeks while the service guys spent many hours trying to find the problem. They finally kinda gave up and were ready to call Kubota.
Out of the blue a long time Kubota owner came by to chat with someone in the shop. Hearing the conversation about my tractor he asked if they had checked the voltage regulator. Well, no they hadn't since normally the VR isn't in the picture till the tractor is running.
The Kubota B3200, and others I'm sure, looks for an 'O.K.' signal from the VR before letting the tractor start.
A new VR was ordered and sure enough, my baby started!
We are all happy and relieved to get this monkey in the bag.

Accolades and many thanks to Rogers Outdoor Equipment in Piedmont S.C. for their effort and more than fair charges. I paid ~$170 for the regulator and 2 hours labor.

Maybe this will help someone else.

Ken

herringchoker · Sep 19, 2014

Wow! That's a weird one. Glad you finally got it solved. Thanks for sharing the solution.

BeezFun · Sep 19, 2014

Man, I'm heading off to look at my electrical schematic. I've looked at that thing 100 times and don't recall ever noticing the VR being in starting circuit. Thanks for posting solution.