I need help. I have a JD 4310 that the PTO is not engaging. I just puchased 20 acres of land and I am trying to save money by clearing myself. I rented this machine yesterday and used it for about 4.5 hrs. Of course the place was closed bu then for the weekend (a long one at that). I'm not very mechanically inclined, so please help me. Can amyone tell me where to start checking for the problem?
crappy machine
- Thread starter lisa_a
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trlong
Platinum Member
Lisa,
1st, welcome to TBN.
When you say you "used it for about 4.5 hr.'s", does that mean the PTO had been engaging but now won't?
I do not know the 4310. However, as far as I know, all J.D.'s have a PTO lockout safety switch under the seat (usually a black, rubber coated vertical switch, centered under the seat). This, on the 4110, is a dual position switch. In the normal position (down), you can not engage the PTO unless sitting on the seat and, if you get off the seat with the motor running it will stop the PTO and motor. This is as it should be if you are using a peice of equipment meant to be pulled by the tractor. There is an over-ride position for the switch so that a PTO driven woodsplitter or generator, or such can be run without the operator on the seat (switch up, with a bail that flips up to cover the switch so the seat does not push it back down). [NOTE: Only the rear PTO can be engaged with the operator off the seat.]
I don't suppose you got a manual with the machine??
I hope it is just a matter of the switch. And you can get back to clearing.
Tom
1st, welcome to TBN.
When you say you "used it for about 4.5 hr.'s", does that mean the PTO had been engaging but now won't?
I do not know the 4310. However, as far as I know, all J.D.'s have a PTO lockout safety switch under the seat (usually a black, rubber coated vertical switch, centered under the seat). This, on the 4110, is a dual position switch. In the normal position (down), you can not engage the PTO unless sitting on the seat and, if you get off the seat with the motor running it will stop the PTO and motor. This is as it should be if you are using a peice of equipment meant to be pulled by the tractor. There is an over-ride position for the switch so that a PTO driven woodsplitter or generator, or such can be run without the operator on the seat (switch up, with a bail that flips up to cover the switch so the seat does not push it back down). [NOTE: Only the rear PTO can be engaged with the operator off the seat.]
I don't suppose you got a manual with the machine??
I hope it is just a matter of the switch. And you can get back to clearing.
Tom
It's not really a crappy machine. It's done pretty well. I think it's more the maintenance from the rental company. No manual came with this unit. Found one on-line from JD but it wasn't any help. Yes the PTO was working. PTO switch does engage the dash light and the seat switch will cut off the tractor with the PTO switch engaged. But, the PTO will not turn. Could this possibly be a wiring problem from cutting brush?
trlong
Platinum Member
Lisa,
See post to majik. Sorry, I'm at a loss.
Tom
See post to majik. Sorry, I'm at a loss.
Tom
RoyJackson
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Since it was working, did it just stop? Did you disengage, shutdown and upon restarting; the PTO wouldn't engage?
So, when did you notice the PTO wasn't turning?
You mentioned you were brush cutting. Did you rent the cutter too. Are you sure it's the tractor's PTO and not a shear bolt or slip clutch on the cutter's PTO shaft?
Sorry for all the questions, but it's pretty tough to diagnose a problem on line.
Your answers may give me, or another TBNer some inspiration for helping.
If you are sure it's the tractor, you can look underneath for any wires or linkages that may have been pulled off when brush cutting. That does happen.
As a safety note, be extremely careful when working around the PTO or any other rotating shafts. If you or your friend get caught on the shaft...well, PTO's are not forgiving. Best you can hope for is it rips your clothing or appendage off.
So, when did you notice the PTO wasn't turning?
You mentioned you were brush cutting. Did you rent the cutter too. Are you sure it's the tractor's PTO and not a shear bolt or slip clutch on the cutter's PTO shaft?
Sorry for all the questions, but it's pretty tough to diagnose a problem on line.
Your answers may give me, or another TBNer some inspiration for helping.
If you are sure it's the tractor, you can look underneath for any wires or linkages that may have been pulled off when brush cutting. That does happen.
As a safety note, be extremely careful when working around the PTO or any other rotating shafts. If you or your friend get caught on the shaft...well, PTO's are not forgiving. Best you can hope for is it rips your clothing or appendage off.
PTO was working. Disengaged to do some FEL work, taking out some privot trees by the roots. Went to engage cutter and nothing happened. Yes, the cutter is rented as well. It's a MX5 with slip clutch. Shut down the tractor and restarted and still couldn't get the PTO to engage. You can manually turn the PTO shaft.
Bob_Skurka
Super Member
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Lisa_a, I sent an email to a member who owns a 4310, hopefully he'll pick up his email and jump into this thread to try to help you out.
RoyJackson
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I'm sure this tractor is a Hydro. I suggest you jiggle the hydro pedal while trying engaging the PTO. Might just be some slop in the pedal so you're not actually in neutral.
However, you may as well look underneath for wires pulled off. That tractor has to be in neutral, so I'd look around the hydro pedals first.
Unfortunately, there's not too much else you can do...
However, you may as well look underneath for wires pulled off. That tractor has to be in neutral, so I'd look around the hydro pedals first.
Unfortunately, there's not too much else you can do...
trlong
Platinum Member
Lisa,
I'm sure this has been checked but...
Just a silly thought...my PTO select lever can get knocked from REAR, to REAR and MID/FRONT, or MID/FRONT only position realatively easily. Could your lever (if the same) have been pushed to the MID/FRONT only? If so, the light would come on, the MID/FRONT PTO would be turning (but not seen under the machine) and the REAR would not be engaged.
Just a thought.
Tom
I'm sure this has been checked but...
Just a silly thought...my PTO select lever can get knocked from REAR, to REAR and MID/FRONT, or MID/FRONT only position realatively easily. Could your lever (if the same) have been pushed to the MID/FRONT only? If so, the light would come on, the MID/FRONT PTO would be turning (but not seen under the machine) and the REAR would not be engaged.
Just a thought.
Tom
RoyJackson
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</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I will check on that, not sure this one has a mid PTO. But it is something to try. Thanks. Could it be a fuse maybe? )</font>
It can't hurt to check the fuses. Per the 4310 manual, I'd guess fuse F5 would be the most likely candidate, but you may as well check them all.
The online manual you looked at before describes how to change them and shows a schematic of the positions. Note the position F10 (Diagnostic) will be empty and if a fuse is installed, it will disable the tractor.
Just a thought...doesn't your rental agreement have an emergency contact number? Personally, I don't think it's a good idea to try to fix a rental machine. You could be liable for any damages or repairs required. Also, since the tractor didn't operate correctly, you might get some of your money back.
It can't hurt to check the fuses. Per the 4310 manual, I'd guess fuse F5 would be the most likely candidate, but you may as well check them all.
The online manual you looked at before describes how to change them and shows a schematic of the positions. Note the position F10 (Diagnostic) will be empty and if a fuse is installed, it will disable the tractor.
Just a thought...doesn't your rental agreement have an emergency contact number? Personally, I don't think it's a good idea to try to fix a rental machine. You could be liable for any damages or repairs required. Also, since the tractor didn't operate correctly, you might get some of your money back.
The valve that engages the PTO is located on the right side of the tractor, underneath the footdeck, and back near where the rear axle connects to the transmission housing. There is a single small hydraulic line that runs from the middle of the tractor to it. There are two solenoids (maybe 3 if it has a mid PTO) on top of the rectangular valve block. One of these controls the front wheel engagement, the other the PTO. Find the wires going to this valve and follow where they go. I have heard of these wires getting snagged by brush. Perhaps you can find a broken wire and temporarily repair it.
Your idea of checking the fuses is also a good idea. The seat switch has been mentioned, but if you can drive the tractor, then the seat switch is o.k.
Your idea of checking the fuses is also a good idea. The seat switch has been mentioned, but if you can drive the tractor, then the seat switch is o.k.
The way you describe it, I gather that you were not able to fix it. The two solenoids are identical. If one is still good and you really need to get this running, you might try swapping them. I have never done this myself, so I'm not sure how hard of a job I am suggesting, but it might be worth a try.
This solenoid for the front drive is used to DISENGAGE, so putting a bad solenoid in its place will give you full time front drive, which is usually o.k. unless you are driving a long way on pavement.
This solenoid for the front drive is used to DISENGAGE, so putting a bad solenoid in its place will give you full time front drive, which is usually o.k. unless you are driving a long way on pavement.
rockyridgefarm
Elite Member
Good job Roger!
i was away this weekend. But reading this afterwards is kinda neat, because asa 4310 owner I immediately knew what the problem was... Too bad the rental yard didn't get the rental upgrade kit./ Probably none of this woulda happened...
i was away this weekend. But reading this afterwards is kinda neat, because asa 4310 owner I immediately knew what the problem was... Too bad the rental yard didn't get the rental upgrade kit./ Probably none of this woulda happened...
tractorguy56
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Hey Lisa a, I had a 4510 JD and I had the same problem with mine once. The pto solenoid is UNDERNEATH the tractor and I was cutting trees with the bush hog as you were. One of the pieces of trees came up under the tractor and BROKE the solenoid and thus the pto was inoperative. Dealer said he had never seen that before but there is always a first time. Hope this helps - Mark
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