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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- 7,615
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
Rest in Peace
- Joined
- Nov 17, 2001
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- 23,144
- Location
- Bethel, Vermont
- Tractor
- John Deere 4052R Cab,, Deere 855D UTV, Z920A Zero Turn Mower and assorted implements
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