Drive problem and radiator cap

kuhlhoff · Mar 7, 2004

I also had a drive failure today, the tractor just stopped turning the wheels (all gears, 2WD and 4WD, nada). The tractor is a Powershift so the clutch really shouldn't be needed, but the thing won't move; everything else works great (FEL, 3PH all work fine). Any ideas?

Anyone know of a self-refilling system for a FX20D radiator? My cap seems to leak a little during operation (I have only 10 hrs on the newly purchased used tractor). Is there a cap that can use a vacuum refill type system that many cars have?

normde2001 · Mar 8, 2004

Could you have possibly knocked your Hi-Lo range lever between positions???? Also it sounds like you have no coolant recovery system (bottle). You need one, available from any autoparts store.

Bird · Mar 8, 2004

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Of course you need not only the radiator cap, but a coolant recovery jug or bag and the tube running from the neck of the radiator to that jug. So, does it have a coolant recovery jug? If not, then you will never be able to keep the radiator "full". If you fill it cold, as it heats, the coolant expands, and pushes some out. Then when it cools and shrinks, the level will be down perhaps an inch or more. All the cars used to be the same way, and as late as '95 at least, I bought a new tractor without a coolant recovery system.

Sorry, I have no information on your drive problem.

DavesTractor · Mar 8, 2004

Does the PTO still spin? What were you doing when it stopped working? Was there a noise?

KeithT · Mar 8, 2004

Regarding the coolant recovery tank, I just purchased and installed one I bought from JC Whitney. It was the smaller of the two listed. i believe it was under $10. The hard part is finding a place tyo install it. Mine is bolted to my hood. -Keith

kuhlhoff · Mar 8, 2004

Thanks all for the posts. I don't believe the PTO is turning (I'll have to verify this though). I had been brushcutting and was turning around while going up an incline when the wheel drive just stopped. I didn't notice any unusual sound, I thought that I had inadvertently slipped it out of gear or something. I stopped, collected my thoughts and went down the list of things to check; in gear (tried all gears/ranges and 2WD/4WD), checked linkages, rasied/lowered FEL/3PH. I had been noticing a high-pitch squeal from the clutch whenever the clutch pedal was released and the tractor was in neutral (in gear, no noise noted). Pressing the clutch pedal didn't give the usual change in engine sound (there's usually some slight variation because of mechanical load). I may see if the adjusting linkage thing may work, but this wasn't a gradual thing, just great to nothing in an instant.

DavesTractor · Mar 9, 2004

A clutch is certainly a possibility. Also the shaft that the clutch engages has splines on both ends. One spline goes into the clutch disc, the other into a splined coupler. The clutch or the coupler is suspect here. If you have proper PTO function, then I'll change my tune on this.

Without a loader, you can split one of these tractors and have the aformentioned parts in your hand in well under 2 hours. So even if you do have a clutch failure, it isn't that big of a problem. Yanmar's are well designed and easy to work on.

Soundguy · Mar 9, 2004

I picked up a universal coolant tank kit for 9 bucks from car quest a few years ago.. came with the tank and cap and a wire bracket hanger. Fit under the hood a bit forward and to the side of the radiator fine on my 1700 worked great.

Soundguy

kuhlhoff · Mar 9, 2004

Went out to assess getting the tractor on the trailer and the PTO is not moving. I contacted the dealer I bought it from and he agreed to look it over to see what he can do. Thanks for the input. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

kuhlhoff · Mar 9, 2004

Thanks, I'll check the auto parts store nearby. I guess I'll need to check the radiator cap for the vacuum valve to pull the water back in. Thanks for your input.