Just purchased my first MF and now it won't start.

UncleBuck1 · Mar 21, 2015

I recently purchased a '11 2660 and I've used it exactly twice. I ran it for a couple of hours yesterday and about 30 minutes later went to move it and it wouldn't turn over- I turn the key to the start position and nothing happens.

This is my first MF and it replaced a '64 JD that didn't have any of the starter "safeties" of a modern tractor. Since I'm new with this tractor I want to start with the most obvious cause: 'operator error.' I had the shuttle in neutral, PTO disengaged and clutch depressed- are there any other "safeties" I need to engage or disengage for the starter circuit to operate?

General Lee · Mar 21, 2015

Were you in the seat when trying to start it? safety switch under the seat that detects operator comes to mind. Since you mentioned shuttle shift I assume its not a hydro tranny, I was thinking make sure the hydro pedal is in its neutral position, simply pushing it forward and back will do it.

Battery terminals nice and tight?

timberjackrob · Mar 24, 2015

loose wire on pto sensor happened to me on 481 one time had been bushhogging band a stick or something had knocked it loose

MinnesotaEric · Mar 24, 2015

UncleBuck1 said:
I recently purchased a '11 2660 and I've used it exactly twice. I ran it for a couple of hours yesterday and about 30 minutes later went to move it and it wouldn't turn over- I turn the key to the start position and nothing happens.

This is my first MF and it replaced a '64 JD that didn't have any of the starter "safeties" of a modern tractor. Since I'm new with this tractor I want to start with the most obvious cause: 'operator error.' I had the shuttle in neutral, PTO disengaged and clutch depressed- are there any other "safeties" I need to engage or disengage for the starter circuit to operate?

PTO off?
Everything in neutral?
Are you sitting down in it?

mfridenmaker · Mar 24, 2015

UncleBuck1 said:
I recently purchased a '11 2660 and I've used it exactly twice. I ran it for a couple of hours yesterday and about 30 minutes later went to move it and it wouldn't turn over- I turn the key to the start position and nothing happens. This is my first MF and it replaced a '64 JD that didn't have any of the starter "safeties" of a modern tractor. Since I'm new with this tractor I want to start with the most obvious cause: 'operator error.' I had the shuttle in neutral, PTO disengaged and clutch depressed- are there any other "safeties" I need to engage or disengage for the starter circuit to operate?

I had a similar thing happen to me once. My issue was the wire going to the solenoid had vibrated loose the last time I ran it. Next time I went to start it...nothing. Went through all the normal safety checks: pto, seat, etc. After stepping back for a while and methodically looking over the whole tractor, especially the wiring, I found the loose wire. Not surprisingly, it was a thread I read on tractorbynet that got me heading in the right direction.

Mark

Skyfish25 · Apr 7, 2015

Any updates? I have a MF4610, it will not crank unless park brake is on.

JWR · Apr 14, 2015

I have a 2011 model 2660 too. A few comments on the other comments: 1) It does not have a seat sensor (at least mine does not, thank goodness.) 2) The clutch does not have to be depressed. 3) You do NOT have to have the parking brake on. 4) The other comments are "right on" in that the PTO must be shut off and the shuttle shifter must be in neutral. With those true, it should turn over or at least make noise even with a marginal battery. My first guess is that one of the two sensors (PTO or Shuttle) is not making contact. Could be a wire/connector loose. The one for the PTO is relatively easy to get up under and look at, but the one for the shuttle will be a bear to get to. Inside that console which takes an army to penetrate.
--You say NOTHING happens when you turn the key ? You should get a few lights on the dash and a buzzing sound from the fuel pump [even if the solenoid wire happened to be loose.] Might jiggle the shuttle and the pto lever a bit in/around/near their "should be neutral" positions and see if anything happens. Of course before going too far, make sure the battery cables make solid connections to the battery.
Have you quizzed the previous owner to see if he had any such problems?
I'm very interested to hear what this turns out to be. Please let us all know.

UncleBuck1 · Jan 11, 2016

I just stumbled across this thread (which I started) and figured I needed to post an update in case anyone else has a similar problem.

Using a test meter and through a process of elimination I figured out that the problem is a failed shuttle sensor. But as JWR pointed out, the sensor is buried deep under the console. Instead of repairing it I just made a jumper for the solenoid. And yes, I realize that's not real smart, hopefully I will get around to actually fixing the problem this spring.

Also, I've come to the conclusion that the problems JWR has mentioned with his 2660 are design based and not because he got a "lemon." I was mowing a rolling section of my property a few months ago and had the exact fuel starvation problems he described with about 1/4 tank of fuel. Thanks to JWR's efforts to document his problems and fixes, I realize that this is due to a poorly designed fuel pickup. I understand (again, from JWR) that MF is aware of this problem and has a improved design pickup available, but the neares MF dealer is 100 miles away. For now I simply make sure the tank is full if I'm going to be working on a slope.