Kubota G5200 Starter Doesn't Engage (Also a PTO belt question)

Lobanz · May 10, 2013

Having a little issue with my Kubota diesel G5200. The starter motor slips most of the time when I try to start it. Getting worse. By that I mean that I hear the starter motor spinning, but the engine isn't turning over. Sometimes it works, sometimes it don't. When it works, it works normally. Probably need to take it off and look at it. Seems like if I wiggle something it might make it catch, but it doesn't seem consistent enough to know for sure. Sometimes I wiggle the throttle lever,. Sometimes I manually turn the PTO drive pulley with my hand. Sometimes these make it work, sometimes they don't.

Isn't there a solenoid in there somewhere that pushes the starter gear up on the flywheel? Also, yesterday we noticed that the starter motor seems like it wants to stay on after you let go of the key. We think it stayed on for a while and rant the battery down real quick. Almost like the ignition switch isn't letting the key return back into position. I wonder if it did this at some point and killed part of the starter or solenoid.

Any ideas?

Also, does anyone have trouble with their G5200 going through front PTO belts real fast? What kind of belts do you use? I've been using Gates TriPower BX 29 cogged V belts. Was using 30's but the tension had to be run in all the way. Just put the 29's on there. Seem to fit much better. When engaging the mowing deck, we try to lower the RPMs a bit before we engage the blades and then rev it up after they are engaged. We don't just slam it on at full RPMs. We usually mow wide open. Engine seems to cool better that way.

Thanks!

Baby Grand · May 12, 2013

Sounds like you may have lost a tooth or two from the flywheel ring gear. If it stops where the broken tooth is in the mesh position with the starter pinion, then the pinion will spin without turning the ring gear. If you can turn the gear (turn the crankshaft a little) so the teeth mesh, then it should start okay. If turning the crankshaft a little doesn't help, then it's something else.

May also be the solenoid sticking. Had that on an old Volvo 145. Kept a ball peen hammer under the seat and whenever it acted up I'd give it a gentle rap and she'd be good for another few weeks.

For PTO belts, I'm using a pair of 70000-74006 purchased back in January. They work fine, but it's still to soon to make any judgments about durability.

Leejohn · May 12, 2013

It's the solenoid, that should take care of it.

Lobanz · Jul 23, 2013

Actually, this was the plastic arm that pushes the gear up. It got damaged somehow. Looked melted. I think there was a problem with the ignition switch that kept the starter on too long and caused it to heat up an melt the plastic arm. Lucky it didn't burn up the starter motor. Replaced just this plastic part and now all is well. Much cheaper than the whole solenoid or starter.

Baby Grand · Jul 24, 2013

Congratulations! I never even thought about the pivot arm. Can't believe they make it out of plastic. Well, I guess I can believe it.
PS: those PTO belts are working out okay.

Lobanz · Jul 25, 2013

Baby Grand said:
PS: those PTO belts are working out okay.

Mine aren't. Falling apart again. Did the 70000-74006 come as a 2 pack, or did you have to buy 2? Coleman Equip site seems to indicate that they are a matched set. It those doesn't work I'll try the wrapped belts at Tractor Supply.

Baby Grand · Jul 25, 2013

Lobanz said:
Mine aren't. Falling apart again. Did the 70000-74006 come as a 2 pack, or did you have to buy 2? Coleman Equip site seems to indicate that they are a matched set. It those doesn't work I'll try the wrapped belts at Tractor Supply.

Yes, they came as a 2 pack/matched set. Total was about $29 with tax (I think).