L2350 starting problems

[Tractor Jeff]

Greetings. Somewhat of a newbie here, while I am on my second kubota, I am not terribly mechanically inclined, usually relying on others to do my equipment repairs and maintenance for me. I currently have a third-hand L2350 just shy of 900 hours. I have had it serviced a couple of times over the years by one of the local tractor dealers, but have never been impressed with the overall quality of their work, or felt that I was getting a reasonable price for what should have been routine work.

Recently, I had a problem with the clutch not engaging on the standard trans and had to start it in gear fortunately, I was just using it mostly for straight line tilling and not back and forth loader work. After a few minutes of fighting the trans, the clutch begin working again and was fine for the rest of the session.

I shut her down for the day, but when I went to use it again a couple days later, I couldn't get it to even t��hink of turning over on start up. I warmed up the glow plug as usual, turned the key and nothing. Thinking I might have left a hazard light on or something, I put it on the charger overnight still nothing. Tried jumping it with my truck still nothing. Repeat the previous several times in case I didn't have a good connection still nothing. I get a slight click when I release the start key, but nothing when I initially turn it to the start position

As far as I know this model is pre-safety switches, without today's mandated clutch, PTO, seat, etc. switches. So I have a couple of questions for the experts here who might be familiar with the L2350 model.

Is my earlier non-functioning clutch problem somehow related?
Do I have something else going on, like a bad starter all of a sudden?
Is there an easy way for a non-mechanically inclined person like me to diagnose and fix this myself?

Secondly, if I can't figure it out, how the heck do I get the non-starting tractor (with front loader attached mind you) loaded on a trailer to take it somewhere? Between the tractor, loaded tires, FEL and the 3 pt attachment I'm not about to be able to push it up the trailer ramps.
Since I haven't really been impressed so far with my local tractor dealer, is there such a thing as mobile "come to you" tractor repair people?

If you guys want to laugh at my very inexperienced tractor questions, that's okay but once you stop laughing, can anybody help me out with suggestions? Thanks in advance.

 

[Tractor Jeff]

Did I not ask this the right way?

 

[dex3361]

Jeff welcome to TBN.
I doubt that the clutch stuck issue has anything to do with the tractor not starting now.

Do the head lights work when you turn them on?

If they do and all other electrical systems seem to be working you could have a bad starter solenoid.

If not then I would start by checking the connections of the battery to see if they are clean and tight.

Before wrenching on the battery connections take the cables loose so you will not short anything out.

Then follow the battery cables to the other end and check those connections to see if they are clean and tight.

Sometimes a loose or corroded ground connection will give grief.

 

[Tractor Jeff]

Thanks, Dex I got home kind of late tonight and didn't really have a chance to give it much close scrutiny, but you are correct. All of the accessories power up just fine, just no reaction from the starter. I'll give the battery and cable connections a quick check and cleanup as soon as I get a chance tomorrow night, but as it is fairly new battery so I don't think I'll find any problem there.

I always thought a starter died a slow death with early signs of trouble (at least how that what I've seen on my vehicles), this one seemed to give up the ghost at all once.

Is replacing the starter something I can easily tackle myself (remember I'm not born with a "wrenching" gene), or am I left with paying someone with a trailer and big winch to drag it off to the repair shop at top dollar?

 

[repete]

I have a clutch switch on my 2550. If it is not fully depressed, no crank.

Can you use a jumper cable to bypass the solenoid and turn it over? It will bypass the clutch safety so be SURE it is in neutral before trying.

Another test is to turn on the lights and then try to crank it over. If the lights stay bright and no crank then I would search for places other than a starter. If the lights go very dim and no crank, suspect the starter.

In either case, do NOT start throwing parts at it. That may just cost you and if there is a bad wire you may "make" the connection when replacing a part only to find the connection fails in the not too distant future.

 

[oldcarkook]

With a number of kill switches for safety on the PTO and possibly other locations, make sure they are not giving you some confusing signals.

If you turn on the headlights and then try to start it and they blink off, very likely your battery connections either at the battery or at the starter/ground ON the tractor are corroded and faulty.

Invest the time to remove and both ends of both cables, clean and inspect them, and then reattach them. Clean the battery terminal with a battery brush and use a wire brush to clean the eye ends that connect to the starter solenoid and ground.

My L3600 did the same thing last year and I found the ground strap UNDER the battery tray was corroded so badly it fell apart when I opened it up to inspect it. New cable and now there is so much juice running to the starter that the tractor flips over in its parking space three times before the engine starts spinning! (I'm kidding - but clean the grounds - Dex3361/Randall was right there with his first suggestion IMHO)