L3130 GST Problem

[zettajoe]

Hi Everyone,
we have had our tractor for about 4 months now and have been using the heck out of it. Today though, while using the tractor, the trans just stop working. GST light came on, and getting different error messages depending on what gear I try to put the tractor in. Error 61 - 66. I looked in the manual, and it does really say much other than call the dealer. Its Saturday, they are closed for the weekend, the tractor is not in the greatest place. Is there anything I can do myself to get the thing running again?

 

[texbaylea]

zettajoe

The only thing I could suggest would be to check all of the wiring harness associated with the control box, controls and the transmission. Did you check the fuses?

Vernon

 

[smittyd3]

I too would check the wiring. On the left side and underneath the tractor you will find a metal gusset that is supposed to protect the wiring. The small weak gusset has been bent before, but the wires have never pulled out.
Also more wires are located above these toward the rear.
Anyway it sounds like it could be a wiring harness problem somewhere.

L3130 GST, 4WD

 

[kubotabilly]

zettajoe,
According to my workshop manual error 61 is, Solenoid 1 failure (at reverse) with the probable causes as 1) Solenoid output terminal's voltage is out of specification. 2) Solenoid broken or short-circuited. 3) Wiring harness broken or short-circuited. 4) Grounding plate of solenoid in poor contact with chassis. Error 66 is Solenoid 5 (sub-range gear shift) failure. Error 66 has the same probable causes as does error 61. I think you should have the dealer check this problem. Is it under warranty??? I hope this helps.

Bill

 

[eaf]

zettajoe

If your L3130 is not under warranty and you are handy with a wrench and multi-meter, I could fax you the pages from the service manual to trouble shoot your error messages.

 

[zettajoe]

Hey Guys,

Thanks for the posts. I was bulldozing a bunch of brush, lots of stick and branches everywhere, so the wiring sounds like a good place to start. I am going to check it out tonight and let you know what I find.

Thanks.

 

[SkyPup]

The GST electrical connector is under the step-up side beneath the body below the GST lever like smitty mentioned, if a stick jammed it, it could have broken, loosened, or pulled out that connector which will cause the GST error you described.

I layered a couple of strips of heavy duty duct tape over that entire connector area and around the metal protector for it after I dislodged the GST connector a couple of time in heavy woods work. The duct tape helps to prevent inadvertent jamming of the wiring by errant branches and sticks. Haven't had that problem again since then.

 

[zettajoe]

Well, the tractor is working again! The problem was one of the wire connections had come disconnected. I even looked right at it the day it happened, but it looked like it was connected into something. Live and learn. Thanks for all the advise. This site is priceless.

Joe

 

[SkyPup]

Now you'll know what is going on next time this happens when your are roughing it. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[smittyd3]

Hey -- Glad you got it fixed. I'm going to have something made for mine this winter to protect the undercarriage. For now I'm probably going the duct tape route as Sky Pup did. I too push up brush and small trees. Saturday after I finished I looked under the tractor just to check and a stick about 1 1/2" in diameter had wedged under the front end of the tractror and pushed up the white metal plate under the radiator. No damage thank goodness. Until I get some kind of skid plate(s) I am trying to be extra careful.

Have a nice tractor day,
Smitty

 

[SkyPup]

My project this last two weekends has been welding on protective 3/8" chrome moly solid tubes across the front brush guard over pressed steel to prevent sticks from poking through the radiator. I'll post some pics later on, but it is a good preventive medicine for heavy brush work.

 

[texbaylea]

It was the potential for problems like this that reinforced my decision to go with a HST instead of the GST. I had a chance to read through the service manual for the Grand L's before I finalized my purchased. Of course a manual is the most reliable but I needed the finer control available with the GST and HST.

Vernon

 

[SkyPup]

The GST isn't the problem, it is just making sure that sticks and branches are not jammed up into the undercarriage where they will interfere with or damage something, in this case the electrical connector of the GST harness.

BTW, the exposed hydraulic lines on an HST are even MORE dangerous to this kind of damage.... so be warned.

I'll have to admit though, having a clean undercarriage was a big plus for our purchase of two GST Kubotas compared to Deere, New Holland, and others that have allot more exposure underneath.

 

[smittyd3]

Thanks Sky Pup -- I'll be interested in looking at the pictures when you post them.

Thanks,
Smitty

 

[dangier_VA]

Smittyd3,
I had my L3130 HST about a month and put a stick into the HST forward foot pedal control linkage. Needless to say, the tractor took off forward until I could get it shut down. Good thing I only had 20 feet of dense brush in front of me. Just had to change underware...
David

 

[smittyd3]

dangier_VA,
WOW, that sounds like it could have been a wild ride -- glad you got it shut off.
Sometimes these tractors are like monster movies -- anything can happen at any time.

Glad you're okay,
Smitty