Snow L3400 HST starts but won't run in cold weather

   / L3400 HST starts but won't run in cold weather #1  

Northeastern

New member
Joined
Dec 26, 2013
Messages
20
Location
Vermont
Tractor
Kubota L3400 HST
My L3400 HST runs perfectly when the temp is above freezing. When below 30 degrees, the tractor starts easily, but stalls when I try to move it forward or in reverse. (It will slowly inch forward, but if try to give it more gas, it stalls.) Have changed the fuel filter, added winter blend disel and power service twice (red bottle-911) with no effect as thought the problem was disel gelling. Its frustrating waiting for a warm day to plow snow. The tractor worked last winter without problems and no changes have been made. It has about 110 hrs on it. Any ideas?
 
   / L3400 HST starts but won't run in cold weather #2  
Perhaps you have water in your fuel. Gelling diesel fuel is not the same thing as moisture freezing.
 
   / L3400 HST starts but won't run in cold weather
  • Thread Starter
#3  
Thanks, I used Power Service 911 2x which is supposed to remove water from the fuel system and prevent fuel filter icing. Is there a way to test to see if I have water in the fuel?
 
   / L3400 HST starts but won't run in cold weather #4  
Try leaving L3400HST in neutral also clutch pedal press down see if that help w/stalling also quicker warming.
 
   / L3400 HST starts but won't run in cold weather #5  
Are you allowing your tractor to warm up before trying to move it? Typically you would bump up your rpms to 1200-1500 after startup and give the tractor 5-15 minutes of warm up time. FYI, fuel flows through the system in a circular pattern, whatever fuel doesn't get injected into the cylinders returns to the fuel tank, this circulation should help warm your fuel. Also, if the fuel tank is mounted above the engine, the engine running should help warm the fuel as well if you give it enough time.
 
   / L3400 HST starts but won't run in cold weather
  • Thread Starter
#6  
Try leaving L3400HST in neutral also clutch pedal press down see if that help w/stalling also quicker warming.

I don't understand what leaving the tractor in neutral or clutch pedal press downs would do. I do let the tractor warm up and have left it running for up to an hour and it still won't move forward without stalling. If I let off the gas, it will prevent the stall.
 
   / L3400 HST starts but won't run in cold weather #7  
I don't understand what leaving the tractor in neutral or clutch pedal press downs would do. I do let the tractor warm up and have left it running for up to an hour and it still won't move forward without stalling. If I let off the gas, it will prevent the stall.

Must be one of those Snow Bird Tractors the needs to go South for the Winter.
 
   / L3400 HST starts but won't run in cold weather #8  
If it runs for up to an hour and then stalls when you try to move it, I'd say it's not a fuel system issue but something with the transmission instead. Does it sound like it's laboring when you try to move it before it stalls?
 
   / L3400 HST starts but won't run in cold weather #9  
Dumb question, but are all the fluid levels correct?
 
   / L3400 HST starts but won't run in cold weather #10  
Kubota service good practice to do so in cold cold weather,hydraulic fluid will flow freely during warm up,also exercise front loader and 3pt hitch.

Have you check/change hydraulic fluid filter lately?
Air fliter clean?

I've read on TBN L2800 and L3400 something about hose cracking causing vent..right side under foot floor board.
 

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