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

[paulemar]

Will the engine rev up to normal speed while in neutral after you warm it up a bit? If it does but stalls when you try to move forward or backward, is it possible that water got mixed into the transmission fluid? Check to make sure that it is clear. Maybe your tranny fluid is half frozen slush.

 

[Northeastern]

Dumb question, but are all the fluid levels correct?

Yes all fluid levels are correct. The tractor runs perfect when the temp is above 32 degrees but I need to use it when its below freezing too. The tractor doesn't sound labored before it stalls.

 

[Thomas]

"Must be one of those Snow Bird Tractors the needs to go South for the Winter. "

 

[Northeastern]

Will the engine rev up to normal speed while in neutral after you warm it up a bit? If it does but stalls when you try to move forward or backward, is it possible that water got mixed into the transmission fluid? Check to make sure that it is clear. Maybe your tranny fluid is half frozen slush.

The tractor has about 110 hrs on it and had the 100 hr service at about 95 hrs. Its too dark to do it tonight, but I will check the transmission fluid for water tomorrow tho don't think this should be a problem but it is something I haven't looked at. I also never tried to rev it up in neutral which is a great idea too. Thanks.

 

[Katahdin]

After a warm up, in neutral, PTO off, etc, can you throttle up the engine to maximum RPM speeds? If Yes, that should rule out a fuel problem.

 

[Northeastern]

After a warm up, in neutral, PTO off, etc, can you throttle up the engine to maximum RPM speeds? If Yes, that should rule out a fuel problem.

Will try that tomorrow. Thanks.

 

[wmonroe]

The tractor has about 110 hrs on it and had the 100 hr service at about 95 hrs. Its too dark to do it tonight, but I will check the transmission fluid for water tomorrow tho don't think this should be a problem but it is something I haven't looked at. I also never tried to rev it up in neutral which is a great idea too. Thanks.

Did you do the 100 hour device or the dealer? Not saying that caused anything but maybe you could call the dealer and ask them about the issue saying it didn't do it before the service, just a thought.

 

[Northeastern]

Did you do the 100 hour device or the dealer? Not saying that caused anything but maybe you could call the dealer and ask them about the issue saying it didn't do it before the service, just a thought.

It was dealer serviced. It ran fine after they did the work but if the other ideas don't work, I can give them a call. Thanks.

 

[Coyote machine]

+1 on contacting dealer if they did most recent service/parts change.
And +1 on gelling fuel and frozen lines, filter, etc. are similar but essentially different problems; though they may give same end result: no run condition.
Gelling is the pour point of the diesel not being low enough for freezing/below freezing temps.
WINTERIZED fuel eliminates both gelling and freezing*, (*which occurs when condensation in the tank on the tractor, the site supply tank, (yours), or the supplier tank contain water, condensation or similar and result in the filter, tank, injection pump, etc. to have frozen water. Result: no run condition.
Buy winterized fuel and run it continuously during the cold season. No exceptions.

BTW, once you figure out if it's a fuel problem, or not, assuming you have a clutch model tractor, you might possibly have a clutch disk or pressure plate issue that shows up in colder weather, just keep it as a possibility if fixing the fuel doesn't solve the problem. Not saying it does, but lack of movement can only be so many things.:confused3:

 

[art]

A diesel without load might make it to full throttle with frozen or gelled fuel... Most times you can just look at the Kubota fuel filter and if it is white, it's froze. I would check the hydraulic fluid as well, if the tractor hasn't been run just loosen the drain plug. If nothing comes out then it is for sure frozen. You didn't say how old the tractor is and in the northeast with condensation issues I say two years max on the transmission oil if stored at or near outside temps. A diesel for good warm ups needs to be at 1/4 or 1/3rd throttle.