L3540 hydro power questions

[hunt4570]

once you get the tank empty I'm pretty sure you can see the bottom with a flashlight. you should be able to see if there is sludge at the bottom blocking the outlet.

So I looked and didn't really see anything in there, even put an inspection camera in there that skidded around the bottom and while it didn't really show anything it did come up completely clean so not a bunch of sludge in there or anything.
I'm running out of ideas!

 

[milkman636]

I know others have already mentioned checking the valve clearances? At 1400 hours there’s a decent chance they are out of spec and could adversely affect performance. Also the soot plug in the exhaust is worth a check too if you haven’t. I don’t have that machine but I would expect there to be a plug that’s designed to be removed periodically to clear any excess soot from the muffler.

 

[MRTOES]

Had an old Cub once that did this forever until I found that a rubber hose had a small flap of rubber in it that popped up making a perfect blockage of the fitting it was fastened to. Have also seen many hoses get sucked inward when more fuel is pulled through....

 

[hunt4570]

I know others have already mentioned checking the valve clearances? At 1400 hours there’s a decent chance they are out of spec and could adversely affect performance. Also the soot plug in the exhaust is worth a check too if you haven’t. I don’t have that machine but I would expect there to be a plug that’s designed to be removed periodically to clear any excess soot from the muffler.

I talked to the mechanic at the Kubota dealer, and he did not think valve clearance would cause this problem. Have not heard of a soot plug but I'll check it out, thanks.

 

[hunt4570]

Had an old Cub once that did this forever until I found that a rubber hose had a small flap of rubber in it that popped up making a perfect blockage of the fitting it was fastened to. Have also seen many hoses get sucked inward when more fuel is pulled through....

Yeah, I was thinking about replacing the fuel line so maybe I will.

 

[hunt4570]

And what do you think of something like this?

Amazon.com

 

[rScotty]

Yeah, I was thinking about replacing the fuel line so maybe I will.

From way out in left field... we do know that a slight air leak in the fuel line from tank cto the filter - or within the filter - will starve it for fuel. So along with replaceiing that line - or at least cutting the fuel lines bak to renew the old ends - you might try just a little pressure in that fuel feed line to see if that would cause an air leak to reveal itself.

You only want a few psi - any more than 3 to 5 psi might blow up that filter. So maybe just plug the vent in the fuel tank cap and let the sun shine on the fuel tank a few hours. See if that causes a leak in the fuel line ends or in the filter.

I once found the husk of a bee that had crawled into a fuel feed and died. When the throttle called for high fuel flow, that husk of bee abdomen would flap shut and the engine would die. Let off on the throttle and the husk would relax. Through the endoscope it looked just like a slight discoloration. I found it totally by accident when I scraped at the "discolored"n area.

 

[hunt4570]

So I drained the tank, didn't really see anything in there, I replaced the fuel line, put some additive in and added 5 gallons of fresh fuel. Took it for a short mow to at least run fuel through the entire system, seemed better but tomorrow I'll go out and give it a go and see how it does. FINGERS CROSSED!!

 

[jonsstihl]

there are two bolts on each side that hold the tank frame onto the tractor. the tank comes out with the tank frame attached. it is in the manual but it is a brief paragraph somewhere along the lines of remove the fuel tank with frame. clutch rod had to come out because it passed between the tank and the frame.

that clear diesel is just a fuel polishing additive. you need diesel kleen if you want to kill "algae" that may or may not be there. I use Biobor JF, a little goes a long way. I probably have enough for the next 30 years. 3.75 milliliters per 5 gallon can. an ounce is 30 milliliters.

I second the vote for the fuel line. it is low pressure so shouldn't cost too much and you have checked pretty much everything else.

grand L4740 valve adjustment

Finally got around to adjusting the valves. remove muffler, remove hood (it comes off with the hood only a little lifted up) if you raise it too high you scratch the paint with the wiper arm, and it hits the fuel tank frame if the angle is too steep. drain fuel tank, remove fuel line from...

www.tractorbynet.com

 

[hunt4570]

So I mowed today and the tractor seemed to run like it used to, since I started this whole thing its rained a bunch and I was out of town for a couple weeks (off to Texas to see my first grandbaby) And the grass/weeds were tall and thick so I really tested this thing! Ran through the 5 gallons I put in and, on my way, to get more shortly, hope it continues to run correctly.
Thanks for all the help guys!!