L3800 safety switch problem

[312inchmagnum]

I have a L3800 (I think 2014) that I'm having a couple issues with. First, I usually always turn the throttle way down to start the tractor. However in the past I have accidentally had the throttle up ad cranked it. It used to crank with no problem. Now, I MUST have the throttle way down for the tractor to crank or the starter sounds like it's just "shuttering". Also, once I crank it up, if I stand up to get off the tractor it shuts off immediately. I changed the seat safety switch but nothing changed. Maybe it's a PTO safety switch issue? Thanks in advance!

 

[teg]

...Also, once I crank it up, if I stand up to get off the tractor it shuts off immediately.... Maybe it's a PTO safety switch issue?...

I don't know about the Starter "shuttering"... maybe try and post a video on youtube for us to hear.

Standing up with it cutting off does sound like the PTO safety switch. To check if that is it, as you are standing up, use your hand to tilt the seat forward as you stand up. Tilting the seat forward when you stand up should allow the tractor to continue to run.

 

[312inchmagnum]

ok will try to do the video thing this weekend...

regarding lifting the seat forward, that seems a little counter intuitive to me?...not doubting you at all, just trying to wrap my head around that....can you explain why that would allow the tractor to still run?

i will tell you that last summer i did have an isolated issue when the pto would not shut off even when i cut it off...then it just started working again and havent really had the issue since...maybe it has something to do with that?

 

[Fallon]

The seat safety switch won't kill the tractor by itself. It enables the switch on the PTO lever or go pedal to kill the machine. PTO switch will be easy to see, check it & lube the cable because you should & you can do it in a minute without crawling under. However I'm betting the real problem is the adjustment on the go pedal or go pedal safety switch. It's thinking you are hitting the go pedal while not on the seat & properly killing the machine. Find the switch & adjust it so it's not tripping when the pedal is centered in neutral.

 

[teg]

...regarding lifting the seat forward, that seems a little counter intuitive to me?...not doubting you at all, just trying to wrap my head around that....can you explain why that would allow the tractor to still run?...

If you are not in the seat with the PTO running, the tractor shuts off (thinking you fell off the tractor). I have a PTO chipper that I have to feed while out of the seat, tilting the tractor seat forward with the PTO on, tells the tractor that I'm doing this on purpose (and doesn't turn the tractor off). It's in the manual under operating pto while off the tractor. You would also use this if you were running a PTO Generator or PTO water pump.

 

[teg]

This guy also had the problem with the PTO switch... Same basic tractor as yours...

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/parts-repairs/375406-kubota-l3901-pto-lever-off.html

I also had a problem with it but about a dozen years ago and don't really remember what I did. I think I adjusted the cable but Fallon's idea of lubing the cable might be the ticket (I sprayed Fluid Film under the rubber collar).

 

[FatTire]

The seat safety switch won't kill the tractor by itself. It enables the switch on the PTO lever or go pedal to kill the machine. PTO switch will be easy to see, check it & lube the cable because you should & you can do it in a minute without crawling under. However I'm betting the real problem is the adjustment on the go pedal or go pedal safety switch. It's thinking you are hitting the go pedal while not on the seat & properly killing the machine. Find the switch & adjust it so it's not tripping when the pedal is centered in neutral.

That sounds about right. Is this an HST machine? A mechanic at our local dealer mentioned he gets a significant number of calls from HST owners during cold weather who cannot start their tractors. He said the most common issue is the HST pedal doesn't quite return to neutral, or those tractors stall when the operator leaves the seat.

 

[312inchmagnum]

yes it is a HST

 

[312inchmagnum]

actually now that i think about it, i have lubricating the PTO cable before...a technician told me that was probably why i was having the PTO not cutting off issue...

back to the HST, ill try to find the safety switch to it and adjust it...thanks

teg, thanks for the explanation!

 

[Fallon]

actually now that i think about it, i have lubricating the PTO cable before...a technician told me that was probably why i was having the PTO not cutting off issue...

back to the HST, ill try to find the safety switch to it and adjust it...thanks

teg, thanks for the explanation!

Had the same issue. Spring wasn't string enough to pull the cable back into the tube reliably & the PTO would keep spinning after being shut off. Lube fixed it up.

You can try rocking the go pedal back & forth to see if there is a spot that won't kill it. Probably just easier to get under there & look though.