L3800 Won't Start.

[bookemdano]

I have a Kubota L3800 HST, 2011 model. In the last year it's been giving me fits with one problem.
It sometimes, won't start. Battery reading at 13.7. Turn the key and all the little lights in the dash
come on, but nothing. No clicking, no sound whatsoever. I changed out the Seat Safety switch and
the Clutch Safety switch and it seemed to work for a while, but it sometimes would do that anyway.
Work fine for a couple months then start the same crap over again.
Today, it wouldn't start. I banged the seat, Popped the clutch a few times and that had worked in
the past, not today. Then I was turning around to get to the toolbox with my foot on the brake
and that slipped off, banging the brake pedal. I sat back down and mashed the clutch, held the
brake and it started.
My question, is there a Safety Switch for the Brake too? I searched the net and the parts list and
can't find one. If someone can help me out and send me in the right direction if there is one,
I'd sure appreciate it. The nearest dealer in 70 miles away and if I can fix it myself, it'll save me
a bunch of money and headache.
Dano

 

[JWR]

See other threads on similar topic-- sometimes the full batt voltage is not getting to the solenoid. You can test for that by hooking a battery charger to the battery (regardless of the battery condition) and see if it then starts. If it does, the problem was voltage drop across many safeties, etc. between the battery and the solenoid. The higher voltage of the charger overcomes the slight voltage drops. Deere and others sell kits (using a relay to put full batt voltage to the solenoid) for that disease. A Kubota dealer put mine on and they called it a "hard start kit."

A second possibility is that some of us have older Kubotas that will not start or do anything towards it but if you tap on the starter motor (like put a long rod of steel on the starter motor otherwise hard to reach and tap it with a hammer) then it starts OK. That is argued to be a worn starter or other things.

Your battery does not read 13.7v It reads very close to 12v. Your alternator output or battery charger output may read 13.7v but not the battery.

Of course there are several safety interconnects that have to be satisfied in order to start it and I cannot recall all of them. None are for brakes that I ever heard of. My B2150's have one for the clutch (which is a very visible external switch closed by the clutch pedal.)

 

[crashz]

Clutch,pto,and seat switches are the only ones I'm aware of that affect starting. I don't think there is a switch on the brakes other than for the brake lights.

 

[Roadworthy]

Start by cleaning your battery terminals and cable connectors. Tighten securely. Follow ground lead to frame. Clean and tighten there, too. Your battery CAN read 13.7 volts immediately after charging. It's called a surface charge. It will go back to a nominal 12.6 volts on its own. Monitor your battery voltage while operating the starter. It should register ten to eleven volts. If it's lower than that have it load tested. It may be time to replace it.

 

[s219]

There is a safety switch on the HST treadle. It needs to be centered. Sometimes the mechanism (or damper attached to it) will stick if it has not been properly maintained, and not go back to center. Take a look, hit the grease points and spray lube anything else.

 

[old and tired]

When was the last time you greased the 3 zerks under the tractor? It's most likely the HST petal not centering... Hold the start key in the "ON" position and rock the HST petal back and forth...

 

[claggstractors]

See other threads on similar topic-- sometimes the full batt voltage is not getting to the solenoid. You can test for that by hooking a battery charger to the battery (regardless of the battery condition) and see if it then starts. If it does, the problem was voltage drop across many safeties, etc. between the battery and the solenoid. The higher voltage of the charger overcomes the slight voltage drops. Deere and others sell kits (using a relay to put full batt voltage to the solenoid) for that disease. A Kubota dealer put mine on and they called it a "hard start kit."

A second possibility is that some of us have older Kubotas that will not start or do anything towards it but if you tap on the starter motor (like put a long rod of steel on the starter motor otherwise hard to reach and tap it with a hammer) then it starts OK. That is argued to be a worn starter or other things.

Your battery does not read 13.7v It reads very close to 12v. Your alternator output or battery charger output may read 13.7v but not the battery.

Of course there are several safety interconnects that have to be satisfied in order to start it and I cannot recall all of them. None are for brakes that I ever heard of. My B2150's have one for the clutch (which is a very visible external switch closed by the clutch pedal.)

Only tractors I have ever seen with a safety switch on the brakes were Deutz Fahr Agroplus's. Had to have the clutch pushed in and the five speed in neutral too lol. No actual brake lights though. Thought that was kinda weird.

 

[bookemdano]

See other threads on similar topic-- sometimes the full batt voltage is not getting to the solenoid. You can test for that by hooking a battery charger to the battery (regardless of the battery condition) and see if it then starts. If it does, the problem was voltage drop across many safeties, etc. between the battery and the solenoid. The higher voltage of the charger overcomes the slight voltage drops. Deere and others sell kits (using a relay to put full batt voltage to the solenoid) for that disease. A Kubota dealer put mine on and they called it a "hard start kit."

A second possibility is that some of us have older Kubotas that will not start or do anything towards it but if you tap on the starter motor (like put a long rod of steel on the starter motor otherwise hard to reach and tap it with a hammer) then it starts OK. That is argued to be a worn starter or other things.

Your battery does not read 13.7v It reads very close to 12v. Your alternator output or battery charger output may read 13.7v but not the battery.

Of course there are several safety interconnects that have to be satisfied in order to start it and I cannot recall all of them. None are for brakes that I ever heard of. My B2150's have one for the clutch (which is a very visible external switch closed by the clutch pedal.)

You're right about the voltage, it's the alternator that reads 13.7. Battery is only 5 months old.
and I had it tested. It's in great shape. I've been reading threads on this problem and it does
seem to be a Kubota problem with as many cures as there are owners its happening to.

 

[bookemdano]

When was the last time you greased the 3 zerks under the tractor? It's most likely the HST petal not centering... Hold the start key in the "ON" position and rock the HST petal back and forth...

I'll check this out tomorrow. I greased it this spring but it's been a real wet and muddy
year. That could be the problem.
Thanks
Dano

 

[bookemdano]

I'll check this out tomorrow. I greased it this spring but it's been a real wet and muddy
year. That could be the problem.
Thanks
Dano

When was the last time you greased the 3 zerks under the tractor? It's most likely the HST petal not centering... Hold the start key in the "ON" position and rock the HST petal back and forth...

I crawled under there and cleaned then greased every zerk I could find. It started right up so
now only time will tell if that was the problem or not.
I want to thank everyone who responded. I really appreciate the help. I'm 73 and had
to have a pacemaker put in couple years ago. Not my fault, the Doc changed my BP med
and I had a bad reaction to it. Ended up in the ER then ICU. The medication (which is the
same BP med my wife has taken for 20 years) damaged the sinus node in my heart and
I had to go to a pacemaker to keep it beating. It was stopping for as long as 13 seconds
at a time.
Anyway, that's my last trip under the tractor to do anything. I'll drive it to the NAPA
store from now on and supervise them doing the maintenance. When I greased it this
Spring, I had my younger brother help with the underneath part and he may have missed
these. He's since had a bad accident and won't be helping me anymore.
So, thanks again for all the help.
Dano

 

[JWR]

bookemdano -- from your very name tag I know you came equipped with a good sense of humor. Sounds to me like maybe they missed a zerk somewhere in your personal chassis or forgot to check an electrical connection on your main pump.

Just kidding and wish you the best with those health issues !!

 

[bookemdano]

bookemdano -- from your very name tag I know you came equipped with a good sense of humor. Sounds to me like maybe they missed a zerk somewhere in your personal chassis or forgot to check an electrical connection on your main pump.

Just kidding and wish you the best with those health issues !!

After Nam in 69 the only job I could find was as a cop in DC. First night on the street after
6 months in the academy I made a righteous arrest of a liquor store robber. Back then we
didn't have cell phones or even handheld radios. When walking a beat, yes we walked beats
back then, when you made an arrest you had to drag the dirtbag to the nearest call box.
generally at least a block away. Cuff him to a lamp post and phone in for a Paddy Wagon.
This was while all his homies were trying to take him away from you.
Anyway, when I got him to the Precinct House Lt Bowers said "Book him Dano". My
name is Daniel. The Dano part from Hawaii 5 O stuck and I've been Dano every since.
Even my wife of 54 years calls me Dano. I retired from Law Enforcement Jan 8th
2014. Live way back in the woods with deer, turkey, hogs and all kinds of smaller
critters. Don't leave the holler unless it's necessary.
Dano

This is my home and we love our life here. Just need my Kubota to maintain it. Lived here
54 years. My ashes will be here when I'm gone.

 

[JWR]

I love it Dano ! Great story.

 

[bookemdano]

I love it Dano ! Great story.

Thanks JWR. Like I tell my friends, millions of people spend millions of dollars to spend
a week or a weekend living and seeing what we live and see 365 days a year and since
it's been paid off over 30 years, all it costs us is the tax the government "imposes" for the
privilege of saying we own it.
But we do love it and I count myself as one very blessed man. See, back in 69, I was
on my way to the recruiter's office to re-up knowing my MOS would send me back to
Nam. I was early so I stopped at a cafe in Knoxville for a cup of coffee. As was my
habit at the time, I automatically turned to the Help Wanted ads and there it was,
and add for cops in DC and the were taking applications and doing interviews in
a hotel right down the street. I walked down there, filled out the application, interviewed
and 2 weeks later my wife and I were in DC and I was in the Academy. The rest
is history. Thanks to being early, I ended up with a career and retirement instead
of a plot in Arlington and my name on the Wall. I am a blessed man.
Thank you God. Amen
Dano

 

[gsganzer]

I have a L3800. I've been having a similar issue and it's been 1 of the switches on the little PTO on/off lever on the fender.

 

[bookemdano]

I have a L3800. I've been having a similar issue and it's been 1 of the switches on the little PTO on/off lever on the fender.

I'll add this to the list of items to check or replace if it starts this again. Right now, greasing
the zerks to the HST pedal seems to have done the trick.
Thanks
Dano

 

[Bernefj60]

I have a L3800. I've been having a similar issue and it's been 1 of the switches on the little PTO on/off lever on the fender.

The PTO cable and spring weakness are known issues on the L3800 (and others). If the PTO is not disengaged, the tractor will not start. To disengage the PTO, you’ll have to contort your body, reach under the right side of the seat, and manually actuate the PTO shift fork. It’s a pain in the a$$, but it’s the most common reason your kubota will not start, assuming that previously, it was starting normally.

 

[bookemdano]

The PTO cable and spring weakness are known issues on the L3800 (and others). If the PTO is not disengaged, the tractor will not start. To disengage the PTO, you’ll have to contort your body, reach under the right side of the seat, and manually actuate the PTO shift fork. It’s a pain in the a$$, but it’s the most common reason your kubota will not start, assuming that previously, it was starting normally.

Thanks. Mine started fine fore awhile after greasing the PTO zerks but has
started doing it again once in awhile. I'll try this next. It's only done it 2 or 3
times this summer so it may be awhile before I can.
Thanks,
Dano

 

[Yander]

Thanks JWR. Like I tell my friends, millions of people spend millions of dollars to spend
a week or a weekend living and seeing what we live and see 365 days a year and since
it's been paid off over 30 years, all it costs us is the tax the government "imposes" for the
privilege of saying we own it.
But we do love it and I count myself as one very blessed man. See, back in 69, I was
on my way to the recruiter's office to re-up knowing my MOS would send me back to
Nam. I was early so I stopped at a cafe in Knoxville for a cup of coffee. As was my
habit at the time, I automatically turned to the Help Wanted ads and there it was,
and add for cops in DC and the were taking applications and doing interviews in
a hotel right down the street. I walked down there, filled out the application, interviewed
and 2 weeks later my wife and I were in DC and I was in the Academy. The rest
is history. Thanks to being early, I ended up with a career and retirement instead
of a plot in Arlington and my name on the Wall. I am a blessed man.
Thank you God. Amen
Dano

Your service in Nam and the streets isn't lost on the guys on this site. You'll find we have a great deal of thankful for the ones who keep us free/safe.

I agree with the country living comments. People come to our place, in the middle of farm country, and love it in our backyard.

We, like you, don't take it for granted. We want to go camping we head to the woods or have a fire in the backyard.

 

[CH4Ohio]

Hey guys . . . Isn't there a starter relay under the dash on this model? If all the various safety switches are ok, seems like an intermittent failure to start when the key is turned would likely be a starter relay.

Just checking . . . Good luck with it.