LS Tractor Won't Start After Hooking Up Bush Hog

[Torvy]

Some tractors have a pto seat switch, or so I have been told. Yiu can start the tractor standing next to it. Have to be in the seat to engage pto.

I may have missed this, but if you disconnect the PTO, does it start?

 

[RobertEH]

If you have a hydro, crawl under and look up at the pedals to make sure there are no sticks or rocks stuck in the little switch there. It'll run while it's jammed, but won't restart once you shut if off. Had it happen so many times that I bypassed that switch.

This

Have you tried this? I had this scenario last year with my MT235HE

 

[TractorGunn]

So tonight after work I got in the tractor, and she fired right up, so I ran the brush hog for about an hour before work called. I went out to run it again, and again, it won't start, only clicks.

 

[TractorGunn]

I have a 2010 L3700SU with HST, I too have had issues starting the tractor at times. As stated by others, it is almost always the PTO lever not in the neutral position. It will click when you try to start it but not engage the starter.

Sounds like what mine is doing. I jacked around with that pto knob a few times but made no difference. What did you do to remedy the situation?

 

[TractorGunn]

My 40hp Mahindra done similar stunt. Everything looked good. Day of frustration. Next morn I called my brother. He said ground cable. Told em looked brand new with no corrosion. He said deisels need a good ground.Another cleaning an still nothing. So I done what he said……. Took a pc #4 copper leaving the ground cable on. Presto fired right up. Never did buy new cable. That pc of wire still on an still cranking. Been two yrs

Not sure what you mean by this:

"Took a pc #4 copper leaving the ground cable on. Presto fired right up. Never did buy new cable. That pc of wire still on an still cranking. Been two yrs"

 

[WinterDeere]

So tonight after work I got in the tractor, and she fired right up, so I ran the brush hog for about an hour before work called. I went out to run it again, and again, it won't start, only clicks.

Click with no start usually means there's enough juice to pull the solenoid, but not enough to turn over the starter. Can be caused by low charge on battery or bad connection dropping voltage between battery and starter.

Bad connections can be confusing for some, since they'll show full voltage when there's no current draw, but then voltage will drop to nearly zero when loaded down by starter.

 

[WinterDeere]

I should have added, with a second voltmeter or a second set of hands, you can debug bad connection vs. bad battery real quick. Watch voltage across battery terminals while someone turns the key. If it drops, you have a bad battery, but if it holds you probably have a bad connection.

If bad connection, then keeping negative lead of your voltmeter on negative terminal of battery, and checking each connection on your way to the starter while having a friend turn the key will reveal where you stop seeing good voltage (bad connection). And if that doesn't turn it up, repeat the same on the ground side of things, with positive lead of voltmeter on positive battery terminal, and checking voltages on ground straps and connections.

Voltmeters are high-impedance devices, so aside from accidentally shorting battery hot to ground with the probe needle itself, there's no danger of hurting the meter or anything else. Just be sure to keep your hands and face clear of the turning bits anytime your helper turns the key, in case the damn thing decides to turn over that time.

 

[Windblown]

So tonight after work I got in the tractor, and she fired right up, so I ran the brush hog for about an hour before work called. I went out to run it again, and again, it won't start, only clicks.

I could be a bad ignition switch or connection, bad spot on the starter, etc.

A couple things you can check: Does the 12v control wire to the starter solenoid go hot when you turn the ignition to start? If it doesn't then you likely have a safety, ignition switch, or ignition wiring issue. Verify by jumping the main 12v hot from the battery connection at the solenoid to the control terminal on the solenoid (usually can be done with a screw driver). Engine should turn over and will likely start so make sure you are in neutral and have the parking brake set!

If it does turn over/start then you have verified the starter, solenoid, and battery are all fine and can start chasing what is keeping the solenoid from getting power when you turn the key.

 

[TractorGunn]

Just got inside. After tapping starter with hammer while my wife turned the key, it started right up. Ground cable is clean, took it off anyhow, filed it a bit, plus the frame, still did nothing. Reminds me of my 77 Ford Supercab, had to hit the starter on it too.


Needs new starter, solenoid?

 

[Eagle1]

Just got inside. After tapping starter with hammer while my wife turned the key, it started right up. Ground cable is clean, took it off anyhow, filed it a bit, plus the frame, still did nothing. Reminds me of my 77 Ford Supercab, had to hit the starter on it too.


Needs new starter, solenoid?

Seems like you just got that machine, I have 750+ hours so far (knocks on wood). Still under warranty?