LS Tractor Won't Start After Hooking Up Bush Hog

[PapaBob]

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.

 

[Bearsixty7]

The seat switch has nothing to do with it, you don't need to be in the seat to start it. The only safety switches on that model with a hydro transmission that affect starting are in the pto switch and the forward/reverse pedal neutral switch. 12.4 volts would be normal with the engine off. Don't listen to AI, they don't know anything. A pto shaft isn't going to prevent it from starting. Even though the pto switch is off, turn the switch on and back off a couple times. I have seen numerous no starts fixed by doing this. Then check all the fuses. Hold the key switch in the start position and push on the forward/reverse pedals to see if you find a spot where the starter engages. Inspect the forward/reverse neutral switch and wires, sometimes a stick gets jammed up in there and damages the wiring or switch. If you have an optional mid pto, make sure it is off. Turn the lights on and see if they work, then turn the key to start and see if they dim or go out. If so, you have a bad power connection or bad ground.

This is the best recommendation!

I have had to cycle my PTO button a couple times to get mine to start.

So far it's never been the pedals but I can see that as a possibility.

Mine I do not have to be in the seat or have the parking brake on to start it, which is why there is a pedal "neutral" safety switch I'm sure.

For others: If the 242 is like my 240, there is no PTO lever, we just have the on/off button on the dash that rotates unless it has an optional and rare mid-PTO then it would have a lever I suppose.

 

[Rctex]

Not sure what to do here, hooked up the LS brush hog and when I turn the key it does nothing.

Brake is on. PTO switch is off. Ran fine when I boxed the road, went to bush hog and this is where I am stuck.

Anybody know what went wrong, or what it could be?

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

 

[S854]

It started a couple of times after I shut it off. Since I've hooked up the brush mower, it won't turn over…

…I hear a click, but the starter doesn't engage….

Starting an engine once takes quite a bit of juice… starting it a couple times without giving the alternator time to recharge the battery may have drained it… have you tried jump starting?

 

[papalynn]

Could be the battery. If you hear a click of the starter solenoid that means it is trying to start but doesn't have enough voltage to turn the starter motor. Put a voltmeter on the battery and try to start the tractor. If the voltage drops below 8 volts then the battery might be bad or it is corroded connections.

 

[Gord Baker]

I noticed the joy stick was jammed but I got it moving freely. Did the seat thing, moved every lever mutliple times, with no success.

I did a search and AI said the pto and shaft could be in a bind, but I don't think that's the case.

Ran great until I hooked that up. 1 year old tractor.

Unhook it and try again.

 

[Gord Baker]

Starting an engine once takes quite a bit of juice… starting it a couple times without giving the alternator time to recharge the battery may have drained it… have you tried jump starting?

You can start a vehicle many times with a fully charged battery.

 

[charlessenf]

when I turn the key it does nothing.

My vote is one of the safety switches.

I've accidentally moved a lever getting on or off my Kubota more than once only to discover 'there's a safety switch' tied to that one, too!'

If you're CERTAIN you know every one of them on your machine and checked each, next best guess for a sudden, inexplicable loss to power to the starter would be a FUSE - Wait a Minute! You said "it does nothing" then you tell us "Yes, I hear a click, but the starter doesn't engage."

You gotta speaka the English.

 

[Gord Baker]

Check Solenoid and/or Boost directly to Starter. Be sure it is out of Gear!

 

[GS650GL]

Actually have to be in the seat on this one for it to start, as per manual.

The manual only tells you that for safety, you should sit in the seat before starting. it doesn't mean it won't actually start if not in the seat. If the pto is off and the pedals are in neutral, you can stand on the side of the tractor and turn the key and it will start without being in the seat. The park brake doesn't have to be on either, although it should be on when parked obviously. Anyone that doesn't believe it, try it yourself on your tractor. The seat switch will shut the engine off if you get out of the seat with the tractor in gear or forward / reverse pedals pushed.