MX5100 will not start after dying

   / MX5100 will not start after dying #1  

cmikewil

Member
Joined
Oct 18, 2010
Messages
42
Location
SE Ohio
Tractor
Kubota MX5100, Massey 231
This one has me baffled. I started my MX5100 this morning without issue. It ran approximately 45 minutes. I hooked up a new-to-me finish mower - without shutting off the tractor - and climbed back aboard in order to lift the mower up and move it away from my barn.

I pulled forward a few feet, and decided to climb back down and adjust the top link a bit (no, I don't have the hydraulic unit yet...). I set the brake, and climbed down. After about 5 seconds, the tractor shut off. I've had this happen before, and have blamed it on the hydrostatic pedal not having returned to dead center/not moving, or not having set the brake effectively - obviously not an issue while seated on the machine, but enough to kill the engine when the seat safety switch trips when I get off. So, I wasn't concerned. and I didn't take the time to shut the engine off; it was still in the run position.

Anyway, I adjusted the top link, greased spindles, and completed a few other maintenance items. After 15 minutes or so, I hopped back on to restart the tractor. Nothing. The dash lights up. I turn the key counterclockwise, and can hear the relay click for the glow plugs heating up. But, when I turn the key clockwise to the start position, nothing. No click of the starter.

Wondering if I'd run the battery down(?), I did try to jump the tractor with my truck and new cables. Nothing.

Any ideas? Could I have discharged the battery so severely that the truck battery wasn't able to get sufficient voltage to the tractor starter? Have I fried something by leaving the ignition on?

When I turn the key on, I can hear the safety switch/relay kick on and off when I stand up/take my weight off of the seat, so I believe the safety switch is working.

Lights flash; signals work.

Brand new battery installed just weeks ago. The old one lasted 2 years.

I'm 40 miles from a voltmeter, which I'll obviously take with me when I run back to my farm later this week to troubleshoot the tractor sitting out in the middle of my field. Anything else stand out?

I unhooked the battery for 10 minutes, thinking it may "reset" itself. No luck there.

Cables from battery are securely attached to both the frame and starter.

I saw no burned out fuses.

Tractor is on a slight slant, but I don't believe it's enough to trip any sensor - if one even exists.
 
   / MX5100 will not start after dying #2  
Not sure of an MX controls but is it possible the PTO has an interlock? Have you tried cycling the PTO? My L5740 has a switch type PTO control and sometimes I must cycle the PTO switch to make sure the tractor understands the PTO is off.
 
   / MX5100 will not start after dying #3  
There could be a couple of other safety interlocks in play - is it a shuttle shift tractor? Shifter is in neutral? (I know-obvious with the notch) If HST - pedal is neutral? PTO is off? You may have had one of those switches go bad.
Try this -
Check your starter - can you turn your ignition switch on and try to jump directly to the starter lug? If that doesn't turn over = bad starter / If it does, then maybe a starter solenoid or one of those switches mentioned above may have gone bad.

HP
 

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