TC31 Problems

[Shark75]

First let me start by saying I am new to the forum, and new to tractors in general. I recently purchased a new TC31 with a loader. It has less than 10 hours on it, and while trying to use it this weekend, the engine was bogging down just trying to drive the tractor across my yard. I checked and made sure the parking brake was off (which it was). In low range (it is a hydro) with the pedal fully engaged, the motor bogged to about 1000 RPM while simply driving. When I released the pedal, the engine speed increased. While it was bogging down, it sounded as if the engine was missing on one cyclinder (I do not know a lot about diesels to know if this is possible). I am going to start by changing the fuel filter, but with under 10 hours, I do not have high expecatations. The fuel is still what was in it when it was delivered, with about 1/4 tank remaining.

Any ideas, or places I should start looking. This should be covered under the warrantee, but until they can look at it, it is bothering me. The worse part is that it happened the same day I sent out the first of 36 payments.

 

[DocHeb]

Welcome to TBN!

Is the fuel shutoff valve all the way open?

Will the engine go up to 2600 rpm without problem while sitting still in neutral?

Do you have rear remotes that are pushed into a detent position that could be dead-heading the pump against the quick-connect of the rear remote?

You don't have your location listed in your profile, but it has been cold enough around here to have fuel gelling issues. Diesel tractors that idle rough and miss often have fuel or fuel delivery problems. With the newness of your tractor I would expect the first (e.g. "Summer diesel" now exposed to winter conditions can gel) rather than injector or fuel pump problems. Get a five gallon can of new diesel and put 4 ounces of Red or White Power Service in it to help treat/prevent gelling

If you are not experienced with Hydrostatic Transmissions,you could be running at too low RPMs and are using the HST pedal like an accelerator. It is really an infinitely adjustable torque adjuster. It you want maximimum torque at the wheels, you must be in the lowest gear range, RPM at ~2600, and the slightest pressure on the pedal - you will move slowly, but you'll be amazed at how much torque you can get. It is not good for diesel engines to be bogged down so much that they "cut out."

 

[jbrumberg]

Shark75:

Welcome to TBN and the Blue Forum ! I agree with DocHeb's recommendations and possible causes. Try his suggestions before starting to replace filters, etc. I add PowerService (White Bottle) to my ULSD all year round. During the colder months I add a "double shot" as recommended on the bottle. Good luck and keep the membership posted. The TC31 is a solid tractor; you should not be having problems with it. Jay

 

[AndyMA]

If it were mine and I had 10 hours on it I would not even remove a filter. I would be on the phone to my dealer and they would send someone out to fix it. Diesel additive is a good idea though but I usually don't run it even during the winter.

Andy

 

[dqdave1]

My bet is water in filter bowl, shut off fuel supply, remove filter bowl, clean it, reinstall bowl and filter; open bleeder screw on injector pump ( top of pump) open fuel stop and wait till bleeder runns free of air. Close bleeder, start engine.

 

[Compact1]

If it were mine and I had 10 hours on it I would not even remove a filter. I would be on the phone to my dealer and they would send someone out to fix it.

Andy

I agree...let the dealer worry about it.

 

[RickB]

I agree...let the dealer worry about it.

Absolutely. From a dealer employee.

 

[Shark75]

Welcome to TBN!

Is the fuel shutoff valve all the way open?

Yes... it is open.

Will the engine go up to 2600 rpm without problem while sitting still in neutral?

Yes, with no load the engine will rev up nice.

Do you have rear remotes that are pushed into a detent position that could be dead-heading the pump against the quick-connect of the rear remote?

I do not believe I have rear remotes. If they are on the right hand side, the only valve I have is for the 3pt hitch.

You don't have your location listed in your profile, but it has been cold enough around here to have fuel gelling issues. Diesel tractors that idle rough and miss often have fuel or fuel delivery problems. With the newness of your tractor I would expect the first (e.g. "Summer diesel" now exposed to winter conditions can gel) rather than injector or fuel pump problems. Get a five gallon can of new diesel and put 4 ounces of Red or White Power Service in it to help treat/prevent gelling.

I live in Rocheter NY, so the weather is similar to Michigan. I added new fuel yesterday, but no additive yet.

If you are not experienced with Hydrostatic Transmissions,you could be running at too low RPMs and are using the HST pedal like an accelerator. It is really an infinitely adjustable torque adjuster. It you want maximimum torque at the wheels, you must be in the lowest gear range, RPM at ~2600, and the slightest pressure on the pedal - you will move slowly, but you'll be amazed at how much torque you can get. It is not good for diesel engines to be bogged down so much that they "cut out."

I have used a JD 420 lawn and garden with the Hydrostatic transmission for several years. I have also not had this problem with the tractor in the earlier 9 hours of running. I believe it is equipment related rather than operator related, but I appreciate the input.

 

[Shark75]

My bet is water in filter bowl, shut off fuel supply, remove filter bowl, clean it, reinstall bowl and filter; open bleeder screw on injector pump ( top of pump) open fuel stop and wait till bleeder runns free of air. Close bleeder, start engine.

This sounds like the same procedure to change the filter. The question I had about this is weather to crank the engine to bleed the system, or just let gravity bleed it.

 

[Shark75]

I agree...let the dealer worry about it.

I stopped at the dealership this morning. The service manager told me that if it is a fuel related issue, it would not be covered under warrantee. I asked if this was true even though it was their fuel, and he said they do not cover any fuel related issues. Needless to say, I was not pleased about that, so I bought a filter. On the way out, I saw the owner, who happens to be the person I dealt with when buying the tractor. He stated that whatever the problem is, he will take care of it. So now I just need to decide if I want to change the filter myself and risk messing it up before this weekend and the snow they are predicting, or just call the dealer and tell them to fix it before the weekend. I am an average backyard mechanic (repair my own vehicles, and completed a frame off restoration on a Corvette) but I have never worked on a diesel.