TC40DA Rabbit/Turtle Switch not working

[lhfarm]

Tractor only has 96 hours. The switch seems stuck in the rabbit position. If I hold the paddle switch or the joy stick switch, it does change to turtle, but won't stay. Any ideas?

Thanks,

 

[PineRidge]

There is one screw (Phillips head) that once removed you can pop off the face of the joystick. Possibly the rabbit turtle switch needs repositioned within the joystick housing. It would be a cheap easy fix if that's it.

 

[bayoublue]

There are many past threads on this but the first thing I would check is the brake locking lever ....may not be pushed down all the way.

 

[jinman]

Tractor only has 96 hours. The switch seems stuck in the rabbit position. If I hold the paddle switch or the joy stick switch, it does change to turtle, but won't stay. Any ideas?

Thanks,

Barry, since the switch causes the transmission to switch, all the mechanics are working, but the range is just not holding. It is most likely the "hi" or "low" relay that is is defective, but could be the paddle switch on the fender has become "gummed up" too.

PineRidge has mentioned how to get to the rabbit/turtle switch in the joystick. If you can find the end of the wire coming from the joystick and just unplug it, that would tell you the same thing. If you unplug it and the problem stays, you've eliminated the joystick as the problem.

To get to the relays, you have to remove the two bolts on the cowling/panel right below your steering column and two bolts on each side of the firewall after raising the hood. Remove the cowling and look on the left side of the tractor (It WILL be very dusty in there. Use only air or a brush for cleaning). The hi range relay is the top/left plug-in relay and the turtle relay is the one next to it. They might be loose or defective. By swapping similar relays, you can isolate the bad or malfunctioning circuit.

Good luck.

 

[lhfarm]

Thanks for the advice. I won't be able to get to the tractor until next weekend, but I'll report my findings.

 

[kensfarm]

Have you been in heavy brush.. happened to me once.. a wire on the underside of the tractor just came unplugged.

 

[lhfarm]

Have you been in heavy brush.. happened to me once.. a wire on the underside of the tractor just came unplugged.

I had the bush hog on and did a lot of mowing in heavy grass, but not brush. I also had just mounted the BH and just notice that the switch wasn't working. I'm hoping it is something simple.

 

[lhfarm]

I can't get the switch for the joy stick unplugged - is there a trick?

AND the switch is now stuck in Trutle. It won't move nor do I hear the relays click. The Rabbit light doesn't flash any more.

The problem may be in the wiring. When I pulled the panel to get to the relays, I find a mouse nest - and some insulation missing from a wire. I had found a nest behind the battery and they have chewed that cable to the wire.

 

[bayoublue]

Barry, I had the same problem. What's their attraction to wires?? It happened twice at the same spot...finally I opened a box of moth balls and jamed the whole box inside the cowling and have not had a problem since.

 

[jinman]

I can't get the switch for the joy stick unplugged - is there a trick?

AND the switch is now stuck in Trutle. It won't move nor do I hear the relays click. The Rabbit light doesn't flash any more.

The problem may be in the wiring. When I pulled the panel to get to the relays, I find a mouse nest - and some insulation missing from a wire. I had found a nest behind the battery and they have chewed that cable to the wire.

Barry, I'm attaching a photo of the joystick removed. Is the connector you are having trouble with the one on the bottom? That's the one I disconnected easily.

Also, in your second picture of the wire damage, the hi/lo relays are the two at the top-left of the picture. All of those relays are the same ones, so if you can swap them or move them around, you might find your problem. Of course, it is wire damage, who knows? It could be anywhere the rodent may have found a home.

 

[lhfarm]

Jim,
Yes it is the coupler at the bottom. Is there a catch or lip I need to clear? I was really pulling and it wouldn't budge. Also, I did try swapping the relays. No luck.

Thanks,

 

[lhfarm]

Barry, I had the same problem. What's their attraction to wires?? It happened twice at the same spot...finally I opened a box of moth balls and jamed the whole box inside the cowling and have not had a problem since.

That might work in the front. Not sure what to do about the battery area. I'd like to find something metal, but that air can move through, since it is in front of the radiator. Maybe some metal gutter guard crumpled into a ball?

Thanks,

 

[jinman]

Jim,
Yes it is the coupler at the bottom. Is there a catch or lip I need to clear? I was really pulling and it wouldn't budge. Also, I did try swapping the relays. No luck.

Thanks,

I'll try to look this evening, but I think the outer connector has a locking tab/clip that has to be released. I don't remember it being anymore difficult than that.

 

[lhfarm]

Well the mice have done it again. As you can see from the two photos, the joy stick tower was filed with a nest and the wires had been stripped bare. I spliced them together and all is well.

BTW in a DUH moment, I was trying to disconnect something under the tractor - not the joy stick connector. I came right apart.

I'm going to post a general message about how I might mouse proof all the places I've found nest so far.

Thanks for the help.

 

[PineRidge]

Well the mice have done it again. As you can see from the two photos, the joy stick tower was filed with a nest and the wires had been stripped bare. I spliced them together and all is well.

BTW in a DUH moment, I was trying to disconnect something under the tractor - not the joy stick connector. I came right apart.

I'm going to post a general message about how I might mouse proof all the places I've found nest so far.

Thanks for the help.

I'de be getting me a cat or two to take care of those destructive rodents. Don't overfeed the cat though.

 

[lhfarm]

Since we are only here a couple of days a week, I'm afraid the cat might go find a home with the neighbors. I'm thinking moth balls or other chemicals.

 

[jinman]

Since we are only here a couple of days a week, I'm afraid the cat might go find a home with the neighbors. I'm thinking moth balls or other chemicals.

Wow! What a mess, Barry. I think mothballs would be a good idea. Also and old sock filled with cayenne pepper dropped inside the joystick cowling might work. Mice hate that stuff. I think I'd also load the area around the tractor with mice and rat baits too. In a way you got lucky. The next time you could end up with a meltdown due to an electrical short. I'm glad you got everything working.

...and trying to make "lemonade": I'm sure you learned a lot in this process too.

 

[Doc_Bob]

I'de be getting me a cat or two to take care of those destructive rodents. Don't overfeed the cat though.

I agree, get a barn cat. I have one that just moved in. Hates me! And I like it that way. You need to make sure you get it all its shots. My cat (I named him "Feral" <- catchy name ). I know you can get many of the shots at Farm and fleet or some places without a vet RX.
Bob

 

[jinman]

I agree, get a barn cat. I have one that just moved in. Hates me! And I like it that way. You need to make sure you get it all its shots. My cat (I named him "Feral" <- catchy name ). I know you can get many of the shots at Farm and fleet or some places without a vet RX.
Bob

I just had this mental picture of you chasing a cat around the barn with a syringe in your hand. I'd pay to see that.

 

[Doc_Bob]

I just had this mental picture of you chasing a cat around the barn with a syringe in your hand. I'd pay to see that.

Never going to happen! This cat is like a "rocket" when I come into the barn. Gone in 60 milliseconds.
Bob