Weird PTO on my 4110

KENB · Jul 7, 2005

I have a strange problem on my 4110. My PTO will work with no problems until I use the FEL quite a bit, and then try to use the PTO, and it is a "no-go". I then have to press the solenoid button (reset), and the PTO will work flawlessly every time. But then, if I go and use the FEL to move some dirt or whatever, you can bet your boots the PTO won't work the next time, and have to press the reset again. Somehow my FEL stops my PTO from working good. Told you it was a weird PTO /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

musa_marketing · Jul 11, 2005

Sorry to hear about this situation. After speaking with our tech service department, it sounds as if the problem is the solenoid switch.

Please email me your tractor serial number and I can investigate further.

KENB · Jul 11, 2005

Ok, I'll send you my serial number. I brought it to the dealer (J5-Tractor in Normangee, TX). I told them about the problem, and having to push the reset switch. They acted like they didn't know what the "reset" button was on the solenoid. At any rate, they said they had it on the "dyno" for 20 minutes and found no problem with the PTO.

Clyde · Jul 11, 2005

Ken - It is that sort of reply from a dealer that infuriates me. I have a JD lawn tractor and the drive pulley works everytime when cold. If I mow for a two hours in warmer weather and take a break, engagement of the clutch is questionable on restart. At least you have a reset on your 4110. I have to wait for cool down or replace the solenoid. I'm a patient man. Incidentally, the garden tractor is 18 years old and doesn't owe me a dime.

At what point is a component defective? Can we chart it in a log? Something might work 1,000 times or it might only work once without failure. The fact is...it doesn't work when you want it to. Trust me - Musa will get you an answer and a fix but I'd look for another dealer after this is resolved.

I suggest anyone having problems with their dealer to report this sort of melancholy attitude to Musa. Competition is always knocking for unhappy resolution to problems from their competitors. This problem is not new to this forum and perhaps Mahindra has to beef up this component.

Good luck on resolving this matter Ken and I feel a whole lot better with Musa at the helm for aiding in these matters.

Clyde

Keith_B · Jul 12, 2005

( Ok, I'll send you my serial number. I brought it to the dealer (J5-Tractor in Normangee, TX). I told them about the problem, and having to push the reset switch. They acted like they didn't know what the "reset" button was on the solenoid. At any rate, they said they had it on the "dyno" for 20 minutes and found no problem with the PTO. )

Sounds to me like they should have spent the 20 minutes replacing the solenoid. This is a warranty repair and the solenoid replacement should have been automatic.

KENB · Jul 12, 2005

"Sounds to me like they should have spent the 20 minutes replacing the solenoid. This is a warranty repair and the solenoid replacement should have been automatic."

And it was under the 12 month full warranty at that time, now it is at the 17th month.

musa_marketing · Jul 12, 2005

( Ok, I'll send you my serial number. I brought it to the dealer (J5-Tractor in Normangee, TX). I told them about the problem, and having to push the reset switch. They acted like they didn't know what the "reset" button was on the solenoid. At any rate, they said they had it on the "dyno" for 20 minutes and found no problem with the PTO. )

I have not yet received your email.

Keith_B · Jul 12, 2005

( And it was under the 12 month full warranty at that time, now it is at the 17th month. )

Ken, that shouldn't matter. It was still under warranty when you initially reported the problem to the dealer.

Contractor · Jul 14, 2005

I also have a Mahindra 4110 yr 2000 it has the same exact problem. The PTO works sometimes and other times it doesn't. The dealers, there are several near me in Pennsylvania don't have a clue on this problem which has become very frustrating for me. I have only used my PTO two to three times since I bought the tractor. I do not think this is a warranty issue. It's a defect and should be a recall. I would like for Mahindra to respond since they are reading these postings.

Makers_Mark · Jul 14, 2005

Same thing was happening with my 2810. Dealer did someting ??? to it and viola it worked. Haven't had the problem in 1 year.

musa_marketing · Jul 14, 2005

( I also have a Mahindra 4110 yr 2000 it has the same exact problem. The PTO works sometimes and other times it doesn't. The dealers, there are several near me in Pennsylvania don't have a clue on this problem which has become very frustrating for me. I have only used my PTO two to three times since I bought the tractor. I do not think this is a warranty issue. It's a defect and should be a recall. I would like for Mahindra to respond since they are reading these postings. )

When the PTO is not rotating, is the PTO Monitor Lamp on the dash panel blinking? When this lamp is blinking, the PTO will not rotate because the PTO Control Switch is on Auto, the PTO On/Off Switch is on and either the clutch is pressed or the Hydraulic Position Control Lever is raised.

If either the PTO Control Switch or the PTO On/Off switch is in the off position, the PTO will not rotate.

If none of the above is the situation when the PTO does not work, please email me.

Contractor · Jul 14, 2005

When I go to use the pto I push the red button in, I have the on off swith in the manual setup. There are times that the light blinks and just stays bright red. I also have the hydraulic controls down and therefore the post hole digger is touching the ground. I have pushed the clutch in and out and have tried what I counsider every variation of controls. Then out of know where it starts to work. But now it will not . I spent several hours the other night trying to get it to work. I have the owners manual as well as a shop manual and have followed the instructions as printed.

Keith_B · Jul 14, 2005

Any electrohydraulic type PTO needs to be activated about once a week or so, to keep the solenoid free and functioning good, no matter what brand the tractor.

KENB · Jul 14, 2005

( Any electrohydraulic type PTO needs to be activated about once a week or so, to keep the solenoid free and functioning good, no matter what brand the tractor. )

Do What??? I've never heard of that. Where did you get that information from?? I'm so sure everyone runs out once a week and runs their PTO to keep it from failing. Don't make me laugh!!

Look here, the bottom line is that there is a problem with the 4110 PTO. Too many people with this tractor have reported the EXACT same problem ... PTO in the AUTO or Manual Position, red button pushed, PTO light ON SOLID, NO PTO TURNING. WHERE IS THE RECALL ALREADY?? I beleive these PTO solenoids were defective from the get-go.

Contractor · Jul 14, 2005

Keith B in all due respect the expectation of once a week is totally unrealistic. It either works or it doesn't. Bad engineering / design. If Mahindra wants to make it in the US market and be a real player they will do an across the board recall or they will go down as a YUGO. death by failure it's their choice.

aries12345 · Jul 14, 2005

Have a similar problem with my pto and seems to also be related to the fel useage. My work around solution has been to very very gently tap on the pto valve with a piece of wood. PTO immediately works. By the way, where is the (reset) button you spoke of.

tks.

KENB · Jul 15, 2005

( Have a similar problem with my pto and seems to also be related to the fel useage. My work around solution has been to very very gently tap on the pto valve with a piece of wood. PTO immediately works. By the way, where is the (reset) button you spoke of.

tks. )
Ok, I'm not sure if it is REALLY a "reset" button, but here is what I am doing to reset the solenoid. (Someone here on this site told me about this.).
In the center of the round PTO solenoid (which is directly underneath the tractor directly below the seat area, and slightly to the right, close to the large hydraulic filter canister),
there is a little button (raised area) that can be pushed in with a metal punch, or small phillips. Make sure and push it with the TRACTOR NOT RUNNING. This is what has RESET my PTO solenoid. I've got to push it nearly every time I use the FEL. Glad to know I'm not the only one with this problem. In fact, I think if Mahindra looked closer at this problem, I bet nearly everyone with a 4110 anyway, has this problem. It is defective and an apparent design flaw that should be recalled on these units. Not sure about the other series tractors.

KENB · Jul 15, 2005

Aries12345,
What type of Mahindra do you have??? 4110?

musa_marketing · Jul 15, 2005

( ( Have a similar problem with my pto and seems to also be related to the fel useage. My work around solution has been to very very gently tap on the pto valve with a piece of wood. PTO immediately works. By the way, where is the (reset) button you spoke of.

tks. )
Ok, I'm not sure if it is REALLY a "reset" button, but here is what I am doing to reset the solenoid. (Someone here on this site told me about this.).
In the center of the round PTO solenoid (which is directly underneath the tractor directly below the seat area, and slightly to the right, close to the large hydraulic filter canister),
there is a little button (raised area) that can be pushed in with a metal punch, or small phillips. Make sure and push it with the TRACTOR NOT RUNNING. This is what has RESET my PTO solenoid. I've got to push it nearly every time I use the FEL. Glad to know I'm not the only one with this problem. In fact, I think if Mahindra looked closer at this problem, I bet nearly everyone with a 4110 anyway, has this problem. It is defective and an apparent design flaw that should be recalled on these units. Not sure about the other series tractors. )

After speaking with our tech department, here are some steps that should correct your situation.

First. With the engine off. Check the ground wire on the solenoid. Then with a small punch or phillips screw driver, press the reset button in. While depressed, spray some penetrating lubricant into the area of the button. This should be done on a regular basis to keep the solenoid from sticking.

If this does not correct the situation, the second step is to remove the finger nut on top of the solenoid and remove the solenoid from the shaft. You may need to disconnect the ground wire to remove the solenoid. Clean the shaft and inside of the solenoid and spray with penetrating lubricant. Again, do this with the engine off.

If neither of these steps work, please feel free to email me with your contact information and serial number.

Keith_B · Jul 15, 2005

( ( Any electrohydraulic type PTO needs to be activated about once a week or so, to keep the solenoid free and functioning good, no matter what brand the tractor. )

Do What??? I've never heard of that. Where did you get that information from?? I'm so sure everyone runs out once a week and runs their PTO to keep it from failing. Don't make me laugh!!

Look here, the bottom line is that there is a problem with the 4110 PTO. Too many people with this tractor have reported the EXACT same problem ... PTO in the AUTO or Manual Position, red button pushed, PTO light ON SOLID, NO PTO TURNING. WHERE IS THE RECALL ALREADY?? I beleive these PTO solenoids were defective from the get-go. )

If you had done as I recommended your PTO would work fine. What happens with the solenoid is dust and moisture will make it stick. If you push the PTO button once a week and let it engage it will keep the solenoid working freely. A solenoid is just an electromagnet, and the only thing that will prevent it from working correctly is the dust and moisture buildup.

You needn't run out and operate your PTO. When you hop on to run your tractor just reach down and push the little red button. It is the act of engaging and disengaging the PTO that will keep the solenoid working freely, not the amount of time it spends running. You needn't have anything hooked to the PTO for this.

I learned about this on this board a while back. The person who had the same problem you are having was given this info to keep the PTO solenoid operating freely by someone who had that problem and had been told of the solution.