Won’t start after getting stuck in mud.

[Cycledude]

A very mechanically inclined friend had a similar issue , he suspected it was the PTO switch and after a lot of messing around he called the dealer, when the dealer showed up the tractor started just like normal, dealer said no charge but if it happens again he would replace the PTO switch under warranty, but it never happened again.

 

[oldnslo]

I had mud prevent the PTO switch from activating on my now gone BX1850. The switch was mounted on the left side on transaxle and operated by the PTO lever totally exposed to crud. Can you see the PTO switch on your tractor?

 

[GS650GL]

You don't have to be in the seat or have the park brake on to start it, although they are good ideas. The only safety switches that prevent starting are the pto switch, the hydro pedal neutral switch, and the range shift lever neutral switch. And the only pto switch is on the dash. Because this happened after being stuck, it's likely the pedal neutral switch, although it could be a coincidence and not related. The wires to the hydro pedal neutral switch or the switch itself could have been damaged when you were down in the mud. Their location under the tractor makes them vulnerable to sticks, branches, stumps, rocks, mud, etc. Make sure the pedals are returning to neutral and are not sticking. When you move the pedals out of neutral, the switch should click. Hold the key in crank position and move the pedals, and turn pto switch on and off. I have seen damaged wires, bad switch, bent switch bracket, pedal return linkage stuck or damaged, and blown fuse cause this. Also if you have a mid pto option, the lever has to be off for starting.

 

[Cycledude]

Dang I was hoping to see he got it started

 

[Bobrown14]

I had that happen when my tractor was new MT52SC - What I did was stand up in the cab and flop down hard on the seat a few times that loosens up the seating material enough to engage the seat safety sensor.

I went thru everything thought it was something serious but nope all I had to do was sit down hard when I first get in to start the tractor.

Yeah 4wd in the mud ftw - there's a switch on the floor behind your right go foot to engage the diff lock too which I found to work great in the mud.

Tips:
Be sure to disengage 4wd AND diff lock when on a paved road. Don't lock your steering wheel in either direction while in 4wd. Your turning radius is much wider in 4WD.

 

[Bearsixty7]

You don't have to be in the seat or have the park brake on to start it, although they are good ideas. The only safety switches that prevent starting are the pto switch, the hydro pedal neutral switch, and the range shift lever neutral switch. And the only pto switch is on the dash. Because this happened after being stuck, it's likely the pedal neutral switch, although it could be a coincidence and not related. The wires to the hydro pedal neutral switch or the switch itself could have been damaged when you were down in the mud. Their location under the tractor makes them vulnerable to sticks, branches, stumps, rocks, mud, etc. Make sure the pedals are returning to neutral and are not sticking. When you move the pedals out of neutral, the switch should click. Hold the key in crank position and move the pedals, and turn pto switch on and off. I have seen damaged wires, bad switch, bent switch bracket, pedal return linkage stuck or damaged, and blown fuse cause this. Also if you have a mid pto option, the lever has to be off for starting.

This is what I was going to say to check based on circumstance.
I can start mine while standing beside it with the parking brake on and in N so it can warm up while I do other things so it's not the seat safety, it only activates when in gear and the hydro pedals are pressed.

 

[RobertEH]

As stated above,

I had a very similar issue after driving thru brush on my MT235HE. There was a stick lodged under one of the fwd/revers pedals in the undercarriage. This kept the pedals uneven and activated the kill switch preventing it from even trying to turn over. My bet is there is something underneath keeping the hydro pedal neutral switch from being in the even position.

 

[GSVette]

Had a similar ( but intermittent) no start/no crank on my XR4155HC. Went through all of the usual suspects ( including the neutral safety switch-more on that in a bit)-PTO, seat pressure pad, etc. Nothing was obvious-intermittent condition persisted.

I had inspected the neutral switch and it appeared fine-it wasn’t until I crawled completely underneath, cleaned the switch thoroughly and inspected it much closer that I found the switch body had been cracked by some of the land clearing debris I had been driving over resulting in the plunger that actuates the switch no longer functioning reliably.

Anyway, I’d give the neutral switch and associated harness a good looking over- you can verify that the switch is operating ( at least on my model) by moving the pedal levers and verify that the switch actuates.

Hope you figure it out.

 

[5030]

One thing I never do is allow my tractors to remain filthy, topside or underneath. they get washed off almost every time I use them. Much easier to service or work on a clean (relatively clean) unit, than a filthy one and another reason why I pack all my electrical connections with Di-electric grease. I don't want any moisture related issues in any electrical connectors.

Same applies to our buggies. I dislike excess grease and crud on anything.

 

[Joe1]

Is the PTO switch off, and did any mud get up around the battery terminals?