B26 won't start today

[KenKubota]

Help.. Today my tractor doesn't want to start. The battery seems fine, lights are bright. when I turn the key the glow plug preheat light doesn't come on and the starter doesn't start. I've tried checking all the safety kill features, it's not in gear, the seat is in place etc. Problem is, the tractor is in my barn... across a field covered with two feet of snow. The bucket and rear blade are down. I can't see how I can even move the machine til spring. Any suggestions out there?

 

[B2400]

If you've wiggled around all the safety switches, I would look at fuses next.

 

[powerstroke444e]

I would try jump starting it as I have found it usually is a bad battery or the battery connection. If not I would check the seat switches.

 

[steverichmond]

Also you want to check and see if the PTO engaged. Good Luck


Steve

 

[KenKubota]

If you've wiggled around all the safety switches, I would look at fuses next.

Fuses, I dint know it had fuses. I'll try that. I'm sure as I can be that it isn't the PTO clutch and I removed the seat button and tried it manually and even just bypassed it. It is acting as though some safety cuttoff is causing the problem. I tried charging the battery but jumping it will require removing my truck battery and carrying it accross the field to the tractor. Thanks for your suggestions.

 

[KubieTwo]

As you describe the problem, it will turn out to be one of the safety switches. The only difficulty is finding which one. If the headlights burn brightly, it is likely not the battery or cables.

Based on the other things you have tried, another possibility is an out of adjustment neutral position switch on the HST petals. Have you tried rocking the petals as you try to start it? If so, I would start again with a VOM and verify, one safety switch at a time, that it is in good working order, no broken or disconnected wires, and switch properly adjusted. These would include the PTO, the clutch, the seat, and the HST neutral switches. The one most likely to be out of adjustment is the HST neutral switch.

Good Luck on finding the problem.

 

[fish6942]

If the head lights are bright and you don't hear the starter solenoid click then it's probably not a low battery issue.

Do you hear the fuel pump run when the key is first turned on?

 

[powerstroke444e]

You could jump the starter and see if it will start that way, but I would have a helper with this and make sure its in netrual (yes I know it a big saftey issue). If this works you may be able to get it to the garage were you can work on it, or find the real problem
BUT Don't try this if you don't understand electrical systems. Call a friend or shop that does know what they are doing.
I can't tell you how many machines I have had to load this way and bring back to the shop and chase down electric issues. I have a switch I bought from snap-on that has 2 wires that run down there and allow me to sit safely in the seat when doing this.

 

[KenKubota]

Thank You for all of your suggestions. I haven't had any luck, but I feel better because I tried all the simple solutions. In the end, I spent today moving the tractor to the entrance of the barn, then raising the bucket with a chainfall, then winching the machine through the snow and across the field, and finally up onto my trailer. Tomorrow I'll take it to the dealer for what they've promised will be a week long stay. I think maybe a shop manual would be usefull in the future.

 

[MacTractor]

I had the same issue one day with my BX25 which turned out to be the PTO Lever Safety Switch. I think everyone shoudl get well aquainted with where all of the safty switches are.

I fixed mine in 2 mins and was back on my way.

Good luck and let us know what the dealer finds.

Cheers,

 

[KenKubota]

Well, I dropped my baby off at the dealer this morning. Before they rolled it into the shop a couple of guys tried to quickly diagnose the problem. They were unsuccessful but agreed it has to do with a safety switch. I'm having a couple of hooks welded onto the FEL while it is there and I ordered a trenching bucket so at least it will be improved when it comes home.

 

[gotcha]

Well, I dropped my baby off at the dealer this morning. Before they rolled it into the shop a couple of guys tried to quickly diagnose the problem. They were unsuccessful but agreed it has to do with a safety switch. I'm having a couple of hooks welded onto the FEL while it is there and I ordered a trenching bucket so at least it will be improved when it comes home.

Have you heard anything yet from your dealer as to what has caused the problem??

 

[howie63deer1]

my l2900 did the same thing during christmas checked around fuses and switchesthen tested the key switch and it wasn't good replaced and have had no prblem since

 

[powerstroke444e]

Ken must have got it fixed and be spending to much time running his machine to let us know what was the problem.

 

[gotcha]

Ken must have got it fixed and be spending to much time running his machine to let us know what was the problem.

Gotcha on that one. I do hope he got it back and is doing his thing with it.
Ken let us know what happen when you do get off the seat from having fun.
The Gotcha Man

 

[KenKubota]

Alas, the news is mostly bad. I haven't gotten my baby back yet. I've been talking to the dealer every few days. First they said I had a bad switch, but they had to order a replacement. Then it was two bad switches. Finally yesterday they said that they had to replace the wiring harness because some of the wires were "overheating". Of course, the harness has to be ordered. Right now it is snowing like crazy out, with about seven inches expected. The last storm started as 6 inches of snow and then turned to sleet and rain. It was a real bear to move with my old snowblower. I'm commited to doing three driveways so I was out til late at night trying to snowblow slush. I didn't even attempt my driveway which subsequently froze to corregated ice. Tonight while my $30k machine relaxes in a nice warm shop I'll be out again with my snowbloower and shovel. The only bright side is that the machine is only 4 months old and so should be under warranty - I hope!

 

[gotcha]

I feel for ya with the 26 in the shop. One good thing is that you don't have all that much snow to move to-nite. Up here in NH we didn't get any and my son down by the Foxboro MA got about 3" . What dealer do you do business with as I have tried several for other Kubota equipment other than the 26 both in NH and MA. I found a nice Cub Cadet shop that does great work and some how does all the warranty work for me also.
The Gotcha Man

 

[KenKubota]

I bought my machine at MB in Plaistow but was unhappy with their service department. When I picked up my machine it had a leaky hydo line and was down two gallons of blood. Then they wanted two weeks when the 50 hr service rolled around. I've since been dealing with Chappell and have been much happier. I would be even happier if I was sitting in the saddle instead of here at this computer. To cheer myself up, I'm looking at the available cabs for the machine. Maybe a Curtis or Lourin. You're right though, we dodged the latest snowstorm.

 

[bandit67]

Just get the Laurin cab - it's pretty sweet, and looks like a factory unit. Order it now and have it rush shipped so that your dealer can get it installed while they wait for the switches and harnesses to come in.

If you're gonna suffer without your baby, especially for snow clearing jobs while all this goes on, you may as well get it back significantly better than when you brought it in. The new addition will make the agony you're going through a distant memory when you get it back.

 

[gotcha]

I bought my machine at MB in Plaistow but was unhappy with their service department.

I know of MB in Plaistow as I got a quote from them on a B26. They were the second highest and scared the heck outta me and never went back. Don't believe I have heard of the place that you are doing business. I ended up purchasing from Brady Barlow in Kentucky and will never regret that purchase from them. When will you know when the part will be in and you get the toy back to it's home where it belongs???
The Gotcha Man