LS R3039 PTO Problem

[joemd11]

I've got just about 50 hours on my tractor now. I was doing some mowing today and when I turned the pto switch off, the pto remained engaged. I tried cycling the switch off and on and even shut the engine off and cycled the switch with just the ingition on. Still the pto remained engaged. I was headed back to the shed (the pto switch was in the off position) and the pto finally disengaged. I tried the pto again and it would turn on and off normally. I will call the dealer on Monday but thought I would bounce it off this prestigious and learned group. Thoughts?

 

[Jhiphop72]

First thought....lose wire to the switch maybe?

 

[joemd11]

First thought....lose wire to the switch maybe?

Possibly, but I checked the connections that I could access and they seemed fine. Is it some sort of mechanical law that these glitches have to occur on the weekend just after the dealer has closed?

 

[Short Game]

Sounds like it could be at the mechanical end of the operation. Sounds like something sticking, the way you describe it. I assume the switch operates a solenoid. Hopefully, its not deep inside a case and can be gotten to easily.

I was a little paranoid of the electric PTO control and voiced as much. I was told that is about what's done these days. I would opt for levers if I had a choice. I got a service manual and will see if I can make you a more informed guess. Of course my manual is for the R4010.

 

[Short Game]

Well, the service manual I got is quite incomplete. No wiring diagrams at all. No theory of operation (few manuals have this these days). All there is is minimal disassembly instructions for various units of the drive train. I would hate to be up against any kind of repair and have this manual to depend on. The engine section seems a bit more complete (probably was done by Mitsubishi). I also have the parts manual which has exploded diagrams of various system portions. I see a PTO clutch but can't tell if it's mechanically or electrically operated (it is internal). I see no visible means of actuation. I think you are going to need to talk to someone who has been inside there and knows what's up.

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Joe, what is your avatar picture??? I've been trying to figure it out and I give up.

 

[joemd11]

Thanks for doing the research short game. I have no idea how these things operate and just hope the dealer can figure it out without too much hassle. I was thinking of doing the 50 hour service myself, but now I may just have the dealer do it and trouble shoot this problem while it is there.
My avatar is the tail (#2) motor on a Mcdonnell-Douglas MD-11 airplane. I initially thought it looked kinda cool, but now not so much. Should change it to something else.

 

[boomer632]

Well the 3039 is a brand new model just like my 4041. I called dealership last Tuesday to order a service manual. Parts lady called back and said ls does not have one available to the dealership or consumers yet. They are working on them.

 

[Short Game]

My avatar is the tail (#2) motor on a Mcdonnell-Douglas MD-11 airplane.

So I guess my first guess that JoeMD was something about a Doctor of Medicine was off the mark.

 

[joemd11]

Boomer, how is the 4041 working out? Did you do the 50 hour service yet? I was thinking it is time to get the service manual for my tractor but I guess I'll have to wait. On the other hand, if I don't have the service manual then I probably won't get myself into trouble mechanically.

 

[Short Game]

Well the 3039 is a brand new model just like my 4041. I called dealership last Tuesday to order a service manual. Parts lady called back and said ls does not have one available to the dealership or consumers yet. They are working on them.

I think the main differences between the 2010s & '11s, both the 30**s and the 40**s are the loader joystick position and the shape of the hoods.

I'm going to visit the dealer mechanic this week and ask some more questions. I have to assume that he relies on his experience with many machines over the manuals, if the books he has to work with look like the one I got. I want to find out if there is a wiring diagram for my machine and get a photocopy if there is. As it is, the diagrams in the parts manual tell me as much or more than what is in the service manual. Once again, my service manual for my old Cub Cadet sets a standard not met by the LS. But then, that tractor was really all Mitsubishi, and so too was the manual, I presume.

 

[joemd11]

So I guess my first guess that JoeMD was something about a Doctor of Medicine was off the mark.

Ya, the only way I could have gotten into med school would have been as a janitor.

 

[Short Game]

The only issue I had in doing my 50 hour service was that the oil filters are painted on the engine and the mechanic had told me, getting the first one off is usually quite tough. It certainly was for me. After the third time my oil filter wrench slipped, each time costing me some skin and blood, I drove a spike through the canister and used that to get it turning. After I got it done, I saw that what I had been getting cut by was a sharp corner on the muffler mount. I then rounded off the sharp corners so it will not cut me so easily if the filter sticks next time (not supposed to happen after the first one). I was warned to expect the hydraulic filter to be stuck too, but it came right off with my 14 inch handled strap wrench. Too bad that wrench wouldn't reach the engine oil filter.

 

[Short Game]

Ya, the only way I could have gotten into med school would have been as a janitor.

Well, at least you tried. I'm now guessing that your MD carries a bit more responsibility than sweeping the floors. Probably something like vertical stabilizer inspector.

 

[boomer632]

Joe im at 48 hours. No problems yet. The only issue I may be having is the fuel capacity. It is supposed to hold 9.5 gallons. I ran it until the gauge read empty. I only managed to stuff about 7 into it before it was filled to top. I can't imagine there would be 2.5 gallons left in the tank when the gauge read empty. Its either the sending unit or the tank only holds about 8 gallons when manual says it holds 9.5

 

[Short Game]

Joe im at 48 hours. No problems yet. The only issue I may be having is the fuel capacity. It is supposed to hold 9.5 gallons. I ran it until the gauge read empty. I only managed to stuff about 7 into it before it was filled to top. I can't imagine there would be 2.5 gallons left in the tank when the gauge read empty. Its either the sending unit or the tank only holds about 8 gallons when manual says it holds 9.5

I think the early empty red mark is to prevent us from running the tank dry. I ran mine down close to empty once when I was not paying enough attention (happily mowing away and listening to my audio book). I am very glad that I had enough fuel left to get back to my supply. I don't want to run out of fuel, ever.

Time to go out and fuel up and get back to my wood splitting.

 

[joemd11]

Ya, refueling these things is a pain. I have one 5 gal can for diesel and I try to fill up when the needle goes below 1/2 mark. Trying to fuel up while standing on a step stool is comical at times.

 

[Short Game]

I have a friend around the corner from the LS dealer who is a scrapper. He gives me stuff all the time. Scrapping out fuel tanks must have certain technical/legal issues. One time he asked me if I wanted these two 115 gallon semi tractor fuel tanks he had there. Heck yeah! I get my off-road fuel delivered and I have a hand pump. Hefting forty to fifty pounds of can and fuel and getting the spout into the neck of the tank is definitely a pain.

I usually buy my fuel in late October or early November when the oil companies drop the prices for their Republican buddies right before the elections. Diesel was always cheaper than gasoline until the invasion of Iraq. It's weird, because it's easier to refine than gasoline. I figure the demands on the supply of diesel by the war machine drove the price up at the time, and it's as good a reason to keep gouging us and the truckers as any they can think off. I'm sorry if this wild line of thinking shakes anyone's faith in oil companies.