MF GC2400

[BoneZX14]

Anyone else experience blowing fuse #5 (instrument cluster)?

Engine starts fine all the time, fuse blows when engaging mower deck pto.

Here are details of when it happens:
-outside temperature is on the warmer side, 20C (68F) and higher
-1st engagement is typically fine, good to cut grass
-after an hour or so, disengage pto, drive to another yard location to cut, engage pto POOF!
-immediately replace fuse and engage, POOF!
-but if I wait a few minutes (~15 min cool down?), no problem re-engaging mower pto.
-fuse hasn’t blown while cutting, only when engaging.
-engine temperature gauge shows “normal” (air filter and radiator screen verified clean)

When the fuse blows, ignition switch (1st position) is “dead”.
Ideas, experiences.

 

[Yander]

When any motor or equipment first starts it pulls the highest amps at startup. Do you have the correct size fuse?

Make sure all connects are tight and not corroded, poor connections also causes excessive amp. draw. Why would it trip when it is hotter? Because fuses need heat to blow, usually caused by excess amperage going through the fuse. However, if you have a bad connection causing high amp. draw and it is just a little hotter, that little bit of extra heat puts it over the top and melts the fuse wire.

I'm voting for loose connection somewhere.

Had a GC2400 for 5 years, regretted selling it. Great tractors, good luck!

 

[Dmacleo]

pto safety switch wiring (heck any wire circuit really) or switch itself possibly from vibrations..?

don't think can be amp draw issue since tractor starts and its only when pto lever hits the safety switch and engages (tractor shudders then) it fails.

 

[Yander]

Well, none of that would blow the fuse. Amperage blows fuses. The things you mention would kill the tractor but they wouldn't blow the fuse.

 

[Dmacleo]

Well, none of that would blow the fuse. Amperage blows fuses. The things you mention would kill the tractor but they wouldn't blow the fuse.

thinking bad spot in wire.
same circuit works when cold.
pto switch draws no amps on its own.unless its got a bare spot hitting when the shudder hits after pto turned on causing a short to grd.
thats why I stated not amp DRAW issue. eg electric pto clutch.
and (thought) pointed towards a short. maybe could have clarified better.

 

[Yander]

Yes, he should check for that too. Easy things to check and most likely things.

 

[Dmacleo]

this is pic from 15 minutes ago on a 2010 GC2400 of the PTO safety switch with lever engaged, thats only time lever touches switch.
I would unscrew it, cable tie it up safely, see if issue goes away. would be good start point.

 

[BoneZX14]

When any motor or equipment first starts it pulls the highest amps at startup. Do you have the correct size fuse?

Make sure all connects are tight and not corroded, poor connections also causes excessive amp. draw. Why would it trip when it is hotter? Because fuses need heat to blow, usually caused by excess amperage going through the fuse. However, if you have a bad connection causing high amp. draw and it is just a little hotter, that little bit of extra heat puts it over the top and melts the fuse wire.

I'm voting for loose connection somewhere.

Had a GC2400 for 5 years, regretted selling it. Great tractors, good luck!

Yes, the correct fuse is being used. Red 10A

 

[BoneZX14]

this is pic from 15 minutes ago on a 2010 GC2400 of the PTO safety switch with lever engaged, thats only time lever touches switch.
I would unscrew it, cable tie it up safely, see if issue goes away. would be good start point.

View attachment 812237

I’ll check this before my next round of cutting. Thanks for the suggestion and picture.