PTO doesn't come on when switch first engages

[part-time-Farmer-NC]

Kinda odd, I think this has been troubling me for a few years and I didn't tie it together until recently. When I crank the DK45SE and immediately start the PTO by engaging the rocker switch. It often doesn't come on at first usually. I leave the rocker switch in the engaged position and drive it around a little bit. Sometimes the PTO comes on in about 30 seconds, sometimes it is about 3-5 minutes. Seems like the longer I go without using the PTO it takes longer to come on. After it does come on, I can turn it off and back on and it works fine.

When I say come on, I mean the rocker light turns red but the amber gear doesn't light up in the dash, and the PTO isn't spinning. Hydraulic oil is within range but towards the top line. I haven't noticed any leaks in a while (had one on the FEL for the third function I put on there about 10 yrs ago). Changed the filter and fluids about 6 months ago no change to this problem.

Another thing I noticed when it hadn't been run in about 6 weeks (couldn't get it start another story...) I could lift the bucket and down but it wouldn't tilt. I thought the hose(s) had gotten disconnected but no. I drove it around for 3-5 minutes and the bucket started working fine. Then a little later the PTO came on.

Is this a PTO pump issue maybe? Any ideas how to check that? I have called the dealer before about it not starting, they keep saying they have a 3-4 month waiting period for service work every time I call them about any work (twice).

I prefer to do these things myself if I can when I think I can anyway. I wouldn't tackle a motor rebuild or anything like that, but maybe a little more than minor repairs I have done ok with them.

Any suggestions/ideas?

New user name was tpulley and tpulley2 but those accounts won't let me back in. I posted about this a few times over the years.

 

[Robin Veerman]

I think I’ve seen your other threads about the issues that you’re having with your tractor. Can you refresh our memories about current hours and recent maintenance done on your tractor? How about what you’ve done to try to remedy the issue…
Do you keep a battery maintainer 24/7 on the battery? A good idea if your tractor use is very intermittent. Fuel tank always kept full with a fresh top up…

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

How's your hydraulic fluid level?

 

[Billrog]

Sounds more like a switch or relay problem than a pump problem. And a trickle charger like Robin mentioned so there's enough power there to turn the motor over faster.

 

[part-time-Farmer-NC]

I had just replaced the battery and tractor cranks and runs great. I also replaced the PTO rocker switch in troubleshooting this. Tractor has about 725 hrs. Hyd fluid level is in the range albeit near the top of the line (meaning not far from being over filled).

Over the last two years or so. PTO wouldn't come on immediately when I flipped the rocker switch. I "assumed" it wouldn't come on at all. I am thinking now if I had a waited and run it around the yard it would have come on. Once PTO is on it works perfectly, can't detect any issues. I can turn it off (flip the switch to off position) and on again and it works just like it should. It seems to be when it hasn't run for a day or more when it does this.

I thought maybe it was a wire going to the solenoid in the rear drivers side up near the top of the housing/fender (previous post was about this). But that doesn't seem to be the case. It works fine after it warms up/moved fluids or what ever is going on in its mechanism's.

Changed the hyd filter and fluids, wondering if the filter was clogged up or something restricting flow.

Ordinarily I use the tractor every other day or two as its a working farm. I don't always use the PTO. I have been clicking it on whenever I use the tractor at all now just to kinda keep it working.

 

[Harry in Ky]

Seems to me if it were any sort of filter problem it would affect everything involved with that filter, and you would have noticed it much sooner. My guess is the problem is with the PTO solenoid valve itself. Some of the "moving parts" in there aren't moving when they should.

 

[part-time-Farmer-NC]

Ah... THis sure makes sense to me... On this idea I found a pretty good video of a guy with similar PTO problems. It also makes me want to check for another solenoid, maybe I am looking at the wrong one. Hadn't thought about there being more than one. Maybe the wiring to that one is iffy, although when it comes on it stays on.

troubleshooting a PTO solenoid - Google Search

 

[grsthegreat]

i had the same issue, it was the pto relay. i replaced it a few years ago, issue has not reappeared

 

[part-time-Farmer-NC]

OH man I sure hope its that easy... I have three relays on the back wall. I have replaced the far right one when it wouldn't start 4-5 years ago. So that leaves the middle one and the left one. Your diagram shows I think 4 relays. I may replace the other two just because... As if the two went out the third can't be too far behind it when it fails.

If you don't mind where did you get the book? I would love to buy a copy.

 

[grsthegreat]

These are not in the engine compartment, there under the steering wheel cover section.

I purchased this from my dealer when i purchased my tractor.

 

[part-time-Farmer-NC]

I found the part, called the dealer they have it in stock. Same part number as your book was in there, it appears they have updated the part to T4395-43102. I just finished putting it on and doing some bushhogging. Couldn't help myself, its working, its working I kept hearing in my brain.

I also ordered the book from my dealer.

I can't thank you enough for taking the time to read my post and unfortunately having the same issue I had. And... Sharing the information you learned about it. I am just ecstatic to finally get that issue behind me. I am ready to bushhog/till the world... Well maybe just my little 75 ish acres...

 

[grsthegreat]

Cool, glad to have helped. That same relay is used in about a dozen places on my cabbed unit. I have 2 spares in shop.

 

[grsthegreat]

That book has saved me a small fortune over the years.

 

[zzvyb6]

OK, how does the stalled bucked movement fit into this? Is t just an air in the lines issue, so the delays are from an air bubble moving back & forth ?

 

[part-time-Farmer-NC]

OK, how does the stalled bucked movement fit into this? Is t just an air in the lines issue, so the delays are from an air bubble moving back & forth ?

I'm guessing you got this post mixed up with another one. It never stalled or bucked. It just rarely worked when PTO switch was first clicked. So far it has worked 100% of the time now the relay was replaced.

 

[part-time-Farmer-NC]

Ah... Sorry it just occurred to me you were referring to one issue when the bucket was acting sluggish. It had sat for about 6 weeks and was slow to curl the bucket. I was wondering if the Hyd pump was acting up. Haven't seen that since exactly but I did see where the FEL wouldn't pick up the front of the tractor. Right after I had fixed the PTO relay. The hyd line had become un connected (again) and that resolved it. Maybe it was related, I dunno...