1750 Kubota won't start

[seecerpent]

While mowing my lawn on Saturday, a sqealing noise was noticed coming from the engine. I shut it down and upon restarting, it was heard for about 10 seconds and then the engine quit. Future attempts to restart resulted in the engine turning over very slowly and not able to start. I slackened the belt on the alternator but this didn't make any difference. The alternator turns freely.

Any ideas on what the problem may be??????????

Also where is the cheapest place to buy a repair manual, other than Ebay?

Thanks.

 

[KennyV]

You can try your local dealer or http://www.tractorsmart.com/
They should be able to help you out… You have checked your alternator, how about water pump, or the mower drive clutch… really not enough information to start guessing. Good luck, KennyV.
PS… post back with the problem when you find it… Lots of folks don’t.

 

[seecerpent]

Hi KennyV:

I thought or the water pump, but it isn't leaking.

If I unhook the belts, should the water pump turn freely.

Thanks.

 

[KennyV]

It should turn as easy as the alternator...
Double check yhe mower clutch and associated drive... KennyV.

 

[MrJimi]

I may be way off? but check your oil. I hope for your sake its not that.

Jim

 

[seecerpent]

The oil is good, I just changed it a month ago to synthetic.

 

[Egon]

Remove the fan belt and turn the water pump and alternator by hand to see if they are free.

Egon

 

[RobJ]

I think the starter could overcome a slipping belt pretty easy (hense the slow cranking speed). But the noise makes sense to check the pulleys and anything else attached to the pulleys. As mentioned removing the belts from everything attached to the engine(and mower) would answer this question.

If you can turn it over by hand, via the front pully or a screwdriver in the bell housing you can check to see if the starter is stuck or dragging. This small engine should rock back and forth pretty easy.

Other than this I haven't got a clue.

good Luck, keep us posted.
rob

 

[seecerpent]

OK, this is getting very interesting.

I removed both the alternator belt and the fan belt and both the alternator and the fan pulleys turned easily.

I tried to start it without either belt on and the engine turned over at normal speed and fired right up. I immediately turned it off and reinstalled the belts.

I tried to start it again and the engine would once again barely turn over.

I noticed the main crank, behind the bottom pulley to be quite shiney where it goes into the engine block and there appears to very thin short strips of metal lying down below the engine in the engine enclosure.

Very puzzling................

SeeCerpent

 

[Egon]

Use the belt to put pressure on the alternator and the water pump pulleys one at a time and see if they turn easily. If they do think of proffessional help.

From the notes on the metal it may be the front crankseal, bearing or pulley has moved.

Think dealler!

 

[seecerpent]

I finally got a chance to get back to the tractor problem and figured it out. As any good mechanic will tell you "always adhere to the KISS principal = Keep it simple stupid".

As it turns out the adjusting pulley was seized solid. So for the price of $ 40.00 for new bearings, I'm back in business.

Thanks for all your suggestions Kubota people.

Seecerpent