B3200 won't crank

[snout]

Let me preface this post with the fact that I did search the forum and ran through some troubleshooting steps previously provided. I wanted to create this thread to document all of the troubleshooting steps required and hopefully include some photos if they help.

Issue: 2013 Kubota B3200 won't crank.
Symptoms:

- Turn ignition key to first position, Battery and Oil light illuminate
- Turn key to second position, Glow plug light illuminates
- No first or second click when turning key to any position
- Some amount of creak when engaging the speed lever​

What I have done:

- Battery is brand new and when I hit it with a MM, shows 12.5v
- Verified seat dead man switch is engaged
- Verified that what I believe to be the Neutral rod is correctly engaging and disengaging the safety switch. Meaning the little plunger in the tube thingie is moving back and fourth and engaging the pressure switch thingie.
- Lubricated neutral rod and nearby zerks
- Wiggled speed lever to try and get it centered (only with ignition off)
- verified PTO is not engaged (wiggled levers)
​

Next steps:

- Going to try doing a wiggly sit-in-the-seat-with-the-clutch-pedal-in-wiggle-the-speed-lever-while-key-turned dance
- Jump safety switches (I hope this is ok with just a set of alligator jumpers)
​

Unfortunately the tractor is sitting about 27 acres away and in an area with poor cell reception, so I have to hoof it back to civilization to use my Google-fu. Also, the tractor is not in a spot where it can't be towed / trailered easily, so I'm going to do my best to work on it out there. I'm not above calling a dealer to ask for help, I just dread dealing with my local dealer.

Anyhoo, pitter patter, back to chorin'.

 

[Bing187]

That's a pain,
I have had an issue with my B3300 since new... only happens about 2x a year. I shut it off, or get up out of the seat while running, and it dies, with exact same scenario as you describe.... A couple times it was that I'd bumped the pto lever, but you've done the wiggle. I believe the problem (for me at least) is another switch, which I think is in the transmission.... I've gotten it to start eventually by randomly pushing the forward/ backward pedals, or rocking the tractor with my own weight..... A few times I've given it a tug with the truck and it worked.....Once, I couldn't get it to turn over no matter what, wiggling, rocking, pushing, pulling.... Pulled it onto the trailer, and when I got it home, it started no problem. Don't know what it fixed, but just pulling it onto the trailer didn't do it, must have been the bumping over the road action that jarred something.
Don't know if that helps any, but I'd try rocking it, or tugging with a truck or another tractor....

 

[snout]

Well sure enough, she just needed a little extra attention.
I followed the above advice and had to repeat the same actions a few times.
I finally got her to click + crank and start up.

In the end, the order I followed is this:

- Try starting (in seat, foot on clutch pedal), if no luck
- Cycle and reset PTO levers
- Rock speed lever back and fourth
- Try starting (in seat, foot on clutch pedal), if no luck
- Turn key to position 1 and wiggle speed lever and PTO levers
- Try starting, if no luck
- Turn key off
- rock tractor back and fourth in gear
- Repeat steps again​

Since everyone loves a thread with photos, here's one of her after I got her started up:



Many thanks for the assist, @Bing187 :beer: