John Deere 5520 Will Not Crank / Turn Over

JeremiahLayman · Jun 29, 2016

Hello,

I am here hoping someone can help me repair my neighbors tractor. All of my equipment is old so the new stuff is a bit challenging for me.

The problem we are having is that the tractor will not turn over. It has 12.35V at the battery, the shift lever is in the "Park" position, and I do hear a click in the instrument panel when the key is turned to on. The dash seems to have power and shows the PTO engaged light and air filter light when it is turn to the start position. I do not get any voltage at the starter solenoid either for what it's worth.

Before heading over there I wanted to check with you folks so I know what tools to bring. I am wondering if the PTO being engaged is preventing the tractor from starting now that I think about it "out loud".

Thanks for reading about my little issue here I really appreciate forums like this that help us little guys get by.

Jeremiah
Rogue River, OR

JD5210 · Jun 29, 2016

The PTO needs to be disengaged, before it will turn over. Here is a link to the operators manual.

http://manuals.deere.com/omview/OMRE199128_19/?tM=FR

Deere5420 · Jun 29, 2016

Had the same problem on my 5420. Unplugged the cold start advance plug that is on the thermostat housing, after I located the blown fuse, and it started right up. The plug was about $50 at the dealership. They said it is a common problem.

JeremiahLayman · Jun 30, 2016

Thank you for the suggestions. I did some further investigation and found that a rock had become lodged between the pto engagement lever and safety switch. The plastic body on the safety switch is broken which prevented the little level from contacting the PTO lever, preventing the engine from cranking. I ordered a replacement and a spare from the JD dealer for about $33/unit.

On another note, while under the tractor I noticed that the rubber fuel line is dry rotted and beginning to leak. Anybody have any idea why the would use ten feet of rubber hose instead of plumbing a hard line? I am considering making a hard line and connecting it with 3/8" flexible lines at each end? Is there any reason I should NOT do this?

Zebrafive · Jun 30, 2016

I see no reason NOT to make a hard line. My JD lawn and garden tractor, JD 285, has a hard line for less than two feet from a rubber line off the tank along the frame then back to rubber to the filer, then pump. I was surprised they used such a short section of hard line. This on a 27 year old L&G tractor.