L3901 Complete Power Loss after 30 mins with PTO operation

WazzuInOregon · May 11, 2021

I was doing some brush cutting this past week and after about 30 minutes my tractor powered down and died. When I would try to restart it, it would turn over very slowly. After letting it sit for about an hour or so, it would start back up. I could cut for another 30 mins and then it would power down and stop again. I switched implements to a tiller. Same thing happened. I switched because I needed to till, not that I thought it would get a different results.

So, at first I thought of the usual suspects for stalling/power loss: fuel or air. I tried running without the fuel cap. Same thing. The tractor was due for it's 200 hour service, so I got all the filters, replaced everything (fuel filter, cleaned out float and replaced filter there). After getting things back together and topped off, I started it back up and then went and did some work with it for about an hour and a half. I moved some dirt from a mudslide on a little access road, used the bucked to grade it a bit, and scooped and moved some other dirt and mud from here to there. Basically, giving it a work out, but not with an implement, just the front loader. Everything was fine.

I hooked the brush cutter back up, went back to one of my fields and started mowing...30 minutes later...power down and died. I was do irritated.

Any ideas or thoughts as to what might be going on? Why is this only happened when I'm using a PTO implement?

denchen · May 11, 2021

I`m not an expert, but it sounds like when it`s under load and wants lots of fuel, it`s not getting there. From what you say, I don`t think air is the problem, as I think it would loose power as soon as you made it work hard. Why not enough fuel?. You`ve done the filters, so. Could it be a part blocked fuel pipe with crud from manufacture, or suppose one of the fuel pipes has worked loose or got a tiny crack and is letting in air. After it has rested, and before doing anything else, I think I would have a good look at all the fuel line connections to see if any are even slightly damp from a fuel leak. Anyway good luck.

ptsg · May 11, 2021

Did you check the coolant level? Like taking the radiator cap out and look inside, when it's cold of course. Almost sounds like it's overheating and trying to seize the engine. Then it cools down and starts again. What makes me think that is the fact that it will barely spin right after it dies, while it's still hot. The it cooldown and everything is free again.

Also check the oil too.

K5lwq · May 11, 2021

I agree with ptsg sounds like it is getting hot. If it is not low of water, make sure the radiator fins are clean.

Grandad4 · May 11, 2021

Sounds like overheating to me also. Did you look at the temp gauge when it stopped on you? Could be low on coolant. Also if you mow with it, the vanes of the radiator probably need cleaning. Clippings and chaff accumulate there (in spite of the screen), and you need to rinse it with a water or an air hose periodically (not the pressure washer!). That may be the reason for coolant loss.

sea2summit · May 11, 2021

K5lwq said:
I agree with ptsg sounds like it is getting hot. If it is not low of water, make sure the radiator fins are clean.

That^

I'd also be curious as to the size of cutter and ambient temps. HST or gear? 4WD? Terrain your mowing? How much material are you cutting? Tractor may be turning it fine when it's cool(er) but as everything heats up it doesn't have the power. Can slow down or get a smaller cutter but that's not my recommendation without more info.

5030 · May 11, 2021

Sounds to me like it's overheating as well. When was the last time you really cleaned the rad out (as in washing it out from the fan side) after using compressed air to blow the chaff out? I clean mine every evening when I get in from running hay.

O do know one thing and that is, if you are overheating the motor, at some point the motor will fail. Kubby motors don't take overheating well. They tend to blow head gaskets or worse. I also presume you have checked the oil level?

crashz · May 11, 2021

If it over-heated a half dozen times to the point of stalling each time, wouldn't the damage to the engine start to be noticeable? I would expect it to at least run oddly. Just playing devil's advocate.

Could it be as simple as a seat switch that is making partial contact?

Very interested in seeing what happens here.

BTW - I mow a dozen or so properties with my L2501 and 5ft brush-hog. Heavy grass, STEEP hills and summer temps. No issues with overheating. However I have had issues with the little switch and PTO cable sticking. But that usually leaves me with either a no-start or the PTO is stuck on.

Deere Dude · May 11, 2021

My JD has a couple screens in front of the radiator that when beginning to plug up and the temperature rises on the engine the tractor will kick out the mower. When working it mowing especially on tall grass in the summer heat, it will do that often. Keeping the screens clean along with the radiator is important.

Maybe a collapsed radiator hose or could be plugged inside the radiator. Possibly undersized under engineered radiator.

s219 · May 11, 2021

Sounds like overheat induced by plugged radiator from mowing. Whenever I bush hog, I stop every hour or two and blow out the radiator with a leaf blower. If I go much longer it will really get plugged up. Had you seen any indication of elevated engine temperature on the dash gauge?