Little Lawn Tractor won't start -- help?

[FordTruckGuy]

Little Lawn Tractor won\'t start -- help?

Here's the situation: My little tractor won't turn over. Nothing. I had a buddy helping me clear brush and pulling a cart with the tractor. The tractor ran out of gas. When he went for gas, he left the key turned in the "on" position for about 20 minutes. I do not know if this is enough time to drain the battery.
We later tried to charge the battery or jump it from one of the vehicles. Again, nothing.

Basically, when you turn the key, you hear a click, and then nothing. However, the lights and the hour meter do work, so there is some charge in the battery. The deck is off the tractor, so there is no issue with me accidentally leaving the mower engagement level on.

Can anyone think of what might be the trouble? Could it be the fusible link in the starting circuit being blown, in which case I guess I'd have to see the dealer?

Is it worth replacing the battery to see if that is it, or does it sound like it isn't a battery problem, given that the lights and the hour meter still read?

Thanks a bunch

 

[FordTruckGuy]

Re: Little Lawn Tractor won\'t start -- help?

Oh yeah, the model is a Deere LT160.

 

[bczoom]

Re: Little Lawn Tractor won\'t start -- help?

Whenever that happens to me, it's a loose wire. Check the wire connections at the alternator first as at least with mine, they're the ones that get bumped or vibrated loose.

Brian

 

[ByronBob]

Re: Little Lawn Tractor won\'t start -- help?

If your battery is drained so low that even jumping it won't start it you might want to get a new one. I think it's the battery. If not charge it overnight and try in the am.

 

[1962]

Re: Little Lawn Tractor won\'t start -- help?

sounds like a loose wire to me too.. make sure all the safety switches are not on safe. ie pto lever switch, and i think for the newer tractors you have to sit on the seat for it to start.

 

[frank_f15]

Re: Little Lawn Tractor won\'t start -- help?

sounds to me like a safety switch or a bad connection.

 

[Volfandt]

Re: Little Lawn Tractor won\'t start -- help?

More than likely it's the battery.
Avg lifespan for a L&G battery is +\- 3 yrs and a bad cell will keep one from takeing & holding a good charge.
I had one that I ran down when trying to start and I put it on a 2amp charger for 8 hrs and it did take a charge and started up the 18hp Kohler twin but the tractors electrics wouldn't recharge it enough to start it again.
A new battery fixed it right on up.

Loose connections can do it too but a fully discharged battery may never work the same again....

Good luck
Volfandt

 

[FordTruckGuy]

Re: Little Lawn Tractor won\'t start -- help?

OK, so I tested the battery with a Voltmeter, and it is evidently not the problem. I'm getting a 12V reading every time. So could be the starter cable, the solenoid switch, or still something obvious that I am not thinking of.

 

[bontai_Joe]

Re: Little Lawn Tractor won\'t start -- help?

Your battery may have 12 volts, but not enough amps to start the tractor. Most auto parts stores will test that for you for free with a load tester, takes around 20 minutes or less.

 

[cherymax]

Re: Little Lawn Tractor won\'t start -- help?

Yep you need to do a load test or use a hydrometer to check it's specific gravity.

I had exactly the same problem you described... I spent about 4hrs refusing to believe it was my 2 yr old batt. only to find out... I had a bad cell in the batt.. My battery also produced 12v, lights came on... etc.. etc... but wouldn't crank it over.

If you try to jump your tractor unhook that battery 1st.