LS 3039H Won't start after hitting log with brush hog

javarob · May 31, 2016

Hello! I am about to call the dealer to come an pick it up, but I thought someone might be able to offer a suggestion or an option that I didn't think of.

I was running my brush hog and hit a log. It killed the tractor which is a rare occurrence. So I turn off the PTO and all I get is a "click", and sometimes a "buzz" when I try to start it. The motor does not turn over at all as thought the PTO is still on and I am not in the seat.

I have in the past gotten a stick wedged in some place that kept it from starting. I don't know what it was touching or how, but pulling out the stick got it running. That could have nothing to do with anything. Anyway, I don't see anything like that now and I have not been any brush at all for a while.

Has anyone had anything similar happen and been able to resolve it. Sorry I know the question is kind of vague, but thanks for any help you can offer.

George2615 · May 31, 2016

Double check all your safety switches. Seat, PTO, neutral, HST pedals, etc. I'd suspect the sudden stop may have bent the PTO switch linkage.

Wa11banger · May 31, 2016

click and buzz sound is usually low voltage to a start motor/bendix.. Check battery voltage with a volt meter.. Check with someone with you to confirm while trying to start just how low the volts go. If you are heading south of 10v you don't have enough battery left to start the tractor. Safety switches don't limit you to a click and buzz.

If you believe your PTO is bound, disconnect the shaft to the bushhog and try again.

You should do your testing with known test points.. Battery voltage and disconnecting likely culprits will get you started down that path

TnAndy · May 31, 2016

Wa11banger said:
c Safety switches don't limit you to a click and buzz.

Agreed....if you're getting ANY indication of starting, it's not likely a safety switch problem.

Might also check terminal connections and other end of the ground cable for good contact. Sometimes a sudden jar can loosen a connection point just enough to cause a bad connection.

nybirdman · May 31, 2016

Was the slip clutch working or shear pin shear? A sudden stop to a high RPM diesel can't be good.

javarob · May 31, 2016

nybirdman said:
Was the slip clutch working or shear pin shear? A sudden stop to a high RPM diesel can't be good.

Thanks everyone for the input. I didn't check the shear pin. I didn't consider it to be an electrical issue since I had not had any starting issues up to that point. It makes sense though that something could have come lose. I'll check the shear pin and see what I can figure out with the battery. I would love it if it were that simple. I am not sure where all the rest of the safety switch components are, but I will see if I can hunt those up. Thank you all sincerely for the help. I'll post a response if I find the issue.

javarob · Jun 3, 2016

George2615 said:
Double check all your safety switches. Seat, PTO, neutral, HST pedals, etc. I'd suspect the sudden stop may have bent the PTO switch linkage.

I was in Grass Monsters in Raytown drooling over some ztr's. I asked the owner if he would mind having a look just to make sure I wasn't missing something obvious. Though this type of machine isn't what he typically works on, he said he would give it a shot. He found it pretty quickly. It seems to be this:

It is kind of hard to tell from the pic, but that is a button/switch. The edge of the bar that comes down in the right as you look at the picture should be sitting on top of the button. It seems to be bent, but bending it back isn't trivial.

The zip ties were to hold the button in (short term solution). At least it let me get some of the grass knocked down! I am just glad to know what it is even though I don't have a clue yet what it is going to take to actually fix it correctly.

I just wanted to update this in case anyone else ever struggles with this.

Thanks for all the help!