LS2300 Won't crank

[bi0hazard]

Hi all; this is my friend's tractor. Fairly new-ish machine, looks like great condition. Was working fine a few days ago, and then parked. Now it wont start.

With key in ignition, the dashboard lights up, the lights work, and i even hooked up the battery to my f150. So it has battery power. The PTO is off, break depressed, gear in neutral, and seat is being sat on. When I put the key into crank position absolutely nothing happens. It seems like a kill switch is preventing from completing the circuit.

Any ideas on what I can try to troubleshoot before hauling this off to the dealer?

thanks!!!!
B-=

 

[GS650GL]

You didn't say what model tractor, but your member info says LS2300. That is not a tractor model, but there is a LL2300 loader that fits on a MT225S tractor, so I will assume that's what it is. There are a couple safety switches that can prevent it from starting. Try turning the yellow pto knob on and back off, hold the key switch in the start position and try moving the forward/reverse pedals to make sure they are in neutral. The seat switch and park brake do not affect starting. But the biggest issue with a MT225S not starting is the mid pto lever not in neutral. The mid pto lever has to be completely to the rear of the slot or it will not start. If the lever has been moved forward with the engine off, or bumped forward climbing on or off the machine, it can be difficult to move it all the way back to the rear if the gears don't line up properly. Sometimes it may move easily with the engine not running, sometimes not. With engine running, it's easy but if you can't get it running, it can be a problem. Vicious circle, can't get it back to neutral with engine not running, but can't get it running if not in neutral. I have had to manually turn the mid and rear pto shafts to be able to move the lever all the way back to the rear of the slot so I could get it started. This was because the grandkids played with the levers while sitting on the tractor. I have also seen the lever unintentionally moved while climbing on or off the tractor. Because of the lever location, it can be easily bumped forward from the off position.

 

[Avenger]

Another, very common issue with these tractors is the chassis ground connection. I know the OP mentioned that everything comes on when the key is turned, but wont crank, and that might sound like a good gound. But it has been my experience (and many others) that the ground connection is not good enough for cranking.

Follow the negative cable from the battery to where it is bolted to the chassis. Remove that bolt and cable from the frame. Take a wire wheel or angle grinder and remove the paint/rust/dirt etc from that connection. Clean the cable end too. Add some dielectric grease to the newly cleaned area and reattach the cable.

This issue could be a neutral safety switch as mentioned, or it could be a bad ground. Or perhaps a blown fuse... or a bad starter solenoid/starter. But start with the basics first.

 

[Eagle1]

Also on HST the pedal switch has to be active to ensure no directional travel is indicated.

 

[alexpops]

After checking all the above ... What is the voltage reading at the fuse panel? same as at Battery? I had a similar issue caused by the Hot side wiring, specifically, corrosion at the 100 Amp main fuse. Battery read 12.6V, fuse panel showed 5V.