Stalling when just going along - Farm Pro 2420

stevem5215 · May 24, 2008

We've got a 2420 with about 220 hrs on it. I did the 200 hr maint last fall and noticed over the winter and a couple times this spring that the machine would just stall out totally once in a while. It was really weird how it happens. You'll just be going along on a flat part with almost no load on the tractor and even with the mower disengaged it would stall just like you turned off the key on a gas engine. Like it seized up or something. If I pressed the clutch in just as it would happen I noticed it still stalled. Like the engine seized. I'm not exactly sure what is happening. So yesterday I bought all the filters i usually use at Napa and replaced the fuel filter (perfect nothing junky in it), cleaned the fuel screen in the fuel bowl (nothing in bowl or on screen at all). Replaced the engine oil filter and oil. (level perfect the usual black oil but it only had 20hrs just typical) I checked the oil level in the transmission with the typical screw in the dipstick method that so many have argued about. And with it all the way in it was just at the low point. So I added 1 qt of 80w-90 to it to bring it up to the top line. The hydro fluid level was good so I didn't do anything there. I ran it for an hour with no stalling. Anybody have an idea on this ? Everything seems to be good (except for another thread i'm about to post).

Steve (Pittsburgh, Pa)

greg_g · May 25, 2008

There is often a screen inside the fuel tank, at the opening where the fuel flows through the shutoff valve into the sediment bowl. There is also an inline screen in one or more of the flexible fuel line banjo fittings.

How much fuel is in the sediment bowl when the engine cuts out? How much in the fuel filter?

//greg//

bluechip · May 25, 2008

Also, we have seen more than one chinese fuel supply hose collapse on the inside with no external clue, this can be an intermittent problem. Just be sure you have a good supply to the injector pump from the tank.

stevem5215 · May 28, 2008

Looks like it's working ok so far after the fluid adds and checks. No stalling currently. It was weird though how it would do it just suddenly even on a flat surface. The fuel flow looked good and screen was clean. Time will tell if it's ok. But I'm sure I'll be looking at something else on here soon enough.

Steve

quicksandfarmer · May 29, 2008

A dead-heading hydraulic pump can stall the engine too.

schmalts · May 30, 2008

the fuel shut off valve would plug up on mine. When i closed it completely and re-opened it, a rush of sediment would break free into the bowl. Try closing and opening the valve on yours and look at the sediment bowl and see if aany crap comes in. Of course mine is a Kama 554 with the rusty fuel tank

stevem5215 · May 30, 2008

What I usually do when i change the fuel filter is to pull the sediment bowl off and clean it out and then just turn on the fuel valve. When you do this there should be a steady stream of fuel out of it. Mine has been fine. I checked that as well. The tractor is kept indoors out of the weather so that helps keep the water in the tank and rusting to a minimum. Actually, the tractor looks pretty good still. No rust yet.

Steve

Soundguy · May 31, 2008

I'd look at fuel.. that's one o fthe quicker ways to shut down one of those 'air pumps'

A siezed engine would be evident if you could not crank it over immediatly after the stall.

soundguy

greg_g · May 31, 2008

Soundguy said:
A siezed engine would be evident if you could not crank it over immediatly after the stall.

On this particular tractor (Jinma 200 series) there's usually a pigtail hose that comes outa the pressure side of the pump. The pigtail connects the pump to the hydraulic system with a QD-type connector. There is no relief valve between the pump and the QD - which is notorious for popping open at the most inconvenient times. Owners have long been holding them together with cable ties. But when they pop, there's 2500 or more PSI of hydraulic flow that has nohwere to go. The RPMs bog down drastically, black smoke pours outa the stack, the engine usually dies - unless the pump seals blow first. And as long as the seals hold, it will be difficult to start the engine till the hydraulic loop is closed again.

But in this case, I don't think it's a hydraulic issue. I agree that the OP should be looking at a fuel delivery problem. Due to the intermittent nature of the problem, I think Chip's fuel hose diagnosis should be pursued.

//greg//

Soundguy · May 31, 2008

Yep I agree.. the chineese came up with one of the worst possible hyd setups that can be imgined... restrictions in the pressure side of the pump are very possible, and the relief is downstream... that setup just BEGS for murphy's law type issues..

soundguy