TC 29D Running Problems

BarryBolio · Sep 28, 2019

My TC29D for the last month has been having some issues running. For example I値l be brush hogging for an hour, then without warning the engine will begin to weaken and stop. At times earlier this year I had a similar problem but believed I had diagnosed the issues as my seat safety switch had come off the button (my seat safety switch is a piece of plywood holding the button down. The metal piece broke off over a year ago). Now however when I adjust my seat safety plywood, the tractor will not start, cranks like it wants too, but won稚 start. If I wait 30-45 minutes it will typically start up and run for another hour until it turns off again. I知 not a mechanic and I知 woefully unprepared to fix my blue beast, but could use some NH for Dummies type solutions.

Many thanks!
Barry

jbrumberg · Sep 28, 2019

Barry- I had the same seat safety switch problem with my TC29DA. I am no electrician and am mechanically challenged, but I just removed the seat safety relay switch and "shorted/closed" the circuit with a piece of wire as advised here on TBN years ago. It's worked for me for many years w/o incident. Just out of curiosity have you checked your air filters for debris buildup form brush hogging? Or checked your fuel tank's filler cap vent opening? Have you cleaned your battery posts and checked your starter switch for corrosion? Sometime it's the simple stuff that is understandable to those so mechanically/electronically challenged that's causing the problem.

I hope someone who really understands this stuff posts a reply. We'd both benefit.

Good luck.

BarryBolio · Sep 29, 2019

Update: I checked air filter and cleaned off radiator grill too. I知 not sure where the fuel filler cap cent, can you give me some guidance on that. The battery connections also look okay.

I added some hydraulic fluid, and antifreeze. As it was very low.

Tractor runs longer if in 1st range without much exertion. If I push the workload, the tractor starts to die. If I take out of heat the rpms will eventually recover. I can go this way for about an hour and after that will only run for a couple minutes and then die.

Be honest, do I need to call my mechanic?

Barry

jbrumberg · Sep 29, 2019

Barry- How old is your diesel fuel and is there any crud in your fuel filter sediment bowl? I would call- It's better to get a tractor serviced before it starts to snow than later.

Last year my tractor needed scheduled maintenance. I set the pickup long before any anticipated snow. What I did not anticipate was how long it would take for the dealership to return it. We probably had ~1.5' of snow before dealer left the tractor at the bottom of the driveway on the road due to plow drifts. I had to dig my way back in.

Roadworthy · Sep 29, 2019

It is possible you have some blockage inside your fuel tank preventing fuel from freely moving out. Fuel may seep by more slowly than your tractor is burning it. Your problem may not be temperature related but time and fuel consumption related. If you could rig a small temporary auxiliary tank to replace the fuel tank you could confirm or eliminate this possibility.

jbrumberg · Sep 29, 2019

I am thinking algae and/or crud buildup at this point, but I am certainly no expert.

ruffdog · Sep 29, 2019

With my boomer, just cleaning to debris from the front of the radiator was not enough. I always had to use the wand with compressed air and blow from the back side. Unless you get light to shine THROUGH the radiator, you never know if it is clean enough for it to actually cool.