tractor shuts down

[crackercap]

I have a 2015 HST with FEL and the other day I was working with the tractor and on 3 different occasions it just quit running. I restarted it after looking it over and could find nothing wrong. It just shut down like it was a fuel problem. Any one have any possible explanation or cause for this to happen. Many thanks!!!!

 

[Nissan197]

Did you have a load on it when it stopped? How many hours does it have on it and have you ever changed the fuel filter?

 

[LAWALLSTRACTOR]

I have a 2015 HST with FEL and the other day I was working with the tractor and on 3 different occasions it just quit running. I restarted it after looking it over and could find nothing wrong. It just shut down like it was a fuel problem. Any one have any possible explanation or cause for this to happen. Many thanks!!!!

Either you have an abstruction in the fuel tank, filter, or line, or a problem with the fuel shut off solonoid, or an electrical problem, to the fuel shut off solonoid. I would guess something floating arround in the fuel tank is a good bet.

 

[Gmware]

You probally have a dirty fuel filter. That's the first thing I would check.

 

[knute_m]

I have a 2015 HST with FEL and the other day I was working with the tractor and on 3 different occasions it just quit running. I restarted it after looking it over and could find nothing wrong. It just shut down like it was a fuel problem. Any one have any possible explanation or cause for this to happen. Many thanks!!!!

I would certainly agree with the others that it is probably the fuel filter. I fully service my tractor once a year. When I buy new fluids and filters, I always buy at least one extra fuel filter -- so that I have two extras in the workshop after I service.

This is the second year in a row when I have experienced the same basic problem as you describe. Both times it has happened when the temperature has dipped down to about 10 degrees F. The filter basically puckers up and collapses with mushy ice and dirt. I find it truly disgusting when I pull it out. It will be black and slimy. Putting in a new filter gets the tractor running immediately.

This time of year, it doesn't hurt to put some diesel fuel additive in the tank either -- like cetane boost with water absorber and cleaner -- especially if you are using fuel you bought in during the summer. It will help it keep from jelling, and it will absorb some amount of moisture that can form in the tank from condensation.

 

[Sergei]

I would certainly agree with the others that it is probably the fuel filter. I fully service my tractor once a year. When I buy new fluids and filters, I always buy at least one extra fuel filter -- so that I have two extras in the workshop after I service.

This is the second year in a row when I have experienced the same basic problem as you describe. Both times it has happened when the temperature has dipped down to about 10 degrees F. The filter basically puckers up and collapses with mushy ice and dirt. I find it truly disgusting when I pull it out. It will be black and slimy. Putting in a new filter gets the tractor running immediately.

This time of year, it doesn't hurt to put some diesel fuel additive in the tank either -- like cetane boost with water absorber and cleaner -- especially if you are using fuel you bought in during the summer. It will help it keep from jelling, and it will absorb some amount of moisture that can form in the tank from condensation.

I'm curious as to what brand of fuel filters your buying for your tractor because it just seems odd that as I've got 265 hours on the same fuel filter that came with the tractor and no problems. My dealer gave me a spare when I brought my tractor and so far the tractor has showed no sign of missing out or stalling out even in minus weather here in Iowa. Now my service manual say to change it out when the tractor starts to have problems and not before. I just make sure that I buy from a good fuel source and also add a diesel fuel additive all year round.

 

[PILOON]

If you see any white stuff in the filter, you are waxing.
The waxing is the parafin that is in fuel that gells when cold.
Solution is to use an additive designed for that problem.
In all probability you have summer fuel in the tank that is un treated.

I always treat my fuel since I once had to walk home due to waxed up filter.

 

[civesnedfield]

I agree with all that has been said prior. Sounds like a fuel issue. I will add one other cause though. It could possible be the pick up screen in the fuel tank. To check this remove the fuel filter, then turn the fuel on. If you have a strong stream of fuel it's not the pick up screen. If the flow is weak it's the screen for sure. This has been an ongoing issue with some folks here.

 

[knute_m]

I'm curious as to what brand of fuel filters your buying for your tractor because it just seems odd that as I've got 265 hours on the same fuel filter that came with the tractor and no problems. My dealer gave me a spare when I brought my tractor and so far the tractor has showed no sign of missing out or stalling out even in minus weather here in Iowa. Now my service manual say to change it out when the tractor starts to have problems and not before. I just make sure that I buy from a good fuel source and also add a diesel fuel additive all year round.

That is interesting that you have been able to get that many hours on your fuel filter. I'm using genuine Mitsubishi filters from my Mahindra dealer.

It isn't the filter that is the problem for me, it is the fuel. We don't have many choices for fuel. It all comes in the same big truck that fills up all the local stations that have both on-road and off-road diesel. 50 hours of run-time, and my filter bowl has a 1/8 inch of black junk in the bottom, and the filter is nasty.

 

[Transit]

That is interesting that you have been able to get that many hours on your fuel filter. I'm using genuine Mitsubishi filters from my Mahindra dealer.

It isn't the filter that is the problem for me, it is the fuel. We don't have many choices for fuel. It all comes in the same big truck that fills up all the local stations that have both on-road and off-road diesel. 50 hours of run-time, and my filter bowl has a 1/8 inch of black junk in the bottom, and the filter is nasty.

That BLACK sludge may be Diesel bugs growing. You need to add a biocide to kill the bugs.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Either you have an abstruction in the fuel tank, filter, or line, or a problem with the fuel shut off solonoid, or an electrical problem, to the fuel shut off solonoid. I would guess something floating arround in the fuel tank is a good bet.

Additional question. ... Does tractor die like it was turned off? ... or like it weakens to the point it just wont run?
larry

 

[SPYDERLK]

I'm curious as to what brand of fuel filters your buying for your tractor because it just seems odd that as I've got 265 hours on the same fuel filter that came with the tractor and no problems. My dealer gave me a spare when I brought my tractor and so far the tractor has showed no sign of missing out or stalling out even in minus weather here in Iowa. Now my service manual say to change it out when the tractor starts to have problems and not before. I just make sure that I buy from a good fuel source and also add a diesel fuel additive all year round.

That is interesting that you have been able to get that many hours on your fuel filter. I'm using genuine Mitsubishi filters from my Mahindra dealer.

It isn't the filter that is the problem for me, it is the fuel. We don't have many choices for fuel. It all comes in the same big truck that fills up all the local stations that have both on-road and off-road diesel. 50 hours of run-time, and my filter bowl has a 1/8 inch of black junk in the bottom, and the filter is nasty.

Iv got 750 hrs on the 7520 fuel filter. I have a spare, but no indication of a need to change so far. I use heating oil. No additive.
larry

 

[Sergei]

I serous doubt the problem is the dealer or truck hauling the diesel fuel as everyone would be having problems and station would have to clean their tank. Most likely which was already mentioned you've got problems with thing growing inside your tractors fuel tank.

All diesel fuel contains micro-organisms and when the conditions are favourable the "bugs" will rapidly grow. Both micro-organisms and asphaltenes can cause fuel filters to block., with subsequent engine malfunction, or worse still, engine stoppage. Removing water from your tanks and keeping the fuel fresh goes a long way to mitigating the problem. Other steps that can be taken to control microorganism growth is using a good quality diesel additive.

Diesel “bugs” should not be confused with asphaltene chemical sludge compounds formed as diesel fuel ages. Asphaltene sludge can also cause fuel filters to block with subsequent engine malfunction, or worse still, engine stoppage.

 

[kjung17]

Question: If you are running out of fuel, how hard is it to restart? If it's starting right up, I would look somewhere other than fuel.
Observation: I regularly see 1000 hour fuel filters without problems. Changed a set yesterday that had 1300 hours. From August '08. lol.

 

[crackercap]

Additional question. ... Does tractor die like it was turned off? ... or like it weakens to the point it just wont run?
larry

One time as I was using the brusg hog on a slight incline, it just quit running as if I had turned the iginition off. The second time I was going uphill with no pto running and it quit again. It started right up again, I looked at the fuel filter and it looks okay, I have less than 100 hrs on the tractor but i will change to a new one to eliminate that possibility. I have been hesitant to change it for fear of getting air in fuel line as once happened to me on a larger tractor and took me quite awhile to get running again.

 

[SPYDERLK]

I think the problem is electrical then. Ignition switch ... fuel solenoid :confused3:
larry

 

[kjung17]

Does it always die on an incline? Have you checked your engine oil? New engines tend to use oil until rings seat. Could you be losing oil pressure? Are you coming off of the seat switch for any reason?

 

[Sergei]

One time as I was using the brusg hog on a slight incline, it just quit running as if I had turned the iginition off. The second time I was going uphill with no pto running and it quit again. It started right up again, I looked at the fuel filter and it looks okay, I have less than 100 hrs on the tractor but i will change to a new one to eliminate that possibility. I have been hesitant to change it for fear of getting air in fuel line as once happened to me on a larger tractor and took me quite awhile to get running again.

I'm not sure how your tractor fuel comes out of the tank but it was mentioned in an earlier posting about something flowing around in the tank. It make sense if your on an incline whatever might be in the tank would move to the back of the tank and might block the line.
Some people in another posting had reported about the inside lining of the tank coming off but I don't remember what model that was being talked about. Something to consider.

 

[PoorMansCat]

If it readily restarts like a normal startup, its not going to be fuel contamination, fuel starvation, or filtration issues. I would suspect a safety shutdown, either operator safety, or engine protection (if equipped). Some engines have low oil pressure, high coolant temp. shutdown switches.. and while you may not be actually experiencing an overheated engine or low oil pressure, a faulty switch can shut the fuel system down due to an incorrect signal.
An operator seat safety switch could be the culprit. Checking all safety switches with a VOM would be the first thing to do.. While its not advisable to bypass, you might have to temporarily install a bypass to see if it cures the issue. Just use care when operating the tractor in this condition.

 

[Sergei]

An operator seat safety switch could be the culprit. Checking all safety switches with a VOM would be the first thing to do.. While its not advisable to bypass, you might have to temporarily install a bypass to see if it cures the issue. Just use care when operating the tractor in this condition.

This is a tractor and not a lawn mower and unless they've changed I can't see why you would every have one, now maybe the Kubota tractors use one but my year Mahindra doesn't have one and if it did I would disable it. Can't imagine having to restart the engine every time I get off, talk about being hard on the engine.