tractor won't start after shutoff

[IKE76]

Hi guys. I'm a lurker here. I've been reading for about 15 years but only posted a half a dozen times when I thought I might have some insight to some one else's problem or question.
Now I need help. I have a Kubota 2910 with 750 hours on it. Always started and ran perfect. I was mowing and knocked a lens cover off one of the turn signals. Without thinking I stepped off the tractor to get it so I wouldn't mow over it on the next pass. Of course the tractor shut off because I hadn't turned off the pto to the mower. Now it won't start. I've checked all the obvious stuff. All the fuses are still good. Both pto levers are in the off position, and the hydrostat pedals are in the neutral position. I've looked underneath to make sure there are no sticks jammed where they shouldn't be. All of the lights, turn signals and hazard lights are still working. The battery terminals are clean and in good shape. I did try to jump it just in case, but got nothing. When I turn the key I get nothing but a clicking sound on the right side of the engine. I assume it's some kind of relay or solenoid. I'm a good mechanic but not a good electrician. With the key in the run position I can raise the seat and play with that switch and get the same clicking sound. I've tapped on the thing that's making the clicking with a hammer and also tapped on the starter and that solenoid but still nothing.
Anybody have any ideas ?

 

[Cpjlube]

I am not familiar with your model but start with the obvious stuff. Get the manual out and verify all the safety switches. You mentioned the seat and PTO switches. Are there any other safety switches? If the switches are the plunger type switch make sure the plungers are pushed in completely.
For example, there may be a tab on the seat that presses against the switch when you are seated.

With a simple multi meter you could test every safety switch on the tractor in half an hour.

Of course, if you are comfortable with doing so...... You could just jump the switch and try to start it.

 

[oosik]

I have a JD riding mower that had the same problem about two years ago. There is a safety switch on the bottom of the seat. It got so caked up with dirt that it quit working. At first, I bounced up/down on the seat and it came back to life. It did it again, the same day, so I ended up taking the cheap-O plastic switch apart and cleaning it. Now I blow all the crud off/around the switch with my air compressor 2X/year - no mo problemo.

 

[Egon]

Is the mower in gear?

 

[IKE76]

The mower pto is off. and the switch under the seat is still free. When I put the seat up with the key on I can work that switch and hear a clicking noise on the right side of the engine. I have worked the plunger on all the switches I can get to and all seem to be working mechanically. Not sure about electrically. I don't know How to use a multi meter. I'm stumped.

 

[seaneastok]

I am not familliar with your tractor. Does it use a pto lever or switch? I suspect that your pto might still be engaged inside the tractor ,telling whatever sensor or switch that the pto is engaged, even though the switch is off. I would try spinning the shaft by hand and see if it turns free.That might also trip whatever engagement mechanism is inside the tractor.The clicking you descrice sounds like all of the safety switches are working..
Regards
Sean

 

[skyhook]

It sure sounds like the seat switch to me also,,
it may be "clicking",, have you checked the wires to it.

seaneastok, may have something there also,
move the pto manually, it may still think it's engaged.

 

[IKE76]

Hi Guys
I didn't want to leave everyone hanging. I ended up putting the tractor in the shop last Tuesday. They called Thursday but I was out of town. I picked it up last night. They said they found a rock obstructing the clutch pedal safety switch and a bracket that was bent just enough so my seat wasn't triggering the safety switch under it. $ 171
Took it home and worked on the driveway for an hour then shut it off to put on the mower deck. It won't start again. Same clicking noise as before. Took it back to the dealer this morning and am waiting for them to call.
Thanks for everyone's suggestions. Will let you know what happens.

 

[RaydaKub]

Sure sounds like they charged you $171 for not fixing the problem, but getting lucky that it started once.

 

[MoKelly]

If I recall, there have been other threads about non-start issues after a Kubota shut down with the PTO still engaged. You may want to search for those threads. It seems to be an issue others have faced.

MoKelly