I just did some cutting and went over a small tree that bogged down the tractor causing it to shut off. When I turned the switch to start it up, the starter did not engage, click, nothing. I have power but it seems I have pulled a wire loose from the starter or hit something to cause it not to start. There were a couple loose wires near the starter, but I'm not certain if they were already disconnected before. Here are a couple pics of the starter. Any ideas?
Bush hog bogged down L3130, won't start up
- Thread starter Burton
- Start date
First check the obvious things. Did you disengage the PTO after the engine stalled? Is the HST pedal centered in the neutral position? Are you holding the clutch pedal all the way to the floor? Etc. While it's possible something got pulled loose at exactly the same time you stalled it, it's pretty unlikely. I've had something similar happen a few times over the years and each time it wasn't some equipment failure, it was me forgetting some basic thing after being thrown off stride by something.
North Idaho Wolfman
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The red wire was connected to the Blue tap, not really the best way of splicing a wire in, Put a ring terminal on it and land it under the nut with the battery cable.
Also if that red wire (after factory add on, betting for something like work lights), doesn't have an inline fuse on it I would add one!
As far as it not starting, Did you shut the PTO shut off?
The other plug looks like it could be a alternator plug, the alternator looks like it's been swapped to a different style alternator (one wire) and doesn't need the plug to work.
Also if that red wire (after factory add on, betting for something like work lights), doesn't have an inline fuse on it I would add one!
As far as it not starting, Did you shut the PTO shut off?
The other plug looks like it could be a alternator plug, the alternator looks like it's been swapped to a different style alternator (one wire) and doesn't need the plug to work.
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I'm thinking this is my issue. It's spending the night in the woods tonight. I'm very unfamiliar with this tractor, so here's to hoping it is something simple. Thanks for your comments.
Hope it's something basic like that. That model is one of the earlier ones to have various govt. required safety interlocks, usually involving wires and switches. It's also now old enough that they can be erratic and drive you nuts.
The L3130 is a workhorse, but it's heavy for its horsepower and doesn't have a surplus of power for heavy pto demands such as severe cutter work. Taking smaller slices will help keep the engine from bogging.
The L3130 is a workhorse, but it's heavy for its horsepower and doesn't have a surplus of power for heavy pto demands such as severe cutter work. Taking smaller slices will help keep the engine from bogging.
Well, I'm really not sure what the HST pedal is, or if I even have one. It isn't called out in my operator's manual and the pics I found online seemed to point to the throttle foot control? I took a couple more pics of the tractor if someone could point it out to me. I'm literally stuck right now.
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North Idaho Wolfman
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L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
You don't have an HST pedal!
You have a gear drive tractor, not a hydrostatic (HST) driven tractor.
Did you splice the wire back into the wire at the starter?
You have a gear drive tractor, not a hydrostatic (HST) driven tractor.
Did you splice the wire back into the wire at the starter?
Not that matters but that's an after market suspension seat. The seat switched would be bypassed! And whomever put the seat together put the seat bottom on backwards.
Pat
Pat
Looking back at those first pics, that looks like a recent replacement starter. Can't tell you how many remanufactured starters and alternators I've seen that were defective out of the box or lasted just a short time. If you can be sure none of those interlocks are at fault, that starter wouldn't be a bad place to begin your diagnosis of what else is wrong with it.
That wire looks like something was bypassed. Those blue connectors are garbage. A proper splice involves anything but the scotchlock. Solder and heat shrink,crimp connectors.
Should solve your problem. Best of luck.
Haha, you're right! I didn't even notice. I realize I'm an idiot, but at least I'm not the idiot that put the seat together backwards.....just the one that didn't notice itNot that matters but that's an after market suspension seat. The seat switched would be bypassed! And whomever put the seat together put the seat bottom on backwards.
Pat
Sorry, I must have looked past this. I hope reconnecting the red wire will get the switch back to the starter. Looks a little more obvious now. I hope this is all it is. I had a small tree come up beside me and I assume it pulled it loose.The red wire was connected to the Blue tap, not really the best way of splicing a wire in, Put a ring terminal on it and land it under the nut with the battery cable.
Also if that red wire (after factory add on, betting for something like work lights), doesn't have an inline fuse on it I would add one!
As far as it not starting, Did you shut the PTO shut off?
The other plug looks like it could be a alternator plug, the alternator looks like it's been swapped to a different style alternator (one wire) and doesn't need the plug to work.
I had to laugh this morning. This reminds me of the insurance reports of how an accident happens.
I can just visualize a tree sprouting out of the ground, growing instantly, with hands and grabbing a part of the tractor.
Good luck with the wire relocation!
I didn't see anywhere in the thread that you have confirmed that the PTO is disengaged (I may have missed it). I don't have the same model tractor as you, but many have an interlock that won't let you start the tractor when the PTO is engaged (mine does have that interlock).
Good luck, I'm betting its something minor like that. These older tractors are really robust.
Good luck, I'm betting its something minor like that. These older tractors are really robust.
Yeah, I said this as if everything was moving relative to me ...when in actuality, I was driving forward. I approached a small tree leaning toward me where the top of the tree was 4 ft off the ground. As I drove into it, it went directly past my leg over the rear wheel fender. I stopped and backed up to avoid injury to my person
Yes, I disengaged the PTO. You may be able to see in one of the pictures that the PTO lever is forward/disengaged.