Help me

Brownswiss 79

New member

Equipment
L3901
Dec 16, 2022
3
0
1
Idaho
L3901 will throttle up and down fine but push the hydrostatic pedal and it moves slightly and then dies. It is cold here like in the single digits. Fluid levels are fine drained water seperator . What might my trouble be
 

i7win7

Well-known member

Equipment
BX2370, B2650 grapple, tree puller, trailer mover, 3 point hoist, mower, tiller
Feb 21, 2020
3,379
3,982
113
Central, IL
Safety switch. I'd check the seat switch first, then look for a switch on the hydro petal next
 
  • Like
Reactions: 3 users

Code

Active member

Equipment
l3301, fel, lp boxblade, 12" lp auger, lp bush hog, z421 zt, lawnvac leaf vac
Dec 19, 2020
132
93
28
Central, Va
i only say it cause it happened to be. is your brake locked on?
 

The Evil Twin

Well-known member

Equipment
L2501, LA526,
Jul 19, 2022
2,814
2,825
113
Virginia
If it doesn't bog down first, it's likely a safety. Seat switch is the first one I'd try.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

NCL4701

Well-known member

Equipment
L4701, T2290, WC68, grapple, BB1572, Farmi W50R, Howes 500, 16kW IMD gen, WG24
Apr 27, 2020
2,789
4,227
113
Central Piedmont, NC
I’d unlock the parking brake and try engaging the PTO while sitting in the seat. If it dies then, that kind of points toward the seat switch.

It’s supposed to die if the hydrostatic pedal moves from neutral with no one in the seat. It’s supposed to die if you engage the PTO with no one in the seat unless you have the brake locked and seat tipped forward. If the seat switch isn’t working, it doesn’t know your in the seat so it won’t let you move the treadle out of neutral (or engage the PTO with the brake off).
 
  • Like
Reactions: 8 users

nbryan

Well-known member

Equipment
B2650 BH77 LA534 54" ssqa Forks B2782B BB1560 Woods M5-4 MaxxHaul 50039
Jan 3, 2019
1,231
763
113
Hadashville, Manitoba, Canada
I’d unlock the parking brake and try engaging the PTO while sitting in the seat. If it dies then, that kind of points toward the seat switch.

It’s supposed to die if the hydrostatic pedal moves from neutral with no one in the seat. It’s supposed to die if you engage the PTO with no one in the seat unless you have the brake locked and seat tipped forward. If the seat switch isn’t working, it doesn’t know your in the seat so it won’t let you move the treadle out of neutral (or engage the PTO with the brake off).
This is the best and simplest description I've seen yet regarding safety switch operation on these tractors.
👌(y)
 

North Idaho Wolfman

Moderator
Staff member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
Jun 9, 2013
30,191
6,362
113
Sandpoint, ID
NCL4701 has some good advice!
Other issue could be Faulty HST pedal switch or wiring.
I'll send you a link for the WSM (aka Service manual) it will have all the troubleshooting info in it.
 

ayak

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3301 HST
Feb 16, 2018
609
819
93
WV
First run this test (from lugbolt):



05E0F62A-943E-466D-8B99-84D4A49410B5.jpeg






In my case, wiggling this connection ‘to’ the seat switch, took me to finding this broken wire—-and I had the exact symptom you describe.

80C8A777-0538-4186-8D3B-E8D217099D82.jpeg


so my seat switch itself was fine, but one of three wires in the plug going to it was partially cut.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 4 users

TheOldHokie

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3901/LA525, B7200DT/B1630, G2160/RCK60, G2460/RCK60
Apr 6, 2021
8,735
4,477
113
Myersville, MD
windyridgefarm.us
L3901 will throttle up and down fine but push the hydrostatic pedal and it moves slightly and then dies. It is cold here like in the single digits. Fluid levels are fine drained water seperator . What might my trouble be
I had that happen shortly after I got mine. Turned out I had left a wrench laying under the seat and it was holding the seat up just enough to prevent the seat switch from closing. Big sigh of relief.....

Dan
 

i7win7

Well-known member

Equipment
BX2370, B2650 grapple, tree puller, trailer mover, 3 point hoist, mower, tiller
Feb 21, 2020
3,379
3,982
113
Central, IL
This was on you tube today
 

Moosemanny

New member

Equipment
L3902
Dec 30, 2022
1
0
1
Massachusetts
L3901 will throttle up and down fine but push the hydrostatic pedal and it moves slightly and then dies. It is cold here like in the single digits. Fluid levels are fine drained water seperator . What might my trouble be
Just fixed this on my tractor. The seat will fill with water and freeze on cold days and you won’t be able to close the seat switch. Heat the seat up to melt the water and try again. If you have a two prong switch, jump the wires together to test. Good luck.