L2800 with starting trouble

Don't have a clue about the pedal thing because I don't have an HST tractor but the starter issue sounds like the Bendix is hanging up. You can lube it with WD 40.

CMB said:

Bought a one owner L2800 HST last year and it's developed a couple of starting issues. First, I have to rock with the foot pedal back and forth to find a "sweet" spot for the engine to turn over. Sometimes it works the first time and then again I give up and move on to something else and try again later. I feel sure there is a safety switch some where in the pedal linkage that needs adjusting or replacing, but couldn't find it. Any ideas? The second issue is when the starter tries to engage, the drive doesn't seem to engage the flywheel gear. Good (new) battery and starting voltage to the starter. Again, it works perfectly sometimes and then again it'll not engage. The gears are not chipped or broken. I've read where others have installed an other starter relay but don't know if that's the right answer. ANY help is appreciated.

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First get some resource material such as a Workshop manual (WSM) from Kubotabooks.com for your tractor.



http://kubotabooks.com/AutoIndex/in...s/&AutoIndex=aae12cb565025bee3e356e8676e88bcc

Look for the section on Operator Presence Control. Section 9-M3.
It will give you a better understanding of the various safety systems on your tractor.

When your starter does not work properly, be armed with a short length of approx 14 gauge wire. Bare about 1/2" of each end exposing copper.

Be very careful as this test can get you run over or worse as all safety features are bypassed. The online WSM is from Scotland. It may not be exactly the same as your machine but will be close. Preferably have someone on the tractor with foot on brake.

On your starter solenoid ( the smaller round upper part that the main battery cable connects to, look for a much smaller white wire. To "Jump," the starter first touch one bare end of your test wire to the large battery cable terminal. Next, when you touch the other bare end of your test wire to the terminal with the small white wire, the starter should immediately engage. There may be some small sparking as you touch but no concern.

If the starter does not engage and operate vigorously, then you ave identified your culprit. If it does operate as it should, then your issues lie in the Operator Presence Control circuit.

Section 9-S13 shows a similar test with the starter off the tractor. Clearly a safer way to test if you are uncertain.

Good luck and feel free to ask more questions.

Dave

Every time I had starting problems it was a safety switch. The seat was the normal problem...followed by the shifter safety switch making sure it is in neutral...

My take is start there...then maybe the jump of the starter...but mine was always a safety switch issue...

I think on the L2800 HST the actual electrical switch is found by your right foot in the pedestal. Should have four wires coming out of top. Plunger activated.

Look under the tractor beneath the HST pedal. You should see mechanical linkage moving that pushes on the plunger when the HST pedal is centered.

Make sure that the switch is firmly held in its metal case.

When the plunger is pushed, contacts 1 and 2 will be shorted; contacts 3 and 4 will be shorted.

First thing to look into is that HST switch is doing what it is supposed to do with mechanical linkage.

Based on the past week's workload, if you think it's a safety switch, replace the engine, clutch, transmission, wiring harness, battery. Then when you're lost, take it to the dealer and they'll replace the one fuse ya missed and you'll be on your way.

NIH is likely right. The HST pedal switch (aka neutral switch) has been a sore subject with those tractors. I'd start there first. They will sometimes act up and make you think that there's something else bad wrong. And no I wouldn't go bypassing any of them with a piece of wire even for diagnostic purposes. I had a tech working for me when I was independent, did a field repair for a 4200 that wouldn't start. His diagnosis was the same...piece of wire or in his case a paper clip, hits the key, tractor starts, runs over him and drags him in front of the bush hog which was dragging the ground behind the tractor. Got messed up pretty good but he's alive and laughs about it to this day. I don't laugh about it. It was a serious deal. It only takes a minute to properly diagnose a switch with a cordless test light, but it takes years (if ever) to recover from injury caused by the other way.