When I bought my used BX23D, only on rare occasions would the engine start with the key. It was so rare that the previous owner had wired in a push button start switch. So normally, I'd turn the key to 'ON' then hit the auxiliary start switch. While I was messing around fixing some other things today, I discovered why she wouldn't start with the key: from under the right side of the tractor I could see the neutral safety switch actuator ("neutral holder switch rod" per Kubota) wasn't lining up with the switch. I could push it into position, but it would slip out of alignment after working the control pedal back and forth a few times.
With the right rear wheel off, I could see the actuator was kind of loose on its pivot pin. There was so much slop that I could easily push it into and out of alignment with the switch button.
Kubota could have added a 1/4" of steel to the switch base plate to keep the actuator from flopping out of alignment. I could weld a little tab on to do the same thing, but it looked like that wasn't an easy part to remove. So I did a hillbilly fix instead, using a turn of stainless steel wire around the actuator pivot pin as a spacer/washer. Twisting it tight pushed the actuator up against the head of the pivot pin just enough that it has half the play it used to and stays in contact with the safety switch. Now it starts with the key every time!
I figure I'll run it for a week or so. If she stays fixed, the previous owner's auxiliary start switch is coming off!
With the right rear wheel off, I could see the actuator was kind of loose on its pivot pin. There was so much slop that I could easily push it into and out of alignment with the switch button.
Kubota could have added a 1/4" of steel to the switch base plate to keep the actuator from flopping out of alignment. I could weld a little tab on to do the same thing, but it looked like that wasn't an easy part to remove. So I did a hillbilly fix instead, using a turn of stainless steel wire around the actuator pivot pin as a spacer/washer. Twisting it tight pushed the actuator up against the head of the pivot pin just enough that it has half the play it used to and stays in contact with the safety switch. Now it starts with the key every time!
I figure I'll run it for a week or so. If she stays fixed, the previous owner's auxiliary start switch is coming off!
