Kubota L3300: Rear PTO Will Not Disengage

[1dcorbin]

I have a 1994 Kubota L3300 GST with about 1500+ hours on it. The rear PTO will not disengage.

I mowed with the tractor for about an hour today before I tried to disengage the rear PTO. When moving the lever to disengage the PTO, it seemed as though the PTO 'almost' disengaged.

I tried shutting the tractor off, moving the PTO lever back and forth, etc. None of that has worked.

I changed the transmission oil at 50 hours. But, I have only changed filters since that time.

Is the 'fix' just a simple cable adjustment? Or, could there be other issues?

 

[pat331]

1dcorbin, I'm not familar with the L3300 so I've got some basic questions. Has it ever done this before? Is the PTO disengaged/engaged with a cable? or with a lever/shaft into the transmission. Did you look to see if there was a stick or branch that might have wedged into the mechanism? If it is a cable that shift it in and out, it could be corroded to the extend that it won't move. Let us know what you find.

 

[1dcorbin]

pat311:

The PTO is controlled by a cable. There is an operating lever at the operator's seat and an operating lever on the right side of the transmission. The 2 levers are connected by the PTO cable.

I did not notice anything jamming the cable such as a twig nor anything. But, it was end the end of the day and I did not have the daylight to crawl around the machine.

I have never adjusted the cable. So, it may be a bit out of adjustment.

I usually keep the tractor inside. But, it has been sitting out for a couple of weeks. So, maybe corrosion is an issue. But, the shift levers seem to be moving freely though.

Also, there may be a bit more play in the operating lever than what I am used to. So, I will start with checking the cable adjustment. And, the look at the play in the operating lever as well.

Thanks for the feedback. I will let you know how I make out tomorrow.

 

[pat331]

1dcorbin, thanks for the update. One way to check to see if the cable is the problem is to disconnect it from the lever that goes into the transmission and try to move that lever with you hand. I'm betting a cable is your problem. Good Luck and keep us posted.

 

[wch]

Hello.

I have pretty much the same problem on a B7510-HST (2005) with only 300 hours on it. While mowing a pasture with the brush mower, I noticed that the PTO stays engaged whether the lever is in the engaged or the neutral position. It won't go to the 1000 rpm position. Using the clutch is the only way to get the PTO to stop (or shut off the engine). I kept mowing for about 4 hours with no other problem. No unusual sounds, except for a noticeable clicking sound when I push in the clutch (just a single click when I push the clutch pedal all the way down. nothing loose. no persistent clicking. clutch seems to work fine otherwise.). All the hydraulics work fine. Engine, clutch, HST all seem OK. The forward-facing PTO is not engaged.

There is no cable I can see when I crawl under the tractor. Only the lever under the floor pan on the left moving a shaft into the transmission and this all seems correct.

Maybe this, along with your situation, will trigger some insight with an experienced operator/mechanic.

 

[Marty394]

Well, if your tractor is similar to my L3010, I just had the opposite problem. My cable had too much slack and wouldn't pull the pto lever far enough. The cable pushes the lever to disengage it. Therefore, if the cable is sticky it may bend rather than push the lower lever. Also the same may happen if the pto mechanism is sticky. Earlier mention of disconnecting the cable at the lower end and operating the the upper and lower levers by hand should locate the problem.

Bob

 

[1dcorbin]

wch, I am sorry to hear that you have a similar issue!

Guys, I fooled with my machine a bit yesterday. But, I could not readily access the lower cable end to disconnect it due to very limited space and time constraints.

However, there appears to be a slight bit of slack in the cable. Enough slack such that the sping loaded lower lever should move far enough to disconnect. I could not move the lower lever either with my hand or a small pry. So, I am thinking that the issue is likely not with the cable.

I called 2 Kubota service centers today. Only 1 returned my call. Based upon what I have related above and previously, the service tech felt it likely that the issue is inside the machine.

The Kubota tech related that he had seen this repair only once before. But, he seemed fairly young and this Kubota dealer (where I bought this unit new) is in a fairly rural area.

If the machine has to be split, it's likely a 3 day repair and about $2000. If this is the case, I am going to be TORQUED given how well I have maintained and pampered this machine coupled with the relative low hours (1500 hrs) on this $17k (1994 dollars) piece of industrial equipment.

I have found a number of other web sites where other Kubota owners with much lower hours on their machines than mine have had similar issues.

I know I am going to call Kubota direct.

 

[1dcorbin]

Hey folks, how about an update?

This is not my first issue with this tractor. So, let me give you a brief rundown of the woes I have had with my L3300 (Please note that I bought this machine new and it's always lived a pampered life as a sheltered machine.):

1. My L3300 was recalled in 1996 by Kubota to replace a defective front
axle holder which could have resulted in the front axle dislodging (per
Kubota letter).
2. While the tachometer is indicating 540 RPM rear PTO speed, the rear PTO
is actually running at about 400 +/- RPM. I discovered this fact while
attempting to build a PTO generator in 1999. (I reported this to Kubota at
that time.)
3. I replaced 1 of the front axle seals, the other is now leaking.
4. The seat pan of my tractor is rusted apart. I will need to purchase
another seat.
5. I have had to superglue one of the rear tail lights back into position
since one of the plastic 'screw bosses' has broken loose. The other tail
light is loose and vibrating.
6. Oil is leaking from around the rear PTO shaft.
7. The rear PTO is now locked into the running position. The cable shifter
moves the transmission lever, but the rear PTO will not disengage.

After 2 weeks of phone calls and emails, I found out that Kubota 'lost' my contact information. I finally spoke to a decision maker who told me to go to my 'local' Kubota dealer 40 miles away for it to be repaired.

Based upon the history of issues I have had with the tractor and my recent customer service experience with Kubota, I am going to go my local farm repair shop. At least they seem to possess the skills and desire to take care of me.

Likely, I can soon post the resolution to my PTO issue.

I also hope that none of you are / have experienced the problems I am having. But, that's likely not the case from what I am seeing on the net.