Kubota L39 tractor

dytnmsnry

New member

Equipment
L39 Tractor
Dec 17, 2017
3
0
0
Midland, Texas
Tractor is 2007 model...stills runs great...but will not move forward or backward when I let the clutch out...motor dies...think it may be a switch problem..anybody know what could cause this?
 

mikester

Well-known member

Equipment
M59 TLB
Oct 21, 2017
3,602
2,085
113
Canada
www.divergentstuff.ca
Tractor is 2007 model...stills runs great...but will not move forward or backward when I let the clutch out...motor dies...think it may be a switch problem..anybody know what could cause this?
Parking brake? Gears not engaged properly? Mechanical problem? Fuel problem?

Not enough information provided
 

dytnmsnry

New member

Equipment
L39 Tractor
Dec 17, 2017
3
0
0
Midland, Texas
Gears engaging properly, not a fuel problem as the tractor runs fine...Mechanical problem possibly....parking brake is off....is there a kill switch or fuse that would keep the tractor from moving forward or backward when the clutch is released....hydraulics are are all working fine....the closet Kubota dealer is 150 miles from me unfortunately...
 

sheepfarmer

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3560, B2650, Gator, Ingersoll mower
Nov 14, 2014
4,451
679
113
MidMichigan
Not familiar with that model, but for many of us that symptom is associated with a seat safety switch. Mine goes wonky in cold weather...
 

dytnmsnry

New member

Equipment
L39 Tractor
Dec 17, 2017
3
0
0
Midland, Texas
have already connected the two wires together on the seat safety switch basically bypassing the switch and creating the loop.....didn't fix the problem...thanks for your advice...pretty sure its something simple....safety switch somewhere...most likely electrical issue...
 

baronetm

Member

Equipment
L3901HST w/FEL, 3rd fnct. BH77 BH, 5' Bushhog, 6' BBL, 42" Forks, WoodMaxx WM-8H
Apr 19, 2017
122
12
18
South Central VT.
I had a 1998, B7100 that did the same thing, found the clutch safety switch did no work well in cold weather. Sprayed the switch with electrical contact cleaner and it was better but still acted up occasionally. In the end I pulled the wires and placed a jumper between them, never had another issue. My issue would kill the engine when the clutch was engaged.
 
Last edited:

lugbolt

Well-known member

Equipment
ZG127S-54
Oct 15, 2015
5,248
1,924
113
Mid, South, USA
It's been a year or 3 since I've messed with an L39, but on the grand L 40 series, the seat switch can't be just bypassed. It is a window switch that only makes contact at a certain point. The WSM should tell you how it works better than I can describe it. I do remember on the GL 40's and some of the GL 30's as well that folks tried to "jumper" the seat switch and had same issue-die immediately as soon as you throw it in a gear, engage pto, or move HST pedal away from neutral.

IIRC there's also a switch under the seat that is only activated with the seat turned around to use the backhoe. I've seen that switch give some issues from time to time as well.

When it dies, does the engine IMMEDIATELY die, as if you were engaging teh clutch in an old truck in overdrive gear from a stop light? OR does it die "normally" as if you turned the key off?
 

whitetiger

Moderator
Staff member

Equipment
Kubota tech..BX2370, RCK60, B7100HST, RTV900 w plow, Ford 1100 FWA
Nov 20, 2011
2,942
1,399
113
Kansas City, KS
have already connected the two wires together on the seat safety switch basically bypassing the switch and creating the loop.....didn't fix the problem...thanks for your advice...pretty sure its something simple....safety switch somewhere...most likely electrical issue...
You also have a Seat Turn Switch that is under a cover behind the seat IIRC.
It will also shut engine down when clutch is engaged I believe. Have not serviced an L39 for several years.
 

rentthis

Active member
Lifetime Member
May 30, 2012
1,007
24
38
summerville,sc
Whitetiger is right. The seat turn switch under the front part of the seat could cause that problem. It did with mine. It also has a switch on the parking brake. I have had that cause problems as well.