Kubota l4701 will not crank

Tbaldo

New member

Equipment
Kubota l4701 and utv 900
Mar 26, 2023
8
0
1
Buffalo ny
When i turn the key to start the tractor there is a short click. If the key is on and i push the hst pedal for forward or reverse a steady clicking sound takes place. If the key is left on and i get of the seat the same continuous clicking takes place.
Please help
 

Grandad4

Active member

Equipment
1949 Farmall M, previously owned: L 4610, BX 2230
Apr 5, 2016
323
79
28
Greensboro, NC
When i turn the key to start the tractor there is a short click. If the key is on and i push the hst pedal for forward or reverse a steady clicking sound takes place. If the key is left on and i get of the seat the same continuous clicking takes place.
Please help
Several possibilities... you'll need to go down the list to find the culprit.
1. Misadjusted or defective safety switch or wiring thereto
2. Weak battery
3. Corroded battery cables or terminals
4. Bad ground connection to the chassis
5. Bad starter switch
6. Failing starter or solenoid.
7. Alternator failing to charge
There are probably some other possibilities but it's most likely one (or more) of these.

Have you owned and used the tractor for a while or is it something you recently acquired? What condition is it in? Has it been kept out of the weather or ??? Heavily used?
The above list is pretty basic but if you are not mechanically inclined, perhaps you can seek out some local help.
 

Tbaldo

New member

Equipment
Kubota l4701 and utv 900
Mar 26, 2023
8
0
1
Buffalo ny
I have owned since new. Approx 1o years old. Has 225 hours on it kept out of the weather.
 

Grandad4

Active member

Equipment
1949 Farmall M, previously owned: L 4610, BX 2230
Apr 5, 2016
323
79
28
Greensboro, NC
I have owned since new. Approx 1o years old. Has 225 hours on it kept out of the weather.
#2, 3 and 4, from previus message seem most likely to me. Have you tried to jumper it from another vehicle?
 

Tbaldo

New member

Equipment
Kubota l4701 and utv 900
Mar 26, 2023
8
0
1
Buffalo ny
#2, 3 and 4, from previus message seem most likely to me. Have you tried to jumper it from another vehicle?
First thing i did was put a new battery and i cleaned the connections when doing. Have full voltage getting to the starter.
 

fried1765

Well-known member

Equipment
Kubota L48 TLB, Ford 1920 FEL, Ford 8N, SCAG Liberty Z, Gravely Pro.
Nov 14, 2019
7,843
5,066
113
Eastham, Ma
First thing i did was put a new battery and i cleaned the connections when doing. Have full voltage getting to the starter.
"Cleaned the connections"
Both ends ????
 

Wull

Member

Equipment
Tractor
Mar 21, 2023
72
14
8
Scotland
Apply direct voltage to the starter to see if it cranks.

On the starter you will have the connector that comes from the battery, you should also have either a block connector or similar which is the ignition feed to the starter, remove this and use a jumper cable from the direct 12v feed to this switched feed terminal.
 

Tbaldo

New member

Equipment
Kubota l4701 and utv 900
Mar 26, 2023
8
0
1
Buffalo ny
Apply direct voltage to the starter to see if it cranks.

On the starter you will have the connector that comes from the battery, you should also have either a block connector or similar which is the ignition feed to the starter, remove this and use a jumper cable from the direct 12v feed to this switched feed terminal.
Just to understand: i hook a jumper from the battery feed to the place on the starter that the ignition feed was connected?
 

Wull

Member

Equipment
Tractor
Mar 21, 2023
72
14
8
Scotland
Just to understand: i hook a jumper from the battery feed to the place on the starter that the ignition feed was connected?
yes, if it cranks over then you know the starter is good, you can quickly remove it and bench test it as well just to be sure, the solenoid can still be faulty though so best thing to do is test to see if you’re getting 12v at the ignition feed when you turn the key to start.
 

North Idaho Wolfman

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Lifetime Member

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L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
Jun 9, 2013
30,185
6,353
113
Sandpoint, ID
Any codes?

I'll caution you: Randomly powering any part of an electronically controlled vehicle can lead to some expensive repairs!
 
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Wull

Member

Equipment
Tractor
Mar 21, 2023
72
14
8
Scotland
Activating the starter will do nothing to any ECU or computer control systems, even if it had any. The starter has a 12v direct feed anyway and even with the ignition switched off applying voltage to the switched feed terminal will do absolutely no harm at all.

Also the main fuse is there to protect the system anyway.
 

North Idaho Wolfman

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Lifetime Member

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L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
Jun 9, 2013
30,185
6,353
113
Sandpoint, ID

North Idaho Wolfman

Moderator
Staff member
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L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
Jun 9, 2013
30,185
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Sandpoint, ID
Activating the starter will do nothing to any ECU or computer control systems, even if it had any. The starter has a 12v direct feed anyway and even with the ignition switched off applying voltage to the switched feed terminal will do absolutely no harm at all.

Also the main fuse is there to protect the system anyway.
This is all done with the assumption that he gets the RIGHT wire and powers it!

I guess i should have wrote:
I'll caution you: Randomly powering THE WRONG part of an electronically controlled vehicle can lead to some expensive repairs!
 

Wull

Member

Equipment
Tractor
Mar 21, 2023
72
14
8
Scotland
I think the starter on your tractor will have the two poles and ignition feed connector.

On this one it should be the same, bridge from the constant 12v feed pole to the switched feed terminal.
I can double check the one on my tractor tomorrow and get some pics for you, I have both set ups, double pole and single pole starters but they’re all the same principle.
 
Last edited:

Wull

Member

Equipment
Tractor
Mar 21, 2023
72
14
8
Scotland
This is all done with the assumption that he gets the RIGHT wire and powers it!

I guess i should have wrote:
I'll caution you: Randomly powering THE WRONG part of an electronically controlled vehicle can lead to some expensive repairs!
You can’t power the wrong part on the starter, you have either direct feed terminals or switched feed terminals, you cannot apply power to the wrong bit.
The starter itself is earthed to the engine.
 

sheepfarmer

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L3560, B2650, Gator, Ingersoll mower
Nov 14, 2014
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MidMichigan
My hackles start to rise when I think someone is giving good advice for the tractor they may own and they don't recognize that some of the tier IV tractors don't have those parts or don't work that way. The L4701 is one of those newer tractors. Before attempting any thing like jump starting or replacing battery be sure to read owners manual or shop manual as NIW suggested. Easy to fry ICU.

The clicking you hear when you have the hst pedal centered is a fuel pump, and needs to work to get fuel through the system to high pressure pump. The tractor won't start if the pedal is not centered, and it is normal for that ticking to continue while you are off the tractor. It is a useful feature to get air out of lines after changing fuel filter.
 

Wull

Member

Equipment
Tractor
Mar 21, 2023
72
14
8
Scotland
My hackles start to rise when I think someone is giving good advice for the tractor they may own and they don't recognize that some of the tier IV tractors don't have those parts or don't work that way. The L4701 is one of those newer tractors. Before attempting any thing like jump starting or replacing battery be sure to read owners manual or shop manual as NIW suggested. Easy to fry ICU.

The clicking you hear when you have the hst pedal centered is a fuel pump, and needs to work to get fuel through the system to high pressure pump. The tractor won't start if the pedal is not centered, and it is normal for that ticking to continue while you are off the tractor. It is a useful feature to get air out of lines after changing fuel filter.
again you can’t cause any damage whatsoever when testing or applying voltage to the starter, You are essentially doing what’s meant to be done, 100% safe to do this test to the starter.

It’s a simple test that will help eliminate culprits.

I have some of the very latest machines at work and I have to carry out these tests from time to time with absolutely no issues whatsoever.