L345DT - Won't move

[nicemm]

Hello everyone,

I am new to this website. My name is Nick and I am the proud owner of a Kubota L345DT. I have been having a few issues with my tractor lately and I am wondering if any of you could please give any advice.

I recently had to replace the starting motor on my tractor as it would not turn over. After replacing the starting motor I started the tractor and discovered the tractor would not go into any gear. The PTO will still engage and disengage (though not very smoothly, this has been an ongoing issue.) I had forgot to check that the tractor was in neutral when I started it, when it was in fact in gear and the pto was partially engaged. I'm wondering if starting the tractor while in gear damaged something in the transmission?

Thanks,
Nick

 

[nicemm]

Also their doesnt seem to be any noise (grinding, etc) when trying to shift so I'm wondering if there is some kind of broken linkage.

 

[rbargeron]

Hi Nick - and welcome to the informal L345DT owners group - there are a few L345 owners here. Check the range shifter (beside the left floorboard) Up is low range, down is high, and middle is neutral. How long have you owned this tractor?

Did it go into gear ok before replacing the starter? No damage is done starting it in gear - it just can be hazardous to people. Clutch is 2-stage, part way down stops the wheels, full down should stop pto. If pto grinds going into gear, it means the clutch disk is dragging slightly - maybe has some surface rust from years of non-use or linkage adjustment is off.

Good luck, Dick B

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Sounds like you might have blown the clutch.

 

[nicemm]

Im pretty green at tractor/vehicle repair. Is it possible that there is just something wrong with the shifter? If something is wrong with clutch that would require splitting the tractor, correct? Hopefully I don't need to do that.

Thanks,

Nick

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Im pretty green at tractor/vehicle repair. Is it possible that there is just something wrong with the shifter? If something is wrong with clutch that would require splitting the tractor, correct? Hopefully I don't need to do that.

Thanks,

Nick

Sorry wrong forum for green repairs.

Yes you have to split the tractor to work on the clutch.
It could be in the shifter mechanism, but if you feel it shifting gears, not very likely, usually when there is a problem there, it's stuck in one position or flopping around.
But you could pull the shifter out and inspect the parts.
Post some pictures of what you find in there.

 

[rbargeron]

Im pretty green at tractor/vehicle repair. Is it possible that there is just something wrong with the shifter? If something is wrong with clutch that would require splitting the tractor, correct? Hopefully I don't need to do that.

Thanks,

Nick

The L345's dual clutch assembly is pretty pricey but often only the travel disk and release bearing need to be replaced.

I'm still hoping your Hi-Lo range selector is just stuck in neutral. The lever has a welded connection to the collar at the transmission that gets weak. The spring pin and collar can be taken off and re-welded.

 

[nicemm]

Wow I'm an idiot. The range selector was in neutral! I usually just leave that in turtle gear so I'm not sure how it got into neutral but the good news is the tractor moves! Although at some point I will still probably need to service the clutch because the PTO keeps getting more and more difficult to engage and disengage. Thanks everyone for the help.

On a different topic, does anyone know what the size/thread type of the hydraulic 90 elbow connectors on the manifold for the 1720 loader are? I have one that is leaking. I tried doping it and tightening it but it still leaks. I looked in parts manuals for it but it doesn't give any specifications of the thread type/size, just a Kubota part number. I'm wondering if anyone knows the specifications so I can get a generic as the Kubota parts seem hard to come by.

Thanks again,
Nick

 

[rbargeron]

Glad you solved it. You aren't alone in overlooking it.

Quickest solution on the hydraulic fitting is to take it off and go to an auto parts store that makes up hydraulic hoses. They'll be able to match it up for function if not exact appearance.

The pto grinding is common on the L345DT because of its dual clutch. As the travel clutch wears, the pedal linkage can be adjusted to compensate. But adjustment gradually puts the pto clutch out of range so it doesn't disengage. The pto clutch wears less and is not separately adjustable, so the real answer is to replace the worn travel clutch.

Some owners use a work-around for a while, putting off the clutch job. The pto selector is left in N during initial start and warmup. Then, with the engine turned off, the pto lever is put in gear and the engine restarted, keeping in mind the attachment will then be turning. Not the best, but it is easier on the gears until the travel clutch is replaced. Note the pto can be shifted to N anytime to stop the attachment. Dick B