L3800HST TLB has me puzzled over engine shutting off. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[SemperFiDawg]

New member. Thanks for accepting into the group. Any help with this issue would be much appreciated.

I have a 2012 L3800HST TLB with around 450 hours on it. Is in almost new condition and was completely serviced top to bottom, front to back about a month ago. Last week engine began to just die while traveling. Odd thing is I could run it all day as long as I was using the backhoe and it never gave a hint of stalling, but on attempts to move further than a few feet the machine just intermittently shuts off. Would immediately crank back up, travel and then die again. Sometimes I could drive it a mile before it shut off and at other times it would die 6 times within 50 feet. It has me baffled as to where to start. 99.999% sure it's not the fuel system as it never happens when I'm on the hoe, just when traveling. I have a WSM and am pretty good at mechanics. My hunch is it's an electrical issue, but I have not idea where to begin with this. Again, sincere thanks for any guidance as to where to start.

 

[whatsupdoc]

Seems like a safety switch issue.

 

[chim]

First, I have no familiarity with that machine, but agree with whatsupdoc that a safety switch is worth a look. Most of these tractors don't like being moved while the seat is (or seems to be) empty. My guess is that the tractor believes you're not seated and shuts off.

 

[Jim L.]

Sure presents like a safety switch. You can get a free workshop manual in pdf at kubotabooks.com. It has a section just on operator presence (safety switch) to troubleshoot. Some of the switches are double hot and grounded. So you can't just jumper without looking at the diagrams first.

kubotabooks shows both an L3200 and an L3800. The paper copy from the dealer works for both.

 

[SemperFiDawg]

Thanks to all who have replied

 

[Russell King]

There is probably more than one safety switch on that tractor. Most likely it is the operator presence switch at the seat. There may be one on the HST treadle pedal that could cause the problem but I think that only limits it from cranking the engine if there is no signal that it is in neutral.

You can test the seat switch by trying to move the tractor and raising from the seat. If the tractor tries to die then sit down on the seat and it should stay running (unless you are too slow to sit). You may be able to adjust the switch to be activated more firmly by putting a shim on the seat bottom. Some tractors have a switch inside the seat also that are reported to be harder to activate in winter due to increased padding from clothing and stiffer seat padding. Georgia may not have that issue unless it is abnormally cold there.

You might just need to lubricate the seat mechanism so it moves easily and more distance?

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

HST, seat switch, or OPC is intermittently cutting the circuit.