PTO malfunction

[possumbuddy]

Hello Kabota fans. I have been using my Kabota L 4400 tractor for over 5 years and have enjoyed every minute of it. I hitched up the old bushog to do a little cleanup the other day and after mowing for a short distance the tractor would just sputter and die. This happens every time I engage the pto lever. Other than that the tractor runs like the machine should. Anyone have any suggestions before I load the thing up and drive 5o miles to the nearest dealer? Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

 

[tinkerwitheverything]

Just throwing this out there. Have you ever changed the fuel filters. Could be dirty and restricting the fuel flow when the tractor is put under a load. If it seems to run OK without a load and wants to die while under a load.try disconnecting the pto shaft to the mower and try it with the pto engaged without the mower. see if it still dies. If it does maybe something electrical ?? in a safety switch.

 

[philkent]

First thing i would do would be change the fuel filter

 

[thebicman]

While your changing the fuel filter take a look at the air filter. Engine needs two things to operate fuel and air. Also was there any change in the exhaust when this occurred. As in more black?

 

[mickeyd]

Welcome to the OTT forum Buddy.

If you are using Bio-diesel, then did you put in some Bio-Cide to kill the 'algae' growth?

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

The problem is the seat safety switch, it's there to make sure your back side is in the seat when the PTO is running.

 

[lugbolt]

The problem is the seat safety switch, it's there to make sure your back side is in the seat when the PTO is running.

Wouldn't a seat switch make the engine IMMEDIATELY die-as if the key was turned off, as opposed to a sputter?

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Wouldn't a seat switch make the engine IMMEDIATELY die-as if the key was turned off, as opposed to a sputter?

Normally, unless it's just a bad connection causing the fuel stop solenoid to sputter intermittently, seen a couple that did that.

 

[adventure bob]

A different tact to take:

Unhook the PTO shaft and make sure you can turn the shaft going to the cutter by hand, spinning the blades. If you cant turn it by hand or if its difficult then the problem is that your cutter needs some love. I can turn the blades of my 6ft with one hand.

Were talking about what 38ish HP at the shaft? How big is the BH? When was the last time you ran it and did it run fine then?