What happened to my Kubota?

[Wmrick56]

This is an L2501 bought new in 2016 and has 27 hours on it. I use it to scrap my drive and move rock occasionally. Just dropped a new battery in it and it turns over but won’t crank. This tractor always fired up as soon as the starter was engaged but now it just spins over. I put a new fuel filter in it yesterday but still does the same thing. Turned the bleed screw open and it finally fired up and ran good, but when you shut it off and try to crank it again it just spins over. Could the new battery be the culprit? It is a new Kubota battery but is not maintenance free like the one that originally came in it. I just got this tractor paid for last year and now it’s giving me trouble. Thanks for any help here…

 

[Henro]

So you are saying, the starter turns the engine but the engine does not start?

I would start looking at whatever the set up is on that tractor with respect to start up and shut down. Many tractors have a solenoid that either enables the engine to start or shuts the engine down for stop.

ONLY 27 hours on the tractor after almost five years? Amazing!

 

[Wmrick56]

So you are saying, the starter turns the engine but the engine does not start?

I would start looking at whatever the set up is on that tractor with respect to start up and shut down. Many tractors have a solenoid that either enables the engine to start or shuts the engine down for stop.

ONLY 27 hours on the tractor after almost five years? Amazing!

I forgot to mention it has about half tank of fuel and when I changed the filter I found no water/moisture. Yes, only 27 hours and the only thing I did was put in a new battery…

 

[lynnmor]

If the battery runs the starter at normal speed, it is fine. If you have been running the starter much, get the battery on a charger and keep it fully charged for maximum life. Also, running the starter for too long can destroy it from the heat generated.
Since opening the bleed screw got it running once, you could try that a few more times to purge any air. If you still have problems, you need to start at the tank and go forward till the fuel issue is found.

 

[Henro]

I forgot to mention it has about half tank of fuel and when I changed the filter I found no water/moisture. Yes, only 27 hours and the only thing I did was put in a new battery…

I think you need to check the electrical circuit that enables the injector pump to supply fuel. Granted a fuel blockage could also be the problem, but so could a blown fuse. You might want to check all your fuses to make sure nothing is blown.

Chances are pretty good you are not getting fuel to the cylinders. Why is the question. Could be a fuel issue or a fuel control issue.

Just giving a perspective, as I do not have any knowledge of your tractor specifics...

 

[Henro]

If the battery runs the starter at normal speed, it is fine. If you have been running the starter much, get the battery on a charger and keep it fully charged for maximum life. Also, running the starter for too long can destroy it from the heat generated.
Since opening the bleed screw got it running once, you could try that a few more times to purge any air. If you still have problems, you need to start at the tank and go forward till the fuel issue is found.

This is a good point. Maybe an Excellent point!

BUT it appears the problem came up before you changed the fuel filter. Still, bleeding the lines after the fuel filter change might indicate something. Since the tractor started once when you did that...

Possible you could have an intermittent electrical problem...

Keep us updated as you try different things and someone will likely help finding a cure for your issue.

 

[Wmrick56]

This is a good point. Maybe an Excellent point!

BUT it appears the problem came up before you changed the fuel filter. Still, bleeding the lines after the fuel filter change might indicate something. Since the tractor started once when you did that...

Possible you could have an intermittent electrical problem...

Keep us updated as you try different things and someone will likely help finding a cure for your issue.

I also questioned how far the bleed screw needs to be opened. When I turn it open about 1/4 turn, I meet resistance and didn’t want to mess that up. Maybe I need to open it more than 1/4 turn?

 

[Wmrick56]

I keep it on a battery tender and I’ve been careful not to crank it for no more than 5 seconds at a time. It used to fire up within only 1 second of cranking. I don’t know what happened when all I did was put in a new battery. You are correct about burning up the starter and I don’t want to go there…

 

[Henro]

We all have different abilities and understanding of electro/mechanical systems.

In the case of my BX2200, it died when I was cutting grass and would not continue to run. It would start but immediately stop. Turns out, on that tractor, the electrical solenoid must continuously be energized to provide fuel to the engine.

The coil to hold the fuel solenoid in the run position failed. Tractor would start but immediately shut down when the key was released and moved from the start to the run position.

All I am trying to say, is if the engine cranks but does not start, you likely have a fuel issue. Especially with only 27 hours on the tractor.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

I'd be draining the OLD fuel out of the tank, clean the tank, new filers, clean all the lines.
Hard to believe old fuel isn't contaminated with something....or has any 'bang' left in it.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Yea I'm pretty sure you need to open the bleed screw more than a 1/4 turn, unless they changed the bleeder to a 1/4 turn valve.

 

[Wmrick56]

Yea I'm pretty sure you need to open the bleed screw more than a 1/4 turn, unless they changed the bleeder to a 1/4 turn valve.

The bleed screw will open more than 1/4 turn. I guess it was just my knob that has never been opened before now. It will actually open about 1 1/2 turns. It is running now but I’m going to drain the tank and put some Shell top tier diesel in it tomorrow. I’ll let you guys know how that goes. Thanks for the replies…

 

[fried1765]

So you are saying, the starter turns the engine but the engine does not start?

I would start looking at whatever the set up is on that tractor with respect to start up and shut down. Many tractors have a solenoid that either enables the engine to start or shuts the engine down for stop.

ONLY 27 hours on the tractor after almost five years? Amazing!

The OP is not alone with his 27 hours in 5 years.
I bought my original owner 2006 L48 TLB in 2019, with only 251 hours.
In the past three years I have used it for 3 hours.
The L48 is a beauty, and she is my baby!

I do have a 1989 Ford 1920 FEL also.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

The OP is not alone with his 27 hours in 5 years.
I bought my original owner 2006 L48 TLB in 2019, with only 251 hours.
In the past three years I have used it for 3 hours.
The L48 is a beauty, and she is my baby!

I do have a 1989 Ford 1920 FEL also.

I really think you need to loan your L48 to a friend to use.
We are friends aren't we!

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

The bleed screw will open more than 1/4 turn. I guess it was just my knob that has never been opened before now. It will actually open about 1 1/2 turns. It is running now but I’m going to drain the tank and put some Shell top tier diesel in it tomorrow. I’ll let you guys know how that goes. Thanks for the replies…

Get some algicide treatment for it!

 

[Outnumbered]

Like others have stated, with that low usage you should treat all of your fuel. I have a 2017 with over 560 hours on it so a 2016 with 27 is very unusual.

 

[hodge]

Such low hours gives lots of time for moisture to form in the fuel tank, and bacteria to grow. While I'm not telling you how to own your tractor, I will say that they are intended to be run, hot and hard. Babying them can bring problems that don't come up when they are run as intended.

 

[fried1765]

I really think you need to loan your L48 to a friend to use.
We are friends aren't we!

Of course we are friends!

Perhaps I could loan the L48 to you for a week at a time?
You could pick it up on a Friday, and you could return it the following Friday.

I might even consider letting you borrow my 14K trailer as well.

It is only about 2900 miles from N. Idaho to me.....EACH way!
I am certain that you would drive safely!

 

[Wmrick56]

Such low hours gives lots of time for moisture to form in the fuel tank, and bacteria to grow. While I'm not telling you how to own your tractor, I will say that they are intended to be run, hot and hard. Babying them can bring problems that don't come up when they are run as intended.

OK, this is what I accomplished today. Drained a

Such low hours gives lots of time for moisture to form in the fuel tank, and bacteria to grow. While I'm not telling you how to own your tractor, I will say that they are intended to be run, hot and hard. Babying them can bring problems that don't come up when they are run as intended.

Thanks to everyone for the replies! It was indeed a fuel problem. I drained the tank and put in top tier fuel with Stabil stabilizer and Biobor JF biocide. Only put in 5 gallons for now. Cranks and runs as it did brand new now. Thanks again

 

[Wmrick56]

OK, this is what I accomplished today. Drained a

Thanks to everyone for the replies! It was indeed a fuel problem. I drained the tank and put in top tier fuel with Stabil stabilizer and Biobor JF biocide. Only put in 5 gallons for now. Cranks and runs as it did brand new now. Thanks again

Why is this website seem glitchy on my iPhone. I type something and then get an error erasing most of what I just typed? Anyone else having that problem? I’m glad I found this site though!