B3030 PTO, Neutral, Seat Safety Switches

[sodak]

Yesterday I fired up my Kubota B3030 for the first round of mowing with the 72" belly mower. The engine starts to die intermittently when I'm on the seat, PTO is engaged, and HST pedal has us moving.

I'm not sure which switch is faulty - sometimes it seems to stop dying when I move around on the seat. It definitely quits dying when I either disengage the PTO and usually when I return the HST to neutral.

It appears that the prior owner jumpered whichever switch is on the right side near the linkage and rear wheel.

How do these switches work together? When working properly, I imagine some are open and some are closed circuits? Where should I begin?

Thank you;

 

[RCW]

Does it die like turning key off, or does it start to stumble/sputter?

First thought is seat switch, but if it’s stumbling, it could be a fuel flow/ starvation problem.

 

[sodak]

Does it die like turning key off, or does it start to stumble/sputter?

First thought is seat switch, but if it’s stumbling, it could be a fuel flow/ starvation problem.

 

[sodak]

It dies like it is losing ignition - fairly certain it is a safety switch.

 

[RCW]

Yeah, just guessing, but I’d start with the seat.

I recall others having issues with newer B-series seat switches. Seems like there’s a finger-like actuator that wouldn’t quite close the circuit. Some added some padding to the mating surface make it close tighter. Not sure of the configuration of your switch, but worth looking at.

 

[sodak]

Thanks - it appears to have been the seat. I taped a washer to the bottom of the seat and mowed a couple of hours - the problem went away.

 

[desoto bill]

I have a similar issue, but have no lights, no click at the solenoid, no nothing. I tried holding down the seat switch but still nothing. If it's not the seat switch, which is the next most likely switch to check? Thanks.

 

[BAP]

Have you checked your battery and connections? Make sure the PTO lever is in neutral.

 

[desoto bill]

Have you checked your battery and connections? Make sure the PTO lever is in neutral.

I had just used the tractor and a portable backup jumper battery device didn't help. I have checked the PTO lever. The thing that gets me is no lights at all - dash, turn signals, headlights = nada. I'll double check, though. Thanks.

 

[Dustball]

Lights aren't dependent on any safety switches. You have a blown fuse or an open connection somewhere.

 

[Henro]

There’s a good chance you have a main in-line fuse that is separate from the small block that holds multiple fuses. If you don’t find a blown fuse in the block, look for the main fuse inserted in a wire somewhere.