Tractor Stalling

[millerjtx]

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for some troubleshooting help with my Kubota BX2380 (equipped with a 55" front snowblower). The machine is just over a year old with only 18 hours on the clock.

The Situation: I was clearing the driveway today in New England (temp approx. 18°F). While returning up a steep incline, the tractor began to struggle, lost power, and ultimately stalled.

What I’ve checked so far:

Fuel Level: The gauge showed 1/2 tank, but because of the steep incline, I thought it might have starved. I added about a gallon of diesel and it restarted.

Fuel Treatment: I added about 1.5oz of Lucas Anti-Gel this past Friday and ran the engine for 20 minutes to get it through the system before this cold snap hit.

Current Symptoms: After filling the tank completely today, it starts fine and idles, but it sounds like it wants to stall out around 1500 RPM. The moment I engage the PTO for the blower and ramp up the RPMs, the engine bogs down and threatens to die.

My Questions:

Given the low hours, is it likely I have an ice/gel blockage in one of the fuel filters that the anti-gel couldn't reach?

Does the BX2380 have a known issue with the fuel pickup when operating on steep grades at 1/2 tank?

Could I have air in the lines from the initial stall that hasn't cleared yet?

I'm wondering if I should jump straight to a filter change or if this sounds like a more specific fuel delivery issue. Any insights would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Shawn T. W]

If it was running after you stalled , there is not any air in the system ...

My concern with the Lucas is it says

• Contains Real water dispersants to effectively remove moisture from the entire fuel system

What it doesn't say is "HOW" it does it ... General there are two ways, make it blend in the fuel and you try to burn it (not a good way to keep your injector pump or injectors happy!) or to force it to separate and then you have to manually remove it via taking off the fuel bowl that holds your filter, the water will settle on the bottom ... hopefully you remove it before it freezes!

It's also possible that it's just a dirty filter that happened to act up when it was cold out ...

Check/change the fuel filter.

 

[Jsjac]

My guess would be the fuel is gelled up. If you can get it in a heated spot to thaw out the fuel.
Do you know if the fuel was from the summer?
Maybe add some of the Power Service red jug. That is for gelled fuel.

 

[pigdoc]

Hot water works wonders. Use that on the fuel line, and drain its contents at the injection pump.
When you get a good stream of clear fuel, you're done.

When I lived in an 1850s log cabin in central Iowa, it was common for the water supply line to freeze every night. First guy that wanted a shower the next morning would drain a bucket off the bottom of the water heater, carry it 50 yards out to the well, and dump it on the supply line. One and done. Badda bing.

-Paul