[JDFarmer]

I got my JD 3203 stuck and had to pull it out and towed it back to the barn. I towed it in neutral, engine off, all 4 wheels on the ground,and only about 400 yards. Once I got it back to the barn, it tried to turn over, but then wouldn't turn over at all. Did I mess it up by towing it?

 

[steddy]

I doubt it. Might have got water or mud somewhere it wasn't supposed to be or incredible coincidence with bad battery or some interlock failure. With selector in neutral how you had it, the rear end should be disconnected from the trans. MAYBE should have tied down the clutch, but probaly would be OK.

Anything else electrical working at all? Lights?

Have any pictures of the helpless tractor buried up to its axles?

 

[TUDOR]

Times 2 on the disconnect from the hydro when the range shifter is in neutral.

 

[JDFarmer]

I doubt it. Might have got water or mud somewhere it wasn't supposed to be or incredible coincidence with bad battery or some interlock failure. With selector in neutral how you had it, the rear end should be disconnected from the trans. MAYBE should have tied down the clutch, but probaly would be OK.

Anything else electrical working at all? Lights?

Have any pictures of the helpless tractor buried up to its axles?

I don't have any pics of the predicament I got the tractor in. I was brush hogging one of my trails and got too far over a soft bank. The more I tried to work it back up onto the road, it just kept sliding down the bank toward a bunch of trees.

The battery is reading a full charge. The tractor lights work fine. I still cleaned the battery terminals and put the battery on charge.....it went to maintenance mode. There is no clutch pedal. I also bought a new starter for it, thinking that was some how the problem. That didn't fix it, but when I turn the key now the starter just clicks rapidly. I have an m4 video of the starter clicking but I have to figure out another format to post it.

 

[MARK (LI)]

I think you have a compromised or dirty connection...did any wires get tugged on when pulling it out?...I would disconnect any wires I could readily access, clean them and try starting after each reconnect...you might find a wire partly pulled from a solderless connection...you put in a new starter and it is just clicking away...seems like lost power

 

[steddy]

I might suggest a proper load test on the battery. A battery that is completely toast can still show 13 or more volts on a meter, and run a light or two, but won't put out many amps. As good measure, clean the battery cable connections in the process.

 

[JDFarmer]

Thanks! I did do a quick check underneath the tractor for loose wires.....but will do a more thorough check.

 

[JDFarmer]

Ok thanks! Will check out the battery further too. Appreciate the responses.

 

[JDFarmer]

Not sure if this is legal but I posted my short video to youtube so you can hear the starter and here is the web site:

 

[steddy]

Same clicks I hear when my stupid car wan't quite start on a stupid cold morning, and the stupid battery no longer has the guts to turn it over. I can never be 100% sure, but you aren't getting the amperage to the starter that's required to turn it. Likely causes can be Bad connection, cable, or battery (sorted from cheapest to most expensive fix).

Good luck!

 

[JDFarmer]

Thanks Ted.....I'll focus on the battery to either fix it or rule it out. Thanks again!!

 

[KHodges]

You mentioned you cleaned the battery connections, but did you clean the ground cable (negative battery) connection to the frame/engine? Also look at your starter relay and connections.

 

[Sofisticated-Redneck]

You said the battery reads a full charge, and it was obviously working fine before it got stuck. You might just try to jump start it or put a charger on it to rule out the battery before pursuing anything more complicated.

 

[Kubota Ronin]

Agreed that sounds like the starter is not getting enough AMPS. +1 on checking grounds and having the battery load tested.

 

[JDFarmer]

Thanks for all the good advice. I did try jumping it and it would turn over, but did not start so I figured it was the battery. I had know idea a bad battery could still show a good charge, thanks steady. I'm not afraid to learn something new that's for sure. No idea why the battery diedAnother solved problem thanks to MTF. Thanks again everyone!

 

[Nouveau Redneck]

So did a new battery solve it?

 

[Kubota Ronin]

If your battery is bad or has bad connections either at the terminals or elsewhere 'jumping' it is not the simple solution, the 'good' power will be lost along with the bad.

Your magic number is 12.7v at the battery terminals after charging, and after sitting overnight after that.

 

[JDFarmer]

Yes the new battery solved my problem. Towing the tractor in neutral had nothing to do with it.

 

[JDFarmer]

Thanks for the magic number and how to make an accurate battery charge and reading!