That's awesome. I'm glad I was able to help. You would think they would release a service bulletin as it is a very common issue. CZcams saves the day yet again.
Another great fix, courtesy of CZcams University, and their fine users! Thank you for this information, my L2501 has been doing the same thing, and was trying to figure it out. Appreciate your input!
Funny you say that. My new side by side allows you to link an app to your machine, well the ones who have done that have starting issues and other electronic issues. I bought it to get away from my phone, not use it more.
Great to hear. Yeah I've received so many positive results on such a wide variety of kubota tractors, you'd think they would do a service bulletin or something. So easy to fix, but heart stopping when it 1st happens
Glad I could help you Dustin. I was so stressed when I first had the issue, but 10 times more relieved when I found out how easy it was to fix. I've had not 1 issue since.
had to say thank you very much for doing this video! Did what you showed to do and It Worked for me- and I would have never messed with that spring underneath the tractor . Thanks!!!
Awesome! Glad it helped! Yeah, there are so many people who've had the same issue. Frustrating, until you see how easy it is to fix. I've not had an issue since.
I was having the same problem and thought I screwed up the pto clutch as I am new to tractors and clutches and kept the main clutch engaged when I started pto. But now I learned and lubed the bottom of the cable spring and I am back in business. Thank you so much!!!
I'm glad it helped! Every time you go to engage the pto, remember to slow the rpms to lowest idle so it's easiest on the clutch, engine, and shafts. Then bring the rpms up slowly. And ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS have the engine off when hooking up the pto shaft. Cheers and enjoy your tractor!
My l2501 was giving me a headache today when I was using post hole digger ! I adjusted cable still no luck I’m sure it’s a spring as you stain in the beginning because my cable under leveler is getting c shape when I dis engage! Thank you for the video!!!
I had exactley the same issue this week with my L3301 with 170 hours on it. I happened to stand up when I saw one of the dog's frisbees on the driveway and the tractor shut down. No worries, I thought, the safety switch under the seat shut me down because I took my weight off the seat with the pto running. That said, it would not start up again because the pto would not disengage. I had to leave it in the driveway over night blocking our vehicles in until I figured it out thanks to this video and had daylight the next day. Not fun lying on your back in the snow at minus ten celcius. Now, I wear my seat belt just in case I have a seniors moment and try take my weight off the seat without thinking and, I keep that spring lubricated!
Yep, it'll surely shut down if you stand up or even lean too much to 1 side, but yes, I can imagine laying underneath and trying to free up the lever! I'm glad you were able to find my video and it only cost you some frustrating moments. On a good note, I've never had another problem with it since
Very helpful, thank you! We purchased a new L2501 this fall at a decent discount after the L2502 was released. Had this problem disengaging the PTO with the rotary cutter, not a great feeling!
dang. Been having this exact problem lately. I thought there was crud in the cable sheath up by the lever so I sprayed some WD-40 in there. No dice. I'll give this a try next time I'm at the tractor. THANK YOU.
You are a lifesaver. Had an issue with my L2501 not starting and figured out it was from the 2 metal sensors not engaging, but couldn't get it to work properly. Hit the cable and spring with some penetrating oil and boom, it works now. Thank you SO much for this!
Yeah no problem. I was getting a little worried, and then relieved when I saw that little hint of rust. My update is it's worked flawlessly since. Good luck!
I can almost guarantee this fixes it. I'm surprised how many have contacted me with the same issue and this fixed it. Spray it, then work it with your hand back and forth underneath. Since this simple fix I've not one issue with it.
100% my 2501 did from new had to lube it up as well. It’s a poor design for dirt and water same rust bind as You I found it fast as well. Little grease lube the cable fixed as well. Thanks.
Thank you...thank you. Saw your video at 2:00am this morning and went out in my pj to my garage to try this on my Kioti CK251HST....lol. I could hear a grinding noise when I tried to engage the PTO. The set up is not the same but your solution worked. Now, the PTO lever moves smoothly and no more grinding noise. 🙂
Glad it helped! I don't think I've ever felt the relief I felt going from "this is gonna be expensive" to, "well that was simple" like I did when I figured out the cause.
Oh, man, you just saved me a BOAT LOAD of wasted time/grief with my 2013 (only 96 hours!) L3200 Kubota with LandPride 1860 bushhog. That lever started to bugger up on me about 20 hours ago, and I just lived with it (just did a little "cha-cha" with it) until, after putting in about 10 hours bush-hogging a field, that dog would no longer hunt. Your tip worked! Some perspective: My new best friend, ChatGPT, gave me what sounded like useful advice but NOT this particular tip. And my owner’s manual is silent about this lever and cable. Also, I had searched around for a video like this but only today found yours. And yes, my L3200 Kubota's "PTO engagement lever" (the search phrase that I just used to find this video on CZcams) is identical to yours. I’ve also seen “PTO Control Cable” and “PTO Cable” work, which brought me to this useful Q&A at www.orangetractortalks.com/forums/threads/pto-wont-disengage-l3200.15269/ Actual “Fix” Details: I found a small twig lodged up in that "pushback spring," but I doubt it was enough to render my PTO engagement lever "impotent" like that. There was, however, a noticeable "engine grit" layer covering it, so I heavily blasted the spring and entire area from all angles with PB blaster. While blast-spraying, I paused to move the lever a bit -- between blasts -- to thoroughly treat the inner layers of that spring. That was all it took. The lever then worked immediately. Whew! Thanks for taking the time to make this video (that's a tough area to get to on my tractor, btw; bonus points for filming there, and clearly enough for me to see what you're talking about).
Thanks for the kind words. Yep it was bugger to get to, but once I saw the cable flexing out I knew it was binding, then I saw the rust. I'm so glad it helped you. cheers!
That linkage gets gunked up pretty quickly especially when your brush hogging. Air compressor will blow off the debris. I tried your tip with a little PB blaster and it worked like a charm.
Great! Yeah I was worrying about mine until I caught that little hint of rust on the point the lever meets the housing. That's a pretty dangerous thing to have happen. Can be very frustrating if you don't know about it, then the work stops until you find out what it is. I've heard of dealers replacing parts they didn't have to over this same issue.
I was hopeful this would work for me, but on my L2900 GST. My PTO was engaging/disengaging properly until a few days ago when the cable broke. I ordered and replaced the cable and there is no binding when I go from engage/disengage, I lubricated the spring and area where the lever goes into the ?transmission? case, but regardless the PTO remains engaged. I guess I'll have to just be careful when I have my brush hog connected... ugh.
@@ironheadbiker I have almost zero room to maneuver the lever because it is directly behind my trans fluid filter housing. It moves freely if I use a screwdriver to pry it against the spring tension. The dealer said he's seen it where the shift fork and or the item it engages get so worn it literally just slips past and will no longer engage/disengage.
Would it be plausible to put a grease zerk on there? Noticed there’s a hole on that shaft and wondered if it was tapped for a grease zerk would it get grease into the areas needing lube?
Thanks for the video. I have a 2019 l3901 and I recently noticed my PTO shaft turning when disengaged. It only turns when the tractor is moving almost like it is linked to the speed. The shaft can be stopped if grabbed under pressure. Is this normal?
No, it should be completely stopped. It may just barely be disengaging. Where is maybe bumping. I'd try lubing the arm like in my video and work it back and forth a lot to free it up.
I'm not saying it'll work, but it's still all cable controlled. Spray it and work it in with your hand at the lever up underneath. I couldn't believe how bound up it was.
L3301 started doing this after two years. I’ve been living with it almost as long. Finally got fed up and found this. Instantly fixed. Thank you!
That's awesome. I'm glad I was able to help. You would think they would release a service bulletin as it is a very common issue. CZcams saves the day yet again.
Another great fix, courtesy of CZcams University, and their fine users! Thank you for this information, my L2501 has been doing the same thing, and was trying to figure it out. Appreciate your input!
You're welcome. There's a long list of owners that this has helped. I'm glad I can give a lil back for all the help I've found on the you tube U!
👍Thank you. I didn't even see that spring behind the cable. It took less than 5 minutes to fix.
Perfect! Glad it helped
Perfect info. Kubota should remove the cable and make this a rod with no spring. Thank you.
Yeah, and now the 3302 models and such are coming with just an electric pto I believe. Hard to beat a reliable lever. Thanks for the kind words
@@ironheadbiker trying to be too fancy. Get companies in trouble. Next you will have to use an app on your phone.
Funny you say that. My new side by side allows you to link an app to your machine, well the ones who have done that have starting issues and other electronic issues. I bought it to get away from my phone, not use it more.
Exactly what was needed for my L2501! Thanks so much for posting this easy fix for a seemingly big problem.
You are welcome. I was in the same boat thinking this might be major. You could probably hear my relief in the video. Lol.
L3710 same problem found your fix instant success .Thank you
Great to hear. Yeah I've received so many positive results on such a wide variety of kubota tractors, you'd think they would do a service bulletin or something. So easy to fix, but heart stopping when it 1st happens
This video saved me a lot of worry. Very thorough, had it fixed in a couple of minutes. Thank You!
Glad I could help you Dustin. I was so stressed when I first had the issue, but 10 times more relieved when I found out how easy it was to fix. I've had not 1 issue since.
Thank you! I’ve had this problem for 4 years off and on!!
Great deal! Best thing is it's damn near free!
Thanks for the tip. Fixed my PTO in 30 seconds thanks to this video.
Awesome news. You're very welcome.
had to say thank you very much for doing this video! Did what you showed to do and It Worked for me- and I would have never messed with that spring underneath the tractor . Thanks!!!
You're very welcome. Yeah I haven't had an issue since, but it's definitely part of my maintenance. Glad I could help
It is so nice of people like you...I was ready to load up and go to the dealer...thank you so much
Thanks for the kind words. I had the same frustration, and also the same relief! I haven't had an issue since. Glad I could help. Cheers
Thank you very much. that was easy and saved me MONEY!!
Glad it helped! I haven't had an issue since.
Fantastic! Fixed me right up. Tractor wouldn't start because pto wouldn't disengage for this very reason. Thanks so much!
Awesome! Glad it helped! Yeah, there are so many people who've had the same issue. Frustrating, until you see how easy it is to fix. I've not had an issue since.
Fantastic sounds like same as me,will try tomorrow
Mine is a Kubota L2501 bought brand new 2017 ,now in 2023 only have 75 hours on it.
I was having the same problem and thought I screwed up the pto clutch as I am new to tractors and clutches and kept the main clutch engaged when I started pto. But now I learned and lubed the bottom of the cable spring and I am back in business. Thank you so much!!!
I'm glad it helped! Every time you go to engage the pto, remember to slow the rpms to lowest idle so it's easiest on the clutch, engine, and shafts. Then bring the rpms up slowly. And ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS have the engine off when hooking up the pto shaft. Cheers and enjoy your tractor!
My l2501 was giving me a headache today when I was using post hole digger ! I adjusted cable still no luck I’m sure it’s a spring as you stain in the beginning because my cable under leveler is getting c shape when I dis engage! Thank you for the video!!!
Yep. Spray and work it with your hand to loosen it and you'll never have an issue again!
Finally a video that actually helps! Thank you sir 🫡
Lol. I'm glad it helped! You are very welcome!
Great video!!! This is going into my mental tool box for the future I hope I remember😁🚜💨☀
I had exactley the same issue this week with my L3301 with 170 hours on it. I happened to stand up when I saw one of the dog's frisbees on the driveway and the tractor shut down. No worries, I thought, the safety switch under the seat shut me down because I took my weight off the seat with the pto running. That said, it would not start up again because the pto would not disengage. I had to leave it in the driveway over night blocking our vehicles in until I figured it out thanks to this video and had daylight the next day. Not fun lying on your back in the snow at minus ten celcius. Now, I wear my seat belt just in case I have a seniors moment and try take my weight off the seat without thinking and, I keep that spring lubricated!
Yep, it'll surely shut down if you stand up or even lean too much to 1 side, but yes, I can imagine laying underneath and trying to free up the lever! I'm glad you were able to find my video and it only cost you some frustrating moments. On a good note, I've never had another problem with it since
Been oiling and greasing my spring. It still froze. Had to use break free on it. Great video. Well done.
Add it to the list of all it helped. Crazy it's so simple, yet debilitating to the machine. I haven't had an issue since. Glad it helped you. Cheers
Very helpful, thank you! We purchased a new L2501 this fall at a decent discount after the L2502 was released. Had this problem disengaging the PTO with the rotary cutter, not a great feeling!
I'm glad it helped. Yeah kubota needs to step up on this. It's way too common on many of their machines, and very dangerous potentially
Mind started in 6 months after I got it I did your fix and it's fix thank you sir
You are welcome. So easy to fix, and a load off of thy mind. Good ol youtube saves the day! Cheers
I lubed the cable to no avail and sure didn’t want to take in her in for warranty work. Thank you, good sir
Awesome I'm glad it helped
dang. Been having this exact problem lately. I thought there was crud in the cable sheath up by the lever so I sprayed some WD-40 in there. No dice. I'll give this a try next time I'm at the tractor. THANK YOU.
I'm quite confident this will fix your issue. Dozens have said it helped. Very common issue
Thank you! I'm going to go give this a try today. Just noticed this issue yesterday, and I wasn't sure what to do.
I'd bet anything it'll be what's causing your issue. There's so many people that have themed me for this simple fix. Very very common issue
Yep mine was doing the same thing. Brother thank you for the quick fix.
Glad it helped. I'm sure you felt the same relief I did once it worked properly.
You are a lifesaver.
Had an issue with my L2501 not starting and figured out it was from the 2 metal sensors not engaging, but couldn't get it to work properly. Hit the cable and spring with some penetrating oil and boom, it works now. Thank you SO much for this!
Yeah no problem. I was getting a little worried, and then relieved when I saw that little hint of rust. My update is it's worked flawlessly since. Good luck!
I am having the same problem and can't wait to try your fix. Will let you know how I make out.
I can almost guarantee this fixes it. I'm surprised how many have contacted me with the same issue and this fixed it. Spray it, then work it with your hand back and forth underneath. Since this simple fix I've not one issue with it.
My 2501 has been doing it for awhile usually stops after awhile now not stopping at all... thanks for the info
You're welcome. Mine started intermittent, then wouldn't engage.
Thank you for the video😊. Mine just started acting up and was the exact same issue 5 minute fix
You're welcome. I'm glad it helped.
Had the same issue with my L2501, thank you for the helpful hint!
Yeah simple. I was glad to discover it, and even more so, how easily it was fixed.
100% my 2501 did from new had to lube it up as well. It’s a poor design for dirt and water same rust bind as You I found it fast as well. Little grease lube the cable fixed as well. Thanks.
Good to know I'm not the only one! Thanks for replying to help get the word out
Awesome! Quick fix for what seems like a larger problem. Jumped under and got it fixed right up.
I'm glad it help you like it did me! Cheers!
Heading out to my L3301 to try this! Been having this frustrating issue for over a yr!
Should fix it up. Mine was a pain. Good luck and let me know how it helps.
That did the trick, I think my cable has a kink in it, though, which is not helping.
Good news! Yeah that's how I found my problem, the outside of the cable itself actually flexed, so I could see where a kink would develope.
Thank you so much for making this video. I've been having the same problem.
You are very welcome. Such a relief when you find out it's a simple, CHEAP, fix. 🍻
I’m gonna have to keep this in mind. Haven’t used pto yet as I got a backhoe, but will use it for garden rototiling in the spring.
Yep, simple fix, add to your preventive maintenance
Thank you...thank you. Saw your video at 2:00am this morning and went out in my pj to my garage to try this on my Kioti CK251HST....lol. I could hear a grinding noise when I tried to engage the PTO. The set up is not the same but your solution worked. Now, the PTO lever moves smoothly and no more grinding noise. 🙂
That's awesome news! Cool it worked across different manufacturers
Thank you, Exactly what I found same same. Thanks for sharing.
Good deal! Thank you and glad it helped
Worked like a charm! Thanks.
Glad it helped! I don't think I've ever felt the relief I felt going from "this is gonna be expensive" to, "well that was simple" like I did when I figured out the cause.
Had that issue thanks so much I appreciate you
Glad it helped. Turned my frustration to relief instantly!
Thank You. I have this same problem.
Glad it helped! A very simple fix. Cheers
THANKS FIXED MINE
Glad it helped. Easy enough fix, but man, my heart was thumping until I found it
Great information even though we do not have this typr of tractor. Thanks for sharing, I am sure this will save a lot of expense for many people
Yeah kinda made me wish I just had the old lever. But it was an easy enough fix
Fixed my problem, thanks!
Awesome! What a relief, huh? Man I was worried when it happened to me
Oh, man, you just saved me a BOAT LOAD of wasted time/grief with my 2013 (only 96 hours!) L3200 Kubota with LandPride 1860 bushhog. That lever started to bugger up on me about 20 hours ago, and I just lived with it (just did a little "cha-cha" with it) until, after putting in about 10 hours bush-hogging a field, that dog would no longer hunt.
Your tip worked!
Some perspective: My new best friend, ChatGPT, gave me what sounded like useful advice but NOT this particular tip. And my owner’s manual is silent about this lever and cable.
Also, I had searched around for a video like this but only today found yours. And yes, my L3200 Kubota's "PTO engagement lever" (the search phrase that I just used to find this video on CZcams) is identical to yours. I’ve also seen “PTO Control Cable” and “PTO Cable” work, which brought me to this useful Q&A at
www.orangetractortalks.com/forums/threads/pto-wont-disengage-l3200.15269/
Actual “Fix” Details: I found a small twig lodged up in that "pushback spring," but I doubt it was enough to render my PTO engagement lever "impotent" like that. There was, however, a noticeable "engine grit" layer covering it, so I heavily blasted the spring and entire area from all angles with PB blaster. While blast-spraying, I paused to move the lever a bit -- between blasts -- to thoroughly treat the inner layers of that spring.
That was all it took. The lever then worked immediately. Whew!
Thanks for taking the time to make this video (that's a tough area to get to on my tractor, btw; bonus points for filming there, and clearly enough for me to see what you're talking about).
Thanks for the kind words. Yep it was bugger to get to, but once I saw the cable flexing out I knew it was binding, then I saw the rust. I'm so glad it helped you. cheers!
Great tip thanks for sharing with everyone
Yeah lucky find, easy fix, haven't had an issue since
That linkage gets gunked up pretty quickly especially when your brush hogging. Air compressor will blow off the debris. I tried your tip with a little PB blaster and it worked like a charm.
Great to hear! Yeah it was frustrating at first, now just part of the usual maintenance
nice chatting with ya last night on RNG!
You too man!
Great video with great camera work
Thanks
Thank you! I love the way it throws the snow!
thank you for the info
Hello thanks for the info never had any trouble but i will check it out
Hello my friends. Yeah it surprised me, but was relieved to find a simple fix.
That so worked! Had same problem
Great! Yeah I was worrying about mine until I caught that little hint of rust on the point the lever meets the housing. That's a pretty dangerous thing to have happen. Can be very frustrating if you don't know about it, then the work stops until you find out what it is. I've heard of dealers replacing parts they didn't have to over this same issue.
I was hopeful this would work for me, but on my L2900 GST. My PTO was engaging/disengaging properly until a few days ago when the cable broke. I ordered and replaced the cable and there is no binding when I go from engage/disengage, I lubricated the spring and area where the lever goes into the ?transmission? case, but regardless the PTO remains engaged. I guess I'll have to just be careful when I have my brush hog connected... ugh.
Did you reach in and work the lever where the pto goes into the case back and forth? Mine took quite an amount of working before it freed it up?
@@ironheadbiker I have almost zero room to maneuver the lever because it is directly behind my trans fluid filter housing. It moves freely if I use a screwdriver to pry it against the spring tension. The dealer said he's seen it where the shift fork and or the item it engages get so worn it literally just slips past and will no longer engage/disengage.
Damn. Kubota has a known issue and should make it right. I wish they just had the old levers. Dumb, but strong.
I'm having the same problem on mine right now.
Super easy fix. I haven't had an issue since. Part of my maintenance program now
@@ironheadbiker as soon as the sun comes up I'll go try it
Thank you!!!!
Glad it could help you. You're welcome.
Yup it was the problem. L2501
Like so many others! Glad it helped.
Would it be plausible to put a grease zerk on there? Noticed there’s a hole on that shaft and wondered if it was tapped for a grease zerk would it get grease into the areas needing lube?
Good question. I assumed it was a set screw. I'll look at it closer and let you know what I find.
Thanks for the video. I have a 2019 l3901 and I recently noticed my PTO shaft turning when disengaged. It only turns when the tractor is moving almost like it is linked to the speed. The shaft can be stopped if grabbed under pressure. Is this normal?
No, it should be completely stopped. It may just barely be disengaging. Where is maybe bumping. I'd try lubing the arm like in my video and work it back and forth a lot to free it up.
@@ironheadbiker ok thanks!
Mine does the same thing.
Had replace mine but still does the same thing. Have to mess with it until it disengages. It’s a horrible design.
Did you spray way up under and rock it back and forth with your hand where it goes into the casing? I guess I'm curious what you replaced?
Lube on the cable can freeze up too
Yeah, this was just a different animal. Would rather have the old lever style engagement.
Hi mine is not engaging
I'm not saying it'll work, but it's still all cable controlled. Spray it and work it in with your hand at the lever up underneath. I couldn't believe how bound up it was.