How to Fix Kubota Tractor Won’t Go Forward or Reverse Issue

Kubota tractors, while showing great performances, can still break down. One of the most common problems that users can face is when the Kubota Tractor won’t go forward or reverse. So what exactly causes the lawn tractor to act like this?

While there are plenty of reasons behind this, the most common cause can be due to unresponsive keys. Since the keys are used to control the direction, no commands will be registered if they break down or lose connections, no commands will be registered. 

While the above is one of the most common causes, your tractor not moving is not limited to this only. If you are looking for more of these problems and how to resolve them, scroll down and keep reading. 

Why Does Kubota Tractor Won’t Go Forward Or Reverse?

Unresponsive keys might be the most common cause behind why your Kubota tractor will neither move forward nor reverse. However, aside from this, there are several other points that can be associated with this problem. 

We have listed some of the more commonly reported causes of a tractor not moving. 

• Broken Axle
• Jammed Valves
• Unresponsive Keys
• Electrical Issues
• Wrong Or Stale Oil
• Extreme Outdoor Temperatures

6 Solutions For Kubota Tractor Forward Or Reverse Movement Issue

Loose connectors and unresponsive keys are typically the most common reasons why your tractor might not move. However, that doesn’t mean that problems are limited to these two causes only. 

Below, we have compiled and listed six of the most useful solutions that you will need to know in order to fix your Kubota tractor. 

1. Broken Axle: Replace The Axle

Often, it might be the fault of your axle that the tractor will not go forward or backward. This is usually caused by broken or faulty axles that allow the internal transmission fluids to drain quickly. 

Even if you have filled the transmission floods newly, if they get drained, the motor will not start.

While broken axles aren’t a huge problem on the engine, constantly losing and replacing the fluids can be expensive. As such, it is a better choice to fix up the axle before driving your Kubota tractor.

To patch up issues related to your axle, you should run regular maintenance at a certain interval. This involves screwing the axle properly and taping spots up when needed.

If none of the above maintenance points work, your only option might be to replace the entire axle. 

If you are going to replace parts of the axle, the maximum that you might need to spend is around 100 USD. For the entire axle shaft, you can expect around 800 to 900 USD.

2. Jammed Valves: Clear Out the Blockages

Jammed or blocked vents are one of the most common reasons why your Kubota might not move in any direction. This is usually caused by the accumulation of rock sediments and dried oil that blocks the valves. 

Once the valves are blocked, no oil can be processed in your engine. This results in a cranky, sometimes overheating, engine. If left alone, this can even cause correlated components to burn out from the heat. 

To resolve the issue, all you need to do is clear out the vents. You can do this by making use of a cleaning agent and wiping. Once cleaned up, the vents should be working as usual. 

Since you can resolve the problem on your own with the products you already have on your head, no labor cost is involved. If you need to buy a cleaning cloth and a cleaning agent, the total might be around 10 USD.

3. Unresponsive Keys: Replace The Keycaps

Unresponsive keys, as we have been mentioning since the start, are one of the root causes of your Kubota Tractor not moving forward or backward. While common, most drivers tend not to report it since it is easy to fix.

If you have unresponsive keys, the buttons in your controller will not work, no matter how much you press them. This is because no commands are registered due to either loose connectors or faulty keycaps. 

While the problem can arise due to various external conditions, time itself can also be a deterrent in causing the keys to show malfunctions slowly.  

To fix the problem, the best scenario is to replace the old keys with new working ones. In addition, you can also tighten the connection between the wires and the individual keys.

Fixing will cost about 80 to 100 USD on labor costs. In addition, you might need to pay an extra 10 to 20 USD depending on the keys being replaced.

4. Electrical Issues: Replace Sensors

Due to faulty electrical systems you may experience kubota tractor movement issues. Electricity problems are considered the most common problems seen in any tractor. Since it is one of the most experienced problems, it is also the problem that takes the least effort to fix. 

Symptoms included with electricity problems can include giving the wrong commands when pressing something else. In extreme cases, the entire controller might not work. 

To fix the problem, the best choice is to change the batteries or the fuse inside, depending on the exact problem causing electrical problems.

Besides the cost of replacing components, you might also need to pay a labor cost of around 50 to 100 USD. This is in case you decide to hire a mechanic to help out.

5. Wrong Or Stale Oil: Replace The Oil

Having the right oil or transmission fluid under use is a very important choice. If you use stale fluids, they can cause various problems. 

For instance, if you are using impure or old oil, they will not flow to your engine easily due to the differences in viscosity from what the kubota tractor engine requires.  

While this doesn’t really have any negative effects on your engine, this can cause your tractor to not move forward or reverse at all. As such, we advise you to change the oil as soon as possible. 

When changing the oil, make sure that the oil you are buying is compatible and safe for usage with your tractor’s engine. Otherwise, the same problem might persist, or the engine itself might reject the oil. 

The only cost involved here is the cost of oil. Note that the more carbon number, the more fluid you are going to have, and the more expensive it will be.

6. Extreme Outdoor Temperatures: Heat Up Engine Regularly

Your Kubota tractor might not move forward or reverse due to the extreme outdoor temperatures freezing the vents or pipes. In addition, your tires can also contract or dilate depending on the climatic conditions. 

While not all of these issues can be solved on your own, If you are having tire issues, we suggest you change up to a new one. If certain components or pipes around the engine freeze, you could use rock salts to unfreeze them.

In addition, you will also need to take certain precautions if you intend to avoid engine problems. We advise you to heat up the engine every morning before using the tractor. 

There are no external costs involved in this solution. However, if you are going to change tires, you will be required to pay an average of 1500 to 2000 USD. 

In addition, if you are going to hire a professional to patch up certain issues like de-freezing the pipes, a labor charge will be applicable. This is usually about 50 to 100 USD.

FAQs About Kubota Tractor Won’t Go Forward Or Reverse

If you have read through this article, there might be several questions that you are dying to ask. In this section, we will try our best to give you the answers related to the Kubota tractor, not going forward or reverse.

Conclusion

If you have a lawn that needs mowing, heavy-duty lawn tractors like the Kubota can be the best choice out there. While they do have some flaws, they are easy to fix. 

You will clearly enjoy all the advantages that come packed together with this tractor. If you have read through this guide, hopefully, we have been helpful to you in the case where your Kubota tractor will neither go forward nor reverse.  

While you can patch up the problems independently, we understand that not everyone has the time and patience. In that case, you are more than welcome to hire a professional to help you out with the fix. After all, it is the professional mechanics who know how to get things around fixed in the most efficient manner.

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