Countax Tractor Mower

[brendanxx]

Hi,
I live part of the time in France and have bought a Countax Tractor Mowever D18/50 to mow etc. my 3 1/2 acres. I realise that this is not a real farm tractor but wonder if anyone on this this forum might help me understand its workings (it's presently stopped, no electrics and smoke from the clutch) and give me some advice re identifying problems and remedying them.
Many thanks
Brendan

 

[Dave W]

Need more info.
When you say no electrics, nothing at all on the dash?
What was happening when the clutch started smoking?

 

[Deutzdx3]

I was a dealer for countax. Pm me I’ll see if I can help you. They were notorious for electrical problems. Guessing around 200-2005 model.

 

[brendanxx]

Need more info.
When you say no electrics, nothing at all on the dash?
What was happening when the clutch started smoking?

To start with the Countax looks like it's been patched up quite a bit since its birth in 2001.
I recently had a new electric clutch put in by the local French mechanic and he may well have put it on wrong.
I mowed about an acre then as I stopped it back at the garage smoke began to come from the clutch area. I turned the machine off and after a time the smoke stopped. After that the electrics were completely out - nothing whatsoever happens when I turn the key, no dashboard lights, nothing.
It's possible (I imagine) that I burnt the clutch out somehow but I need advice as to the best way to check this - can I check it without the electrics? In any case how would that blow out all the electrics? The battery is fully charged and the fuses all intact (though can't tell if something's happened to the motherboard) so I guess I could jump lead from battery to the starter motor to see what works and what doesn't but would certainly need advice how to do this safely.
In short, I'm an amateur with some knowledge and no trustworthy professional available and I need to get the land mowed!
Any help at all most appreciated.
Brendan

 

[Deutzdx3]

The clutch is very simple. It’s either on or off. 2 wires only. Positive and negative. It’s a mag clutch made by Warner. Nothing much to them.

If you aren’t getting any lights on dash it could well have fried your pcb which is directly behind your dash. Easy to remove. Down side is no way of testing them apart from in another machine and some are obsolete.

 

[Deutzdx3]

Undo the two blade terminal from the clutch. Put 12v direct onto the clutch. It should clonk.

Putting power to the starter won’t do a thing. The pcb has to work for these to operate. Later ones can fry the pcb but still start. Poor design on countax.

If it won’t start I could test the starter solenoid. They do just go some times with no warning. Test meter or an easy way screw driver across the terminals. Won’t cause any harm to any thing.

 

[TripleSix]

I reckon I could make a D18/50 operate without its pcb.
But it may be lacking in safety features afterwards....

It would involve an extensive rewire and a bank of toggle switches for the deck lift, sweeper lift and clutch etc.

 

[Muck Spreader]

To start with the Countax looks like it's been patched up quite a bit since its birth in 2001.
I recently had a new electric clutch put in by the local French mechanic and he may well have put it on wrong.
I mowed about an acre then as I stopped it back at the garage smoke began to come from the clutch area. I turned the machine off and after a time the smoke stopped. After that the electrics were completely out - nothing whatsoever happens when I turn the key, no dashboard lights, nothing.
It's possible (I imagine) that I burnt the clutch out somehow but I need advice as to the best way to check this - can I check it without the electrics? In any case how would that blow out all the electrics? The battery is fully charged and the fuses all intact (though can't tell if something's happened to the motherboard) so I guess I could jump lead from battery to the starter motor to see what works and what doesn't but would certainly need advice how to do this safely.
In short, I'm an amateur with some knowledge and no trustworthy professional available and I need to get the land mowed!
Any help at all most appreciated.
Brendan

If it's the clutch get the French mechanic to sort it. By law he has to guarantee his work for 12/24 months.

 

[Pheasant Surprise]

Hi,
I live part of the time in France and have bought a Countax Tractor Mowever D18/50 to mow etc. my 3 1/2 acres. I realise that this is not a real farm tractor but wonder if anyone on this this forum might help me understand its workings (it's presently stopped, no electrics and smoke from the clutch) and give me some advice re identifying problems and remedying them.
Many thanks
Brendan

A wiring diagram helps to at least understand what’s connected to what and where to start looking. Just searched these up. May begin to help.

You need a multimeter and a test lamp if you’re going to DIY it.

 

[brendanxx]

Much obliged all - sorry for delay in response internet crashed.

1) if I test solenoid with screwdriver what is supposed to happen with I put it across terminals?
2) is there really no way to test if the PCB is blown? The two 20 fuses are still intact. This PCB appears to be no longer available.
3) I'm attaching photo of the clutch set up and the bit near the spade connectors that appears to be where the smoke was coming from - looks like the left black bracket that came with kit isn't doing much - I need to know for definite that the clutch was put on wrongly to get the mechanic to fix it - he's not exactly amenable and my French isn't up to technical discussion.
Thanks for the wiring diagrams!
any more thoughts most welcome
Brendan

 

[davidmatthewson]

[QUOTE="
If it won’t start I could test the starter solenoid. They do just go some times with no warning. Test meter or an easy way screw driver across the terminals. Won’t cause any harm to any thing.[/QUOTE]

For what it's worth, I thought the solenoid on my Countax K15 had gone but after jump wiring it that proved not to be the case. In the end it turned out there is a switch under the right hand side brake pedal which is a 'push to make' type and when the pedal is depressed the starter motor circuit is completed and the solenoid will engage on a key turn. The switch on mine had been hit by a tree root and broken (cheap plastic..) but only showed up when I tried to restart the tractor.

Good luck!

 

[Pheasant Surprise]

Did you ever get sorted @brendanxx ?

 

[brendanxx]

Hi,
No, didn't get sorted. Tried everything but the clutch was buggered, the French mechanics were mind blowingly unhelpful and inept, making them fix it was bureaucratically worse than Brexit so finally gave up and will avoid Countax tractors and French mechanics for ever! It's now rotting in my garage. Started the long haul to buy a Kabuta. Thanks for all the help though guys!
see you
Brendan

 

[davidmatthewson]

Shame really - I'm on my second Countax and this one is over 20 years old and still going strong. Used not just for lawns but very much as a light tractor. I love how easy it is to repair, parts can be got on EBay etc and many of them are 'generic'. But the cutter decks do rust rather badly and are not cheap to replace/repair!

 

[Oggie]

I know its a while since this was posted but I hope you are still in the forum. Sorry to hear you had problems with your Countax. Have just rescued a D18/50 to go with my A20/50 and just spent quite a lot of money on new parts to get it going. I also live in France, near Limoges Parts are always useful. Rather than let it rot in your garage, would you be prepared to let it go as a donor for my machine. Quite happy to fetch it

 

[misbourne]

I was a dealer for countax. Pm me I’ll see if I can help you. They were notorious for electrical problems. Guessing around 200-2005 model.

I have a C Rider 30. I kept on top of the maintenance for the past 12 years including replacing sweeper brushes etc.
I have noticed this year that the collector isnt picking up on the right hand side, Ive checked that the sweeper is level and the brushes, tyre pressures but cannot find the reason it does this. Do you have any idea what the problem might be. Many thanks

 

[TripleSix]

I have a C Rider 30. I kept on top of the maintenance for the past 12 years including replacing sweeper brushes etc.
I have noticed this year that the collector isnt picking up on the right hand side, Ive checked that the sweeper is level and the brushes, tyre pressures but cannot find the reason it does this. Do you have any idea what the problem might be. Many thanks

Probably the tinwork inside the bottom of the collector either rotted away or bent.

Or brushes worn too short.

 

[8100]

Mustie 1 on youtube is always fixing mowers of all types and worth a look through his vids. I have a large ish electric start mower with a Tecumseh engine which was acting the oil can when i got it and after watching a few of his vids its now running great

 

[Richard P]

I was a dealer for countax. Pm me I’ll see if I can help you. They were notorious for electrical problems. Guessing around 200-2005 model.

I Have a Countax D1850 Diesel lawn tractor and not getting any power to the ignition Have replaced the main PCB but did not fix the problem, would appreciate any help

 

[TripleSix]

Battery and leads definitely ok?

I think main dash power comes from the hot side of the starter solenoid, check there isn't an inline fuse holder floating about down near the solenoid or around the back of the steering column.

Also be suspicious of the ignition switch and there is a relay in the loom too.