The tractor has always cut off, maybe 20 minutes or maybe 1.5 hours. I can tell when it is getting worse, under load, she gets weaker. It seams like it is not getting fuel. What should I check first?
This is the 1700b backhoe with the perkins.

We have a 4430 that does that it has dirt in the fuel tank is the cause. when it does it you have to take the line off the pump and blow air through then it then it is good to go. It only does it when you run it below 1/4 tank of fuel just been to busy to pull the tank and fix it. The tractor never dies just idles its self down like it is pulling against something that doesn't want to move. Hope this helps.

It could be anything from a weak transfer pump, plugged fuel filter, plugged fuel lines, to injectors or injection pump.
Could also be fuel shut off solnoid if it has one.

our 4320 did this once. rev her up to 2200 in 10 mins itd be down to 1000 then itd keep idling down then shut off. problem was ...... FOAM in the injection pump! it would saturate with fuel then as the fuel slowly go burned up the foam would run dry and kill the engine it was easily fixed

Ok and thanks all, I'll give it a look, crap in the tank is very possible, replace cut off solenoid, no crap there, new lift pump I think, has a filter there I think, got a rebuild lift pump kit but the lift pump looked new. The pumpguy said it could be the injector pump inlet line filter. Didn't know one was there. Checking that too. Keep you all posted. this info is on another post:
http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=316698

LEE, If you have a fax # I can give you a breakdown..My scanner isnt working at the moment..

LEE, If you have a fax # I can give you a breakdown..My scanner isnt working at the moment..
sure -- fax 919 342-5274

It might be too late, took the linlet line off, then pulled the cap off(15/16) and grabed the spring, pulled that out and the plunger was stuck to the bottom of the spring so it came up too. All the crud, if any then may of went into the injector pump. I cleaned everything up and reinstalled it. cracked the line at teh injection pump and manually pumped the lift pump until I thought the air was out.
it started back but under load was much worse. it would run for 2 to 3 minutes before wanting to die. I could keep it going by pumping the throdle.

Then, after it died, I would pump the lift pump by hand it ran much better for a longer time, maybe 1 minute. After it started dieing, it died after about 30 seconds of use.

Oops>>> Dont worry, its nothing that cant be fixed..I'll shot you the breakdown around 10:ish..
Another thing> if you changed the filter>> MAKE SURE the rubber gasket is FITTED TO THE FILTER HEAD>>NOT THE FILTER!!!! It looks like its supposed to fit on the filter BUT ITS NOT!! It actually cuts the fuel flow off if its not fitted to the filter head.. Seen it thousands of times..

thanks,
Here is what I have found, the main filter has been removed from the tank to the lift pump. the lift pump goes to the water seperator/small filter. The last owner must of had this issue for a long time. Rebuilding the lift pump today and the water seperator filter. I'll keep ya posted. Next to to clean, tank, lift pump, add filter, clean water seperator, clean injection pump, clean lines.

Where should I start?

Lee, did you get the fax I sent?? Going to lunch, be back to check in an hour or so..

Lee, did you get the fax I sent?? Going to lunch, be back to check in an hour or so..
Yup, got the fax, I was working on the backhoe most of the day. Found the fuel line clog. There is a 15/16 nut on teh lift punp too with a screen simular to the injection pump. It was cloged. She runs much better. I put a temp filter between the tank and lift pump. A big one from wal mart.
I have a plug on the side of the injection pump leaking. Cant seem to fund the number or plug in the fax.
Maybe it is 271+272. It seems like it should be 78+79 but on the other side. The picture is showing the engine side. The plug that is leaking is on the other side.

The leak is prob. a copper gasket..pretty generic..you can try to flip it over and retighten or you can get a kit from a local fuel shop>{7135-110} Glad you fixed the s/o problem..