Iseki GEAS AT23-AT33 controls and starting
Iseki GEAS AT23-AT33 controls and starting: pre-heating, ignition switch and AT-shift
The Iseki GEAS AT starts slightly differently than an older tractor: pre-heating happens automatically, and the AT-shift transmission shifts without you having to constantly use the clutch. Below you'll find the complete starting procedure and controls as prescribed by the factory manual.
Suitable for the entire series: Iseki GEAS AT23, AT25, AT27, AT30, AT33, AT27N and AT33N.
Iseki GEAS AT23-AT33 automatic pre-heating system
Where older tractors require you to count down the pre-heating time yourself, the AT series has an automatic pre-heating system. You turn the ignition switch to the "Run/Pre-heat" position and the system pre-heats on its own. Once pre-heating is complete, the pre-heat icon on the Multi-eye instrument display goes out and "START" appears.
If you don't start right away, the display automatically returns to the start-ready position after about 3 seconds. You can then simply make a new starting attempt — nothing goes wrong.
Iseki GEAS AT23-AT33 starting procedure step by step
Follow this sequence from the manual to start without surprises:
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Connect the left and right brake pedals to each other (required for driving) |
| 2 | Press the brake pedal fully and secure the parking brake with the lever |
| 3 | Put all gear levers in neutral: the PTO lever in neutral, the linear shift lever (AT-shift, F/N/R) in neutral, and the subrange lever in neutral (between "Low (work 1)" and "High (work 2)"/"Transport") |
| 4 | Set the throttle lever to approximately half throttle |
| 5 | Press the clutch fully in — the engine will only start if the clutch is fully engaged |
| 6 | Turn the ignition switch to "Run/Pre-heat" and wait until the pre-heat icon goes out |
| 7 | Continue turning to "Start" |
Iseki GEAS AT23-AT33 ignition switch positions
| Position | Function |
|---|---|
| Stop | Engine off, key can be removed |
| ACC | Engine off, radio/cassette works |
| Run/Pre-heat | Automatic pre-heating + normal driving position |
| Start | Starts the engine; releasing the key automatically returns to "Run/Pre-heat" |
Three points to note. Don't leave the ignition on ACC for extended periods: this unnecessarily drains the battery. Never start the tractor indoors without adequate ventilation, due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. And always start while seated, with all levers checked to be in neutral, to prevent unexpected movement.
Iseki GEAS AT23-AT33 AT-shift briefly explained
The AT-shift transmission works with three controls that together provide 16 gears and 4 driving ranges:
- Linear shift lever: controls forward/neutral/reverse (F/N/R).
- Subrange lever: selects the low or high working range, or the transport position.
- Push buttons on the AT-shift switch: used to select the 16 gears without having to use the clutch yourself while shifting. The clutch is only needed when moving off from a standstill or when stopping.
In practice, this makes the work considerably more relaxed than with a classic, fully mechanical transmission: shifting up or down a gear is just one push of a button.
Does the pre-heat icon stay on strangely, or does the battery of a newly purchased AT keep running flat? In practice, this usually points to an aging battery or dirty ground connections — often easy to fix by cleaning the battery terminals and earth points and securing them properly.
