PTO clutch won't engage on your zero turn mower? There are many causes for this problem. Watch this vid to see one easy thing to check that might just be your problem.
Great Video! Learned a lot about troubleshooting sporadic pto engagement the hard way. Your video led me to check these switches. Spot On!! I can't thank you enough!
Well done. All of the safety switches need to be happy in order for the power to get to the starter. I'm all for the safety switches. Safety is important when using these machines. A scary number of people have been injured as a result of disabling these safety switches. Just sayin. Once you understand how the system works, it's a breeze to systematically check for power at each switch when it doesn't want to start. That little bit of effort is a lot better than backing over your dog or accidentally cutting toes off - yours or others. I get it, some of these safety features can be a pain but they're there for a reason. Be safe out there guys. Happy mowing.
I'd suggest checking pto switch, safety switches and fuse before removing the clutch itself. Save yourself from unnecessary work. Start with the easiest stuff 1st.
Will stop my blades from turning on completely like if got stuck or messed up someway that it wouldn't let the blades turn on at all even without going in reverse???
I do you still have this mower? I just bought one and on the pto switch the wires were cut and I’m trying to wire it back, but I don’t know the color arrangement on the switch
Ok - if you are sitting on the mower looking down at the PTO switch aka top down (assuming my switch is installed the same as yours and not 180 degrees out!) the front right corner of the switch is orange/black stripe. The right center position is empty. The left, rear position is orange/white stripe. The front center position is empty. The center position is yellow/black stripe. The center rear position is yellow. The Left front position is empty. The left center position is blue. The left rear position is red. Hope this helps.
I also had a mower which had a "reverse" safety to disable the PTO. Such a pain the butt. These mowers hav eso much "safe" features they barely work at all.
I did this exact same thing and it melted my pto switch now I dont know where the wires go on the reverse switches. can you help me out, I'm goin nuts lol
It doesn't matter how you reconnect the wires to the reverse safety switch. Either terminal for either wire is fine. Did you test the switches to see if they function properly? If so, they are likely not your problem. As for a melted switch, watch "how to test a pto clutch for resistance" on youtube. Excellent vid. In a nutshell, if the resistance is too low in your clutch electro-magnet it can melt the switch. I'd also look for damaged wires anywhere in the wiring that might be shorted to ground that might be causing your issue.
Could be - test it. You should be able to trace the wires back from the PTO clutch and find a spot to disconnect them and test them with a multimeter. New PTO switches are easy to get and cheap.
I think it's an electro magnet that pulls metal plates together. When not energized, one plate is spinning and the other is not. Once energized, the plates "stick" together and rotate together. It needs power to stay engaged.
I'm at work watching this and this will be the 5th repair I do this year on this mower here at work. The one we have is a 2005.
Great Video! Learned a lot about troubleshooting sporadic pto engagement the hard way. Your video led me to check these switches. Spot On!! I can't thank you enough!
Glad to help!
One PTO, and Rectifier later, I found this video. Thanks bud.
You bet! I took the long route, too but I think I gained some good info along the way to share in this vid. Glad it helped.
Well done.
All of the safety switches need to be happy in order for the power to get to the starter.
I'm all for the safety switches. Safety is important when using these machines.
A scary number of people have been injured as a result of disabling these safety switches.
Just sayin.
Once you understand how the system works, it's a breeze to systematically check for power at each switch when it doesn't want to start.
That little bit of effort is a lot better than backing over your dog or accidentally cutting toes off - yours or others.
I get it, some of these safety features can be a pain but they're there for a reason.
Be safe out there guys. Happy mowing.
Thanks! Yes - don't bypass safety switches! I did it to my mower but that's my choice. Don't do it especially if you have little kids around.
short simple and to the point thanks for the great content
I'd suggest checking pto switch, safety switches and fuse before removing the clutch itself. Save yourself from unnecessary work. Start with the easiest stuff 1st.
For sure. Thanks! Paul
Thanks for posting this useful video, saved me messing with the PTO
Thank you so much for your information and your philosophy!
Solved my issue. Thanks!
You bet happy mowing!
Thank you 😊 it worked for me.
Great video, worked!
The bigdog pto clutch won’t stop turning fully when I switch pto clutch off blades still turn a little bit not fully
Will stop my blades from turning on completely like if got stuck or messed up someway that it wouldn't let the blades turn on at all even without going in reverse???
Yes. If either reverse switch is faulty, you will not be able to turn on your blades no matter what you do.
I do you still have this mower? I just bought one and on the pto switch the wires were cut and I’m trying to wire it back, but I don’t know the color arrangement on the switch
I do. Have it. I'll see if I can see it easily and help you when I have time. Thanks.
Oh man thank you that would be greatly appreciated
Ok - if you are sitting on the mower looking down at the PTO switch aka top down (assuming my switch is installed the same as yours and not 180 degrees out!) the front right corner of the switch is orange/black stripe. The right center position is empty. The left, rear position is orange/white stripe. The front center position is empty. The center position is yellow/black stripe. The center rear position is yellow. The Left front position is empty. The left center position is blue. The left rear position is red. Hope this helps.
I found the wiring diagram!! Thanks anyways
Very Good!... #3 ✝ {5-27-2023}
Bad boy remains engaged when in reverse.
How much voltage should be at the pto clutch
I'm not sure. I assume 12V or whatever the alternator is putting out but can't say for sure.
I also had a mower which had a "reverse" safety to disable the PTO. Such a pain the butt. These mowers hav eso much "safe" features they barely work at all.
yea no kidding! I think it's hard on the clutch, too.
I did this exact same thing and it melted my pto switch now I dont know where the wires go on the reverse switches. can you help me out, I'm goin nuts lol
It doesn't matter how you reconnect the wires to the reverse safety switch. Either terminal for either wire is fine. Did you test the switches to see if they function properly? If so, they are likely not your problem. As for a melted switch, watch "how to test a pto clutch for resistance" on youtube. Excellent vid. In a nutshell, if the resistance is too low in your clutch electro-magnet it can melt the switch. I'd also look for damaged wires anywhere in the wiring that might be shorted to ground that might be causing your issue.
@@paulhaines5755 Ok thanks, must be the pto going out
Could be - test it. You should be able to trace the wires back from the PTO clutch and find a spot to disconnect them and test them with a multimeter. New PTO switches are easy to get and cheap.
How's the pto clutch work
I think it's an electro magnet that pulls metal plates together. When not energized, one plate is spinning and the other is not. Once energized, the plates "stick" together and rotate together. It needs power to stay engaged.
That’s not lucky. Luck would have been checking the switch first
Ha! So true...