Blade not engaging. Please help.

[Dradis]

I have a Craftsman Kholer Pro 20 V Twin riding lawn tractor, roughly mid 90s model. The engine is running fine and the blade is working only the FIRST time I turn it on. If I cut for a while, then stop the blade or engine, when I try to turn the blade back on I hear a clicking noise but the blade does not turn. It sounds like something is engaging when I flip the switch, but maybe not all the way. It's the same sound turning the blade on would make if the engine were not running. Sometime if I jiggle the switch enough it will come back on, but not always (I've already replaced the switch and the connections are solid. That wasn't it). If I cut again another day it will work again on the first time only.

I completely rewired this mower a few years ago. There are no safeties at all. Only a simple circuit from the battery to a start button to the starter, and another from the battery to a switch to the blade. It has worked fine for about three years that way, then last summer I had to put up with this. Any ideas what part needs fixed/replaced?

 

[BlazNT]

Did you run a wire from the stator to the battery for charging the battery?

 

[Pumper54]

Not sure from the information you provided if the blade control is an electronic clutch or not but if so it sounds like it is going out, can you check the circuit there with a meter? Also know that switches can and do go out even if fairly new. Can you put a meter on the switch and see what power is going through it when you operate it? Intermittent electrical issues are a pain to figure out. Let us know what you find.
Tom

 

[Dradis]

Did you run a wire from the stator to the battery for charging the battery?

Yes. It's been a few years so I forgot the exact configuration. Point is that there are no safeties to be at fault. Engine starts, runs, and battery charges fine.

Not sure from the information you provided if the blade control is an electronic clutch or not but if so it sounds like it is going out, can you check the circuit there with a meter? Also know that switches can and do go out even if fairly new. Can you put a meter on the switch and see what power is going through it when you operate it? Intermittent electrical issues are a pain to figure out. Let us know what you find.
Tom

I will check both of these. How should I check the clutch? Am I just checking that there is 12v present when it is switched on? And if there is, does that indicate that the clutch is bad?

Thanks.

 

[Pumper54]

Steps I would take is:
1. Check battery voltage 12 or better while running.
2. Voltage at switch HOT side
3. Voltage at switch OUT side when in ON position
4. Check to see if there is power getting to the clutch and if so how many volts, not sure what the requirements are for one to operate but I am guessing 12 volts.
5. If you are getting that, I would check WITH THE MOWER NOT RUNNING to see if you can see or hear movement in the clutch pack when you move the switch.

Frankly I think a mower that is 20 years (?) old with an electronic clutch might be due for a new one.

Tom

 

[Dradis]

Thanks, I'll check these things tomorrow. I was trying to do some more research and found info about adjusting the PTO clutch. Is this the PTO clutch or is that something else?

 

[Pumper54]

I am not sure but most likely that is the PTO clutch. Most are electrical but some of the older mowers are a manual set up using idler pullers to engage the blades. I have one mower with an electrical clutch and one with a manual idler pulley set up. Both have good and bad points to them. Can you post the model number of the mower so everyone can be a bit clearer on just we are talking about. There have been so many Craftsmen mowers over the years, model number, engine number and pictures if possible make figuring out stuff a lot simpler. Hope you get it figured out.
Tom

 

[Dradis]

It has an electronic switch to turn it on, so I'm assuming that means it's an electronic PTO clutch. I will definitely post some pics tomorrow when I work on it. Unfortunately I can't find the mower model number. The sticker under the hood is rubbed off to the point that it can't be read. Maybe I'll find it printed somewhere else when I clean it up tomorrow.

 

[hrdman2luv]

It has an electronic switch to turn it on, so I'm assuming that means it's an electronic PTO clutch. I will definitely post some pics tomorrow when I work on it. Unfortunately I can't find the mower model number. The sticker under the hood is rubbed off to the point that it can't be read. Maybe I'll find it printed somewhere else when I clean it up tomorrow.

I haven't done a lot of work on PTO's, but have read that a low battery can cause them to not work right, or even come on. Even if the battery is strong enough to crank the engine, it still needs more juice to keep the PTO engaged. Hope this helps.

 

[SeniorCitizen]

Gap the clutch air space. There are procedures all over the net for doing that. As always with the internet, some procedures may be correct and more incorrect so no guarantees, just take your chances like everyone else does.