Blade not engaging. Please help.

[Dradis]

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.

I replaced the battery late last season with the biggest lawn battery I could get. It didn't change the problem.

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.

Look like this is what you're talking about. Giving this a shot today. https://youtu.be/wH9tZl6GzE0

Thanks for all the help. Y'all are always great. I'll update soon.

 

[BlazNT]

For the PTO to work you need to have the stator working. You need to have around 13 volts at the battery at wide open throttle. You need to check that first.

 

[Dradis]

ok, I checked the voltage at the switch, proper 12+ volts at the hot side and the switched side when switched on. So far I was unable to check at the PTO because it was too dirty to get a contact. I'll check that soon. Heres some pics of my mower and PTO clutch. I know its not pretty, but it was free and has done the job well for a few years. I'm hoping to get a few more.

 

[Pumper54]

Free is good. Looking at the clutch pack you might be in the market for a new one if the adjustment doesn't work.
Tom

 

[Dradis]

I think this is a good sign! When I connect to 12v I hear a click, and another when I disconnect. Without 12v, the pully is nearly locked. With 12v it turns easily. Sorry for the very poor quality video. It was kind of a three handed job.

https://youtu.be/1Dz6yh_QBnU

 

[Dradis]

I think that may have done the trick. I didn't actually get to mow today because the tires and the belts were shot. With the deck still off, I fired up the engine and flipped the switch. PTO pulley turned just fine. I let it run for 5-10 minutes and the switch continued to work. Fingers crossed that this problem is done. Up next: tires and belts.

 

[SeniorCitizen]

Did you set the air gap?

 

[Dradis]

Not exactly. I don't have any feeler gauges, but I read somewhere to try a quarter turn clockwise if you don't have gauges. That seems to have worked. If it doesn't, I'll get gauges and set it more precisely.

 

[bertsmobile1]

And check your alternator output.
You should see 12.5 V or better at the battery .
when running at full speed and the blades spinning you should see better than 13V at the battery .
If not you are not recharging the battery and you are running the battery down when mowing.
Electric PTO's pull 3 to 5 amps.