Troy-Bilt Bronco 42" won't crank

danoshea

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I have a Troy-Bilt 42" riding lawnmower, Model #: 13AK78BS011. It was working but the drive belt kept coming off when I would turn off the mower. When the PTO lever was not engaged, the belt looked extremely loose. I also have the belt retainers on close to the pulley. So I took the deck off and put a new 42" Deck Belt (96.5 - recommended and ordered on Troybilt.com) on.
I connected the deck back on in the reverse order, connecting the PTO cable to the deck, 1 clip on each side on the back of the deck, connecting the the front bolt.
However, the belt looked looser than the belt I replaced even though it was the exact same length. I also know I put the belt on correctly - belt extends in the back of the deck to the outer pulleys, wraps around the inner pulleys and then the loop around the drive pulley in the front.
I tried starting it and it won't start. There is no click or cranking whatsoever.
Months ago I disconnected the seat safety switch and it still worked, so that I don't believe that is the issue. I pushed in the clutch while pressing the brake switch and still nothing.
I know the battery is fine as the lights come on and I also jump charged it and still nothing when I turned the key.
What I can't figure out is where is the PTO switch, if there even is one. I know if I have the PTO lever engaged and turned the mower off, turning the ignition key to start it would do nothing. I had to disengage the PTO lever (cable.) I checked from the PTO lever to the cable and down to the deck connection and saw nothing resembling a PTO switch. So how does the PTO safety feature work? Meaning, how electronically does the mower know the PTO is engaged or disengaged on this model?
Any ideas of why it stopped working after replacing the belt?
Thanks.
 

ILENGINE

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Make sure the pto cable is pulling the engagement handle all the way back against the stop when disengaged. Or try pulling back on the handle while attempting to start. The pto safety switch is tucked up in a hole behind the right fender.
 

danoshea

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Thank you for the reply.

Below is the PTO lever: 1 - pulled all the way back on the top of the right fender. 2 - Under the fender outside of the battery box, 3 - the lever attached to the PTO cable inside the wall of the battery box, and 4 - the inside PTO bracket.
By the pictures, there is no PTO switch. The PTO cable goes down to the deck where it attaches to a spring.
So I am at a loss since there is no PTO switch, where is the electrical connection to the PTO lever/cable that tells the ignition the PTO is engaged?
 

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ILENGINE

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What is that electric connector behind the cable in your third picture. Most likely that is the pto safety switch connector.
 

StarTech

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Yes that is the PTO switch hidden back there.
1713209238766.png
 
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