Simplicity PTO problem

11 years ago

I have a 2007 Simplicity BroadMoor with a 20HP Vanguard. 220 hrs on mower. Gentle use, never left outside. The electric PTO stopped today after mowing for about 45 minutes. The seat safety switch still works (mower shuts off when PTO switch is engaged and nothing on the seat). Anything obvious to look for before I start trouble shooting. Seems like relatively low hours for a PTO to go bad. Thanks in advance.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

richvereb
11 years ago
Had that with MTD Cub Cadet tractor. Battery was the culprit. PTO wired directly from battery needed over 12V constant. New battery. Problem solved.
lkbum_gw
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks, as a coincidence, just changed the battery a couple of weeks ago. As a reference, the old Wally World battery lasted 5 years. Could not believe the date on the thing when I changed it.
Related Professionals
Macon Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Nashville Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Amherst Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Traverse City Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Portsmouth Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Daytona Beach Landscape Contractors · Bainbridge Landscape Contractors · Lafayette Landscape Contractors · Saginaw Landscape Contractors · Bozeman Landscape Contractors · Mount Vernon Architects & Building Designers · Annapolis Architects & Building Designers · Detroit Architects & Building Designers · Sierra Vista Architects & Building Designers · Fairbanks Architects & Building Designers
User
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
A new battery does not mean it is a good battery. NEVER buy a battery from anywhere that can not/will not load test it right in front of you before you pay for it.

When you have a known good battery the PTO should work. If not check fuses and connections at both ends of both battery cables. Make sure the starter bolts and engine mounting bolts are tight cause you need a good chassis ground.

With a known good battery check the charging system to make sure that is working properly. An EZ test is to start the tractor and let it idle with the headlights on then increase to WOT ans see that the headlights get brighter. IF you have a VOM or DVM and know how to use it connect across the battery terminals and look for a touch over 14vdc at WOT.
lkbum_gw
Original Author
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Thanks, Battery is definitely good. I checked Youtube and did some simple trouble shooting. PTO switch is definitely bad, pretty easy to ohm check (took a little time to figure out though as all kinds of safety stuff is routed through the switch). Follow up ohm check of the PTO showed a dead short of the windings. Just to double check, I momentarily hooked a battery charger to the PTO lead, should have pulled 4 amps max (nominal 4 ohms). Pegged the charger (greater than 10 amps). A little more searching on line showed this is a fairly common failure, PTO shorts then kills the switch (no in line fuse). Kind of surprised this happened at 220 hrs. Parts - about $300 with shipping (clutch and switch). Hoping someone can ship fairly quick. Jacks is closed. Any other suggestion on parts source? (no real local dealers in Ga).
lkbum_gw
Original Author
11 years ago
Following up. Parts arrived overnight from Jacks Small Engines. Removal and replacement of the clutch was pretty easy. I do have an Impact Wrench to remove the bolt holding the clutch to the drive shaft. Otherwise it could have been a pain to block the driveshaft to keep it from turning. After removal of the old clutch, I checked the clearance of the clutch plate. It was about 0.025". The new one indicated it should be between 0.012" and 0.015". Maybe this larger gap gave me some slippage I was unaware of that heated up the clutch and led to a premature failure of the coil. After burnishing the new one, I checked the clearance and it was way over spec also (+0.025") and easy to adjust. Anyway, pretty easy and happy with the result, just not the price tag for the parts.