LT1024 - PTO engage failure

[Falcon_az]

The PTO refused to engage. I checked around the net for some hints.

My first thoughts were the switch was bad, loose wire, poor connection, and maybe, a bad pto drive.

The last post had the information I used to troubleshoot my problem.
1 - Weak battery
2 - Replace or charge the battery
3 - Listen for a "click" when you pull the switch out (to engage PTO) - make sure the ignition is on (engine is NOT running).
4 - If you hear a "click"... your PTO should engage (battery is charged up or replaced) when the motor is running.
5 - Ultimately... my battery was the problem.

I stumbled across the following from other sites:
"You most definitely have a bad clutch. These units go out just like yours did. Once you remove the clutch - check the wires thoroughly and reroute them if you see some breaks or scuffing. The clutch's only last about 4 years if you use it a lot or for commercial use. If your mower is around two years old - check for free replacement."

"Sounds more like a PTO clutch failure, rather than the switch. The clutch is mounted on the engine shaft, between the hydrostatic drive pulley (nearest the chassis) and the mower deck belt pulley (farther from the chassis).
Since it's an expensive part, make sure the problem isn't in the switch or wiring first. You could do that by probing the wires to the PTO clutch with an automotive test light - they are inexpensive and handy. Clip the ground wire of the test light to the chassis, and probe the hot wire to the clutch (it's the one that doesn't connect to ground) when the engine is running and the PTO switch is engaged. Obviously a helper has to be in the seat, and you should be careful doing this. If the light glows brightly, and the clutch doesn't engage, you definitely have a bad clutch. Good luck! Please rate my answer if helpful, thanks."

"The electric PTO clutch on a Cub Cadet L1045 allows the mower blades to engage. The electric clutch is located directly under the engine and is bolted onto the crankshaft. When the PTO switch is placed in the on position, an electrical current is sent to the PTO clutch; engaging a brake which then allows the blades to turn. When the PTO switch is in the on position and the blades will not turn, the electric PTO clutch may need replacing. Check the 2 wire conection under the frame near the pto clutch, motor off of course. Make them tight.
------- First start by turning ign on,then switch on the pto switch to on. you should hear a click in the clutch. If not use a twelve volt test light,hook aligator end to a good ground and the needle end,touch to the pto switch harness to see if you have power to the pto switch.If you don"t, you have to go checkfurther to your power source,(battery) if you do have power there check to see if you have power at the plugin at the end of your wire harness, just at the beginning of where your cluch connects up. You can test you clutch by conneting a test wire from positive on your battery to one of the terminals on your clutch and the other terminal to ground . It will engage if it is good .--------- But if not then by pass the pto and see if the clutch gets engaged.If it gets then replace the pto switch, but if its not engaging by bypassing the PTO switch then problem is with clutch, it has to be replaced."

[Vince_o]

Hears how I check them in the shop.

1 with the switch in the RUN position, eng NOT running, pull the pto switch on, you should hear it click

2 if not then you have a safty switch problem, most likly

3 if you have a meter ohm it out. It should be some where around 3.0 give or take .05%, this spec is from Warner clutch spec sheet

4 if the clutch comes on and the deck blades dont turn, if it has the big double stacked pully on the deck, check it for wear, Ive seen lots of them worn and the belt just slips.

Hint if you have a saftey switch problem, theres a way to split the harnes to isolate the differnt circuts on the harness WITH OUT JUMPING SWITCHES. The manual clearly states how to do this, but the powers to be wont let be posted. If you can get your hands on the MTD repair manual youll be able to trouble shoot this in about 10 min.