1541 pto safety switch help

[clint]

I purchased a 1541 original Magnum 15 hp engine that did not have a pto on the front of crankshaft, I got a good deal, has 334 hours, and everything is in great shape other than some age except missing pto. I'm trying to get the engine started, but when I turn the key I get the disengage pto, I temporarily jumped the safety switch that allowed the engine to turn over, however no spark. I do get a very small spark only at time when the key is released to stop cranking engine over.

After trying to jumper the safety switch again, cleaning the main ignition switch, checking ground etc, I got a great spark one time, and after that only a small spark when key is released from cranking engine over

One more thing the disengage pto light is still on even after jumper wire is on the safety switch at pto, so I assume this will still prevent the engine from getting fire/spark ? If anyone has any help or suggestions, or some easier way to bypass the pto safety only for testing purposes as I would never bypass a pto safety.

[clint]

I did not want to put to much information in the thread asking for trouble shooting help, but I'm also wondering what the general thought about this model of Garden Tractor is, the 1541 is in the cyclops family I already don't care for the plastic. Some things I do like is the engine, electronic ignition frame, layout etc. The pump looks similar to the sunstrand pump on a 1450 with some differences, the rear axle looks beefy, but it's hard to tell by looking.

I researched it some, but all kinds of info on net I read one place that stated the 15 HP magnum is a 18 hp engine with a smaller carburetor.. I'm not worried about 3 horsepower , still if anyone knows.

I have a KT 17 series II and it looks like the exact same engine side by side comparison, size, etc.. of course the KT 17 has points, and the magnum does not. If the Magnum 15 is as good as the KT 17 series II and from reading they are same except updated electronic ignition on magnum I will be happy for sure.

[Frank1541]

Clint,

I have a 1541. It is a great tractor. The magnum is a 18HP engine. If you look at the parts breakdown for the 15 and the 18, they are identical. The only difference is the part number for the air cleaner sticker. So stick with the magnum. The 1541 is basically an 1862 without power steering.

John

[Oak]

I like my 1541 Cyclops also. There has been lots of talk on the HP rating of the engine. I also think that it is just a M18 that is only rated at 15 HP but actually puts out 18. If these machines had metal side panels and hood they would really be great.

[_DX3_]

Originally Posted by clint

I purchased a 1541 original Magnum 15 hp engine that did not have a pto on the front of crankshaft, I got a good deal, has 334 hours, and everything is in great shape other than some age except missing pto. I'm trying to get the engine started, but when I turn the key I get the disengage pto, I temporarily jumped the safety switch that allowed the engine to turn over, however no spark. I do get a very small spark only at time when the key is released to stop cranking engine over.

After trying to jumper the safety switch again, cleaning the main ignition switch, checking ground etc, I got a great spark one time, and after that only a small spark when key is released from cranking engine over

One more thing the disengage pto light is still on even after jumper wire is on the safety switch at pto, so I assume this will still prevent the engine from getting fire/spark ? If anyone has any help or suggestions, or some easier way to bypass the pto safety only for testing purposes as I would never bypass a pto safety.

I removed a bit of your text about jumping the wires. We don't allow actually telling how it is done here at OCC.

I do understand wiring gremlins suck, LOL. Hopefully we can get some guys that are good with it in here to help you out. Have a bit of patience with it. Some of us only get in and look at the posts maybe once a day. A member here, CADplans, fixed the issue with plastic, LOL. He used an older model steel hood. I'll let him show and explain it. Looks pretty dang good to me with how he did it.

[clint]

I didn't mean to break in rules, and can understand about jumper wire details. I can also understand about only getting to read the forum once or twice a week.. as I have the same problem work, kids etc.

After reading much, about possible carb derating etc, I think I will go with what the code on the engine says, M18S.

I think Cub Cadet didn't want these series to be a 1841, and they could not sell a 18 hp GT and have a much higher price 18 hp (not sure what model they had same year with 18 hp engine) so they deemed to rate the engine at 15 hp.

I'm going to give it another go today, using the wiring diagram etc and see if I can make contact

[R Bedell]

I didn't mean to break in rules

It isn't so much about breaking the rules as to the "Vulcher Attorneys" circling overhead. In my area, these "professionals" are on the TV & Radio every 15 minutes just looking for personal injury cases and pockets to get into.

[ajgross]

I'm going to try not to break the rules here and just give you some general knowledge about magnum engines and you can figure it out on your own on how to diagnose where the problem lies. On a Magnum engine, it does not require any external power source to generate spark. So if the magneto kill wire is disconnected, and the engine is spinning, it should be producing a spark. Just BE SURE that the spark plug wires are off and the gas is shut off. If the engine starts, the only way to kill it is to ground the kill wire.

AJ

[JohnK]

I was having similar problems with a single cylinder Command engine. The plug on the ignition switch was barely connected and would intermittently shut off the engine or make it backfire. I diagnosed like AJ suggested and realized it wasn't a coil or fuel pump problem. After going through the wiring to check and clean every connection, I found the culprit.

[clint]

I also will try not to make a new infomercial about claiming money for negligence..

I can figure out a way to power the magneto and a safety kill switch as well, that should give me a start. After that I will trace back the safety switches etc, as I do like most of them, some are a pain.. but mentioned above they are there for a purpose, and also can be helpful.

Thanks for the help, I will try some different approaches.. I just want to hear it run, everything else seems to be in working order. I also really like the deck on this GT, not sure about the deck lift yet as I'm accustomed to the 1450, and JD 317 type lift rods/shafts etc.

For a heavy engine it sure is easy to steer, I was surprised. I know everything likes different aspects of each models throughout the years, they seem to cheapen one part, and yet address other problems.. Still this is a nice project, and the engine is the center piece. I plan to make a grass cutter out of it.

By the way the PTO is not a cheap item.... if the engine is good, and everything is in working order the PTO will put a dent in my play money fund