PTO will not engage

PMDowns · #1 10-13-2011, 05:46 PM

I have a 2165 that I bought new in 1996. I have had numerous problems with it (mostly related to belts) and just spent several hundred dollars doing a rehab on it. While mowing last weekend I put the tractor in reverse and of course the PTO disengaged. Now the PTO will not engage or activate. I thought maybe there would be some sort of kill switch or something that might be stuck but I am unable to find anything. Any help or advice appreciated. It is a hydrostatic drive model.

Vince_o · #2 10-14-2011, 05:33 AM

PM Welcome

Look at the reverse switch. SITTING in the seat its behind the mesh screen. Its in the frame, a real PIA to get to. You can look at it from under the mower but youll have to pull some of the screen to get to it.

A couple of other things to look at is the pto relay. They are notorious for giving problems.

Hope this helps

PMDowns · #3 10-14-2011, 06:41 PM

Thanks Vince. By the mesh screen I assume you mean below the dash and steering wheel? Also can you give me an idea on where to find the relay?

Vince_o · #4 10-14-2011, 08:19 PM

Yes thats the screan.

The relay on those are up behind the dash tower, Im thining. Its a small black square with a bunch of wires going into it. Ill take a pic of one tomorrow and post it.

Vince_o · #5 10-16-2011, 06:26 PM

SORRY IT TOOK Me so long.

The pto relay is on the right side behind the dash, as your sitting in the seat.

Vince_o · #6 10-16-2011, 06:32 PM

AAnd the reverse switch is on the left side, sitting in the seat. It easier to remove the dash screen and un hook the harness, then push the tabs in on the side and let the switch fall towards the deck. Once out you can test it a WHOLE lot easier. Then to put it back in, I feed the harness threw the hole in the frame and hook up the switch and slide it all up threw the frame. If I remember its a N/O switch.

Hope this helps get you going.

PMDowns · #7 10-23-2011, 06:33 PM

Thanks Vince for being so willing to help. I have been unable to work on it for several days but have gotten back on it this weekend. I found the reverse switch and the relay. I think I buggered up the reverse switch keeper tabs because I pulled it up through the hole without realizing that was the wrong way. Now my reverse switch is normally closed (circuit is energized) and when the button is pushed the circuit is open or de-energized. I also determined that the button is pushed when the mower is put in reverse which tells me if I leave the switch where it can't be activated the circuit should stay energized. Unless my thinking is wrong I don't believe there is anything wrong with the switch. As far as the relay I'm not sure how to test it. I tried pulling the cover off and cranking the mower and engaging the PTO button to see if I could see the relay move. As far as I could see there was no movement but I'm not sure if that is telling me anything. Other than just replacing the relay I'm not sure what else to do at this point.

PMDowns · #8 10-23-2011, 06:33 PM

BTW I did test the reverse switch with an ohmmeter and it tested OK.

Vince_o · #9 10-24-2011, 08:41 PM

When the plunger on the switch is pushed down, reverse, then it breaks the circut and cut the power to the pto.

Vince_o · #10 10-24-2011, 08:46 PM

remember you have to be in the seat to get the pto to enguage. I use a case of oil to simulate me in the seat. Belive me I wish I was as tin as a case of oil!

with the brake on, something in the seat, turn the ket to the run position.

do you hear the pto?

if no, turn the key back off, then do it again, put your hand on the celonid, do you feel it moving?

If no, your going to have to get the test light out and start tracing where you do and dont have power.