Hi. Before cutting the grass I attempted to engage the PTO switch to engage the mower deck but the mower blades failed to start. This is controlled by a toggle switch on the dash which engages an electric clutch. Are there any diagnostic steps available to determine if the switch is faulty or the electric clutch is faulty. The tractor is about 20 years old.
Thanks.
Kerry

Although you don't mention which model tractor, you might start by checking the plug connector in the wire to the PTO clutch. The wire connector on both my 112 and 140 have vibrated apart st some point or another. Simply plug them back together and tape the with black tape so they don't come apart again. Start with the simple stuff first.

The tractor is 23 years old and is a JD 160. I have diagnosed the problem as the PTO switch. While cleaning the engine, I noticed on the cast aluminum engine block checkerboard like cracks which are not uniform in shape and extend the entire vertical length of the engine block behind the starter motor. This area was oil streaked with a heavy accumulation of dust and grass clippings adhering to the engine block. This leads me to believe that the engine casting has fractured and is in danger of catastropic failure at some point in time. My inclination is to scrap the mower rather than risk injury to the driver. Does anyone have any comments or suggestions regarding this fracture problem and is this diagnosis correct or is this a normal thing for JD engines?

If thr machine is working good and U are afraid of an engine failure Repower it

www.smallenginewarehouse.com

the sell engines for a lot of garden/lawn mowers

I'm going to repower mine when its ready for a transplant I have a 69 model 140

got to be cheaper

Mike

If it has the kawasaki engine with alumonum block, you are looking at insignificant cosmetic marking due to shrinkage as the casting origionally cooled. Clean it up, run without fear and check for oil leaks and fix as needed. Jimpopper

I fixed my 160 electric clutch by cleaning both ends of the ground cable. Try this first before sinking any money into the unit. The second time I had an electrical problem was when the starter would not engage the flywheel. Spent $$$$ rebuilding starter. You guessed it, problem was not the starter as the rebuilding didn't fix the problem. It was a weak battery. The moral to this story is, these little 160's are as tough as nails. When things go wrong it has always been a minor fault due to the age of the perifferal equipment not the engine.

Had a 185 that the starter would not ingauge right to start the tractor and John Deere makes a starter improvement kit to give the starter more power no problems after that. Had the PTO clutch problem just a lose wire. That line of lawn tractors are good units just age getting to them now.