Why Does Your PTO Switch Fails?

To begin with, you need to figure out what PTO stands for. PTO stands for “Power Takeoff”, referring to the clutch that engages the rider mower’s blades. The PTO switch , also known as an electric lawnmower clutch, is a safety feature that activates and deactivates the mower blades. There are many types of PTO switch like john deere pto switch, cub cadet pto switch, ferris pto switch, scag pto switch, which all have the basic features.

What happens when a PTO switch fails?

Anything wears out after a while, and PTO connections are no exception. When the PTO switch fails, the blades will shut down during use or not start at all. If you're trying to mow your lawn, you need to check your connections right away to diagnose the problem. Usually, the problem is due to a break at one point or another in the connection between the engine, clutch, and PTO knob, with power not flowing between the switch and the clutch. Looking under the hood, you'll be able to inspect individual nodes for signs of corruption or disconnection.

How do you know your PTO switch fails?

If the engine is running but the blades won't engage when you pull the knob, then you know the outage isn't due to a dead battery. You can remove the switch from the dash, check the controller itself, and check the wires attached and the clutch on the bottom of the mower to see which node in the system might be a dead end.

Why does your PTO switch fails?

1. Corrosion or debris in the switch mechanism. The PTO switch is a pull knob usually made of plastic, with the internal switch connection made of metal prongs and brackets. Over time, plastic wears down and may build up, and metal may get wet and begin to rust or otherwise corrode.

2. Connections bypassed. Some skilled ride-on mower owners intentionally break the PTO switch connection and do so at their own discretion. Users who don't have children or pets around, don't use the mower as a tractor, want the blades to stay on, or have other specific reasons may bypass the safety feature. If you purchased a used model and your PTO switch working fails, the connection may have been intentionally bypassed.

3. Frayed or exposed wires. Over time, the plastic insulator coating on copper wire will wear away and potentially expose the wires. When a wire comes into contact with a conductor, such as moisture or organic material, it can shorten the connection, potentially blow a fuse or heat a switch, and become a fire hazard.

4. Blown fuse.If a connection fails, the relevant fuse on the operator panel will be blown and the connection will be interrupted for safety. This can be caused by frayed wires, exposure to moisture, or another connection being short and receiving too much voltage.

5. Burned out switch. The switch may have been damaged by a shorted connection. Plastic connectors can melt or overheat the metal, damaging switches and interrupting the flow of power.