Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Gravely 1840xl, mower blade, battery cables


Question
What would cause the mower blade to disenguage and re-engauge will mowing. Is the switch bad, loose wire or what. Please help if possible.
I was mowing just fine and the blades kicked out and started back up again, then quit completely. Let sit for 5 to 10 minutes and started working again for a little while, then kicked out again.

Answer
It could be a bad PTO switch, a bad battery, insufficient voltage from the alternator, any other reason for low voltage to the battery or PTO and a safety switch that is intermittently failing.  It could also be a failing PTO clutch or the wiring to the clutch.

My guess would be the battery or PTO switch first followed by the clutch.  This may be difficult to track down.  First would be to establish the battery condition.  You can take it to an auto parts store and they can load test it.  Then check the recharging ability.  With the key off, there should be 12 or so volts at the battery.  Witrh the engine running at operating speed, there should be a jump of one-two volts.  

Beyond that, you really need a wiring schematic to start tracing down and testing each circuit.  That should be available from your dealer.  

There are a number of loose wires that could be the problem, from battery cables to all the rest.  I don't know if there's a seperate voltage regulator on this mower, that would show up on a schematic.  Sorry i can't point you right to the problem, but electrical troubles usually take a good bit of diagnostics with a multimeter.  Thanks, PK.