QuestionQUESTION: I am having trouble with the front electric PTO on a John Deere garden tractor. It has become very intermittent when trying to engage. I have read through some of your past answers and tried to do my homework first, but the problem remains. At the PTO connector I measure 4.9 ohms across the coil, the battery measures 12.8V and when running the connector to the PTO measures from 0 to 14.1V when the PTO switch is flipped. I cleaned the main engine ground which includes a ground wire from the main harness - scraped and sanded all terminals before retightening. Still same problem... any idea what I could be missing? Thanks for any help.
ANSWER: Hello James:
The PTO Clutch Clearance/Gap is too Wide and Requires Adjusting. If I am Not Mistaken, the Procedure for Setting this Clearance/Gap is in the Owners Manual. If you Do Not have an Owners Manual, then I will Write an Instruction File for this and Send it to you. I Guess I need to Add this Instruction File to the List of Other Files I am Making Up. Thanks for Bringing this Up. I Knew I was Forgetting a Few Instruction Files that Required Writing. If you Hit a Snag or this Does Not Correct the Problem, I am Here if You Require More Assistance. Hope this Helps. Let me Know What Happens, Please. May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Thanks.
Good Luck
Respectfully
John
PS: I am Allowed to Answer 10 Questions a Day. If you See I am Maxxed Out, then Try Submitting your Question at or Just After 8pm EST (US). My New Day Starts then. Thanks.
Respectfully
John
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thank you JOhn, I checked the operators manual I have and it lists nothing about adjusting this clearance gap (sorry, don't have a svce manual). I looked and presume it is just a matter of tightening the 3 spring mounted studs with locknuts. But the question is how much, what is the tolerance and where measured? If you can help with that it would be great.
AnswerHello Again James:
OK. Some of the Newer PTOs cannot be Adjusted. If you can Get a Blade Style Feeler Gauge between the PTO Magnet and Clutch, then Set the Clearance at .015in. The Newer PTOs have the Same Set Up as the Older PTOs, except there is No Adjustments. I Suggest also that you Rig a 12 Volt Light for Testing the Current Flow to the PTO while Operating the Mower. If the Light Blinks During Operation, then you have a Bad Connection somewhere to the PTO Clutch. If the Light Stays Steady and the PTO Still Kicks in and Out, then it is the Adjustment. If you Cannot get a Feeler Gauge between the Clutch to Set it, then you can Also Turn the Spring Loaded Adjuster Nuts 1/4 Turn and Operate the Mower. Do Not Adjust Over 1/2 Turn. If you have Adjusted to 1/2 Turn and the Problem is Still Present and you Know the Voltage to the PTO is Steady, then Replace the PTO. If you Hit a Snag or this Does Not Correct the Problem, I am Here if You Require More Assistance. Hope this Helps. Let me Know What Happens, Please. May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Thanks.
Good Luck
Respectfully
John
PS: I am Allowed to Answer 10 Questions a Day. If you See I am Maxxed Out, then Try Submitting your Question at or Just After 8pm EST (US). My New Day Starts then. Thanks.
Respectfully
John
