QuestionQUESTION: about 12 years old, used at home only (no commercial use). we mow about 2 acres with this and 12 acres with a tractor. the 37" deck is belt driven, the engine is a Kawasaki 12hp. Problem: blade will not engage, especially when hot. sometimes when 1st started the blade will engage (electric clutch). when you disengage the blade it will not re-engage. Original problem was a blown fuse. replaced fuse and everything was ok for a while. when I apply 12v to the system, I can hear the clutch click. I have replaced the on/off switch with a non-original part. I have replaced the momentary switch several times with on-line ordered non-original parts. I seem to be getting voltage through the fuse. is there any way to check the clutch before replacing it? machine gets about 50 hours of use each year.
ANSWER: You have several possibilities. Do you have a volt meter?
If so, unplug the PTO clutch. Start the power unit, engage the PTO switch and test the wire going to the PTO clutch for voltage, you should have a little over 12 volts. If you have voltage you know the problem is the clutch.
If you have no voltage or very low voltage (it will usually be all or nothing) you know it's a charging problem with the power unit.
I'm guessing it's the clutch itself. The fuse blew because the clutch was starting to pull to many amps. Although at 300 hours it's more likely a charge problem. Since the clutch clicks when voltage is applied you might get by another season by tightening up the clutch gap. Do this by turning the nuts over the springs about 1/4 turn. This might help.
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QUESTION: apply 12v directly to the clutch (through the fuse disconnect) and I get a reliable and steady click of the magnetic clutch. measure the voltage going to the fuse and get a steady 17v. connect it up and get nothing. I then connected it up with a jumper in there to measure the voltage under load. when I push in the momentary switch while under load, I only get 4.5v. does this mean the charging unit is bad? I suspect so. Yur opinion? Thanks.
AnswerI bowl on Friday night, To many budweisers. I'll get back with you tomorrow.
Test for voltage between the battery cables.
With the engine running you should have 13VDC. If you have that engage the clutch. If the voltage drops more than about 5 VDC you need a new clutch.
If you don't have 13 VDC replace the regulator rectifier.
I did stay in a "Holiday Inn" last night.
Even after bowling the charging system specs won't change. Did you try tightening the nuts on the clutch.
