Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Electric PTO clutch, amp fuse, mower blades

Question
I have a Bolens 1700 Eliminator lawn tractor that I am told the PTO clutch is bad.  The problem I am having is mowing the grass, the mower blades will work for a while (anywhere between 5 minutes and 1 hour) and then will quit turning.  The tractor still runs, just not the mower.  I then shut the tractor off and then when I try to restart the tractor the battery is completely dead and needs to be jumped.  Once jumped, I go back out and can mow again for anywhere from 5 minutes to 1 hour before the mower stop working and I have to come back in and jump the tractor again and so on.  I have noticed on the back of my PTO switch on the dashboard of the tractor the black "condutor" that the five prongs fit into (from the back ot the PTO switch) is starting to melt, as if a short.  It has gotten progressively worse (the melting) each time the mower goes out.  I took it to a tractor repair shop and they attempted to wire directly to the PTO clutch using a 30 amp fuse, the mower stayed on for about 5 minutes before it stopped.  The repair shop says its the Electric PTO clutch and wants about $500.00 to repair, if they can find a matching PTO clutch.  Can you tell me where the PTO clutch is located and what it looks like and if it would be something that I could replace rather than spending $500.00 to have it done.  I have a general working knowledge of how a tractor operates and the engine.  Thank you.  

Answer
Hi Mark-
The clutch is mounted directly under the engine, if you're mechanically inclined, and have a good (not a basic) toolset- you could do it.  Problem is these clutches are often VERY difficult to remove from the shafts, and the shops know it-
You'd need pullers, hammers, a good pry bar, 500 $ seems steep, is there another shop you can get a second opinion at?