1863 PTO Problem
 

Need help with my some PTO issues on my 1863. Yesterday while just starting and moving my tractor out of the garage, I noted that it started hard, almost like the battery was going on it. It did start but I found the PTO engaged and mower was running. I turned the tractor off with the PTO still engaged because nothing I did with the switch would disengage it. I flipped the switch a few times and tried starting again. It started normally without the PTO engaged. Today, I went out to mow the yard. Again it cranked hard and the PTO was engaged when I started it. All the time the "disengage PTO" light is on but the tractor starts anyway. So, I figured I had no time today to look at it further I would just continue to mow since the PTO was on and mower was engaged. I made it about 30 seconds and the PTO stopped on its own. I lowered the throttle and attempted to re-engage the PTO and it worked. I mowed the rest of the yard without issue. After I was completed mowing, I was able to disengage the PTO with the switch. I have never had PTO issues with it before now. Now, I ask for your kindness because I'm not as mechanically smart as I would like to be but I have been around cubs my whole life. Just wondering if this has happened to anyone else and where I should start.... :bigthink: Switch, wiring, PTO?? Thanks in advance!

Sounds like a bad PTO Switch. You may want to change it.

If the PTO switch is bad, will that allow the tractor to start while the PTO is engaged?

Yes.........sounds like that switch is messed up.

I had the same thing happen to a 1863 and the PTO was locking up. The PTO was replaced with a new one. It was my dads at the time and he took it to the dealer and had it repaired.

I was just searching the forums and found a thread about the PTO locking up. Not what I want to hear...not in the middle of mowing season.

Just change the bearing if that's what it is.

Now that I think about it I heard a slight "metal/vibration noise" from the front several times while the PTO was not engaged. I wonder if it could be the bearings? I think I'll start there.

If you still think it might be the switch, couldn't you unplug the PTO connector and guarantee that it's not engaged, If it's still locked it would have to be the PTO.

Good idea, I'll do that first. Thanks everyone. I'll let you know what I find out.

Finally back from vacation with time to check out the PTO problem. I have a newer model 1863 and the clutch looks like part number 917-3403. The bearing appears to be locking up where the pulley is. I sprayed it with penetrating oil and wd40 which loosened it and moved freely. I removed other parts and cleaned them up with some fine sand paper, some were a little rusty. Does anyone know if this bearing can be replaced or do I have to buy the whole clutch? If it can be, how do I go about getting it out of there? It's working properly for now but not sure for how long. It definitely wasn't the switch.

Remove the center bolt to the crankshaft. May have to use an impact wrench. The pulley with bearing should then slide off the crankshaft. The bearing is pressed in the pulley and may be staked around the edges. I took mine to a friends garage to be pressed out of the pulley. My vice is too small to develop the pressure necessary to press out the bearing. I did not want to beat on the pulley and risk bending. Replacing the bearing is much less expensive than replacing the PTO.

Thanks. Where do I find the correct bearing for it?

The bearing will (should) have a number on the face of the bearing. Go to a place like "Bearings Inc" or order on line. Mine on a 1863 with Kohler CH18 is #6206DU8. The bearing has plastic seals to keep out the dirt.

Thanks for the help!