1440 starting issues-brake safety switch?
 

Hello, New member here from Iowa.
I bought a 1440 last year, serviced and fixed it up, and was happy with it.
A couple weeks ago, i was mowing with it, going down a steep hill. It was gaining speed, so I (gently) pulled back on the hydro lever. Lurched, shuddered, and was stuck in reverse. So, i backed it up near my shed, and got it indoors. Crawled under it, and found that a bracket that attaches to the hydro/rear end housing had somehow come loose. I reattached bracket, and now it won't start. Cleaned connections, checked wiring and fuse. When I depress brake pedal and hit ignition key (yes, it checks out ok), the "depress brake pedal" light comes on. This tells me the brake safety switch is not making. My question is : WHERE is the brake safety switch? I've spent a lot of time under the tractor, and can't for the life of me figure out where it is mounted!
Any and all help will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

First, welcome to OCC......... :Welcome2:

In order for the tractor to start, you must do 3 things. (A) Sit in the seat [Seat Switches], (B) the PTO Switch must be in the OFF position, and (C) You must depress the Brake Pedal [Brake Switch]. Have you done all that...??

If you think it is the Brake Switch, it is located at the end of the Brake Switch Actuator Arm as seen in the attached image, item #7...

The switch may or may not have a rubber boot around the plunger end. There is much dirt and cutting debris flowing through this area when mowing. I replaced this switch as it was erratic. Check wiring connectors. Source from one of the sponsors of this website.

Guys, thanks for the quick response.
I located the switch, it tests out ok, but the rubber boot is ripped up. Turns out there is a reason it's ripped up, the mounting bolts from rear end to chassis sheared off on right side. Pilot drilled the broken off stubs, then used a LH drill bit to back them out. Replaced two bolts.
Dropped the "skid plate" or belly pan to access the switch, saw that the arm that contacts the switch had also been contacting the output shaft, and had grooved it pretty bad. Not sure if this had been rubbing for some time, or just the time it took me to get it back to the shed, but damage is done. The piece that meets the switch is scored up pretty bad from rubbing the shaft, will probably have to do some finessing to make sure it won't tear up the new switch (when I get it installed).
Don't beat me up, but can I jumper the brake switch to get me by one or two more mowing sessions, and fix it right over the winter? I'm short on time, and long on grass!
Thanks again for being so quick with help to a newbie to the group.

Rubber boot on the switch has nothing to do with its function.

AS A TEST.....you can jumper that switch out.

If you leave it jumped out, you will have the full force and rath of the US Gov't breathing down your back. Then they will send the OSHA clowns out to your place to give you a stern warning....

:biggrin2:

LOL.. Damn.. I am in huge trouble with a couple of my tractors then!

Oh don’t worry, when come to my place they will be busy for a month. I’ll warn ya when they are done.:biggrin2: