1440 PTO Problem
 

While cutting grass I just noticed my belt drive would not disengage, so the blades are twirling all the time. Then after a long time, it will just shut off. I operate the switch and it does not respond, but wait, maybe 5 minutes later it will finally come on, or switch off. When I go in reverse, it does not shut off as it should. Can someone give me some clues? Thank you so much.

Stab in the dark, did the belt maybe come off the PTO pulley? If it comes off it may end up on the driveshaft and will continue to "power" the deck regardless of the state of the PTO clutch, until the heat/wear causes it to start slipping.

Sounds like perhaps a bad PTO switch. Could be a failing bearing too, causing it to not shut off. Doesn't really explain why it won't come on. :bigthink: Perhaps the brake is out of adjustment? Look it over, check the brake. If it still doesn't work, get out the muti-meter out and test and see if the switch is working.

How old is the PTO?

PTO Problems
 

Guys, thank you so much for your help. The first thing I checked was the belt. It was on and running as it should have been. I had to take the belt off to get the blades to stop, then put the belt on when I want to mow.

I will check the switch first thing. I had read a past posting from someone with a PTO problem and they were told it could be an old battery. I wondered about that since my battery is old.

How old is the PTO? I got the tractor 2 years ago. I have no idea how old it would be. The previous owner didn't have it long, and he didn't share much at all about it when I got it. Until recently, it has been working just great.

If the tractor starts ok on it's own (don't have to jump it) and the battery doesn't run dead, it's not a battery issue.