3184 Vacuum actuator
 

I have a CC3184. I was just running it and have a new issue. The deck blades will not disengage. I pushed the switch in and they continued. I disconnected the switch and they continued. I have to disconnect the vacuum lines in order to stop the deck. This is a new issue for me. Does anyone have any suggestions?

I am not familiar with your particular machine, but it sounds like the bearing in the pto has locked up. I replaced a bearing in an 1811 one time, but not in one that new.

These things don't use a regular PTO, they have a vacuum actuator that pulls a pulley to apply tension to the belts. My guess is that the linkage is binding or the air control system is not releasing the vacuum. The in the know guy is Oak.

If you disconnect the vacuum line to the diaphragm and it shuts off, either the issue is in the switch, or the vacuum solenoid.

Pretty easy to figure out. Disconnect the electric part of the solenoid. Should be normally closed. If it still won't disengage, solenoid is bad. If it does disengage when unplugged, you either have a short, or the switch is failed. Get out the multimeter.

This is odd. I went to troubleshoot the issue with the advice provided only to discover it is working correctly now. It will turn on and off normally now. I guess the ole girl just didn't want to act right in front of a potential buyer.

Your solenoid may be sticking. I had one that would not open causing the pto not to engage so maybe yours was stuck open. I carefully pulled it apart and cleaned it. It worked like a new one after that.
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