1782 PTO engage but wont stay on
 

A year ago I bought a 1782 for a good deal. the guy said he had it rewired a number of years ago because mice had chewed a mess of things. It has been running and mowing. Recently I was mowing and it died as if a safety switch was triggered. Now I can start it and engage the pto, but when I let go of the pto switch into the ON position, the pto disengages. The PTO will stay engaged if I hold the switch up. Curious on where I should start to diagnose this issue.
Thanks

My first question is did he wire it to the original drawing or did he just wire it up to make it work?

I'm not 100% sure how true to the original wiring it was re-done, but from my amateur (minimal) knowledge on wiring, I'd say it looks like it could go either way. I assume it follows the wiring diagram but haven't investigated that closely.

Looks like it could be the seat switch. It is not allowing the reverse relay to stay on or the relay is bad.

First place I always go when things like you describe happen.
Seat switch as was mentioned or brake switch or some kinda safety.
Don't know that I have seen anything except a safety create what
you're experiencing.

Ken

great, thanks for the suggestions! I will check the seat switch tonight after work and follow up with what I'm able to find.

a new reverse relay fixed the issue of pto disengaging when releasing switch to the on position, but now it will intermittently die regardless of pto being on or not. potential loose wire, faulty switch somewhere? do the interlock switches under the seat go bad and cause this?

Sounds like a loose or corroded connection to me.

I had the exact same issue on my 1572 when I first got it. It wound up being the jumper for the rear PTO option. It was behind the battery, and it was full of green corrosion.

great, thanks for the thoughts. I'll practice my electrical testing skills and see if I can find the problem

I've checked switches and cleaned connections and cant seem to find the problem. I also removed pto clutch and adjusted air gap. It needed it but didn't make a difference with my problem. I can't seem to find the rear pto jumper, is that listed in the service manual under a different name? I see it on the wiring diagram but cant seem to find the location on 1782.

Current symptoms are that I can engage and run front PTO, seems to get up to speed but when I move forward and/or get into cutting grass the engine bogs down and eventually pukes. Rear pto seems to be working fine, so I wonder if it is indeed that jumper