1862 PTO won't disengage

[tweivoda]

I picked up an 1862 with a 50c mower this past Saturday from a John Deere dealer in Illinois. It has had an engine replacement and runs very well.

When I got hit home I noticed that the mower drive belt was is pretty bad condition and was not in the front pulleys on the mule drive. I assumed that since the belt was at the end of its life that is just wouldn't stay on the pulley.

I picked up a new belt this morning and the mower commenced running as soon as I started the engine. The pto switch has no affect on the mower and of course I can mow in reverse.

Should my focus be to start with the switch or the pto clutch? My electrical skills are limited so it may be a job for a professional. I think I could replace the switch on my own however.

Any thoughts?

[West Valley G]

As far as being able to mow in reverse, OSHA would disagree but I believe
that is correct.
You have all kinds of safety switches related to running the PTO also.
A couple under the seat, interlock switches etc etc.
I would think your reverse switch is operated by the forward, reverse
lever on the dash. Look behind the dash.
and you will see it. I guess what I am saying is don't overlook the safeties.
It will take some time but you can figure it out, and then you won't have
to pay someone. And you will learn lots of cool stuff about your 1864.
The folks here will help you. Good luck.

Ken

[tweivoda]

Thanks for the suggestions. If I get off the seat the tractor dies so I have to assume that safety switch is operational. I have to have the brake lever depressed to activate the starter so that should be good as well. I thought about just replacing the pto switch but the cost is around $50 so I am reluctant to do that just yet. I might be in a postion to get some professional help at least for diagnosis.

I will keep you posted.

[Mcamp]

Before buying parts, take the PTO belt off the clutch and see if you can turn the clutch by hand. I think your PTO bearings are shot.

[Oak]

If you lock the brake pedal down and get off the tractor it should stay running.

I'm thinking like Mcamp that you have bad bearings in the PTO. The bearings are easy and cheap to replace if needed. It depends on your pto but on the ones I have changed it took these bearings. https://www.amazon.com/XiKe-6206-2RS...NsaWNrPXRydWU=

What engine is in the tractor now? It originally had a Kohler M18. It is possible that the new engine has a wiring issue causing your problem too. Unplug the brown wire at the clutch and see if it still stays engaged. If it does, your bearings are bad, if it doesn't, you have a wiring issue.

Good luck and let us know what you find.

[tweivoda]

The replacement engine is another Kohler Magnum 18.

[finsruskw]

PTO bearing, probably the front one
That's what was wrong w/my GTX2154 here a week or two back.

[1711Cub]

Definitely rule out an electrical issue. I recently had a PTO that would not disengage. I unplugged the relay and the PTO disengaged. Ever since, it has worked great.

[tweivoda]

I took the 1862 to the local Cub Cadet dealer to have him examine the pto issue and do an "assessment" of the tractor to see if there were other issues that needed attention.

He determined that it was a seized bearing in the clutch. He said they had success replacing the bearings although his local supplier was struggling to find an exact fit. I told him that I had a bearing number that was suggested by one of our members here (Oak) that he got from Amazon so we agreed that I would just order it. It arrived Wednesday I took it the dealer for him to install. He called me yesterday afternoon and says its working great and ready to pick up. Thanks to the folks here (Oak and others) who lead me in the right direction.

The technicians at the dealership were pretty impressed with the overall condition. The tractor has 1300 hours but the new engine was supposed to have been installed less than 100 hours ago, at least according the John Deere dealership I purchased it from. The engine starts without hesitation, throttles up and down nicely, and idles very smoothly. They hydro seems pretty tight along with the steering although I think the tie rod ends could be replaced.

But, when I opened the hood I damaged the area where the hinge attaches. I will try some of the plastic repair suggestions that I have read on this site. But I may try to find a used hood. This is my first cyclops tractor (I picked a nice 782 (red) last fall which I plan on installing power steering at some point. I admit I was warned about the weakness of the plastic on the cyclops but I just think they're a darn handsome tractor. I will be using my John Deere sub compact tractor for snow removal this winter and my plan is to commence with a restoration.

[West Valley G]

Good to hear you are up and running. You find all kinds of creative ways
to keep the plastic hood together. I don't know if mine has any of the
original hardware. It still works though.

Ken