Driven by electricity provided by the mower's 12-volt battery, the PTO clutch engages when its solenoid receives an electric spark . The PTO pulley is attached to the clutch and guides the belt that connects to the engine crankshaft pulley and rotates the blades of the mower that are located under the mower's deck.
How do I know if my electric PTO clutch is bad?
“Normally” when a clutch is going bad it will start to show when you engage the PTO . A common symptom would be for the clutch to be slow to engage if it's been running for a while and is hot. Once engaged they usually stay engaged until you shut them off.
What is an electric PTO clutch?
An electric lawnmower clutch, commonly called a power takeoff clutch (PTO), is the part of a lawnmower or riding tractor responsible for engaging the blade . ... This type of clutch prevents the mower from moving after the driver disengages the mower clutch. An electric clutch is technically an electromagnetic apparatus.
What does PTO clutch stand for?
Power take-off (PTO) clutches provide a mechanical disconnect between the power created by gas and diesel engines or electric motors to another piece of equipment. The PTO clutches enable the transmission of that energy to auxiliary equipment that does not generate its own power.
What is an electric PTO on a riding lawn mower?
The PTO is a switch or lever found on tractors and mowers and stands for Power Take Off. This can be an electric switch or mechanical engagement that takes engine power to operate the mower deck or an implement. The PTO can run mowers by either a belt or a shaft.
How do you test an electric PTO clutch?
Pull off the main power wire that goes to the PTO clutch assembly. This is located on the clutch side. Turn the wire jack toward you, but pull yourself back away from the deck as far as possible. With the battery connected and engine turned off, place the negative alligator lead of a test light to a ground source.
What does a PTO overrunning clutch do?
An overrunning PTO clutch is a device that allows a tractor's power take-off (PTO) shaft to be driven in one direction, but to spin freely (freewheel) in the other direction . ... The frewheel action of the overrunning clutch prevent equipment from “driving” the tractor through its PTO shaft.
Should my PTO clutch spin freely?
Should my PTO clutch spin freely? Yes, the clutch pulley should turn freely when not engaged . It may have an electrical issue as well as bearing issue causing it to stall with no load and vibrate under a load.
How do PTO clutches work?
The PTO clutch is mounted under the tractor or mower beside the power drive shaft, which is also vertically aligned. It is connected to the blade shaft, and when it spins, the blade spins too. ... When the engine is on, the shaft spins at a very high rate but the blade does not.
How does a PTO engage?
The PTO is engaged and disengaged using the main transmission clutch and a remote control mechanism which operates on the PTO itself. Typically, an air valve is used to engage the PTO, but a mechanical linkage, electric or hydraulic mechanism are also options.
Is electric PTO better than manual?
An electric PTO clutch system provides longer belt life , better belt reliability (belt always tight), zero slippage, and easier operation. Thus why it is a premium feature.
Do riding lawn mowers have a clutch?
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Power takeoff (PTO) clutches are found on riding lawn mowers . These clutches exist on the bottom of the mower's engine assembly and control the flow of power to the mower's cutting blades.
Why does the PTO not engage?
If the PTO clutch is not getting power, if the clutch solenoid is defective , or if the clutch is worn out, the lawn mower blades will not engage. The PTO clutch is not repairable—if the clutch is defective, you must replace it. The PTO switch provides power to the PTO clutch. ... If the PTO switch is defective, replace it.
