[wootimbored]

Hello all!

Currently working on installing a 46" snow blade on my riding mower. After removing the deck, I cannot seem to get the tractor to start. I have a feeling it has something to do with the PTO cable I took off of the deck. Not sure if its the PTO safety switch, if I need to put tension on the PTO cable or if its the reverse safety switch(or possibly something else..) The engine doesn't crank, and the starter isn't making any noises. It ran not even 2 months ago(albeit, it didnt run well, but it would always start, and the idle would eventually even out). In that time, I've changed the engine pulley(my genius coworker somehow managed to hit a giant rock and bent the pulley), and I've replaced the spark plug. Any ideas? Ill post pictures tomorrow morning when I can.

Really hoping I am missing something simple here. Been racking my brain half the day trying to find the source of my issue.. Thanks in advance!!

 

[38racing]

Likely is a safety switch. Probably thinks the pto is engaged. As a test procedure only if you have easy access to the starter solenoid then you can remove the small wire to it and jumper from the battery positive to the small tab. If it cranks you know it's safety. I assume that you have pto in off position and brake on? Reverse doesn't normally affect engine cranking, just spark.

 

[tomw0]

Most will disable the starter if the PTO is engaged, and the brake pedal released. So for the starter to work, the blades must be disengaged and a foot on the brake pedal, or the brake placed in the 'lock' condition.
Given you have removed the deck, I'd check that the switch was not disturbed, and indicates the PTO is disengaged. Just more words saying the same thing as 38racing...
tom

 

[wootimbored]

Hey sorry I'm a day late with these photos. Didn't get much of a chance to play with the tractor yesterday..

So assuming these uploaded in order, the first 2 photos are of the PTO safety switch. one shows the PTO handle pushing down the PTO switch, and the other is with the handle pushed slightly toward on(just enough to let the switch read that the PTO is engaged).

The third photo is a photo of the PTO cable that I removed from the deck.

I checked the brake safety switch as well, and when i push the brake in, it definitely pushes it shut. Any sure fire ways of testing them without a meter? I also double checked my ignition, fuel, and air flow just to make sure I'm not missing something else, or maybe disconnected the ignition wire when I swapped out the spark plug. I also tried (just for the fun of it) to change back to the old spark plug. Didn't do me any good. lol.

I also took notice that to PTO handle does have some tension in it, despite the cable being disconnected.

 

[38racing]

Assuming picture 1 is PTO for deck being off then it means switch plunger must be depressed for starting. Since you will not have the deck on when using blade use something to keep that plunger depressed. You would need to remove it if you put the deck back on. Or do something with your cable to keep it as in picture and not picture 2.