[ddove1972]

I have a 42" Craftsman tractor with a BS 20HP engine.

I just got this tractor and the last owner was cuttin and hit a small stump an it shut the mower off instantly. There was no damage to the blade shafts or anything like that but the mower will not start now unless I junp a wire from the starter to the positive on the battery.

Fuse is good. Is it the curcuit breaker or is there another fuse that I am missing?

Thanks

 

[D-Dogg]

I wonder if he damaged the safety interlock switch for the deck, and you are effectively bypassing it with your jumper wire. The PTO switch is off, btw?

 

[walter g]

If he hit the stump hard enough, he might of bounced on the seat hard enough to break the seat safety switch.

They are pretty easy to break. Ask me how I know.

Walter

 

[grapeknutz]

A common problem on Craftsman riding mowers are the starter solenoid going bad. If you dont hear a "click" when you try to start the engine it will be the solenoid thats bad.

 

[Fcubman]

If he hit the stump hard enough, he might of bounced on the seat hard enough to break the seat safety switch.

They are pretty easy to break. Ask me how I know.

Walter

Okay, I'll bite - how do you know? :hide:

 

[walter g]

I have a property I mow. I was unloading the tractor off of the trailer,and I pushed my Craftsman down the trailer gate. Well it rolled a few feet and hit the only hole on the entire property. :sidelaugh

Seat only bounced once, but it broke the safety switch.

Not one single piece of wire to be had. I had to load it by hand and come back another day to mow. 18 mile trip each way wasted.

I now keep a roll of wire in my van, and a premaid jumper wire just in case.

 

[ddove1972]

Thank you all for your input. I will try to get a starter solenoid. It runs and cuts great. I just get tired of jumping it started with a wire.

Thank you ALL...

 

[Bill Kapaun]

It's helpful if you identify the tractor with the Sears 917.xxxxxx number. That way one can possibly look at the proper schematic.

That said, your starter circuit generally goes through the clutch/brake switch and then the attachment switch if no electric PTO, or through the PTO switch and then the B/C switch IF equipped with an electric PTO.

It usually has WHITE wires.

My guess is that the attachment switch got knocked out of position/broken when the deck "jumped" when hitting the stump.

 

[Fcubman]

Walter G - I thought we were going to hear about a "wide load" story breaking the switch :ROF
I hate when that happens - you're off somewhere to do a job, and you lack something simple to get the job done :crybaby: