[Fire tuck]

Anyone have any knowledge on the hydro 175 dying when engaging the pto to start cutting, the seat switch is connected and runs fine before?

 

[dave_r]

How does the engine die? Is it as if you turned the ignition switch off, or is it as if the engine doesn't have enough power to get the deck going?

 

[MARK (LI)]

The seat switch may be connected...do you have a multi meter to perform a continuity test on it?

 

[PA318Guy]

Sounds like a faulty safety switch somewhere to me. Not sure what all that has but could be brake, seat, or neutral switch.

 

[Fire tuck]

Yes it die’s not like when I turn it off,I was just about to go test it and it’s under the seat

 

[Fire tuck]

The switch has continuity

 

[MARK (LI)]

Check your battery voltage...it should be at least 12.5 Volts at the battery when at rest DC

 

[Fire tuck]

Yes it is

 

[Herd of Deeres]

Clean the battery terminals. There might be enough corrosion to impede PTO draw. Does it start/crank slow?

 

[jlhappypappy]

Clean the battery terminals. There might be enough corrosion to impede PTO draw. Does it start/crank slow?

There is a safety switch down in the frame. You have to remove the deck so you can get under there.I;ve had many with the same problem, simple fix..

 

[Fire tuck]

Thx I’ll check that

 

[Fire tuck]

Ok so I which the batteries to one with like 12.9 and it still does but it dies like it’s out of gas and kinda back fires when engaged, have not got to the switch under the frame yet.

 

[MARK (LI)]

Starting to seem like a problem with the governor

 

[Herd of Deeres]

The only switch under the fender deck on my 185 is the neutral safety switch that makes you hold the brake pedal down to start it. The only safety I recall that affects the PTO is the seat switch and you’ve already ruled that out. Have you inspected the PTO wiring for a chafing short? I’m also wondering if maybe the voltage regulator fried and the PTO is dragging down the electrical system when engaged.

 

[greenmachine]

The switch that might be hiding between the frame rails is the switch for sensing if you're stepping on the reverse pedal. I don't know if the that was a thing in the days of the 175 or 185. Do those models have the engine kill if PTO is on and you try to move in reverse without operating a yellow button or switch ("RIO" it's called)?

 

[Herd of Deeres]

The switch that might be hiding between the frame rails is the switch for sensing if you're stepping on the reverse pedal. I don't know if the that was a thing in the days of the 175 or 185. Do those models have the engine kill if PTO is on and you try to move in reverse without operating a yellow button or switch ("RIO" it's called)?

175 is not a foot pedal hydro and no RIO. Speed control is a lever on the fender deck. No RIO is one of the reasons I kept my 1988 185.

 

[Herd of Deeres]

And then again I could have been wrong. The PTO safety switch may be the one hiding under the fender deck. I don’t remember this one but the last PTO wiring gremlin I had was on my 160 about 20 years ago. I don’t know or remember where this PTO switch lives.

 

[Fire tuck]

The only switch under the fender deck on my 185 is the neutral safety switch that makes you hold the brake pedal down to start it. The only safety I recall that affects the PTO is the seat switch and you’ve already ruled that out. Have you inspected the PTO wiring for a chafing short? I’m also wondering if maybe the voltage regulator fried and the PTO is dragging down the electrical system when engaged.

No not yet it’s on my list to check, I’ll let you know the results, thx

 

[greenmachine]

And then again I could have been wrong. The PTO safety switch may be the one hiding under the fender deck. I don’t remember this one but the last PTO wiring gremlin I had was on my 160 about 20 years ago. I don’t know or remember where this PTO switch lives.

I wouldn't have expected another "PTO/Safety Switch" hiding somewhere without the RIO. But I guess that's how it enforces the safety rules on that model. Interesting! I'm only familiar with the newer stuff that uses a set of relays (100 series) or the ECM unit (X300+).
Thanks for sharing that.

 

[Fire tuck]

Question cause I’m new to riding mowers and John Deere’s and probably should of said this before but the ignition switch is bad so I have to jump it to start it, could that cause a problem sending a signal to the pto switch