[BLHTAZ]

I was mowing yesterday when I stopped for a water/shade break.
when I went back and fired the tractor up, pulled the button to engage the deck, and all I get is a hissing/buzzing sound but no blade action.

I didn't think about it until just now, but the only thing I changed during this process was I unplugged the switch under the seat so it would stay running when I was off the seat. Does this switch have anything to do with the engagement of the deck as well?

I am not at home right now or I would go to the shed and check it out. Any other ideas if that is not a suspect?

 

[BLHTAZ]

Well...a little surprised at not getting any input here at all, but I did finally have a chance to go out to the shed this morning and try it again. The battery was dead, but when I finally got it started everyhting worked fine...even with the seat switch disconnected. Still baffled as to why it did that and worried about when it will happen again. Any input is still welcome as to what I could be potentially needing to look at or replace.

 

[38racing]

Most mowers will stay running when off the seat as long as the brake is on . since pto circuit is linked with seat circuit the buzz might have been a relay in the circuit . bypassing safeties can cause problems as some need to be bypassed as open and some as closed circuits.

 

[38racing]

Also check voltage of battery when running to make sure alternator is working

 

[BLHTAZ]

Also check voltage of battery when running to make sure alternator is working

I was wondering about this as well. I had been mowing for nearly an hour when I shut it down to take a break. When I returned 10 minutes later to start again, the battery was dead and I had to jump it...it showed 10.4 on the digital display when I turned the key on. The battery is brand new... :banghead3

Thank you for the input :fing32:

 

[38racing]

I was wondering about this as well. I had been mowing for nearly an hour when I shut it down to take a break. When I returned 10 minutes later to start again, the battery was dead and I had to jump it...it showed 10.4 on the digital display when I turned the key on. The battery is brand new... :banghead3

Thank you for the input :fing32:

a friend has an Ariens with an electric pto and it has just the 2 amp alternator but I verified it is how Ariens made it. He was shutting it off to empty the bagger and having restart issues. I told him also about the brake overriding the seat because he had done as you, disabled the seat, to keep it running. I never disable the seat for fear of a mower moving without a driver and the consequences that could occur.

 

[SonnyT]

If you had to jump the battery to restart, then the buzzing probably came from not enough voltage to engage the pto. You should be able to hook the safety switch on the seat back up and when you want to get off, disengage the pto and apply the brake and it should stay running.
Check the voltage, when running, at the Battery, should be at least 12,5 to 13.5 and be showing at least 14+ amps. If not then it isn't charging.

 

[BLHTAZ]

OK...I'll get out to the shed and do a little testing when these storms pass and I can get there without drowning...
Thanks for the hints on the brake trick...I'll give that a try.

I'll let you know the results. Thanks for bearing with me...this is my first-ever lawn tractor ...at 48-years-old... LOL :dunno:

 

[BLHTAZ]

:banghead3 Looks like an alternator is in order. I checked voltage when trying to start and it drops to 4.5. I jumped it and when running I get 11.9 at the battery. I managed to get the deck going by leaving the jump box hooked up, but after about 1.5 hours of cutting, the digital battery display was down to 9.3 volts with the deck running and only went up to 10.8 when I shut it off.

Now to figure out where the altrernator is on this thing, figure out where to buy one, and get it working right again. :duh:

 

[BLHTAZ]

Well...the alternator did not fix the problem...and what a PITA to install for someone that has never owned or worked on one of these! I had no idea I would have to remove the flywheel so I was out buying a puller at 7:00 p.m. on a Saturday... isgus:

I now have a voltage regulator in hand and hope to install it tonight.

 

[BLHTAZ]

Finally!! It is running again, but the battery in it--although new--is not near big enough for this tractor. The guy I bought it from put a 200 CA battery in it... :duh:

I will be going to Tractor Supply for one of these

 

[jodi n chris]

We had the same problem with our electric pto, cut fine for 2 hours then the blades would up & quit. Or start mower up after taking a break & the blades wouldnt engage at all. battery was bad, sorry i didnt see this thread sooner could have saved you alot of time.

 

[BLHTAZ]

We had the same problem with our electric pto, cut fine for 2 hours then the blades would up & quit. Or start mower up after taking a break & the blades wouldnt engage at all. battery was bad, sorry i didnt see this thread sooner could have saved you alot of time.

The battery is brand new...just insufficient. Seems the guy selling it just threw a cheap, new battery in it right before I came to look at it to hide the charging issue...that's what you get when buying on CraigsList...:dunno:

I thought the alternator was bad as there was less than 11 volts coming through the cables to the battery, but the culprit turned out to be the voltage regulator.