Pto clutch issues 101. Most common issues I see. Plus removal tips and tricks.

I've got a Z920m and it cuts off when I release the parking brake...do you have any idea of what's going on with it?

Thanks so much, you saved my time and money.

I have a JD z225 engine will run fine but when you engage pto it does.everything underneath seems to freespool well. What could cause this problem?

I have a 2010 z920a. Unknown hours. It’s recently started to make a loud rattling noise when the PTO is off, RPMs up. When the PTO is engaged, the rattling is gone. I’m guessing it’s the PTO, but it doesn’t feel loose at all.

Another quick way to remove it is to first, like you said, tighten then loosen the bolt. Then with the bolt loose start the engine while the friction releases and drops the clutch. Works every time for me.

Absolute genius. You mentioned in passing that the charging system could cause the PTO clutch not to engage, but still let the engine operate, and that was it! Thank you. You saved me untold hours of trying to debug the problem. BTW... I have a Husqvarna riding mower with a dead battery that I jumped to get it started. As you said, it was enough voltage to keep the engine running, but not enough to engage the clutch.

DIAGNOSING ALERT. My deck was making a god-awful screeching and clicking noise when the blades were engaged (more on the right side). Everything… spindle, idlers, etc seemed tight. Took off clutch and it appeared fine. Installed new spindle. Still making noise. Replaced new idler. Still making noise. Finally took off clutch again and disassembled. Plates appeared scored. MUST be the clutch. After replacing with new clutch…STILL making noise. $hit…. Turns out it was the metal cup just above the blade that keeps debris out of the bearing that wore loose and spinning. Probably due to mixing and matching different parts from different spare spindles there was a bit of play. Wedged a bit of twine around it (yeah, its Macgyvered) to snug it up and back to normal. Just something to keep in mind.

I have a gravely 460, 13 years old runs like a tank. Guy told me when I bought it to always engage the PTO at the lowest engine speed and disengage at the lowest engine speed In order to make the PTO last.
I have not had any issue until yesterday check the relays check the fuses, check the switch all checked good with ohm meter. I also got off the seat while the PTO switch was engaged and the mower died that revealed that the circuit was good. That kind of pointed me straight to the clutch/PTO. I needed something heavy for the seat switch so I put my toolbag on the seat which kept the seat switch Activated, And I pulled the PTO switch to engage the PTO Then I went around back and hit the PTO with a hammer
And presto it started running
Like I said earlier I ohmed out the PTO it tested good and the relays and the fuses and the switch. The PTO is pushing 13 years and still running. Probably getting really close to changing it though Hope this helped

If the pto clutch is shot, would that prevent the mower from moving forward/back? Blades engage just fine

I have a 2008 Dixie Chopper Xcaliber, just replaced the T-Box and all that is good but my clutch now is only partially engaged driving in a straight line but if I turn/spin the mower it will fully engage. I am currently charging the battery per your video and other comments for this video, any ideas outside the battery not being charged well I can check? It was engaging fine prior to me replacing the T-Box. Stop bolt is fine, not broken or anything unusual with it.

Good video. Have a Toro 228D with a seized clutch (can't turn off the mower blades). Looks like I need to remove the clutch which probably has bad bearings.

I've got an x500 that i thought the engine was seized and it's starting to seem like the PTO clutch is the issue. Worked in some wd40 to the PTO after watching this and finally got the engine to turn over. Now when i engage the PTO the engine is killed?
I guess that kind of sounds like the crankshaft bolt is seizing to the pto?

What about Craftsman riding lawn mower for clutch

My clutch pigtail connector gets wonky (causing disconnects) and melts. Any opinion on using dielectric grease on pigtail to clutch? Thanks!

I have a non-electric mower its an old Troy-bilt from 2010. still does not engage blades and the cable is not broken,

Love your video's, they have been helping me try to overcome my current situation with my pto/Clutch on my Z925A mower.

Have you had any experience with the pto/clutch bolt coming loose and falling out. Has happened 3 times. Was suggested by a tech at JD that it sometimes can happen if the pto is going bad.....any thoughts?

What do I do if I can't loosen the 5/8" bolt?

I have a Cub Cadet - 01001979 and as soon as we engage the blades our belts break. What could be the problem? The pto clutch doesnt want to move freely by hand

Thank you

Is a clutch supposed to move when you touch it? My Troy bilt blades turn on, rumble a little, and disengage. It seems to kick back on when I go forward, but shuts off when I stop too.

Good video My John Deer F 725 PTO doesn't release and the blades keep turning I guess the bearings are bad . Im going to pull off the PTO after you showed Me how . Thanks

What if you can't get the bolt off of the clutch?

My mower blades if they hit too high off grass will cut off and then after a cool down will work again, what do you think that means

I see you are using WD40 as a "lubricant"? In my experience, it causes rust to form on steel surfaces, like my free standing drill press. What do you think?

A great info. Jhon deere and cube Cadet are mowers you wanna stay away for owning. Constant issues. I know mower need to be serviced but those come out of the box already junk.

your videos are great thank you

I've gotten older Craftsman lawn mower when you engage the blades the lawn mower shuts off what could be the problem

What about if the bottom bolton a 1997 GT1554 doesn't loosen even with a impack driver?AND YOU'RE Volume changed for sometime?

Sweet tips thank you. I have a z920m. How long do you those style clutches lasting? I’m at 900 hours now. Your video makes me confident I can do it myself. 👍🏼

Hello, I have a John Deere D160 and my blades aren't activating. I checked the wiring harness connection to the PTO clutch and everything is OK. I then started the machine and activated the PTO switch. Because I hear it click, I believe that confirms from an electrical point of view, things are ok. I noticed looking at the clutch itself from the right side of the machine that it seems to wiggle a lot. There's absolutely no movement of the belt and the pulley is completely stuck, no movement.

I know it's not much info but does that essentially help to confirm I need to remove my current PTO clutch and replace it ? Thanks,
Trying to determine if I have enough evidence to order a new one and give it a try or if it is best to call in a specialist

Any suggestions on getting bolt loose? used impact driver on compressor but no luck getting bolt loose.

Thank you very much for the video explanation of how to fix clutch problems with my lawn tractor. I followed your instructions and it worked perfectly. Thanks again

Question I just had my mower serviced and got home to mow and the clutch engaged and as I started on my second pass the clutch stop came loose causing the clutch to spin and pull the wires from the plug but when I reinstalled the wires the pto would not engage can you please help me with info on what I could do to see if I have to buy a new clutch or not

If the bearing is beginning to go bad on the clutch would it only be noisy when the clutch is disengaged? Thank in advance.

Mine currently starts and runs great but as soon as i start my blades is loses power and is weak/motor struggles to keep rpm when moving and cutting but will idle back up when sitting any ideas?

JD 657A. Blades only spin at low idle. They stop spinning when you run full throttle but looking at the spindles, they look like they want to spin as I see some movement. Thoughts?

hiya, thanks for sharing your wisdom in this video, lots of great tricks and hints.
but a question.. why are the main bearings above the pto clutch no lubeable or set up with a lube tube with say a high temp lube oil thats thick but drippable, seems crazy they arent lubable in some way. surely most would wear out well before the two year warranties finish

My issue is 99% it is not holding battery. I jump start with the car and after sometime I see the numbers on the dashboard fading down and then the blades desingage. I am going to see your next video of charging system. Thanks buddy.

Something is cutting up my belts. I think it's the pto clutch. It's the only pulley that feels rusted physically

I have a JD LA115. With the pto lever engaged, the blades Will intermittently disengage and then re engage. I replaced the belt; which is extremely loose by the way, and it is the correct belt. What could be causing this to happen?

so your saying the bearings CAN NOT be replaced ? Is this correct ?

It was working just fine then after disengaging blade to cross a road, after disengaging it made funny clicking noises whilst not cutting. Took the side cover off and tried to engage it and saw sparks coming out from the clutch....

Can't speak for other manufacturers but in the case of John Deere, 99% it IS the PTO switch. They are cheaply made and notorious for failure.

My blades won’t disengage I replaced the pto switch today 50 bucks down lol blades still won’t shut down should I replace pto clutch??? Help please

Literally had my PTO clutch FALL OFF while cutting last week.

What about when the clutch engages slowly, and after a short delay (with no loud noise, grinding, etc.?)

I have a 2003 L130 John Deere riding mower. My fuse keeps burning out. I changed the PTO switch. Is does start, but when I engage the PTO switch the mower turn off and the fuse is burnt. Any suggestions?

Thank You.

My clutch had a bad pto switch. The connector on the pto switch had a pin that backed out. Causing high resistance. Then the pto switch burned out. They warranty it.

Thanks for the info. 96 Simplicity with an older battery. Troubleshot the system and didn't know about current draw of PTO. Recharged battery and all's good. I have more work to do but at least I'm not throwing money at the wrong parts. Thanks again!

My PTO lever moves very free, no resistance. Dose not engage. Can't find anything on this