john deere 300 electric pto

Johnny 007

New User
Hello, hoping someone can give me an idea of where to start. I bought an older John deere 300, it came with a mower. The mower seemed to work fine when I bought it. I removed it a few months ago. It had a front mule drive, I put it back on just like I removed it. I noticed that when I started the engine the mower pupulley was turning, not fast enough to mow but still turning without engaging the pto switch on the dash. When I hit the switch nothing happens, pulleys still turning but not fast enough to mow. Not sure where to start looking . Any help would be greatly appreciated

John
 
Take the mower belt off the PTO pulley.

You should be able to freely turn the PTO pulley by hand, no binding, no wobble, but a smooth turn as in a good bearing feel. If it's binding or rough, the bearing is bad in the PTO clutch. If the bearing is bad, it may have overheated the magnet coil and burned it out.

If the bearing is bad, remove the clutch and check it out, probably replace the whole clutch.

Also check for 12v at the plug. With the ign on, all safetys in place, PTO switch on, should get 12v across the plug. If the coil shorted it may have blown the fuse.
 
"Take the mower belt off the PTO pulley.

You should be able to freely turn the PTO pulley by hand, no binding, no wobble, but a smooth turn as in a good bearing feel. If it's binding or rough, the bearing is bad in the PTO clutch. If the bearing is bad, it may have overheated the magnet coil and burned it out."

Stevie, that ain't gonna work because that electric clutch is equipped with a brake, which (if properly adjusted) is gonna rule out your whole scenario.
 
I did notice that when I turn the pto clutch by hand it seems rouhj it turns but not easily. When I first started the engine I noticed a slight squeel but then it went away.
 
You need to verify that the charging system is working and the battery is full charged and that full battery voltage is getting to the clutch (13 to 14 Volts with the engine running).

There are 4 Nyloc nuts that adjust the clutch brake. be sure that is set up correctly.

Hopefully, someone has the details on that and will post them, as I am too tired to do that tonight.
 
I would check the air gap in the clutch. Might be the problem, but I have run in to that problem.
Or, just try to turn out the nuts which has springs behind on the front pto.
The right air gap is important for a long life.
Forgot the air gap; will look it up if no posts it.
 
Sorry, I missed Bob's post. I would take the clutch off. And, take it apart.
also, there are four adjusting nuts.
 
If you're not getting 12 volts to the clutch, check the wire connections to the clutch. They do go bad. My clutch stopped working and after I replaced the switch, which didn't help, I discovered the wire that plugs into the circuit board was oxidized. I cleaned it and it's fine now.
 

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