Common Reasons for Cub Cadet PTO Disengagement

PTO or Power Take-Off clutch is a very useful component of a Cub Cadet mower which provides a mechanical disconnect between the power created by the engine and the rotating blades. PTO transmits the energy generated by the engine to the blades which can be controlled by a PTO switch.

Various components function together to operate the PTO clutch and a fault in any one of them can cause issues. Electrical issues, mechanical issues, overheating, and malfunctioning safety switches can cause issues in the PTO clutch.

By following some simple procedures, users can easily find the problem that is causing the issue with the PTO clutch and solve it accordingly. Make sure to follow all the safety procedures while handling electrical and mechanical components and handle all the parts with care.

What Causes Cub Cadet PTO Disengagement?

Cub Cadet PTO disengagement problem can be caused by various faulty or malfunctioning components. The most common issues that cause this problem in the Cub Cadet mowers are discussed below with proper solutions.

Electrical Issues

Electrical issues can cause the problem of PTO disengagement in a Cub Cadet mower. Electrical issues include loose or damaged PTO switch, faulty wirings, and dead or weak battery. The electrical issues prevent the PTO switch from supplying sufficient power to the PTO clutch and thus it fails to engage and disengage properly.

Fixing the electrical issues is not very difficult and Cub Cadet mower owners can easily fix them with just a multimeter, basic tools, and replacement parts. Wear safety goggles, gloves, mask, and full-sleeved clothes while handling electrical equipment.

Loose or Damaged PTO Switch

The PTO switch itself might be causing problems if it has become too loose or damaged and is malfunctioning. PTO switches are connected to the mechanism through electrical wirings and connections and over time and usage, these can corrode and become defective.

Pull out the switch from your Cub Cadet mower and turn on the ignition. Pull up the PTO to see if it is responding or not. You will need to check the PTO switch if it fails to respond.

Turn on the multimeter and set it to continuity. Connect the switch to the meter and check for continuity. Open the switch and test the continuity again. The connecting points are faulty if they fail to show continuity when the switch is closed or show continuity when the switch is open.

Check the other connection points the same way for continuity. This troubleshooting method will enable you to find the faulty connection points.

Solution: Rub off the rust, dust, dirt, or carbon accumulation from the connection points to make sure that they are conducting current properly. Change the entire PTO switch if it gets burned or melted. A spare PTO switch for the Cub Cadet mower will cost between $30-$100. 

Faulty Wiring or Connections

Faulty wirings and connections can also cause electrical issues in the Cub Cadet mowers which results in PTO malfunction. PTO switches are connected through various electrical wirings. These wires carry current from the battery to the PTO switch and then transfer this current to the PTO clutch.

Wirings can get corroded and disconnected because of time and usage. They can also create short circuits and cause issues with the PTO switch.

Solution: Check all the electrical wirings and connections with a multimeter. Check the instruction manual to find the circuit layout which will make it easy to find the important wirings and connections. Check for continuity and resistance and match with the manual to see if they are functioning correctly.

Repair any disconnection or short circuits. Replace the wirings if they become too corroded or damaged. Make sure to match with the instruction manual when you are buying new replacement wires.

Dead or Weak Battery

Another common electrical issue that can cause the problem of engagement and disengagement of the PTO clutch in a Cub Cadet mower is a dead or weak battery. A dead or weak battery fails to provide the PTO clutch with sufficient power it requires to operate properly and thus causes the problem of engagement and disengagement of the PTO clutch.

Solution: Check the battery, the battery connection points, and the wirings coming from the battery to the PTO switch with a multimeter for continuity and check if they are holding voltage and supplying electricity to the PTO clutch. Charge the battery with a charger if the charge has dropped too low. Replace the battery entirely if it fails to take charge. 12V battery costs about $70-$400.

Mechanical Issues

Apart from the electrical issues, various mechanical issues such as damaged PTO clutch, damaged belt, or malfunctioning pulleys can also cause the PTO clutch to malfunction. The methods of troubleshooting these issues and solving them are discussed below.

Damaged or Worn-Out PTO Clutch

The PTO clutch itself can get damaged as it operates under high pressure and temperature. The most common issue that causes it to stop disengaging is that the rotor and the armature have locked together. This happens due to galling which is a condition where a piece of metal is trapped between the armature and the rotor and melts due to high pressure and heat, spot welding the surfaces together.

Solution: You will need to replace the entire clutch if the rotor and the armature cannot be separated. Follow the burnishing process by rubbing metal with a small hard tool to compact the surface and create a smooth finish if the armature and the rotor can be separated.

PTO Belt Problems

The PTO belt can also cause the issue of the PTO clutch malfunctioning. The PTO belt rotates the blades when the PTO switch is engaged and slowly stops it from rotating when the PTO switch is engaged. The PTO belt operates under a lot of tension and friction which can wear it out with time and usage.

One of the most common issues that cause the belt to get damaged is bad bearings on the spindle. The bearings on the spindle can get damaged over time or because of improper lubrication.

Another reason that can be behind a damaged belt is a damaged pulley or idler. The pulleys or idlers can get damaged or worn out over time and usage and can cause the belt to degrade as well. Stingy material coming off the pulley or idler is a good sign that they have gotten damaged.

The third most common reason behind damaged PTO belts is dirt, grass clippings, and trash accumulating on the deck. This extra junk can add friction and pressure on the belt system and lead to wear and even breakage.

Solution: Damaged or broken belts need to be replaced to solve the issue of PTO clutch disengagement. Clean the underside of your deck regularly and make sure that there is no debris build-up around the belt or the pulleys. Inspect the pulleys and the idlers for bents and damages and replace them if necessary.

Pulley Misalignment

Pulley misalignment can also be a reason behind the PTO clutch malfunctioning. Pulleys hold and move the belts that turn the blades and when they get misaligned, they can cause the PTO clutch to engage or disengage irregularly.

Solution: Replace the damaged or broken pulleys with new replacement parts.

Safety Mechanisms

Various safety mechanisms are put in place in a Cub Cadet mower to prevent accidents that can harm the user and the machine. Although these safety mechanisms are very important for keeping the machine and the user safe, they can sometimes cause issues when they become faulty. Faulty safety mechanisms can cause the PTO clutch to malfunction.

Seat Safety Switch

The seat safety switch is located under the seat and it prevents the mower from moving when there are no riders on the mower. This switch can get corroded and malfunction which can kill off the PTO clutch.

Solution: Rub off the corrosion or rust on the seat safety switch. Replace the seat safety switch if it gets too broken or damaged. Seat safety switch will cost about $12-$30.

Brake Pedal Switch

The brake pedal switch is located under the hood next to the brake pedal or with the frame next to the footrest. The brake pedal switch can also malfunction and cause the PTO clutch to engage and disengage irregularly.

Solution: Replace the brake pedal switch if it starts to malfunction to solve this issue.

Overheating

Overheating of the PTO clutch can also prevent it from functioning properly. The clutch cannot engage or disengage correctly when it gets overheated as it expands.

Causes of Overheating in the PTO System

The main reason behind the issue of overheating in the PTO system is improper lubrication or greasing. Both too much and too little can cause the problem of overheating in the PTO clutch system.

Impact on PTO Engagement

Overheating expands the PTO clutch which prevents it from engaging or disengaging properly and cause issue.

Solution: Ensure that the PTO system is properly lubricated and there is no excessive friction between parts.

How to Troubleshoot Cub Cadet PTO Disengagement?

The troubleshooting method for Cub Cadet PTO disengagement issue starts with checking the electrical components such as the PTO switch, the wirings, the connections, the battery, and so on with a multimeter to make sure they are functioning properly. The next step is to make sure that the mechanical parts such as the belt, the pulleys, the idlers, the bearings, the armature, the rotator, and so on have not become damaged or worn out. 

How to Prevent Cub Cadet PTO Disengagement Problem?

Proper care and maintenance can prevent the problem of PTO disengagement in a Cub Cadet mower. Regularly inspect the mechanical parts of the PTO clutch and make sure that they are functioning properly. Clean the deck regularly to make sure that the dust, debris, and junk do not get inside the PTO mechanism.

When to Call for Professional Help?

You should call for professional help if the PTO clutch is malfunctioning even after you make sure that the electrical components, the mechanical components, and the safety switches are functioning properly.