JD 4200 Compact PTO

[Douglas Markel]

John Deere 4200 Subcompact tractor.
When I engage the PTO at the manufactured required RPM the PTO stalls the tractor engine. I have my post hole digger attached so I disconnected the PTO shaft and the same results where the tractor engine stalls out as I engage the PTO lever. I'm lost and need suggestions. Thanks, Doug

 

[Roadworthy]

Make sure all cylinders are working. My Craftsman garden tractor was doing that and it turned out it was only running on one cylinder.

 

[oldnslo]

With engine off can you turn the PTO shaft by hand? Not sure if that model has a brake on it so it may or may not turn. Do you have both front and mid PTO option? If yes is it possible you do not have it shifted fully into rear PTO position?

 

[RoyJackson]

Up the RPM a bit...you're probably engaging the PTO at idle. I've had a "blip" the throttle when engaging some implements.
Sometimes the inertia of the implement is too much for the engine. In my situation, it's a rotary cutter that tends to stall the engine.
Now, the last 2 Deeres I've owned had enough torque to overcome the inertia

 

[Douglas Markel]

Up the RPM a bit...you're probably engaging the PTO at idle. I've had a "blip" the throttle when engaging some implements.
Sometimes the inertia of the implement is too much for the engine. In my situation, it's a rotary cutter that tends to stall the engine.
Now, the last 2 Deeres I've owned had enough torque to overcome the inertia

RPM's are full throttle and stills stalls the motor.

 

[RoyJackson]

RPM's are full throttle and stills stalls the motor.

Full RPM is way too high and a good way to damage your tractor
Go to idle and add a couple hundred RPM

 

[Sawyer Rob]

He already said it stalls the engine with NOTHING hooked to the PTO, that tells me there's a problem!

SR

 

[RoyJackson]

He already said it stalls the engine with NOTHING hooked to the PTO, that tells me there's a problem!

SR

Must have missed that post

 

[RjCorazza]

John Deere 4200 Subcompact tractor.
When I engage the PTO at the manufactured required RPM the PTO stalls the tractor engine....

What exactly does the tractor engine sound like when it "stalls"? If it sounds like the engine is lugging and it eventually stops, I would say that there is an internal transmission / pto problem (beyond my knowledge to further comment on)
If the tractor engine simply shuts down, similar to turning the key off, I would suggest checking the various safety switches... Likely the operator presence seat switch.

 

[super55]

Is this an earlier version of the 4200 where you have a lever you push forward or the later models where you have a pull knob that engages a solenoid. The PTO does have a PTO brake system so your PTO spline will only do maybe about a 1/4 rotation before stopping.

Too me it really sounds like it's electrical especially if the PTO has been working fine. If your tractor still moves without stalling then your seat safety switch is probably not the issue since it controls both PTO and movement safety interlocks but it can easily be tested by disconnecting it and using a paperclip to jump the two wires and bypass the seat switch to test. It is worth looking into.

I would check fuse F5 to make sure it is not blown and switch out relay K9 and or K5 with another to make sure the circuitry is operating properly. If it is still stalling out. Then move down to the S5 rear PTO switch and do a test on that. I can't remember exact location of it but I want to say it is on the right side just before the rear axle. Should be a two wire connector with red and orange wire. Disconnect the wire and get a multimeter and test resistance. With PTO disengaged the switch should show continuity and when engaged the switch should show open.