JD GT275 mower question

[Molerj]

I would jump out the PTO switch first. May take a little figuring but you can do it. I put in a toggle switch to finish mowing once until I could get the proper 4 terminal switch that mine used. It eliminates the safety switches but for test purposes it would tell you if your PTO switch was bad.

 

[Mark4510]

Folks,
thanks for the replies. I have been traveling so I have not been able to look at this any further.

However, the battery is dead and I have to jump start it to get it running. It seems to want to continue to run once started but not the mower. I did not get a chance to check the lights so I just am going to replace the battery tonight and see what happens. I figure I need to do that anyway.

This may not be related but I cant seem to keep a battery charged in the tractor for more than about 3 months. Then I am back to jumping again.

If it starts and runs fine with the new battery it seems like the system, over time, is not providing enough "juice" to keep the PTO engaged. I will also double check the kill switch.

I will let you know what I find out tomorrow.

thanks again for all the help,
Mark

 

[Molerj]

After you install the new battery, run the tractor at full throtttle & check across the battery terminals with a meter and see what reading you get. If the charging system is working, you should get around 14-14.5 volts.

 

[Dutch445]

Now it definately sounds like a charging issue. If the system isn't putting out enough voltage to charge while running and operating the PTO, then eventually your batter gets too low on voltage, and the PTO can kick out, and you will need another jump to get it started again.
My tractor was doing the same thing, it would run for a while, then the ignition would start to break down.. I put a new battery in,, thought that was the problem, and soon that battery was dead, and frozen. So, when the 2nd new battery started losing it's voltage, I knew it was time to come into the shop and put a tester on it. Sure enough, no charging voltage, and the tractor was just running on battery power. I ended up finding the plug at the voltage regulater was off the block, and once I plugged that back in, everything came back into spec.. charging,, even with the wiper, and extra cab lights on.
So, i'd save the money for a new battery until you verify that the charging system is working properly... I believe there is a stator on that motor, and a voltage regulater someplace... and a few wires that could even be broke or unplugged!
good luck.. keep us posted.
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[Mark4510]

Thanks.....I will take a gander tonight when I get home.

Good advice from all.

Thanks,
Mark

 

[Mark4510]

Ok....it's a bit of a trudge to get to the closest store with a battery for my JD so I bought one when I was in town just in case.

I looked through all the wiring doing a visual inspection but did not see anything. (this does not mean that there is nothing wrong.....I might have not recognized it as being a problem).

I dropped the new battery in and the engine turned over with no hesitation and the mower blades engaged. I got so darn excited I mowed both the back and front lawn.

I guess I could just keep the thing in the charger and buy new one when needed but shouldn't it last longer? It used to so I am going to assume I am not getting a charge to the battery or have a leak somewhere.

Thoughts anyone?

Thanks in advance,
Mark

 

[tomnky]

You need to take voltage measurements without the engine running as well as with it running right on the battery.
That will tell You whether or not it is charging.

Put the meter on the battery with it running and turn on the headlamps.see what it is reading.

 

[Mark4510]

Thanks Tom.
I will do that either tonight or this weekend.

I appreciate all the help.....
Mark

 

[tomnky]

If it turns out to be the voltage regulator.There is one I know of on Ebay.used of course but I think the guy wants $16.00.

It fits a GT242 but I am thinking they probably are the same part number for a GT275, I could be wrong.

 

[Mark4510]

Great. Thanks Tom.

I will spend some time on it this weekend and see what I can determine.

I did not even think about EBay.......good idea.

Mark