LX280 failed PTO

[Mike Stack]

I have a John Deere 05 LX280 and the pto quit. I purchased and checked the new pto switch, good switch. I next checked the pto clutch and it checked out. I then checked the ohms from the wire that runs from the pto switch to the clutch, all good yet I still doesn’t work. I run out of ideas and am reaching out for another opinion. Thanks

 

[Harry in Ky]

Not that I know anything about an LX280 but just how did you check the PTO clutch and determine it "checked out"?

Just assuming here, this a hydraulic PTO clutch pack. USUALLY that would have a test port somewhere so you can test the pressure to the clutch when it's applied.

 

[Mike Stack]

I checked the ohms which showed 3.8 and they are supposed to be between 2.0 and 4.0. I also took the battery out and connected it directly to the electric clutch and it clicked on and off. I normally bypass the seat switch, but I reconnected that as well. Fuses were good.

 

[5030]

I guess you presume everyone should know what an LX280 is... I don't. Be more specific like what brand for instance.

 

[Mike Stack]

I’m sorry, it’s a John Deere LX280.

 

[RjCorazza]

Maybe the wiring from the pto switch to the clutch has too much resistance to get enough volts to activate the clutch.
Put your meter on the clutch with the switch activated and see what the voltage is.

 

[5030]

I looked at the specs and I see it's a lawn tractor with an electric pto. I'd say you are having issues with the electro-magnetic clutch itself. Probably a broken wire or a failed electro magnet inside the clutch itself and you don't want to know what a new one costs either. Lets just say, not a cheap date.

 

[5030]

If it's similar to the one I had on my Cub 60" tank, it's not adjustable and the electro magnet is sealed inside and not user serviceable. Good luck. I bought one aftermarket and it was still over 300 bucks. I bet JD wants at least 500 for it.

 

[Mike Stack]

Thanks for your help, I’ll have a look at those as well. It did click though when I hooked up the pto clutch to a battery directly.

 

[hummertom]

There may be a relay in the circuit, I had 4 fail in my JD 4300

 

[George2615]

I had a similar problem with a Cub Cadet. I had 12V going to the PTO clutch when the switch was activated but it wouldn't engage. There is only 2 wires, one hot from the switch and 1 ground. Turns out it had no ground. I used a jumper wire with alligator clips to test and the clutch engaged fine. The ground side is usually tied in through some safety switch which was open, not allowing the ground side to make connection. I couldn't locate the bad safety switch so hard wired a new ground wire bypassing the safety switch.

 

[etpm]

My wife had the same problem on our Deere lawn tractor. I turned the ignition switch to the next position and that made the clutch work.
Eric