Mowing PTO Issue

[Mikemahindrah]

Hi,
I have a 2015 eMax 25 with a mid mower deck. I've used it a couple of times with no issues. Recently, while mowing, the mower deck stopped.....no lights, warning, etc. I tried the switch a couple of times and still nothing. Light on dash indicating the PTO is engaged all the time when I start the tractor. Otherwise the tractor operates. Any idea where I can start checking? I looked at the fuse and it looks ok. I also tried disconnecting the battery and hooking it back up thinking maybe it was a computer/electrical issue. Same results.
Any suggestions would be helpful.
Thanks
Mike

 

[JerryK]

I don't know if your tractor has a hydraulic PTO valve or not, but I would check underneath and see if you partially pulled off a electric connector off the valve. Sometimes the valve will be mounted beside the transmission area with a hyd line going back to the PTO clutch pack. Real easy to snag stuff on most modern tractors. Could be one of the various safety switches with a loose connection, or possibly not adjusted so it works 100% of the time.

 

[Mikemahindrah]

I don't know if your tractor has a hydraulic PTO valve or not, but I would check underneath and see if you partially pulled off a electric connector off the valve. Sometimes the valve will be mounted beside the transmission area with a hyd line going back to the PTO clutch pack. Real easy to snag stuff on most modern tractors. Could be one of the various safety switches with a loose connection, or possibly not adjusted so it works 100% of the time.

Ok I will check that out. Thanks!

 

[Mikemahindrah]

Hi again,
I guess I have an update. Found the 7.5 amp fuse blown. Replaced it, put everything back together (I had removed the dash and steering wheel to get at the PTO switch) Went to start the tractor and the light indicating the PTO is engaged is back on constantly. (same condition that brought me here) I had replaced the fuse with another 7.5 amp fuse which was also blown. So I guess my question now is, why is the fuse blowing? Been reading through threads here and it looks like some have had an issue with the PTO Clutch? My eMax is a HST so no manual clutch (I realize the PTO clutch is different.) Any thoughts? I ordered the shop manual so that will be here in a few days. Until then any assistance would be appreciated.
Mike

 

[Mikemahindrah]

So after much contemplation (and checking the switch) I believe the failure is in the clutch. I have no idea where to begin. Sounds expensive if I take it to the dealer. Is this something i can attempt on my own? I have the service and repair manual but neither have alot to go on. Any help is appreciated.

 

[Reb954]

I don't have that tractor so any help I can give is limited. From what you have described I would start checking any related wiring from the fuse to the clutch. Look for cracks in the insulation or running across sharp edges. Even check the switch to make sure it is shutting off and turning on the power. It sounds like there is a good chance you have a short somewhere in the wiring or switch. If all that checks out ok then you probably have a short in the clutch itself.

Sorry I can't help you more than that. Good luck.

 

[Mikemahindrah]

I don't have that tractor so any help I can give is limited. From what you have described I would start checking any related wiring from the fuse to the clutch. Look for cracks in the insulation or running across sharp edges. Even check the switch to make sure it is shutting off and turning on the power. It sounds like there is a good chance you have a short somewhere in the wiring or switch. If all that checks out ok then you probably have a short in the clutch itself.

Sorry I can't help you more than that. Good luck.

Yes thats on my list. Sounds tedious but I guess its worth a look
Thank you

 

[Myz28u]

So after much contemplation (and checking the switch) I believe the failure is in the clutch. I have no idea where to begin. Sounds expensive if I take it to the dealer. Is this something i can attempt on my own? I have the service and repair manual but neither have alot to go on. Any help is appreciated.

Short to ground is simple to check. Use a meter to see if there is any continuity to ground from either pin in the clutch connector. If so you know it’s grounded. If not, it’s possible to be in the wiring from the switch to the clutch. Use the same concept. One wire should be grounded and the other open to ground on the harness side.
Hope that makes sense.
You can also ready the resistance of the clutch to make sure it’s not too high.

 

[lennyzx11]

Disconnect the connector from the clutch. There will be one in the wiring near the clutch going to it.

Did light go out showing PTO engaged?
If yes, then problem is probably in clutch.
If no, problem is in wiring, relay, or switch going from connector to switch.

 

[Mikemahindrah]

Update: I found a solenoid (I think) on the left side rear of the machine at the base of the levers that engage the PTO, 4wd, and hi/low range for the transmission. Could this have anything to do with the problem I'm having?

 

[Mikemahindrah]

Heres a pic of it. Hopefully you can see it

 

[arzenmaster]

I have an Emax 20s HST 15 hrs on it. Similar issue. 3rd time I used the mower and mid PTO, about 30 minutes in to cutting everything went electrically dead as the engine shut down. Low evenly mowed grass hardly any load on the tractor at all.

Pulled the fuse box and found that only the PTO fuse was blown. I replaced the fuse, checked the wiring for any visual problems, found nothing? Put my hand on the PTO, it seemed fairly hot, I'm guessing 100-150DegreesF? I ran the tractor again, and 10 minutes the engine died and instruments went blank. Sure enough the fuse was blown. Put another 5 amp fuse in it started right up and and called the dealer.

I took it back to the dealer without the mower deck on thinking, they'd put a meter on the solenoid and check resistance. All they did was run it with the PTO engaged and unloaded for 30 minutes. Could not duplicate the fault. They never checked the solenoid for resistance, or the battery voltage, alternator output etc. Just said take it home and run it. (I'm guessing I'll get a diagnostic bill for having them start it up and let it run with PTO engaged, then come back 30 minutes later and say its good to go.)

I loaded it up, took it home, and duplicated the failure in 30 minutes run time. I did however verify latent battery voltage to be 12.8v normal. Alternator output running to be 14.3v normal. Cold solenoid resistance at 2 ohms, I'm not sure what it should read, the dealer wont sell me a service manual or CD. After the tractor died the solenoid was showing nearly a dead short at .2-.3 ohms. I didn't have a laser thermometer with me, so I don't know what the PTO clutch case temp was. Only this time, when it cooled down the PTO solenoid remained at a dead short. (I'm guessing its fried.)

At this point its back at the dealer today. My estimation is a bad solenoid??? or did the PTO clutch cause the failure??



The SCUT is a year old and still under warranty, I'm wondering how much they're going to try to charge me to fix it?

 

[Mikemahindrah]

I have an Emax 20s HST 15 hrs on it. Similar issue. 3rd time I used the mower and mid PTO, about 30 minutes in to cutting everything went electrically dead as the engine shut down. Low evenly mowed grass hardly any load on the tractor at all.

Pulled the fuse box and found that only the PTO fuse was blown. I replaced the fuse, checked the wiring for any visual problems, found nothing? Put my hand on the PTO, it seemed fairly hot, I'm guessing 100-150DegreesF? I ran the tractor again, and 10 minutes the engine died and instruments went blank. Sure enough the fuse was blown. Put another 5 amp fuse in it started right up and and called the dealer.

I took it back to the dealer without the mower deck on thinking, they'd put a meter on the solenoid and check resistance. All they did was run it with the PTO engaged and unloaded for 30 minutes. Could not duplicate the fault. They never checked the solenoid for resistance, or the battery voltage, alternator output etc. Just said take it home and run it. (I'm guessing I'll get a diagnostic bill for having them start it up and let it run with PTO engaged, then come back 30 minutes later and say its good to go.)

I loaded it up, took it home, and duplicated the failure in 30 minutes run time. I did however verify latent battery voltage to be 12.8v normal. Alternator output running to be 14.3v normal. Cold solenoid resistance at 2 ohms, I'm not sure what it should read, the dealer wont sell me a service manual or CD. After the tractor died the solenoid was showing nearly a dead short at .2-.3 ohms. I didn't have a laser thermometer with me, so I don't know what the PTO clutch case temp was. Only this time, when it cooled down the PTO solenoid remained at a dead short. (I'm guessing its fried.)

At this point its back at the dealer today. My estimation is a bad solenoid??? or did the PTO clutch cause the failure??



The SCUT is a year old and still under warranty, I'm wondering how much they're going to try to charge me to fix it?

Hi. Just read youre situation. I haven't had any luck locating the issue. Can you tell me or take a pic of the selenoid? I am going to try to get it to the dealer soon.
Thanks

 

[arzenmaster]

Im trying to post a link to the parts manual that corresponds to our tractors, but the site says I must have 3 posts to paste a pdf link

 

[arzenmaster]

Im trying to post a link to the parts manual that corresponds to or tractors, but the site says I must have 3 posts to paste a pdf link

The next post should allow me to post the parts manual PDF

 

[arzenmaster]

I cant do that (post a picture) till I get the tractor back from the dealer.

However Rural King markets the same SCUT's manufactured by TYM and publish the parts manuals online, and you can look up the diagrams and descriptions as well as locations.

Your Emax 25 should correspond exactly to this: https://www.rktractors.com/pdf/parts/RK24H.pdf Page 86 part 11 is your PTO Solenoid.

The Emax 20 corrsponds to this: https://www.rktractors.com/pdf/parts/RK19.pdf

The logic is the RK 19 is a Yanmar 19.4 HP and Mahindra calls it the 20 etc.

The tractors are just rebadged for marketing, and at least for the Emax series, they are down to the last nut and bolt the same tractors all parts. YTM=Mahindra=RK, and there might be others out there as well like Montanna etc.

Wish i would have known that when i bought my mower deck, i would have bought the Rural King, it would have saved my north of $600.

 

[Mikemahindrah]

Ok thanks and good luck with you're tractor. Please keep me/us posted on progress.

 

[arzenmaster]

Got my eMax 20s back yesterday. It was indeed a bad solenoid for me, shorted completely. They replaced it under warranty, I cut 2.5 acres with it yesterday, and it had no issues at all.

I hope you get your issues sorted out.

 

[Mikemahindrah]

Congrats!!. Still waiting on dealer to come get it.....so I'm still in a holding pattern

 

[Mikemahindrah]

By any chance can you take a picture of the bad part and post it? It would be greatly appreciated