318 mowing deck won't engage.
- Thread starter BrianCanz
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kennyd
Advertiser
Welcome to TBN
The clutch is electric, so if the voltage is low it won't engage. You need to test the battery and genny for voltage-do yo have a meter?
The clutch is electric, so if the voltage is low it won't engage. You need to test the battery and genny for voltage-do yo have a meter?
Thanks Kenny. It seems to start up with no problem so I figured the battery was fine. The batt seems to stay fully charged after running for a while. Your saying just a light drop in voltage may make the difference?
Thanks again
Thanks again
Dutch445
Elite Member
Have you tested the voltage going into the pto clutch?
there should be an electrical connector you can undo and
use a voltmeter to check for voltage there. while you have
it unplugged, you can put a good 12v source on those wires
to see if the clutch engages (while the tractor is off obviously)
there should be an electrical connector you can undo and
use a voltmeter to check for voltage there. while you have
it unplugged, you can put a good 12v source on those wires
to see if the clutch engages (while the tractor is off obviously)
Army grunt
Platinum Member
Sounds like a wire thats shorting out an causing a drain.chase wire an youll find something going to ground.
Army Grunt
Army Grunt
jfrady
Bronze Member
I has a similar issue with my 332 a few years ago. In my case it was the connector leading to the PTO clutch.
jsb2b
Silver Member
It may be a short but then you'd find a blown fuse if there is one in the circuit.
Get a multi-meter and check zero resistance from the PTO clutch coil winding connector back to the engage switch source looking for a broken wire or a dirty connector. Also, unplug the PTO connector to the clutch and ohm out the winding to see if its open. It should read very low ohms.
If all is good, switch the meter to voltage and meter for 12 volts from switch to the PTO connector remembering the "close" all interlocks, ie; seat switch, etc.
Get a multi-meter and check zero resistance from the PTO clutch coil winding connector back to the engage switch source looking for a broken wire or a dirty connector. Also, unplug the PTO connector to the clutch and ohm out the winding to see if its open. It should read very low ohms.
If all is good, switch the meter to voltage and meter for 12 volts from switch to the PTO connector remembering the "close" all interlocks, ie; seat switch, etc.
Wayne_H
Gold Member
- Joined
- Dec 16, 2004
- Messages
- 380
- Location
- Davidsonville, Maryland
- Tractor
- John Deere 4400, '48 B and 318
If it has voltage and does not engage, it may need adjusting. There are three nuts that adjust the clearance of the clutch when not engaged, if it is too much the magnet won't draw it in. Set the clearance to 0.018", there is three inspection slots to do this. These clutches are reliable as can be, but if that clearance is out of spec it won't engage. It is one of the most common problems with those units.
Wayne
Wayne
mfreund
Veteran Member
It also takes a large draw of amps to pull in the coil. If your battery is weak it will not go.
Eric102
Gold Member
The clutch on my 318 engages when cold, but after mowing for a while it won't re-engage after being turned off then switched back on. Should the clutch be adjusted when cold or hot, or do I have a different problem?
ren1pa
Member
I had the same problem. After many, many hours of searching, I gave up and took it to my local JD Dealer.
Diagnosis: Shorted wires due to mice feasting on same.
Turned out to be a much less expensive fix than I originally planned on.
Hope this helps.
jonsstihl
Veteran Member
If the clutch adjustment is the issue a good trick to get it going again is to jerk the hydostatic drive (bunny hop) with the switch engaged. That should get the clutch to grab. This should only be used if you really can't adjust the clutch. it is an easy job.
my dad used the trick almost half the summer before I noticed it and adjusted the clutch for him.
my dad used the trick almost half the summer before I noticed it and adjusted the clutch for him.
Wayne_H
Gold Member
- Joined
- Dec 16, 2004
- Messages
- 380
- Location
- Davidsonville, Maryland
- Tractor
- John Deere 4400, '48 B and 318
Yes, if it does not engage when hot, turn each of those nuts in 1/4 of a turn. Post the results here. If you really want to do it right, get your feeler gauge out and set the clearance at 0.018". It will fix it.
Regarding jerking the hydro to get it going.... Please don't offer to fix any of my stuff!!
When hot, the magnet does not seem quite as strong. This is a very common problem.
Wayne
Wayne_H
Gold Member
- Joined
- Dec 16, 2004
- Messages
- 380
- Location
- Davidsonville, Maryland
- Tractor
- John Deere 4400, '48 B and 318
Any update on this?
Wayne
Wayne
Eric102
Gold Member
Finally got a dry day here in the NW to try out the 318's clutch adjustment and it worked great! Always engaged at any RPM throughout the day and at any engine temperature.
It had been a few years since I had last checked it and was not surprised to have the .018 feeler gage slide easily into the slots. I adjusted the nuts about a 1/16 turn and found that to be to tight so I backed them off a hair and was just able to squeeze the gage in between the plates. So it didn't take much of an adjustment to make a big difference.
I had also installed a new battery (after 7 years) so the clutch might be getting more juice now, not sure if that was part of the fix.
It had been a few years since I had last checked it and was not surprised to have the .018 feeler gage slide easily into the slots. I adjusted the nuts about a 1/16 turn and found that to be to tight so I backed them off a hair and was just able to squeeze the gage in between the plates. So it didn't take much of an adjustment to make a big difference.
I had also installed a new battery (after 7 years) so the clutch might be getting more juice now, not sure if that was part of the fix.