3510 PTO PROBLEM

[Travis_R]

A neighbor of mine just bought a new 3510 yesterday. He attached the bush hog to cut some grass today, and the PTO won't engage.

I think its an electrical problem like a safety switch or a solenoid.

With the tractor's engine killed, I told him to engage the PTO manually with the lever by his left foot. I tried to turn the shaft and couldn't. Then he dis-engaged the PTO and then I could turn the shaft.

Thats what makes me believe its electrical and not mechanical.

He hasn't called the dealer yet because they were closed and won't open til' tomorrow.

We're just curious to see what the probable cause is.

Thanks,
Travis R

 

[Keith_B]

The lever by his foot his a speed control, it needs to be set at 540 RPM. To engage the PTO for most uses he needs to set the PTO selector switch on the dash to Manual, and then push the red button on the steering column.

 

[Nightrain1]

Sometimes when they are not used, you need to reset it. There is a switch underneath the tractor on the right side. Your right foot should be above it, look in that area underneath the tractor. There are other threads on this site you can search for and find more info if you need.

 

[grunewald]

Under your right foot underneath the deck , locate the solenoid. On the back end of the solenoid, in the center, push in on it, kind of like a button. If grit are something gets in this, the pto won't work. Just push in a few times to clean it out. It fixed mine, someone on this forum advised me of this. Hope this is all it is.

 

[LAWALLSTRACTOR]

The pto solenoid under the rt side of the deck check the ground wire connection on the side of it. Take out the top hex plug on the front side of the solenoid block and push a small screwdriver in the hole to push back the solenoid and spray some fine lubricant in the hole. Put the plug back into the solenoid block and probably the pto system will operate. Good luck with it.

 

[Nightrain1]

Does anybody wanna wager that the solenoid is the magic answer here? I hope the poster comes back and lets us know how things turned out. The knowledge on this board saved me from loading up the tractor to the dealer, for the very same problem. Saved a little cash just from reading here, can't beat that!!!!!

 

[Ralph1234]

This is great advice. I have little bit different problem. When I push the PTO button, the fuse blows. Any ideas where to start looking? The electrical drawing in the manual is hardly any help. '03 3510.

 

[skipmarcy]

I would disconnect the wire at the solenoid and try it and see if it blows a fuse first. If it is OK, the solenoid has a short in it. If it still blows a fuse with the solenoid disconnected, leave it disconnected and start following the wire back to the switch and look for a short to ground. When you find something suspect, move it away from the possible short and try it again. It's not very far from the switch to the solenoid so shouldn't be too difficult. The lower half of the steering column cover comes off very easily with a few screws. Good luck !!!

 

[Ralph1234]

Do you mean the switch/solenoid under the right footrest? If so, I disconnected the wire and there is a dead short to the frame on the wire going back to the manual/auto switch on the dashboard. Atleast I believe this is the right wire...trying to follow the wiring diagram in the owners manual is nearly impossible. Am I on the right track? Im not sure if this wire is normally grounded with the key off, the switch in the manual/auto, PTO button on or off etc...The tractor is due for its 250 hr service, so maybe I should let the dealer look into it?
Thanks for the help and I'll let yall know what I find.

 

[skipmarcy]

I agree, the manual is all but useless for the PTO system - just looked at mine. Anyway, I personally would try to trace the wires down myself and find the short but that's what I did for a living for over 34 years, you may want to pay the dealer to look at it for you if you're not that experienced. I would assume that the pushbutton switch sends power to the mode switch, then in the manual mode it would go directly to the solenoid. In the auto mode, the power would run from the mode switch to the clutch switch and/or the 3 pt switch before going to the solenoid - in what order I do not know, that's where a concise wiring diagram would be helpful. In the auto mode pushing the clutch in disengages the PTO or raising the 3 pt past a certain height disengages it so you've got 2 switches there with associated wiring that would need to be checked. Does the fuse blow in either mode ? If so I would look between the push button switch and the mode switch first. Good luck with it, hopefully if you let your dealer check into it they are at least experienced with the system.

 

[Ralph1234]

Thanks for the great advice. I'm not sure how many scenarios cause the fuse to blow..I only had four 15 amp spares(its 40 miles to the nearest fuse retailer. so far I've tried Manual/button, Auto/button, button/manual, and button/auto.

 

[Ralph1234]

Ok, after almost 4 weeks at the dealer I got my tractor back. A slew of electrical problems was to blame along with a Mahindra parts delay here in Texas. They replaced some diodes located in the steering column wiring harness.
different assorted relays too. The mechanic seems to think the problem developed because the previous owner was jump starting the tractor instead of replacing the battery. Maybe got the leads crossed or something. Anyway, $600 later and I'm now a happy camper. Thanks to all that responded and I'll be posting some decent pics of my tractor soon.

 

[Texan4Life]

Ok, after almost 4 weeks at the dealer I got my tractor back. A slew of electrical problems was to blame along with a Mahindra parts delay here in Texas. They replaced some diodes located in the steering column wiring harness.
different assorted relays too. The mechanic seems to think the problem developed because the previous owner was jump starting the tractor instead of replacing the battery. Maybe got the leads crossed or something. Anyway, $600 later and I'm now a happy camper. Thanks to all that responded and I'll be posting some decent pics of my tractor soon.

glad your dealer was able to get you up and running.

another thing that can cause electrical problems is welding on attached implements. stray surges and voltage spikes can wreck havoc on electronics.

 

[01Steeda]

I am sorry to bump an old thread but I am in a bit of a pinch. I have the same model with the same issues. The fuse blows with solenoid connected but when I disconnect it the fuse remains intact. Is there anywhere besides a dealer to buy a solenoid for a Branson 3510i? The closest dealer is over an hour away and due to my duties on the job site other than tractor work I really can't afford to make the trip at the moment. Any help would be appreciated, heck even a parts diagram I can use would be great.

 

[kneedeep]

The dealer would probably dropship the part to your door for you.

 

[skipmarcy]

Might try this in the Branson forum instead of the Mahindra forum.

 

[CGBear]

Under your right foot underneath the deck , locate the solenoid. On the back end of the solenoid, in the center, push in on it, kind of like a button. If grit are something gets in this, the pto won't work. Just push in a few times to clean it out. It fixed mine, someone on this forum advised me of this. Hope this is all it is.

Appreciate the discussion on this topic. I had the same problem and YES, when I pushed in on the "silver" button my PTO worked as it should. I sprayed a little WD 40 on the edges. I know my problem stems from not using the PTO regularly so as future reminders, I set up a notification on my computer calendar to operate the PTO at lest 1 monthly. Good discussion . . .

 

[psyched123]

I think I have the same problem with my PTO valve. Which hex plug should I remove? I've attached pictures of the PTO valve. There is a hex plug on the over the solenoid and one on the front of the valve. I've removed the solenoid coil.

 

[DiskDoctr]

I think I have the same problem with my PTO valve. Which hex plug should I remove? I've attached pictures of the PTO valve. There is a hex plug on the over the solenoid and one on the front of the valve. I've removed the solenoid coil.

Here's a thread with a pic and red arrow to help you out