JD 345 PTO will not engage

[PhilTros]

Hi all. I'm new to the forum but have been reading posts for a while.

I have a John Deere 345 lawn mower and I can't engage the PTO. A little background might be in order:

Last week while cutting grass, the mower just quit running. No reason, it just quit like I turned the key off. Gas is ok, oil level ok, all fluids ok. Changed the spark plugs, changed the fuel filter, cleaned the air filter, no help. After reading the forum, changed the Time Delay module ($20). Still no help. Next, I changed the Ignition Module ($100). This time it started right up! Back in business. Started cutting grass again but after several cycles of the PTO on and off, it would not engage any more. Left the mower alone overnight, came back this morning and tried again but can't get it to engage.

Help! I REALLY don't want to bring it in to the JD place. They can't get to it for about a week and no telling how much it'll cost me. If it's a part that a reasonably competent individual can change, I'm willing to give it a go!

Thanks in advance for all of the help.

Phil

 

[carterbeauford]

PTO clutch? it comes off using a 19MM wrench if I remember correctly.