Mystery Switch found

[steamup]

Hello - 1st post for me. My new project is a Craftsman II twin 18hp 44 inch. It stopped running one day and the previous owner thought it was an electrical problem, he got frustrated, bought a new tractor and pushed this one out in the yard. I spotted it on Craigslist, and brought it home yesterday for $50 and figured it just needed some sorting out and some love.

I have no battery yet so I can do no further damage at this point. There are a few wires disconnected apparently from trouble-shooting, and it seems logical where they should go. I found a Mystery Switch under the dash with no hole for it to mount in on the dash. This is a momentary switch spring-loaded to return.

Does anyone know the purpose of this switch? I have an owners manual on order, but am very curious now.

Any help or comments are appreciated.

JW- Steamup

 

[Egon]

Any chance it's connected to the three point lift.

 

[lilranch2001]

did you follow the wires to what they are connected to?

 

[Cub 7274]

That switch was either used to raise and lower the mowing deck and 3pt hitch or to turn on the electric clutch

 

[steamup]

Thank you for your replies - I have not been able to trace the wires yet. I did add a photo of the dash showing that it appears complete with original type switches in place, and spade connectors connected to the switch pins on the back side. I haven't put the battery in yet, hoping to have no surprise smoke signals when I do <grin>

I did discover that the toggle with red insulator will pull out and allow the switch to move full throw and lock into the 'momentary' position. So this is not a momentary switch, it is a protected switch, probably for a PTO, but those positions in the dash are filled ...........more to figure, but getting closer

Ah ha! Looks like a replacement switch was installed in place of the original [Mystery] switch. I will sort this out later as this is not required for 1st time crank up, ..which should be soon.

Ideas and replies are appreciated - Thank you!

JW - Steamup

 

[Not a member]

Wow! That was a nice find! I'd love to get my hands on one like that for $50. I used to have a Craftsman from that same era. Looked a whole lot like yours but mine was more "lawn tractor" and not as heavy duty. Have you made any progress?

 

[steamup]

I have the wiring sorted out enough to start it up, and it runs sweet - can drive it around. The headlights brighten up with engine speed, but the ammeter shows no charge. A Fluke voltmeter verifies the battery voltage does not change with engine speed. I wonder if there is a diode that has gone bad?

 

[steamup]

The PTO switch is now in the dash with the wire connectors that fit - it does not engage the PTO but it does seem to open and close some circuit irregularly, I do get a reaction on the ammeter in the dash -

I can connect the PTO directly from the battery and it works properly - do these PTO switches go bad?

 

[steamup]

Model # 917-2559101

Progress- I have replaced the PTO switch - seems to work OK, but the deck is removed for now. I have a Murray mower for the lawn work.

I have assembled and attached the new Brinly moldboard plow, and adjusted the sleeve hitch spring to assist in the lift, but it is still a load.

There is an electric Attachment Lift switch in the dash, but the actuator is missing. There is a mechanical lift lever on the right that operates the deck and sleeve hitch, and there seems to be location points in the linkage just above the deck for an electric actuator/motor, There is also an available wiring harness connector at this point. I downloaded a manual [eBay] for this model number, but there was nothing inside about this Actuator Lift. Maybe it was an add-on?

I wonder if I could find an electric actuator similar to the missing original to ease the operation of the new plow? I see that Johnny Products has actuators, but there may be a Craftsman part out there somewhere.

Any ideas?

 

[steamup]

I have found an OEM actuator for the sleeve hitch, on eBay. It fits and works perfectly. All the brackets were included, but not used as this tractor already had them installed. I have been able to assemble and try out the new Brinly plow and disc harrow. I am just learning how to work dirt.