PT 1845 Starter - PTO switch

[Charlie_Iliff]

In AltavistaLawn's 1850 thread, he, Marrt and I, and some others posted regarding intermittent starter problems. Turn the key: nada. Marrt and I put an additional starter relay down by the starter, on the assumption that the long circuit to the key and back might have too much resistance to pull in the Deutz solenoid. That seemed to work, until recently when mine was dead a couple of times, but intermittently, so hard to diagnose.
Finally, I had it dead near tools, and pulled the starter switch - tested fine. The PTO switch, however, which is a double pole double throw switch, connected fine to the PTO, but when in the other position did not close the starter circuit. I snapped it back and forth a few times, and it started to work.
In retrospect, I think that every time I have had the "starter" problem has been after use of an implement that uses the PTO.
New switch on the way. I'll report if the problem ever recurs.

 

[MossRoad]

So the second pole of the PTO switch prevents starting if the PTO is turned on?

What? A SAFETY FEATURE??? On a PT???

 

[Charlie_Iliff]

So the second pole of the PTO switch prevents starting if the PTO is turned on?

What? A SAFETY FEATURE??? On a PT???

Yup, but easily defeated with a gerber tool making sparks at the starter.

 

[J_J]

So the second pole of the PTO switch prevents starting if the PTO is turned on?

What? A SAFETY FEATURE??? On a PT???

I believe the purpose of the switch. other than activating the PTO is to prevent the engine from starting and tryinng to turn over a hydraulic gear pump which is dead headed, which means that there is nowhere for the fluid to go, and this will put a heavy load or stop the engine from turning over. I had problems with the neutral switch, and by-passed it, and wired in an on-off switch and a simple push button starter switch. This solved all my starter problems.

 

[Charlie_Iliff]

I believe the purpose of the switch. other than activating the PTO is to prevent the engine from starting and tryinng to turn over a hydraulic gear pump which is dead headed, which means that there is nowhere for the fluid to go, and this will put a heavy load or stop the engine from turning over. I had problems with the neutral switch, and by-passed it, and wired in an on-off switch and a simple push button starter switch. This solved all my starter problems.

That is certainly one purpose, which I mentioned in the cold starting thread. When you jump the starter with the PTO on, the engine lugs against the PTO pump, and will not come up to operating RPMs. The safety purpose is to keep an attachment, such as an auger or mower, from starting up when the engine does, which might pose a hazard to operators or bystanders.