PTO Won't Engage, Bad Switch?

[1/2-Ass Homestead]

A few years ago, I bought a Yanmar SA424 and just last year I purchased the front mounted snow blower attachment which runs off the front/mid PTO. It worked great for most of the winter, except towards the end of the season, it would intermittently shut-off and I'd have to re-engage it. Sometimes I'd have to push the reverse override to get it going again.

I just reattached the blower and was doing my function test and it wouldn't engage regularly. It was very intermittent and the reverse switch seemed to have no effect. If I pulled on the PTO switch and kinda jiggled it, I could hear a click and the PTO would start.

I'm thinking the switch is bad, but I'm struggling to even remove the switch from the fender.

So here's my question, could there be something else besides the switch causing this issue that I should consider? I don't want to destroy the switch by prying it out of the fender just to realize it's something else.

Sorry for the lengthy post, but anyone have any ideas?

 

[Mike1955]

Sir I’m not familiar with your machine. But I have replaced many PTO switches in my lifetime. All were bad. There is always a chance of a bad solenoid or wire loose to cause this problem. You got to start somewhere and your guess is probably better than anyone on here. Good luck

 

[EddieWalker]

Is your PTO switch a yellow knob that you pull out to turn it on? My Scag zero turn has that type of switch, and I've replaced it 3 times. First time with a factory Scag switch, second time with an aftermarket switch, then back to the factory Scag one. From what I've seen, almost all zero turns use the exact same switch. Every time I put a new one in, it worked great for the rest of the year. But the next year, or two years later, it stops working. I've been told by other people with different brands that they have the same problem and experience with those yellow pull type switches.

I currently have a heavy duty toggle switch on it now. It's been about five years and it's still working like it should.

 

[scott_vt]

Good Evening,

From what I've seen, almost all zero turns use the exact same switch.

Sounds like a defective switch to me also ! I would start with a new switch !

 

[1/2-Ass Homestead]

Thanks for all the replies! Here is a picture of the switch. Yellow knob and all. I'm curious about the toggle switch you mentioned Eddie Walker. It looks like this only uses 3 terminals. What switch did you end up using if I may ask?