PTO not always engaging

windsolar

New member

Equipment
L3200, 48 hrs
Oct 28, 2015
30
0
0
West Chazy, NY
Picked up a lightly used Puma 64 for my L3200 and it is a nice snowblower (paid $950). Hooked it up and it is operating fine. Only problem is when I engage the PTO lever it doesn't always engage. I am on the machine, RPS low around 1000 and the brake on. I tried standing, sat down and it engaged. It was never used previously and the tines on the SB64 operate freely. Any ideas why it is fussy? Thanks, Windsolar
 
Last edited:

Stubbyie

New member
Jul 1, 2010
879
7
0
Midcontinent
Not certain I fully understand the problem from your post.

When you refer to 'lever', does the machine have an electrical-type on-off switch or a mechanical lever you can feel the engagement?

If a switch type and problem is intermittent, suspect a bad switch or solenoid or whatever engages the PTO. May have from the description also a bad seat safety aka Operator Presence switch. Most likely a switch trying to fail or being 'sticky'.

Investigate seat switch. May need wiring schematic to determine how all the PTO and safety switches interact.

Might start by using aerosol electronic tuner cleaner / lube (not WD-40) and dousing switch(es) liberally, check also connector pins / clips. Clean connector and pins and use tiny smear of clear-white silicon plumber's stem grease (not pipe thread sealant) to prevent future corrosion and enable easy disconnection and make slightly water-resistant.

Please post back your continuing thoughts, observations, and experiences so we may all learn.
 

windsolar

New member

Equipment
L3200, 48 hrs
Oct 28, 2015
30
0
0
West Chazy, NY
Thanks, only 44 hrs on tractor and it is the HST L3200, has a small PTO lever that is engaged or not engaged to operate the PTO. I suspect the Transmission fluid may have been low but can't check that idea I went ahead with the first 50 hour filters and oil change and lost some of the Transmission fluid so need to go buy more to replace was was lost to test that theory. Thanks, chris

Not certain I fully understand the problem from your post.

When you refer to 'lever', does the machine have an electrical-type on-off switch or a mechanical lever you can feel the engagement?

If a switch type and problem is intermittent, suspect a bad switch or solenoid or whatever engages the PTO. May have from the description also a bad seat safety aka Operator Presence switch. Most likely a switch trying to fail or being 'sticky'.

Investigate seat switch. May need wiring schematic to determine how all the PTO and safety switches interact.

Might start by using aerosol electronic tuner cleaner / lube (not WD-40) and dousing switch(es) liberally, check also connector pins / clips. Clean connector and pins and use tiny smear of clear-white silicon plumber's stem grease (not pipe thread sealant) to prevent future corrosion and enable easy disconnection and make slightly water-resistant.

Please post back your continuing thoughts, observations, and experiences so we may all learn.
 

windsolar

New member

Equipment
L3200, 48 hrs
Oct 28, 2015
30
0
0
West Chazy, NY
Working real well now. Had never been used and probably was just sticking. Thanks! Chris

Not certain I fully understand the problem from your post.

When you refer to 'lever', does the machine have an electrical-type on-off switch or a mechanical lever you can feel the engagement?

If a switch type and problem is intermittent, suspect a bad switch or solenoid or whatever engages the PTO. May have from the description also a bad seat safety aka Operator Presence switch. Most likely a switch trying to fail or being 'sticky'.

Investigate seat switch. May need wiring schematic to determine how all the PTO and safety switches interact.

Might start by using aerosol electronic tuner cleaner / lube (not WD-40) and dousing switch(es) liberally, check also connector pins / clips. Clean connector and pins and use tiny smear of clear-white silicon plumber's stem grease (not pipe thread sealant) to prevent future corrosion and enable easy disconnection and make slightly water-resistant.

Please post back your continuing thoughts, observations, and experiences so we may all learn.