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Toro ZTR 1438Z, probably 2004. When I pull up on the blade engage switch I hear a click but the blades do not engage. Strangely enough, my first thought was that the belt was gone, broken, or otherwise disengaged, and it was disengaged. I put it back around the pullys per the owners manual, but still no spinning blades. The engine doesn't die, just no cutting.I verified that the seat switch works because the engine does die if I get off without putting the drive arms in the brake position.
Optional Information: Make: Toro Model: 1438Z Already Tried: Re-engaged the belt.
Hello my name is Matt
I would like to try to help you with this issue today.
Where is the click comeing from that you hear?
Somewhere under the rear cowling, I think. Can't really get more specific cuz I have to be seated for this to work.
The clutch may be bad.
Ooh, I was hoping for something simpler than that. Ouch.
Try this. With the engine off and PTO belt off, try to rotate the pully
This is just a test
My be something else
That will take some time. So if the pully will spin?...
If the pulley turns free then lets try this. Turn the key on. set the brake. DO NOT START THE ENGINe
Pull the PTO on from beside the machine. Should here a click
If it does click, try to turn it again.
It should not turn
OK, well, first I will get the belt off and try spinning. Then I'll do the other thing. May take some time...
If it does, I would have someone else move the PTO switch to verify that the click is at the clutch.
Some times when a clutch fails it will be visibly damaged. Fragments will show between the magnetic plate,and the pulley.
You may be able to do it with the belt on. But it wont spin freely
OK, got the belt off (much easier from the back than expected). With the brake engaged, no one on the seat, and the key switched off, the pully was difficult to spin. It kinda went a very short ways easily in either direction and hit some kind of "stop" then it grinded a bit like there was a clutch plate engaged. "Grinding" is not exactly the right word, but there was definitely major friction.
Then, with the key switch on, and an audible click from inside the engine, the pully spun freely without anyone on the seat.
I hate to say it, but Im afraid the clutch is bad.
Crap. Gonna have a rough time getting that fixed on a holiday. My grass is so tall...
It should have been locked up when you turned it on. Can you see any damage in the plates?
I haven't taken anything off. Do I need to take off the engine cowling to see that?
With the serial number I can assist in getting a part number
No, The clutch is helt to the bottom of the shaft with one bolt.
Probably not some thing I can do myself. Haven't done small engine work since shop class in high school.
The bold was in the center of the pully you turned
Very easy to do
Many decades ago... :
)
Just 1 bolt
and one plug that carrys power to it
So is it spring loaded like a car?
No its electromagnetic
Just slips on and off. No special tools or skill needed
Why did it catch with the key off and the PTO disengaged, but then not catch with the key onn and PTO engaged?
Its damaged inside.
Oh
Should have been opposite
http://www.goo gle.com/products/catalog?hl=en&tok=IGPO5UGUC0MWv0pA8aunmg&cp=11&gs_id=16&xhr=t&q=electric+pto&rls=ig&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.,cf.osb&biw=1366&bih=643&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=11326241768016820274&sa=X&ei=sevCT6TCAorO2AWB2OCFAQ&sqi=2&ved=0CJYBEPICMAQ
This isnt yours but simular
I might have to look at the owners manual to see what you are saying about taking it off. Anyway, I couldn't buy a clutch on a holiday anyway.
I'll probably just let the experts charge me bookoo bucks to fix it, or maybe I'll trade in on a nice tractor. The ZTR isn't great on my hill anyways.
You may want to but online. Much cheaper that way
LOL I dont like that machine myself
It seem to drift alot
If you decide to do it, I would be glad to walk ya through it
Yeah, and the back wheel digs a trench when I try to force it not to drift.
May be a good excuse to buy a new one. The clutch can be exspensive
I think they make tractrs now that pretty much have a zero turn radius. I'll look into those. Hope they don't dock me too much on a trade...
Good luck what ever you decide. Im here if ya need anything
OK. Thanks for your help. I'll accept your answer.
Thank you very much
Experience: Owner of Aledo Maintenance and Repair