PTO lever has to be wiggled just r still got it ight to

[John312-8 4]

Hello, wheel horse lovers! Love the forum to find out suggestions about my my 1986 312-8 horse. I am not the best mechanic, especially electronically. I need someone's help and giving me an answer to my problem. When I sit on my tractor, push the clutch in turn the key, there is no sound, won't turn over, doesn't start until I wiggle the PTO lever on the right hand side. When I get it just right it'll turnover and start and run for the entire time and won't have to hold on to the lever. Is this a mechanical or electrical issue? I know PTO lover needs to be disengaged or pulled back when I start it. Seat switch works perfectly and when I get off the tractor it still runs great and idles perfectly. Any ideas, suggestions for me? Thanks so much for your help

[Sparky-(Admin) 21,318]

 

  The PTO switch probably needs to be bent  closer to the PTO handle I suspect. The PTO handle simply pushes on a rocker type switch. You can see the rocker circled in red. On this parts rig where I snapped these pics, the PTO switch is mounted on a piece of metal and is easily pushed (bent) closer to the PTO lever. 
 

 

 

 

 

[Handy Don 12,232]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

Your issue could be mechanical or electrical.

Mechanical if the PTO lever pivot (which is usually a plastic bushing) is worn to where the slop in the mechanism is preventing the tabs on the lever from fully depressing the safety switch that lets the starter engage (likely).

Electrical if the switch itself has started failing (unlikely) or the wiring connector to the switch has become corroded (possible).

@peter lena can you post the link to your thread on tightening up the PTO, please?

[John312-8 4]

Thank you guys for getting back to me so quickly. Tractors at my son's house so going over to check it out tomorrow. This definitely will help. Thanks for the welcome, really appreciate it. Hope I can get some insight to someone. 

[peter lena 8,631]

@Handy Don   that area is a gold mine , for improvement , first photo , notice stack of washers on end starting point ? , along with lubricant ,  at every point , also rethreaded pto lever threading , from , 3/8x16  to 3/8x24 , used a die nut , to rethread  right over original set up , screwed on heim joint , solid smooth , added spring to pto outer center clip , to eliminate bouncing clip noise , note how snug dash lever holds to side mount .also note , battrery tender , plug in to choke cable , and added ground cable to engine , frame , to battery ground bolt , helps electrical rectifier , grounding , work better . pete

 

[peter lena 8,631]

@Handy Don  its amazing how easily a drive set up can work , when I  lever back the pto drive , the deck  keeps spinning  , for 5- 8 seconds . I  like that , pete

[Handy Don 12,232]

1 hour ago, peter lena said:

@Handy Don  its amazing how easily a drive set up can work , when I  lever back the pto drive , the deck  keeps spinning  , for 5- 8 seconds . I  like that , pete

I’ve trained the users of the big tractor to pull back on the PTO lever to apply the brake and stop the spinning before dismounting. Make it a habit and be safer.

[John312-8 4]

Hey guys, thanks for the info. Not sure if you got my response yesterday but I looked at the PTO lever from the battery compartment and yes a few more washers will draw the handle in closer since its so loose. Tried to get to the switch by removing the side panel but found out after I removed the top 2 screws of that panel inside near battery compartment  that the panel was also attached to the front panel where the throttle was located. It seemed I had to remove a lot  more stuff in order to get to the switch. Figured I would add the washers and get a new cotter pin and try to  bring in the handle closer first hoping that would work before I got into more trouble. lol  -   I was successful yesterday fixing a leak under plastic fuel tank. Put in a new grommet and new valve , added gas and no leaks. One down, one more to go.