2 Stage Snowthrower Issue

[PWL216 887]

Hi everybody. I recently installed a two stage snowblower on my 314-8, which was bought new with the tractor. The tractor runs fine, but the problem is, whenever I engage the PTO the tractor stalls out. If I engage the PTO lever halfway, all of the pulley wheels on the Snowthrower turn as they should. But when the PTO is fully engage it’s almost like it’s locking up the engine and the pulleys don’t move. Has anybody seen this issue before? Is my PTO engagement rod just not aligned properly? Thx for the help.  Paul

[peter lena 8,588]

@PWL216 makes me think your mounting set up is off some where, a new blower should be able to turn over with relative ease  , thru the belt / chain driven gear reduction box . do you have a manual with the blower ?  try moving the drive belt for the blower gear box by hand , should move without too much effort . pto lever trunnion could be off on adjustment , look around , for area movement .  curious about this myself , good luck , pete   

[peter lena 8,588]

@PWL216  just snooping around for pictures an ideas , this might help you out , related pictures , and ideas could do it , pete

 

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,036]

When the pto is engaged the seat switch controls the ignition. A safety feature.

Sounds like the ignition is getting shut off as the pto is applied.

Operator cutting grass so the pto is applied. Falls out of seat so the engine quits.

 

What is the model number and serial number of the tractor. Those will let us link you to the wiring diagrams so you can see how that happens. Two different ignition systems used on the 314-8 and the seat switch is wired differently for each.

[PWL216 887]

Hi Guys. Thx for all the suggestions. I verified the belt routing is correct. I also verified that the gear box moves freely. 

[PWL216 887]

Model and serial number…

[Darb1964 1,042]

I think you need to adjust the power take off tension. When you fully engage, is there a lot of resistance? Shouldn't be very much.

[PWL216 887]

4 minutes ago, Darb1964 said:

I think you need to adjust the power take off tension. When you fully engage, is there a lot of resistance? Shouldn't be very much.

Yes, there’s a lot of tension. Enough to slightly bend the bar. 

[Darb1964 1,042]

That's your problem, you need to back it off, that's way to tight.

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,036]

1 hour ago, PWL216 said:

Model and serial number…

This ID plate is for 1990 model snow blower made Tuesday October 16, 1989

Do you have the same decal under the left side of the seat of the tractor? The 314-8 was sold in 1985 and 1993-2001

[PWL216 887]

On 12/27/2021 at 3:47 PM, gwest_ca said:

 

When the pto is engaged the seat switch controls the ignition. A safety feature.

Sounds like the ignition is getting shut off as the pto is applied.

Operator cutting grass so the pto is applied. Falls out of seat so the engine quits.

 

What is the model number and serial number of the tractor. Those will let us link you to the wiring diagrams so you can see how that happens. Two different ignition systems used on the 314-8 and the seat switch is wired differently for each.

 

I think this may be it. I disconnected the snowblower belt and had the same issue with no belt on the pro. Then, I noticed the ‘Seat Switch’ led was on. I don’t remember seeing that before. What is a possible remedy and many thanks!

[wallfish 16,986]

1 hour ago, PWL216 said:

I think this may be it. I disconnected the snowblower belt and had the same issue with no belt on the pro. Then, I noticed the ‘Seat Switch’ led was on. I don’t remember seeing that before. What is a possible remedy and many thanks!

Were you sitting in the seat?

[PWL216 887]

1 hour ago, wallfish said:

Were you sitting in the seat?

Yes

[Burnerman 758]

Bad seat switch. 

[Darb1964 1,042]

Did you back off on the power take off tension?

[PWL216 887]

17 hours ago, Darb1964 said:

Did you back off on the power take off tension?

Yes. I believe it’s correct now. Thx.

 

17 hours ago, Burnerman said:

Bad seat switch. 

Thx. Just ordered one online….

[Jeff-C175 7,199]

18 minutes ago, PWL216 said:

ordered one online

 

That's not the actual switch though.  That may be just the plunger that pushes on the switch, is it not?

 

But maybe that part is missing on your machine?  

If it is missing, of course the switch won't push...

 

If you've got the older model of 314-8, you have this seat switch:

 

 

If you've got the newer variety (from the 90s) then this is likely your seat switch assembly:

 

 

I have to say that I don't know what that part is that you have pictured.

 

 

 

 

Edited December 29, 2021 by Jeff-C175

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,036]

Your seat switch contacts can be cleaned.

Click on the picture of the switch for more

Make sure your lights work. The seat switch is powered by the light circuit which controls a relay that controls the ignition. There is a fuse in the light circuit but the way the diagrams show it the seat switch is not fused which may be a mistake.

 

[peter lena 8,588]

@PWL216  noting 3 rd picture down , that chain drive slack , on belt driven pulley set up , looks like maybe a little loose , also use a gear /chain rated lubricate on that , it will stay with it and cut down on the gear wear , pete 

[Jeff-C175 7,199]

@PWL216  I believe that this thingy:

 

 

is actually one of the seat 'bumpers' that is missing the rubber piece.

 

 

But definitely NOT the 'seat switch' in any case!

 

 

 

 

Edited December 29, 2021 by Jeff-C175

[lynnmor 7,302]

4 minutes ago, Jeff-C175 said:

I believe that this thingy:

 

 

is actually one of the seat 'bumpers' that is missing the rubber piece.

 

But definitely NOT the 'seat switch' in any case!

 

Some had that plunger thing to push against the switch that is under the fender with just the button sticking up thru the fender.

[Jeff-C175 7,199]

32 minutes ago, lynnmor said:

Some had that plunger thing to push against the switch that is under the fender with just the button sticking up thru the fender.

 

That's what I thought too at first but after looking at the IPLs for his machine I don't think so.

 

In any case though, it's not a seat switch.

 

[WHGuy413 2,683]

On 12/27/2021 at 3:47 PM, gwest_ca said:

When the pto is engaged the seat switch controls the ignition. A safety feature.

Sounds like the ignition is getting shut off as the pto is applied.

Operator cutting grass so the pto is applied. Falls out of seat so the engine quits.

 

This was my thought also. I had all pre safety switched tractors for the longest time. When I got my first that had them I didn’t even realize it. Was trying to test run my snow thrower and the tractor kept stalling. One day I tried it while sitting on the seat and bingo! 

[PWL216 887]

First, thank you all for your help. You are correct, what I bought was not the seat switch. After seeing the posted pics of what a seat switch looks like, it looked familiar, and so I checked the box of new parts the previous (original owner) owner had given me. Sure enough, it contained a seat switch. I replaced it tonight and will put the seat back on tomorrow and test it. I thought it was going to be a complicated exercise, but it was easy. I have attached some pics below. Thx again and I’ll let you know if this fixed it.

[PWL216 887]

It was indeed a bad seat switch. Thanks again to you all.

On 12/27/2021 at 3:47 PM, gwest_ca said:

When the pto is engaged the seat switch controls the ignition. A safety feature.

Sounds like the ignition is getting shut off as the pto is applied.

Operator cutting grass so the pto is applied. Falls out of seat so the engine quits.

 

What is the model number and serial number of the tractor. Those will let us link you to the wiring diagrams so you can see how that happens. Two different ignition systems used on the 314-8 and the seat switch is wired differently for each.

This was it. Thank you!