Scag 36" Belt Drive PTO clutch up in smoke?

[wouldy12]

Was halfway through a 3 acre lawn yesterday when the blades suddenly stopped spinning as if I had accidentally bumped the PTO switch. Trying the switch several times did nothing. Shut off engine and noticed a whiff of smoke coming from clutch and a burning electrical smell (not a burning clutch smell.) My question is whether there is something to check/service before just replacing replacing clutch. The mower is only 5 years old and I only cut this one property with it so it seems like a pretty short life or such an expensive part. Thanks for any help.

[ed2hess]

Yep...check to be sure the PTO swithch is ok....it may have pulled a lot of current when the windings shorted. Ours went the other day and it eventually stalled the engine the smoke was huge.

[wouldy12]

WOW, it looks like I'm looking at a $300+ part. Can't say I'm too happy about that - it's the price of a good honda 21". I only cut one lawn which equals about 4 hours / month.