Scag can't get the blades to engage

[Yazoo50]

Just bought a 05 scag 36. got the engine to run smooth but when i pull the knob to engage the electric clutch the engine just dies. i have the engine runing at full speed. i took off the belt and everything seems to well lubricated and spin well. but when i try to engage again without the belt i get the same thing. thoughts/suggestions?

[SamTheLawnMan]

I hope you got a REALLY good deal on this mower....Looks like you may have more problems to come....Hate to say that, but thats what it seems to me...

[greenred]

Sounds like it might be a bad safety switch somewhere.

[TaylorLawn]

If you want to start troubleshooting and start from the least expensive check your pto switch...If that is testing positive move down to the connection that veers off to the clutch and test that, if that is operating properly and you are getting power down there you might need a clutch....I have the same mower and recently had to replace the clutch because I was experiencing the same issue, so I went from the least expensive item and the problem was actually the most expensive item..

I may not have read your post properly though...now that I have re-read it I realize that you say your engine is turning off when you pull the PTO....Do the blades attempt to engage before the engine dies??? If that is the case then I agree with the safety switch suggestion...

[tjlco]

safety switch....somewhere

[k-man]

IF it kills out as soon as you hit the pto it has to be a safety switch.

[TL Yardcare]

this happened to me also.. if its a w/b its the pto. check under the control panel and move the operator presence lever up and down and you'll be able to see where the button is that it pushes. i temporally folded up some paper towel and zip tied it in there but its nothing permanent.