Z-Master problem

Got a technical question for you guys. Our Z-Master 52&quot; Kohler 20hp was stalling this morning every time I would try to engage the PTO. Ran fine otherwise. It was cold and raining this morning (-6C) so I thought at first that maybe the engine needed to warm up. Nope. I let it idle at full throttle for 15 minutes at one house and still the engine killed when I tried to engage the blades. <p>Took it to our service guy and he checked the fuel delivery and the oil (it's got a low oil pressure engine kill switch) and the spark and found no problems. He replaced one of the two 20amp fuses and then miraculously the blades started to engage. Fuse wasn't blown either. <p>So we left and when I got to the next house where I could use the &quot;Z&quot; I tried to engage the blades. The first two times the engine stalled, third time lucky. Didn't use it the rest of the afternoon.<p>Any ideas? It's a new problem to our service guy so he's as perplexed as we are.<p>----------<br>Dave in S.Ontario<br>www.cutntrim.com

 

are you belts to tight so that its stressing the engine to much to try to turn the belts? are you engaging the blades at full trottle or half?

 

Evan,<p>Didn't specifically check the belts. Tried engaging full throttle and half-throttle. Also tried half-throttle then push to full at stalling-point. Stalled each time.<p>----------<br>Dave in S.Ontario<br>www.cutntrim.com

 

I don't have an Exmark or an electric clutch, but it sounds like it could be in the seat switch. Clean the contacts to it and try it. If your machine has a seat kill switch, it could be the problem. I'm sure glad I have a hand clutch on my DC's.<p>----------<br>&lt;a href=&quot;http://pages.prodigy.net/eric.erickson/&quot;&gt;Eric@ELM&lt;/a&gt;<br>

 

It was most likely a result of the cold plus belts that are slightly too tight. I bet that once you got it engaged the first time of the day it was much easier after that. My Scag used too have this problem in the cold too.

 

I have a 60&quot; Lazer and have the same problem only on warm days too. I have learned to pull out the choke and then engage the blades and reset the choke. Works for me.

 

The problem is with the lean burn carb certified Command V-twin.<p>Engage the blades at full throttle with the choke about one half way open. Then disengage the choke after the blades come up to speed.

 

Had a problem with one of our lazers that sounds similar to yours. The shop finally tracked it down to a loose electrical fitting.<p>Good luck

 

It sounds like electrical to me too, that's why I suggested the seat kill switch, if it has one.<p>----------<br>&lt;a href=&quot;http://pages.prodigy.net/eric.erickson/&quot;&gt;Eric@ELM&lt;/a&gt;<br>

 

I wouldn't overlook a safety switch either. My ZTMax had a sudden problem like that and it turned out to be the brake safety switch.