Fix Cub Cadet Electric PTO Clutch Repair - Something's missing here??

The PTO on this Cub Cadet LTX1050 seemed to work okay, but something just wasn't right. Upon further inspection, the PTO had nothing to secure the flange to the tractor frame. No bolt, no bracket, no nothing. Fortunately, the absence of this component did not result in any damage to the PTO, nor did it rip the wires out of the PTO when the clutch was engaged. A little online research showed me that that an extension spring was missing. Here is how to replace the extension spring. You can get the spring here, MTD 732-0814, amzn.to/2ocz1Up. You may also need Rod Keeper MTD 747-05195, amzn.to/2BP8eqN. Thanks for watching.

[@Buckwsr]

MTD Extension Spring 732-0814, amzn.to/2ocz1Up Rod Keeper MTD 747-05195, amzn.to/2BP8eqN

[@michealclark3540]

the bracket for the mowing deck is supposed to hook into that you shape of the clutch on a power takeoff

[@quillen5150]

Great tutorial, no unnecessary bs talking just so they seem more knowledgeable or to make the tutorial last longer, just straight to the problem diagnosis and repair. Excellent, it helped my problem, thank you good sir

[@user-qb4zl9ms4q]

❤

[@TrikerWoody]

Really glad you put this up because my brother and I are trying to get dad's LTX1050 running. Missing pto housing spring. Thanks

[@jagers4xford471]

If you look at the clutch it's self, there is a notch in clutch PTO housing that the round guard goes into to stop the clutch from rotating when engaged. I can almost see the notch in your video. Rotate the clutch to where the wire is slack and you will see the notch on the right side of the tractor (as you're sitting on it) I believe the spring is redundant safety add on. I just put mine back together after cleaning the under side of the deck and sharpening the blades. I own a LTX1046. The people at Club Cadet were no help.

[@Buckwsr]

Thank you for the note, which will help other viewers more than the Cub Cadet people helped you, ha ha!

[@amyreaves8054]

Jager's 4xFORD I have changed blades and got everything back together, I am not mechanically inclined) does the belt keeper go into notch on the pto clutch? . I have the 1046, too and it is hard to find anything on them. Thank you.

[@seangillespie4601]

DUDE. Unbelievable. I can't even ballpark how many youtube videos and wiring diagrams I've consulted trying to figure out wtf was going on with my pto harness wire disengaging because the whole damn thing was spinning loose aka doing the exact same thing as yours . None of them even mentioned a tension spring. May the Great Grass Gods forever bless you.

[@Buckwsr]

I also came to realize one of the belt keeper brackets had been installed backwards. The bracket is meant to engage one of the notches in the PTO, and to hold it stationary. Other commenters have mentioned this, and it helped me out tremendously.

[@georgetheis7538]

This solved my exact same issue. I broke 2 different wire harnesses. I thought the same thing that something had to be missing. Now that I bought & installed the missing spring my LTX1050KW PTO is staying in place. Thanks so much for your insight & video!

[@Buckwsr]

Yes, the PTO has to be held stationary, right? Otherwise it'll rip the wiring harness right out. But I still can't help but think that there is some bracket missing, something stronger than just that spring to hold the PTO stationary. I don't know. I revisited this tractor recently, called in for some other matter, and I observed that the spring in still in place doing its job. So for now, it's all good. Thanks for the note.

[@jtoombs56]

I had the same issue. The clutch flange was hitting the belt keeper rod after a quarter turn so it didn’t rip the wires out. There is a slot in the flange that the rod will fit into if you have the rod installed in the correct direction. If not installed correctly it won’t catch the flange at all. You were lucky it was catching on the frame.

[@jtoombs56]

PS. This is not addressed in the manual for some strange reason given how important the issue is.

[@boatbuilder1954]

Thank you a million times for this , mine was missing the spring also and I wasn’t sure what was supposed to stop the clutch from spinning, unfortunately I spent 3 hours soldering the wires back to the clutch but I went and bought a extension spring and it’s now working !😊

[@Buckwsr]

I learned later that in addition to the missing spring, on this tractor one of the belt keepers had been installed incorrectly. It has a small downward rod that should engage a notch in the electric PTO that holds it in place so it doesn't spin. Check for that as well, and thanks for watching the video!

[@dalemetcalfe9639]

Note the belt keeper (the rod that goes from one side of tractor frame to opposite side) that keeps the belt from coming off needs to be locked into the indent on the PTO unit before tightening the bolts that hold it in place. It is a multi purpose piece #1 hold PTO stationary #2 keeps belt from coming off. That is what keeps it from moving when the PTO is activated. Don't know about the spring mentioned here.

[@Buckwsr]

Yes, I eventually figured out that the belt keeper on this tractor was somehow installed backward. No idea how that happened, but it's good to go now. Thanks.

[@melvinreece4006]

Just ran into this problem. Thanks for showing and demonstrating how to repair this project.

[@osportsmediacenter5274]

Perfect! Thank you! I fixed mine and it didn’t cost me a thing. Just frustration and a few beers. Ha ha! Good job!

[@evanhodge1819]

That’s what it is

[@davidledford8771]

PERFECT! Thanks!

[@tooferab1963]

Just lucked out and found the broken spring while putting my belt back on. Had a spare spring in the basement to hold me over. But I’m lucky it didn’t yank the wiring harness out

[@ontosewing8784]

thanks for the video I was just given a club cadet mower about the same model thanks for the info I will look at situation that you had and apply the troubleshooting to my mower to see if that is the problem along with some other diagnosis of why the blades wont engage, let you kn how it turns out thanks for the video.

[@Buckwsr]

Good luck. I have since learned that the belt keeper on this tractor was installed backwards. That was the main issue. It is now resolved properly.

[@ontosewing8784]

After further investigation I found that the belt was not around one of the pulleys, so after looking at the belt routing I got the belt correctly around the pulleys, hit the PTO and baaam blades are turning now😁😁😁

[@patrickcoughlin3924]

Wow thank you I had a similar problem.

[@Buckwsr]

You know what? On a subsequent visit with this tractor, I observed that the belt keeper bracket around the electric PTO clutch had been installed backwards, and for that reason it was not engaging with the slot in the clutch housing. I flipped the bracket around the other way, and that solved the problem completely. Who knows how or why it was installed incorrectly to begin with....?

[@stumarksez]

Yours was the first solution video I watched, and I also watched another afterwards from "Dan's Vlog". The two videos attempt solutions for the same issue, but with two different challenges. I'm not sure yet which of the two possible solutions I need, but my issue is that I can hear the PTO engage (*che-clunk*) but the belt is not turning the three blades. There are three separate videos that have been helpful for the "blades not being engaged when I pull the PTO switch to ON on the Cub Cadet". -This video -Dan's Vlog -Steve O Seems to me that the clutch needs to be stationary, not flexing with that spring. Not sure exactly what that spring is supposed to do, but typically I have seen these small clutch assemblies held rigidly in place. I don't see a reason that they need to move. Maybe someone can correct me on that. The belt is allowed to flex enough as is. Even more flex can possibly cause the belt to wear prematurely or even come off more often, and also extra clutch assembly flex can cause the belt to lose necessary traction which can result in the blades to lose proper RPMs.

[@guesswhorh]

Cub cadet LT1018. There is a pto idler pulley that replaces a spring or pin on PTO unit

[@hawksnst1]

I was finally able to activate the pto after using a hair dryer on all the electrical connections. The last two I hit with a dryer were the plugs behind the starter switch and the pullout pto knob after I was able to access and pull them apart. So I am assuming that moisture there was the problem. I had to remove the gas tank to access and remove those two items. In doing so noticed that the plastic gas tank had 2 holes worn through probably from rubbing against the securing bracket. Need to fill the holes with PC 7 epoxy. Hope this might help some else. Thx for your advice.

[@Buckwsr]

Glad you got it all sorted out!

[@jimdep6542]

I'm curious, there were a bunch of holes in the frame where that spring could have tied on too, but you chose that spot on the end, where it didn't seem like it would hold the spring as well. Was that because it had the right tension on the spring ? Thanks.

[@Buckwsr]

Check out the helpful comments other viewers have made, and you will learn as I did that the issue had to do more with the bracket than the spring....A learning experience for me. Fortunately, machine is still running and mowing.....

[@michaelgauthier2426]

The key here is that bracket needs to be installed correctly and in its notch on the PTO. That's what keeps the PTO from rotating. The spring maybe a backup but if the brackets in its place the PTO will never move.

[@hawksnst1]

I have the same issue- no spring and the bracket must not be installed correctly as it is not in a notch on the clutch housing. Perhaps I didn’t reinstall it correctly at some point. I will have to look at the bracket and see if there is a way to have it hold the clutch in place. Do you think there was a spring backup? Thank you for pointing it out. I do have another problem in that after power washing the clutch does not engage. I think the clutch still works as I hot wired it to a battery and heard it click. I’m now trying to locate a fuse for the clutch but no luck yet. Any idea where it would be?

[@robertbutts7352]

Had the same problem on my cub . My John Deere doesn’t have a spring but a permanent bracket that holds the clutch in place while I think it’s better than a spring.

[@Buckwsr]

I eventually came to realize that on this tractor the bracket had been installed backward. You're right, installing the bracket correctly is better than a spring!

[@daveaguynamed7574]

the Rod Keeper (part# 747-05195) was installed backwards (reversed). It is NOT symmetrical. When installed correctly, part# 747-05195 will fit INTO the slot on the clutch and prevent it from rotating. the extension spring is another story ...

[@Buckwsr]

Thank you, Dave, for the helpful info. I will definitely look into this....

[@Buckwsr]

What is strange, Dave, as I look into this, is that the guy told me the tractor was 2 years old (odd, as the engine code indicated 2013), bought directly from Home Depot, and that the machine had never been serviced. If that is true, it's hard to see how or why the Rod Keeper could be installed incorrectly.... Perhaps we'll never know....

[@h2ofrogman]

I have a 1042 took it to a repair shop for something else and they said I needed to get this fixed on mine. When I took it to them everything was fine. Do you think they could have damaged mine by picking it up with a fork lift? That's my thought. Tks

[@Buckwsr]

Hard to say. Could have been broken for a while without you realizing it, as seems to be the case in this one that I worked on....

[@JohnnyLaw3134]

This just happened to my 1050 and the wire did come out.

[@user-os1xo3ql4m]

The way you stop the pto from spinning is to lock it with the belt retainer. It goes Thur the slot of the pto. There is no pto spring as far as I can see

[@hawksnst1]

Well I did as suggested and reinstalled the bar that goes around pto clutch. Now it is in the notch and holding clutch from from rotating. Don’t see a need for a spring. Thanks Buck and otherfor the tip. Now to another problem and that is after power washing the pto clutch does not turn on. I hot wired it to a spare battery and it clicked. So I think pto is good. Tried blow drying ignition and pto switch on dash to no avail. Now I’m looking for a fuse that powers the pto is Located. First is there a separate fuse for pto and if so where is it? The main fuse must be ok as the tractor starts and moves. Thanks

[@Buckwsr]

I don't know what pressure washing would do to mess it up. Make sure you have a strong, fully-charged battery. Also, driver has to be seated for PTO to engage. I suppose you already know that....

[@troyliebau8149]

i have the same tractor if you look at the others side of the clutch, there is a slot that the belt retainer ( that rod that is around the clutch) goes into that prevents the clutch from turning. that spring setup is really not a really solid setup to hold that from turning. other units have a bar bolted to the frame that goes in a slot or hole in clutch to firmly hold the clutch from turning.

[@Buckwsr]

Yes, I learned later that the belt keeper bracket was installed backward and was not meeting up with the slot in the clutch housing. I flipped it around the other way, and presto! Solved!

[@LloydSeals-qb9sh]

I had one same mowers .And that spring come off and I put it back where it belongs But When I cranked it up and when I let the brak of it was like turning the key off it kills the engen ever time what the be going on ??

[@jimdep6542]

I'm looking to buy a Cub Cadet and most of them now have the manual lever PTO as opposed to the electronic button on the dash. It seems that the button would be more convenient. Any advantages of manual over the pushbutton ?

[@Buckwsr]

Both systems are reliable. The electric PTO clutch (pushbutton, as you called it) are generally found on the larger (and more expensive) machines. If the electric PTO goes bad, they can be expensive to replace.

[@jimdep6542]

@@Buckwsr Thanks for your quick response. I'm needing to get a tractor very soon. I bought the XT-2 GX 54 a couple years ago, but sold it with my house when I moved over the winter. When I was looking back in 2018, it seemed they all had the electric PTO clutch and when I'm looking now, I'm seeing them all with the manual lever on the side. I'm wondering if Cub Cadet was doing away with the electronic button clutch because of design flaw or high rate of failure. So now that I have much less property, I could probably get buy with a cheaper XT-1. Again, I liked the convenience of having the button on the dash to engage the blades, but if the electronic clutch is more expensive to replace, as you stated, that concerns me. I'll give this some more thought as I really appreciate your time and help. God bless.

[@MattC78]

There should be a bar the attaches under that pto clutch assembly. but if the spring works then good enough.

[@Buckwsr]

Yes. That "bar" is the belt keeper, and I discovered that on this tractor it had been installed backward. Once I flipped it around into the correct position, the slot on the PTO properly engaged the belt keeper bar, and that is how the PTO is designed to be help stationary. To be honest, I don't even know what that spring is for.... But happily, everything has been resolved. Thanks!

[@MattC78]

@@Buckwsr I made the mistake of engaging the blades without it, and when i disengaged them, it ripped the wires in half and sent the wire connector flying. I never did find the connecter. I had to rewire it, and put the belt keeper back on. Big mistake on my part.

[@stantalley8024]

Me and a buddy of mine have the opposite problem it ripped the wiring harness lose or out can we just replace the spring and the wiring harness and would we be all right😎

[@Buckwsr]

Take a look at the other comments on this video. Apparently, there's a keeper bracket that is used to hold the electric PTO stationary.

[@gator9912]

The metal u shape black bracket has a notch in it that holds the pto from moving I'm not exactly sure what the spring is for

[@Buckwsr]

Yes, the belt keeper on this tractor was installed backward, and as a result was not sliding into the groove/notch on the PTO. I have since corrected it, and it is working just fine. thanks

[@markmcc8199]

Changing both belts I had that spring hanging so I went to our local tractor sales and repair . I ask where the spring attaches and was told there was no spring when I showed them they went to the schematic and it shows a spring but not where it attaches . I have been using the tractor without and it works fine except seems to rev up and down when full throttle I will atach spring and see if it helps.

[@Buckwsr]

I'm not sure that spring would have anything to do with engine speed or revving up or down. But the electric PTO has to be held stationary in some way. Otherwise it would just spin and rip the wires right out. On this tractor I repaired, that spring was the only thing holding the PTO stationary. Even still, I think there should be a post or bracket, and this tractor did not have it. Good luck.

[@hawksnst1]

What is the rod keeper’s purpose and where does it go?

[@dalemetcalfe9639]

see my comment above immobilizes the PTO unit & keeps belt on

[@mickeybrown7791]

I got a 1054 cub does auto clutch go bad or can you rebuild them MICKEY

[@Buckwsr]

I don't really know about rebuilding. Verify that you've got a good battery and that you're getting voltage to the PTO before you go and declare the PTO to be bad. It might be something simple.

[@hawksnst1]

I have the same problem. Perhaps I didn’t install the bracket properly and there is no spring. Was the spring something that was installed at the factory as a backup? I will have to see if the bracket can be installed differently to hold the clutch in place. I do have another problem in that the clutch will not engage after I power washed the tractor. I think clutch still works as I hot wired it to a battery and heard it click. Maybe a fuse is blown but haven’t found it yet. Anyone know where it is? Inline? Thanks

[@Buckwsr]

I went back to this tractor, and was able to confirm that the belt guide bracket was installed backward. I flipped it around, and then the bracket properly engaged the slot in the clutch to keep it stationary. Problem solved. Now I wonder what the point was with the spring in the first place, as it now seems unnecessary. Good luck!

[@hawksnst1]

Thanks I will try installing it a different way

[@hawksnst1]

Yes the spring seems unnecessary

[@daves2870]

I think the spring holds the clutch to the belt keeper so there's no play between the slot in the pto and belt keeper otherwise everytime you start the pto going and stopping i think it would wear into the belt keeper and eventually snap the belt keeper.

[@tisrich]

I recently just changed the blades on my Cub and darned if I found the mystery spring laying on the floor underneath it. I searched and searched for info about reinstalling it and finally came across another KZbin video that shows it in place: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a4jGmGeFltt7o80

[@Buckwsr]

Thank you, Richard! Even with a view of where the spring goes, I still can't figure out it's purpose....maybe to cut down on vibration? I really have no idea....

[@trophyhunter2]

for the love of God, put this comment to the top

[@mrdave-ic8we]

There is a metal u bracket you need also

[@Buckwsr]

Yes, Dave, turns out this tractor had that metal belt keeper bracket installed backwards. Once that was sorted out, all is well again. Thanks.

[@karensteponick2110]

hi

[@alanmccusker1215]

Same problem . My PTO quit . (blown fuse too ) examining found a short piece of spring hanging (broken ) then found the red wire was torn and missing a section . Soldered a new section of wire in and replacing the belt guard saw that the guard fit in the notch perfectly , so why the spring ? I also saw the spring in the manual , what for ? Why doesn't Cub Cadet explain ? maybe in case of clutch failure ? mystery .

[@bevis226]

Wow what a shit design. Guess that's what you get for a "cheap" mower now a days. Definitely not cheap price wise. A similarly priced John Deere isn't any better. And don't get me started on the Husqvarna mowers.