(ET) Alltrax and PTO

[Dean Stuckmann <dstuckmann icloud com>]

Hi,
I’m hoping that one of you Alltrax guys can do a quick voltage check for 
me. Let me give you a little background.

I converted my E16 to Alltrax in 2016. The tractor’s drive has always run 
perfect and still does. Yesterday I was finishing the mowing a 2 acre 
vineyard and turned off the mower while repositioning the tractor but it 
failed to turn back on. I cycled the PTO switch a few times and then the 
mower started. I mowed for about five minutes more and turned off the 
deck. This time when I try to start it, it would not go at all. I noticed 
that the PTO solenoid was very warm. I could touch it, but barely. Another 
thing I noticed is that the main contractor for the Alltrax would cycle 
when turning the PTO switch on and off (key was ON). Is that normal? I 
never noticed it before but the tractor is typically already moving when 
powering on attachments. I just assumed that I was hearing the PTO 
solenoid.

The PTO would restart after a cool down. I assumed that the solenoid was 
getting bad so I replaced with a spare that I had. It was was a used unit 
that was about 3/8” shorter than the original but looked almost like new. 
I checked it with an ohmmeter to make sure that the unit was cycling 
correctly and that there were no shorts to the case. It all checked out so 
I installed it in the tractor. 

Then I did some voltage checks to test it all out before connecting the 
mower back up and noticed something odd. With the PTO off (and even the 
key in the Off position) there is between 5-9V between the 2 angled ports 
on the PTO socket. Voltage is similar with the key on. Even with the main 
disconnect open, there is about 5V that diminishes to zero in a minute or 
so. My stock I-5 reads zero in these tests, as I assume that it should. 

I know that the Alltrax has some caps in it and I’m wondering if this 
voltage “leak” is coming from that. There is no voltage shown when the 
mower is plugged in. Maybe its the norm? I don’t recall doing a similar 
test when I originally installed the Alltrax so I can’t comment on that. 

I'm hoping I can get some answers before I start tearing into all the 
wiring. If one of you Alltrax guys could get back to me regarding the 
following questions, it would be appreciated.

Key off, attachments disconnected. Do you see voltage across the 2 angled 
ports in the socket?
Do you see diminishing voltage when the main disconnect is opened?
Key on, attachments disconnected. Can you feel the Alltrax main contractor 
cycle when turning the PTO on and off?

Thank you all in advance. 

Regards,

Dean Stuckmann
5432 County Road U
Newton, WI 53063-9624

920-901-2288





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