Why Your Gravely Mower Blades Won’t Engage or Turn On and What You Can Do About It

You attempt to activate the mower blades by pulling the PTO switch, but nothing occurs. You are unable to get the blades to rotate in any direction. I’ll go through the most probable causes of the issue so that you can fix it and go back to mowing the lawn.

Gravely lawn mower blades won’t engage or turn due to a worn or stretched mower deck belt; a belt that has come off the pulleys; a faulty PTO switch; a faulty clutch; a weak battery; a faulty safety switch; or a blown fuse. Other possible causes include: a belt that has come off the pulleys; a belt that has come off the pulleys; a belt that has come off the pulleys

You should never reach beneath the mower deck unless you have completed all of the safety procedures that are outlined in the Gravely operator’s handbook. This involves taking the key out of the ignition, pulling the wire(s) from the spark plug(s), and waiting for all of the moving components to become still.

It Is Not Possible to Start or Engage the Gravely Mower Blades

1. A Gravely Mower with a Deck Belt that is Worn

If the blades on your mower either stop spinning altogether or spin very slowly, you should check the mower deck belt to determine if it needs to be changed. This should be done regardless of which of the two scenarios applies. It is the job of the deck belt to spin the pulleys, which in turn causes the blades to revolve underneath the deck. This cycle continues until the pulleys are no longer turning.

When the belt becomes worn, it loses its ability to grip the pulleys, which causes it to start sliding. This is because the pulleys are smooth. Because of this, the belt will get out of proportion. Either the blades will not revolve at all, or they will turn at a very slow pace indeed. Neither option is a good one.

During a thorough examination of the belt, one should look for telltale indicators of wear and strain, such as fractures, fraying, or an appearance that is bright and glazed. Check that the pulleys have completely encircled the belt before going on to the next step. This is a prerequisite for moving on to the following phase. The fact that the item already has a worn and dirty appearance is another indication that it has been used.

It is imperative that the worn-out belt of the Gravely be changed as quickly as humanly feasible. Even if the belt isn’t the primary cause of your blades not engaging, you should nonetheless replace it as soon as it starts showing indications of wear. You should do this at the earliest opportunity. This is the case regardless of whether or not the belt is preventing the blades from engaging.

A pulley belt is the name given to the belt that is connected to the pulleys and is responsible for controlling the speed of the blades. Producing suction beneath the deck, which is necessary in order to raise the grass and deliver an equal cut, requires the blades to move at a rapid pace. In order to accomplish these objectives, suction will need to be produced.

2. A belt on a Gravely mower deck detached itself from the pulleys.

If the belt has been detached from the pulleys, it will no longer be able to rotate the pulleys and so move the mower blades. In addition to a worn belt, check to see if the belt is stretched, if the pulley is broken, if the tensioner arm is worn, or if the spring is missing.

On this page, you’ll discover a list of other factors that, if present, will result in the Gravely belt continually coming off the mower deck.

Gravely mower with a worn idler tensioner arm and spring

The idler pulleys are held in place by a tensioner arm and spring combination that may be found here. The pulley will be located on one side of the bracket on the majority of mower decks, and the spring will be located on the other side.

Either the hole in the bracket that is used to connect the spring might get worn over time, or the spring itself can become worn with time. Because of this, the belt can get untied and start to vibrate off of the pulleys.

Gravely Pulley with a Worn Bearing in It

Each pulley will have its own bearing inside of it. It’s possible for the bearing to wear out, in which case the pulley won’t sit parallel to the mower deck. Because of the worn bearing, movement will be allowed in the pulley, causing it to wobble.

It’s possible that one side of the pulley is positioned higher off the deck than the other side is. The deck belt may get dislodged from the pulley as a result of the additional movement that occurs in the pulley.

When it is determined that a pulley’s bearing is damaged, replace the pulley.

3. The Gravely Mower I Was Using Had a Defective PTO Switch

The power takeoff switch, also known as the PTO switch, is often a knob that is mounted on the mower. This knob permits the electricity from the battery to power the clutch. If the switch breaks, the blades will not turn on when the fan is turned on.

Examine the switch to ensure that it has continuity. Switch out with one that has a break in continuity instead.

4. A Gravely Mower with a Defective Clutch

The Power Take Off (PTO) clutch is the component of the mower that is responsible for transferring power from the engine to the cutting blades. In order to accomplish this goal, the drive belt must first be engaged. If the clutch is not able to transfer power to the blades, then it has to be changed because it is either broken or has worn out to the point where it can no longer function properly.

Check out the article that’s titled “A Look at How Lawn Mower Clutches Work” for additional information on the clutches. It may be found on the internet.

5. A Gravely Lawn Mower with a Weak Battery

The power required to operate an electric clutch comes from the vehicle’s battery. When the battery is low, it is unable to provide the clutch solenoid with enough power to engage the mower blades. This occurs when the battery is discharged.

Utilizing a multimeter, carry out an examination of the battery’s voltage. A completely charged battery with a voltage of 12 volts should provide a reading of around 12.7 volts.

When the readout on the battery drops below this threshold, you should charge the battery. In the article titled “Five Things That Are Draining the Life of Your Lawn Mower Battery,” you will discover a list of frequent factors that contribute to the premature demise of your battery.

Putting a Gravely Battery on Charge: To charge a battery, you need make use of a battery charger. Put on some protection clothing so that you won’t be burned by the electrical current and shield your eyes. Do this before you proceed. In order to charge the battery of your riding mower or zero-turn mower using a charger, follow these steps:

• Gain access to the battery as well as the terminals. To expose the battery, you may want the assistance of a screwdriver. You may locate the batteries either behind the seat or under the hood of the vehicle. Under no circumstances can the battery be removed from its housing.
• Establish the connection between the battery charger cables, starting with the positive cable. This is the cable that is either red in color or marked with a plus symbol. Connect the cable to the connector on the positive side of the battery.
• Put the negative end of the cable into the negative terminal on the battery. This is the cable that is either black in color or marked with a negative sign.
• In order to avoid becoming electrocuted, you should avoid touching anything that does not have a rubber covering.
• Adjust the voltage and amperage levels on the charger so that they are at the required levels. Batteries for lawn mowers typically have a voltage level of 12 volts, however this might vary. A higher amperage results in a quicker battery charge. Beginning with two amps, gradually increase it to no more than ten amps. The best kind of charge is a gradual one.

If you discover that the battery is unable to maintain its charge, you will need to purchase a new one. Batteries for lawn mowers that run on 12 volts may be found at most home improvement and auto parts stores. Batteries could also be available from the dealership that sells lawn mowers in your area.

Bring along the old battery you were using. The majority of establishments will charge you a core fee if you do not supply them with your old battery. Core fees average $20.

6. A Gravely Mower with a Defective Safety Switch

As part of its operator presence system, a Gravely utilizes a safety switch that is located in the seat. The seat switch is attached to the underside of the seat and can detect whether the operator of the mower is sitting in the seat.

The blades of the lawn mower won’t start spinning until the operator is seated in the seat first. This is a safety feature.

If the seat switch is not functioning correctly, the operator may not be sensed in the correct manner. In the event that there is a problem with the seat switch, the safety mechanism will prevent the blades from engaging.

You may use a multimeter to test the seat switch, or you can temporarily bypass the safety switch in order to determine whether or not the switch is faulty. Because using a mower without the safety switch in place puts your safety at risk, you should never use one.

Always ensure that your equipment has functioning safety switches that have been fitted.

7. A Gravely mower’s fuse blew out for no apparent reason

It’s possible that a fuse has blown if the power isn’t coming from the battery to the clutch when you try to use it. The Gravely electrical system must have the fuse in order to be protected.

Always use a fuse of the same amperage to replace a blown fuse. If you continue to blow fuses, I suggest sending your mower to a Gravely service dealership or a lawn mower repair shop to determine the underlying cause of the electrical failure.