Woods 59 stalls engine

[Laslonimne]

I have a 1947 Farmall Cub with a Woods 59 belly mower that I’ve used to cut my half-acre yard for the last five years without a problem. But this year – the tractor runs fine in all three forward gears; the mower runs fine when I engage the PTO; BUT when I engage the PTO with the tractor in gear the engine stalls. It’s like I’ve engaged a brake. I have adjusted the governor linkage. All of the mower pulleys spin freely when turned by hand.
What should I check to correct the problem?
Thanks for any and all suggestions.
D

[NJ Farmer]

Sounds like ignition problem when you start putting a load on the tractor. Could be an ignition coil going bad or weak spark plugs.

NJ Farmer

[staninlowerAL]

What's the history of this tractor as far as engine work? 2023 - 1947=76 years old. You might have an engine with low compression. Suggest doing a compression check and check the valve adjustment. JMHO Stan
EDIT: Read the information in this post about a similar problem: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=110494

[Eugene]

You might have an engine with low compression. Suggest doing a compression check and check the valve adjustment. JMHO Stan

Yup. Compression tests and complete engine tune up.

[Laslonimne]

Thanks for the recommendations.The engine was refreshed just before I purchased the tractor and the clutch/pressure plate were replaced last Spring. I'll replace the plugs, check the compression and timing.
Nonetheless, when the load is placed (pto engaged, tractor in gear) and I release the clutch, shouldn't the rpm's increase before the engine stalls? They do not.
D

[staninlowerAL]

Reference your first post: do you have the engine rpm set mid throttle or higher when the stalling occurs? Remember you only have about 9 hp with a top performing engine.

[Laslonimne]

Engine rpm throttle is pegged, but rpm remains just a fast idle. It does NOT increase under load.

[inairam]

is the lever on the governor free? are all the rods and levers free fron the throttle to the carb? did you adjust the linkage between the carb and the governor per the manaul?

[Laslonimne]

All levers move freely. Lever between the governor and the carb is adjusted to manual specifications.

[tst]

did you check the idler pulleys on the mule drive to see if it has a seized bearing

[Laslonimne]

did you check the idler pulleys on the mule drive to see if it has a seized bearing

All of the mower pulleys spin freely when turned by hand.

[Eugene]

Engine rpm throttle is pegged, but rpm remains just a fast idle. It does NOT increase under load.

Governor's function is to maintain the same RPMs, with engine under load or no load.

[Laslonimne]

Engine rpm throttle is pegged, but rpm remains just a fast idle. It does NOT increase under load.

Governor's function is to maintain the same RPMs, with engine under load or no load.

Thanks Eugene. But Allowing the motor to die is not exactly “maintain[ing] the same RPMs, with engine under load . . .”. Historically the RPMs have increased momentarily when the load is introduced before settling back.

[muleboss]

Engine rpm throttle is pegged, but rpm remains just a fast idle. It does NOT increase under load.

*If this statement is true, I think you have governor problems

[Dave Downs]

Might be this…

I had the cotter pin on the carb bell crank work itself into a position that ‘locked’ the linkage. Advanced the throttle and engine rpm did not move….I manually moved the link from the Governor arm (in desperation since I didn’t want to get inside the Governor again..) and bent the cotter pin out of the way!

It could be something as strange as that - those pins are a bear to install and I think I forgot to bend it.