Pto will not engage, problem in safety control. Where is brake switch and how do I test

t sounds like there may be an issue with the safety switches on your John Deere Z225 lawn mower. These safety switches are designed to prevent the engine from running if certain conditions are not met, such as if the parking brake is not engaged, the arms are not in the proper position, or the PTO is engaged.
Here are some things you can check:

1. Check the parking brake switch to ensure that it is properly engaged. If the switch is faulty, it may not be registering that the parking brake is engaged and will cause the engine to die when you disengage the parking brake.
2. Check the arm switches to make sure they are properly positioned. If the switches are faulty or out of position, they can cause the engine to die when you move the arms.
3. Check the PTO switch to ensure that it is properly engaged. If the switch is faulty, it may not be registering that the PTO is engaged and will cause the engine to die when you engage the PTO.
4. Check the wiring and connections for all the safety switches. Make sure they are not damaged or loose, as this can also cause the engine to die.

If you have checked all the safety switches and wiring and everything appears to be in working order, there may be a deeper electrical issue with the mower that will require further diagnosis

check and test the brake safety switch. i have had several with that problem.

test the seat switch.

Starting instructions per manual.

1. Make sure bypass rod is pushed in.
2. Sit in seat.
3. Make sure mower is disengaged. (See Engaging and Disengaging Mower in the OPERATING section.)
4. Lock the park brake.
5. For automatic models, put transmission shifter into center slot.
6. Parking brake - ON

If it still doesn't crank, cycle the safetys.

1. Parking brake - OFF/ON
2. PTO - ON/OFF
3. For automatic models, move shifter out of center slot then back.
4. Seat switch - Rise from seat then sit firmly.

If still no crank, check battery charge is at least12.5VDC. If battery ok, then likely a safety switch has failed or misaligned. Try rotate and hold ignition switch at start position and see if moving safeties allows crank. Move out/in seat, pull PTO switch on push off, move brake to off then back on. Other possible causes include fuse, ignition switch, relay, poor circuit continuity (power, control, or ground).

Do you hear any clicking when you pull the pto switch?
just turn the key to the on position and listen as you pull the pot switch... if it clicks, you may have a faulty pto clutch.
Also another test will be to put a test light on the wires at the pto and see if they light up when the pto clutch is engauged. If they do light up that is a good indication that the clutch is bad...if they don't, then you need to check all the safety switch, like in the seat, on the brake, etc.

Have you checked the safety switch under the seat? Operator presence is required on most equipment today to properly function. If the seat switch isn't closed, it will shut the engine down if the parking brake is released and/or the blade PTO switch is engaged. Unplug the seat switch and place a jumper into the seat switch receptacle to the wiring harness; not the male plug to the seat switch. If you can start the mower, disengage the parking brake, and engage the mower blades (with your other switches reconnected) without engine shut down, replace the seat switch.

Most of these mowers have a safety switch between the PTO switch and clutch. A safety switch or relay is most likely the problem. Hope this will help ya.

sounds like the seat safety switch is not working. Check to see if both wires are connected to that switch. If they are.. then disconnect them, jump them together and see if mower runs Ok

check the wires they rub on sharp edges

Hi,

The safety switch beneath the seat is only one part of the several interconnecting safety features of the modern riding mower. If the system works properly, you must be seated for the mower deck to operate. The tractor will continue running with the Power Take Off disengaged if the parking brake is set before the operator leaves the seat.The seat switch consists of two electrical contacts normally separated by an air gap. A spring creates an open space between the two contacts. Mounted between two plates, the switch's spring compresses under the weight of the person sitting in the operator seat and completes an electrical circuit. With the switch closed the tractor's ignition system can be switched on with the ignition key. If the operator stands, the spring forces the gap open and interrupts the electrical ignition circuit. The safety circuit allows the riding mower motor to continue running if the PTO is not engaged. When the parking brake is set a second switch in electrical parallel with the OPS closes. This bypasses the safety switch under the seat. If the operator stands, the parking brake switch still completes the ignition circuit.The mower blade turns only when the PTO engages. If the operator should leave the seat with the blade turning and under power, injuries could result. The mower blade would even continue spinning at full power if the machine overturned. To prevent this type of accident, engaging the PTO deactivates a connection in the original circuit and completes a second circuit in series with the OPS switch.

If the operator leaves the seat with the PTO engaged, the ignition interrupts and the machine stops. Until the PTO is off, no combination of settings will restart the mower.