827M ride-on - Engine stalls when gear selected

[Dave]

Hello everyone

Brand new to the forum and I'm just keen to pick brains and learn.
A year ago my partner inherited a Mountfield 827M mower from an old friend who was downsizing. It was nearly new and well-maintained. We even had it serviced last year.
We've just got it out from its hibernation and (after charging the battery a few days ago) it started first time and runs well.
The problem is that the engine cuts out when I try to select a gear - even with the clutch still depressed.
Does anyone know what could cause the engine to stall in this situation? If the clutch was failing, I'd expect the mower to want to move and still run but it just seems something will not let the engine run unless it's in neutral.
Any suggestions will be gratefully received.

[Mick]

Hi Dave, and welcome to TGMForum.

Sounds like the safety circuit is cutting the engine.  Have you made sure everything is in neutral, blades etc, and that the grassbox is located properly on the back.  I believe you also need to be sitting on the seat and the seat switch is not obstructed.

There should be switches located around the machine for stuff like travel, grassbox, blades, and seat. 

[Dave]

Hi Dave, and welcome to TGMForum.

Sounds like the safety circuit is cutting the engine.  Have you made sure everything is in neutral, blades etc, and that the grassbox is located properly on the back.  I believe you also need to be sitting on the seat and the seat switch is not obstructed.

There should be switches located around the machine for stuff like travel, grassbox, blades, and seat. 

The seat switch is working because it cuts out when I get off but...
If the clutch is locked down then I can get off and completely remove the grassbox and it keeps running.
If I recall, the service bloke said that most of the safety sensors would not allow it to even start so I need to figure out which ones are affected by the machine being in gear.

[Mick]

It's got to be one of the switches or wiring in the safety circuit, or the circuit board which controls it.  I hope it's not the latter because they can be rather expensive. 

Yes the grassbox switch will only come into play when the blades are engaged, so shouldn't be the cause.