Hogan - your machine has safety interlocks that are designed to shut off the PTO automatically if the tractor is moved in reverse... and there is no override feature on that machine. Also, your foot pedal that controls forward/reverse motion is like a rocker - and if you even MOMENTARILY rock that pedal back into it's reverse function (or if it bounces into same when you quickly pull your foot off), the PTO will cut off... and you will have to push in and re-pull out the PTO switch to get the deck blades going again. Try paying attention to how you are treating that foot pedal while operating the tractor and see if it helps. As to defeating that safety feature, I for one will not provide any advice/instructions on how to do so. This is a public forum and there are too many legal sharks about, imho.

Tomplum, Again, thank you for your instructions. When I finally understood how the plug came apart, I slipped a pocketknife blade between the two pieces at two points to free up the parts as seen in the picture below (See A) and then I slipped a paperclip between the two pieces to hold the tab in. (See B). Sorry about the blurry picture. That allowed me to freely use both hands to use two pliers to carefully separate the two parts of the plug. (See C). PROBLEM SOLVED!

If in fact the PTO is locked up, there isn't a release. You pretty much have to remove the clutch. That locator bracket keeps the clutch body from spinning. Unsnap the harness and remove the bolt (5/8) and there is a 90% chance the clutch will slide right off.

It has to be a connection or wiring issue since the PTO disengages when the deck is lowered below the 4th position. When the deck is at the 5th position or higher, the PTO is fully engaged and doesn't disengage at all. Only problem is that I can't for the life of me find where there is an issue with a cable, wire or connection. Yesterday I thought I found the problem where the main wiring harness comes from the engine and continues under the seat, I realized that lowering/raising the deck mechanism was directly on-top of the connector. However, I rerouted the cables and cable-tied them to a different spot on the frame but still have the same results...