a switch assembly and method of using same comprises a switch assembly for operating a power take off unit on a lawn tractor , the switch assembly further includes a housing supporting a selectively locatable activation knob facilitated by an actuation assembly and an internal switch arrangement coupled to a printed circuit board within the housing . the internal switch arrangement comprises a microcontroller and switch for determining the relative position of the selectively locatable activation knob and provides a digital output signal for enabling or disabling a power take off unit based on the digital output signal .