| Riding lawn mowers are valuable and incredibly useful | | | | for the proper positioning of the choke and throttle |
| tools that can save time and energy spent on yard | | | | for the riding lawn mower in question. |
| work. However, riding lawn mowers can have | | | | Faulty spark plugs or disconnected wires can also |
| problems and need maintenance. Listed below are | | | | cause the engine to crank but not start. Run a |
| seven (7) common riding lawn mower problems along | | | | diagnosis on the spark plug wire connection by using |
| with trouble shooting tips. If a problem cannot be | | | | a spark plug tester to see if any plugs are faulty. |
| solved from the advice laid out in this article, contact | | | | Clean the gap, making sure it is set properly or |
| a repair shop. | | | | replace any faulty spark plugs. |
| NOTE: These materials are prepared for use by | | | | Problem 3: Engine Is Smoking |
| trained technicians who are experienced in the | | | | The most common cause of an engine smoking is |
| service and repair of equipment of the kind described | | | | having too much oil. Examine the oil level and remove |
| in this publication, and are not intended for use by | | | | any excess oil if overfilled. The problem should go |
| untrained or inexperienced individuals. Such individuals | | | | away once the excess oil burns off. If the smoking |
| should seek the assistance of a service technician or | | | | persists, it could be possible the engine is losing its |
| dealer. | | | | crankcase vacuum. Loss of crankcase vacuum can be |
| Problem 1: Engine Will Not Crank | | | | caused by a broken or improperly seated dipstick, |
| Sometimes the simplest solution may fix this riding | | | | dipstick tube, or valve cover as well as a defective |
| lawn mower problem. Confirm that all the safety | | | | engine breather assembly or other internal engine |
| features of the riding lawn mower are functioning | | | | damage. Replace any defective parts to restore |
| correctly. Make sure the mowing deck is not | | | | crankcase vacuum pressure. |
| engaged, the parking brake is on and the operator is | | | | Problem 4: Unusual and Excessive Vibration |
| seated on the riding lawn mower. If one of the | | | | Blades, pulleys and spindles should not be bent or |
| safety switches has not been properly activated the | | | | damaged. Mowing over a large object such as rocks, |
| riding lawn mower will not start. | | | | roots, sewer lids etc. can cause damage to the parts. |
| The next potential issue to check is the riding lawn | | | | Any damaged parts should be replaced. |
| mower's battery. In rare cases, the battery cable | | | | A twisted or damaged belt may also be the culprit. All |
| leads can work loose from the battery terminals. The | | | | belts should be in good shape and properly routed. |
| black negative battery cable must be attached | | | | Replace the belt if it's torn or shows signs of wear. |
| securely to the negative battery terminal. The | | | | Vibrations can also be caused by loose or missing |
| negative terminal will be marked with a "NEG", "N", or | | | | mounting bolts, running the engine at a low RPM, or |
| "-" notation. The red positive battery cable should be | | | | an improperly adjusted cutting deck. |
| connected securely to the positive battery terminal | | | | Problem 5: Bagging, Discharging, or Mulching Poorly |
| and will be marked with a "POS", "P", or "+" notation. | | | | There are a few actions that can be taken to |
| IMPORTANT WARNING: electrolyte is diluted sulfuric | | | | minimize problems with the bagging, discharging and |
| acid. Use extreme care to avoid spilling. It can | | | | mulching. First, check the engine speed. The engine |
| destroy clothing and burn your skin. Test the battery | | | | must be operating at full throttle for the bagging, |
| to determine its condition. This can be accomplished | | | | discharging or mulching functions to work properly. |
| by checking the specific gravity of each cell with a | | | | Proper set-up of the deck is critical to the quality of |
| hydrometer. A fully charged cell will measure 1.250 | | | | cut. The deck should be level side to side and always |
| specific gravity. Verify that the fluid level in the | | | | lower in the front than the back by 3/8 of an inch. If |
| battery is adequate. If the fluid level is low, fill with | | | | that does not solve the problem, sharpen or replace |
| distilled water so that it rests just below the split | | | | the mower blades. |
| rings; then charge the battery at 5 amps maximum | | | | NOTE: Make sure the proper blade is being used for |
| charge for 30 minutes until all cells measure 1.250 | | | | the correct application. |
| specific gravity. If all cells are unable to reach 1.250 | | | | Operating conditions such as wet or exceptionally tall |
| specific gravity, replace the battery. | | | | grass can cause poor functionality. To remedy these |
| If the battery is in working order, locate the fuse | | | | situations, always allow the lawn to dry prior to |
| holder(s) and inspect to see if a fuse is blown. Refer | | | | cutting, and if the grass is too tall, mow with the |
| to the operator's manual to find the fuse holder(s) | | | | deck at a higher setting before mowing at the |
| location. Check for loose, bare, or pinched wires and | | | | normal level. Try mowing at a slower rate to get a |
| replace any blown fuse with the proper amperage | | | | better and cleaner cut. Lastly, clean out any dirt and |
| automotive fuse. Finally, ensure the engine ground | | | | debris that has built up on the underside of the deck. |
| wire is in fact grounded. There should be a black | | | | Problem 6: Mower Will Not Cut In Reverse |
| ground wire running from the engine to a non-painted | | | | This is not a problem at all -- it is a safety feature. |
| metal surface on the frame or a mounting bolt. | | | | The cutting deck must be disengaged before the |
| NOTE: Not all riding lawn mowers are equipped with | | | | tractor can be shifted into reverse. However if the |
| an engine ground wire to frame. | | | | riding lawn mower was produced in 2005 or later it |
| Problem 2: Engine Cranks, But Does Not Start | | | | may be equipped with reverse mowing technology. |
| If the riding lawn mower will not start, check the fuel | | | | This allows the operator to mow in reverse. Refer to |
| level. The engine will not fire if there is not enough | | | | the operator's manual for instructions. |
| fuel in the carburetor. It is also possible the fuel line is | | | | Problem 7: Tractor Will Not Move Freely In Neutral |
| clogged or blocked. Clean the line and replace the fuel | | | | Check the operating manual to ensure the |
| filter to solve this problem. | | | | transmission relief valve is in the proper position. If it |
| Make sure the throttle and/or choke is in the proper | | | | does not move in neutral, make sure the brake is |
| position. This position can vary from model to model | | | | fully releasing. |
| of riding lawn mower. Consult the operator's manual | | | | |