Mower Troubleshooting & Service Tips

Your machine's specific identity is important information to note. The ID tag includes both the model number and serial number of your unit. Whether you need help with troubleshooting or parts look up, having these numbers available will ensure that you are provided with the most accurate information for your machine. If you are having trouble locating your machine ID tag, use the link below.

Clean your unit as often as possible, but minimize the use of water. Water under pressure + detergent = corrosion and problems. Pressure washers clean great, but they also put water and detergents into places that can be very detrimental to your equipment. Use compressed air or blowers as much as possible. Also make sure you grease and lubricate the unit afterward if water was used.

An easy tool to remove or install a spring is an old starter rope. Simply take the old rope and make a loop at the handle. Attach it to one side of the spring and slip the rope over the other end. Use the rope to stretch the spring and attach it to the other anchor point.

Flats can be a problem. Some tire sealant may work great. Be careful about how much weight this adds to the wheel. Do not use a sealant that makes the tire hard. Keep in mind, the tire is your shock absorber on the unit. You may put excessive load on the frame and drive system.

Keep extra oil-treated, foam precleaners for the engine in a zip-lock bag. The precleaner filters out most of the dirt and is reusable and inexpensive when compared to the price of the paper air cleaner element.

Remove the tension from the spring-tensioned pivot points when greasing them. This will allow the grease to be more evenly distributed.

Corrosion is inevitable that's why you grease and lubricate your machine. Don't forget about the electrical connections. At least once a year, clean and repack the electrical connections with dielectric grease. Your dealer and many auto parts stores carry this type of grease for the electrical connections.

It's the quality not the quantity of grease that's important. Make sure the lubricates you choose will do an adequate job. A short cut here to save a few cents can really cost you in the long run. Keep in mind that many engine manufactures recommend a certain weight of oil, and it may depend on the time of year. This can make a big difference in oil consumption as well as the proper lubrication of the engine. Do not use synthetic oil in the engine during the break-in period. If you use synthetic oil, the change interval stays the same; however, most engine manufacturers do not recommend the use of synthetic oils. The proper petroleum-based oil lubricates the engine adequately.

Be aware that oxygenated fuels have a shelf life of 30 days (fuels containing alcohol blends or MTBE-methyl tertiary butyl ether). Mark the date on your gas can when you fill it. There are also inexpensive testers to check your fuel to be sure that it does not contain over the maximum 10 percent alcohol or 15 percent MTBE.

To add a little life to your idler pulleys, try using a little spray lubricant on the seals. Over time, water and sunlight can cause the seals to harden, shrink or crack. When this happens, the seal no longer protects the bearing and a failure will soon happen. The lubricant will help to keep the seal soft and resistant to the weathering that can occur.

Make sure to check the adjustment on a new belt, often. Check the belt three times in the first 24 hours of use, and adjust it if necessary. During this time, the belt is fitting into the pulleys. If the belt is allowed to loosen as it fits in, you may spin/burn the belt, which drastically reduces belt life.

Blade sharpness and balancing are important. Dull blades tear leaf tips, making them susceptible to dieback and pests. A dull blade also increases the load on the belts, bearings and engine. An unbalanced blade can cause vibrations and stress to the cutting deck. Every 8 to 10 hours of use, sharpen the blades and replace any damaged blades. Blade-balancing tools are inexpensive and readily available. Consider keeping an extra set of sharp, balanced blades on hand.

As the season draws to an end, put a little fuel stabilizer in your gas. This will help protect the fuel when it's slow, and ensure that the stabilized fuel gets into the carburetor.