Month: December 2019

Lawn Mower Repair Tips, Riding Lawn Mower Repair

The Rear Wheels on My Riding Lawn Mower Don’t Turn

There could be many reasons for this happening, but the first question is “what has changed?”

Did you do anything to the lawn mower such as change the rear tires? Did you pull out the tow rod to move the mower and forgot to push it back in?

Those are a couple of the common problems that we normally see in the shop and they are easy to sort out. When the back tires are changed, some riding lawn mowers such as John Deere what have wheel keys that fall out when you pull the wheel off. You don’t notice until you put the wheel back on and the transmission shaft just spins but the wheels do nothing.

The other thing that happens is the drive belt becomes so loose or it will break. There may be one of two belts depending on the make and model of riding lawn mower. Check those to see what condition they are in.

A linkage could also have broken but this is not very common.

Lastly, the transmission could be low on fluid or it could be broken and needs replaced. The newer plastic transmissions have a lever that can get stuck when a twig or rock gets behind it, so check that as well.

If you need professional riding lawn mower repair service, visit our Locations page for a lawn mower shop near you.

Lawn Mower Repair Tips, Riding Lawn Mower Repair

The Battery Terminals on My Riding Lawn Mower are Corroded

As a battery ages, the lead on the terminals will corrode on the positive side more often than the negative. The negative terminal normally stays corrosion free. It will still need to be cleaned just like the positive terminal. Corrosion on the terminals is due to hydrogen gas being released from the acid in the battery.

When the battery terminals need maintenance, the first thing you want to do is to use some battery terminal cleaner. This will neutralize the battery acid. Then you can clean the battery terminals and apply battery terminal protector.

At this time it would be good to look at the battery date code. Most riding lawn mower batteries only last for about 3 years before they become so sulfated that the battery is no longer usable.

If the battery is getting close to 3 years old, replace it. When you do, be sure to clean the battery terminals with a wire brush to remove any corrosion. Then reinstall the battery and test it to be sure that everything is working as it should. Make sure to put some battery terminal protector on the terminals and you should be good to go.

If you would like a riding lawn mower service shop in your area, check our Locations page for assistance.

Lawn Mower Repair Tips, Riding Lawn Mower Repair

My Riding Lawn Mower Shuts off After I Let The Clutch Out

This is an irritating problem because you just want to mow your lawn and get onto the next task in your life. But you cannot mow the lawn when your can’t even get the lawn mower to move.

The first step in troubleshooting this problem is to shut off the PTO switch or disengage the PTO lever. Now start the mower and see if you can let out the clutch and drive the mower. If it performs as it should, then the most likely problem is a safety switch and the seat switch is the most likely of the numerous safety switches.

You can remove the switch and test it for continuity across the contacts. If the continuity test fails, you most likely have found the problem. Replace the seat switch and then test your mower again.

If this does not resolve the problem, check the other safety switches in the system. The PTO switch can also cause the lawn mower to die when you let the clutch out.

If you still need help with your lawn mower dying when you let the clutch out, visit our Locations page for a lawn mower repair shop near you.

 

Riding Lawn Mower Repair

My Lawn Mower is Grinding When I let the Clutch Out

A riding lawn mower is usually the type of mower that has this sort of problem. You are ready to drive the mower and let the clutch out like you normally do and then it starts to squeal or grind when you do. You could also experience this when you press down the go pedal on the right side of the lawn mower.

Each of these pedals is moving the springs and drive belt and pulleys. As the pulleys engage the drive belt, they start to spin up and control the direction of the belt. So logically when these bearings in the pulleys are starting to spin, if they are going bad they will make the grinding or squealing sounds.

If your mower has some years on it, the pulleys could be bad and the belt as well. Good practice is to change the belts and pulleys. Some riding lawn mowers have 2 drive belts. One connects the engine to the variable speed pulley and the other from the variable speed pulley to the transmission.

If you need assistance with repairing your riding lawn mower, visit our Locations page for a lawn mower repair shop near you.

Lawn Mower Repair Tips

What Fuel or Gas Should I use in My Honda Engine?

This is a frequent question and one that is very important. With ethanol in today’s fuel, it is more important than ever that you understand how to treat and store fuel all throughout the year. Gasoline does not last for a long time like it did before ethanol. In fact, most studies say that it only lasts 90 days before it begins to degrade and go bad.

The Honda corporation has done a great job of spelling this out for you in this article. Check it out to learn how to properly take care of your fuel for your lawn mower, generator or other outdoor power equipment. What fuel should I use in my Honda power equipment?