Not for
Reproduction
27
repairs yourself. If you prefer, all of these procedures can be
performed for you by your local authorized dealer.
WARNING
To avoid serious injury, perform maintenance on the unit or
mower deck only when the engine and mower blades are
completely stopped.
Always make sure that the throttle control and engine shut
down lever is in the OFF position, disconnect the spark plug
wire(s) and fasten it away from the spark plug(s) before
beginning the maintenance to prevent accidental starting of
the engine.
Troubleshooting Charts
Troubleshooting the Unit
Problem: Engine will not turn over or start
Cause
Remedy
Out of fuel.
If engine is hot, allow it to cool, then
fill the fuel tank.
Engine flooded.
Move choke control to the closed
position.
Spark plug(s) faulty, fouled, or
incorrectly gapped.
Clean and gap or replace. See
engine manual.
Water in fuel.
Drain fuel and replace with fresh fuel.
Gas is old or stale.
Drain fuel and replace with fresh fuel.
Problem: Engine starts hard or runs poorly.
Cause
Remedy
Fuel mixture is too rich.
1.) Clean air filter. 2.) Check choke
adjustment.
Spark plug faulty, fouled, or
incorrectly gapped.
Clean and gap or replace. See
engine manual.
Problem: Engine knocks.
Cause
Remedy
Low oil level.
Check / Add oil as required.
Using wrong grade oil.
See engine manual.
Problem: Excessive oil consumption.
Cause
Remedy
Engine running too hot.
Clean engine fins, blower screen,
and air cleaner.
Using wrong weight oil.
See engine manual.
Too much oil in crankcase.
Drain excess oil.
Problem: Engine exhaust is black.
Cause
Remedy
Dirty air filter.
Replace air filter. See engine
manual.
Engine choke control is in closed
position.
Open choke control.
Problem: Engine runs but mower will not engage.
Cause
Remedy
Transmission release lever(s) in
"disengaged" position.
Move transmission release lever(s)
to the "engaged" position.
Problem: Engine runs but mower will not engage.
Differential drive chain is broken.
Replace Differential drive chain.
Differential drive chain is out of
adjustment.
Adjust chain. See "Adjusting the
Differential Drive Chain".
Transmission drive belt is broken.
Inspect tensioning spring. Replace, if
necessary.
Transmission drive belt is slipping.
See problem and cause below.
Problem: Transmission drive belt slips.
Cause
Remedy
Pulleys or belt is greasy or oily.
Clean as required.
Tension is too loose.
Adjust spring tension. See "Changing
the Transaxle Drive Belt".
Belt stretched or worn.
Replace belt.
Problem: Mower is difficult to drive or handles poorly.
Cause
Remedy
Improper tire inflation.
See "Specifications" for proper tire
inflation and adjust tire pressures
accordingly.
Motion control linkage rods are bent
or binding.
Inspect linkage rods and repair or
replace as necessary.
Troubleshooting the Mower Deck
Problem: Mower Deck is not cutting grass level
Cause
Remedy
Improper tire inflation.
See "Specifications" for proper tire
inflation and adjust tire pressures
accordingly.
Problem: Engine stalls easily
with mower deck engaged.
Cause
Remedy
Engine speed too slow.
Set to full throttle.
Ground speed to fast.
Decrease ground speed.
Cutting height set too low.
Cut tall grass at maximum cutting
height during first pass, and then
at the desired cutting height for the
second pass.
Discharge chute jamming with cut
grass.
Cut grass with discharge pointing
towards previously cut area.
Problem: Excessive mower deck vibration.
Cause
Remedy
Blade mounting bolts are loose.
Tighten the blade mounting bolts to
50 - 60 ft. lbs. (68 - 81 N.m.)
Mower blades, arbors, or pulleys are
bent.
Check and replace as necessary.
Mower blades are out of balance.
Remove, sharpen, and balance
blades. See "Servicing the Mower
Blades".
Belt installed correctly.
Reinstall the belt correctly. See
"Changing the Mower Deck Belts".
Problem: Excessive belt wear or breakage.
Cause
Remedy
Bent or rough pulleys.
Repair or replace.
Using incorrect belts.
Replace with correct belts.
