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ETHAN JACKSONJust keep your Zero Turn Riding (ZTR) Mower running strong all season long.With hundreds of moving parts, a ZTR Mower also requires attention now and then. Either it is gas related engine starting problems or lawn cutting issues owing to natural wear and tear. Hence, it is for those of you unfamiliar with your zero turn mower repair I intend to shed lights for them.
We recommend you to trust your local dealer for your zero turn mower repair and maintenance. Because most of the time it needs a simple fix, one that requires immediate attention.So, it is obvious that you don’t always have all the fixing parts in your storeroom. But zero turn mower repair is not that difficult. Hence, chances are you have a little stock of essential tools and you have a good deal of self-assurance.
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Zero Turn Mower Repair Tips
Apply these few tips of zero turn mower repair before you go into some of the common repairs you can do yourself:
- Follow the safety warnings for Zero Turn Mower Repair and try to understand your machine from the operator’s manual. Hence, you must understand all the procedures that vary between ZTR mower models.
- Don’t attempt a Zero Turn Mower Repair while keeping the blades or transmission running.
- Finally, if you are not sure of how to proceed, better you refer to an expert.
Common Issues for A Zero Turn Mower Repair
Let me explain some of the most common issues for a zero turn mower repair, which is as follows:
Engine Starting Problems
Today’s engines are marvels of technology. Hence, it makes those engines as reliable as they are complex. You don’t need training for some problems while repairing a small engine. While you can solve them in the field right away.
Fuel-Related Issues
It could be either gasoline or other fuel-related issue for which your ZTR will not start or difficult to start. So, ensure the quality when you buy the fuel. Because most manufacturers design the engine to run with maximum E10-rated fuel. If there is a higher percentage of ethanol than that will also give you premature engine failure. If you keep gas in the engine for several months that can also give you starting problem. So, replace the fuel in the tank with fresh fuel if you suspect it’s your gasoline.If you still have a problem to solving it, then clean the carburetor.First, try a canned carburetor cleaner. In addition, follow the direction of the manufacturer to remove the air cleaner. Still, have a problem? Clean the carburetor manually.
Electrical-Related Engine Issues
Check all the fuses connected in the engine and replace blown ones. Also, maintain the appropriate power for battery. Hence, it should be a minimum of 12 volts. Also, fix the loose or corroded battery connections. Clean the terminals and tighten battery clamps whenever necessary.Inspect for the corroded and loose electrical connections. However, don’t even ignore the frayed or broken wire. Because aFrayed wire cannot supply full amount of required power to the system. Moreover, it is dangerous.Finally, check all the spark plugs. Also, replace them if required. So, zero turn mower Repair with electrical issues is not a big deal, I believe.
Cutting Quality Problems:
Clean the underside of the ZTR mower’s cutting deck, for general lawn cut quality issues.While removing grass clippings that have accumulated with a scraper. Since it tends to for a solid crust. Also, clean the sides of the deck. Also its doing problem in mowing.
Uneven Cutting Issues
Whenever you notice the ZTR mower is cutting lower on one side, check all the tire pressures. Since it varies upon weight and other factors. So, better you follow the recommended inflation as instructed in the operator manual.While keeping your mower on a flat surface measure the height of all three blades. Also, measure the height from the ground to the blade tip. Furthermore, adjust the deck shell,if the heights are not equal.
Inconsistent In Quality Cut
Since, it is due to the blade, which is dull, bent or broken that givesyou stringers, uncut spots or discharge problems. Inspect your ZTR mower blades and replace or sharpen them. However, for proper spring adjustment, check the belt tension. Check, if there are any obstructions, whether that is on the deck or under it. Also, use a tachometer and check the engine RPMs. Since inconsistency in the RPMs can affect the cutting quality. Once we have checked out all the suggestions mentioned above, there is still one more trick up our sleeve. So,Zero Turn Mower Repair with regard to a quality cut is not limited to a single issue. You will find a removable baffle at the rear of the discharge chute. So, remove this assembly and save it for your future use. You will need to install it when the grass is comparatively dry in the hot month.
Tire & Traction Issues
If your ZTR mower tires are slipping, check the recommended inflation instruction that is in the operator’s manual. Also, inspect tire treads for wear. Furthermore for safe operation, replace the worn tires, the sooner the better. Don’t ignore it, as that is also a key issue to Zero Turn Mower Repair.
Guidelines Of Troubleshooting Your ZTR Mowers
From our findings, we can recommend a guideline for yourZero Turn Mower Repair and how to troubleshoot a Zero-Turn Riding (ZTR) mower.As a result, I believe the list mentioned below will prove benefits to most of our ZTR users.
Since, from the table given below, you will be able to sort out any kind of troubleshooting of your zero turn mower that you can find a solution to each issue. Hence, I would proclaim that a Zero Turn Mower Repair is that easy with this troubleshooting guide if you follow.
9 Major Basic Troubleshooting Guide
1. The Engine Cannot Start:
| Issues | Solution |
|---|---|
| Battery low or dead | Charge the battery whenever required |
| PTO (Blades) engaged | Turn PTO (Blades) OFF. See Operator’s, Manual |
| Did not engage Parking brake | Put the parking brake. Check Operator’s, Manual |
| Fail to put the Drive control levers in the neutral and locked position. | Put drive control levers into the neutral and locked position. |
| Throttle and Choke control not in the correct starting position. | Place the Throttle and Choke controls into the correct starting position. See Operator’s, Manual |
| Spark plug wires are disconnected | Connect the wires to spark plugs |
| The Fuel tank is empty, or fuel is stale | Fill the tank with clean, fresh(less than 30 days old) fuel. |
| Blocked fuel line | Clean fuel line whenever needed. Also, replace fuel filter |
| Vent in fuel cap is plugged | Clean fuel cap and also vent. Also,replace cap if damaged. |
| Water or dirt in fuel system | Drain fuel tank. Refill with clean, fresh (less than 30 days old) fuel |
| Faulty spark plugs | Replace spark plugs whenever needed. See engine Operator’s, Manual |
| The Engine is flooded | Crank the engine with throttle in fast position. But do not Choke. |
| Fuses are blown | Replace fuses whenever needed. See Operator’s, Manual |
2. ZTR Mower Engine Hesitates at High RPM
| Issues | Solution |
|---|---|
| Spark plugs gap is too close | Remove spark plugs and also reset the gap. See engine Operator’s, Manual |
3. Engine Stalls or Runs Erratic
| Issues | Solution |
|---|---|
| Mower is running while CHOKE activated | Keep the mower Choke control to the normal operating position |
| Spark plug wires are loose | Connect spark plug wires properly and securely |
| Blocked fuel line or stale or contaminated fuel | Clean the line and also replace fuel filter (if needed). Drain your mower fuel tank and refill with fresh (less than 30 days old) fuel. |
| Vent in fuel cap plugged | Clear fuel cap and also the vent. Also, replace cap if damaged. |
| The Air cleaner is dirty. | Clean the foam air filter. Also, replace the filter paper element if necessary |
| Engine needs tune-up or internal adjustment | Utilize the Dealer Locator |
4. Mower Can’t Go Forward or Reverse
| Issues | Solution |
|---|---|
| Transmission bypass shaft in service position | Shift transmission bypass shaft to normal operating position. See Operator’s, Manual |
5. Unable to Push or Roll the Mower Forward or Reverse
| Issues | Solution |
|---|---|
| Transmission bypass shaft in normal operation position | Move transmission bypass shaft to the service position. See Operator’s, Manual |
6. Engine Getting Overheat
| Issues | Solution |
|---|---|
| Engine oil level low | Fill with proper amount and grade of oil. See engine Operator’s, Manual |
| Dirty air filter | Change paper element of the air filter whenever needed. And also clean the pre-cleaner (foam made air filter) |
| Air flow restricted by debris build-up around engine | Clean grass clippings and also debris from around the engine’s cooling fins and blower housing |
7. Giving Excessive Vibration
| Issues | Solution |
|---|---|
| Cutting blades are loose or unbalanced | Tighten the blades. Also, tighten the spindles |
| Damaged, bent or dull cutting blades | Sharpen or replace blades whenever needed |
| Deck blade spindles damage or worn | Replace defective spindles whenever needed |
| Deck drive belts worn-out or adjusted improperly | Replace deck drive belts whenever needed. Also, adjust tension. See Operator’s, Manual. |
8. Mower Doesn’t Mulch the Grass
| Issues | Solution |
|---|---|
| Engine speed too low | Place Throttle control into FAST (rabbit) position |
| Ground speed too fast | Reduce ground speed whenever required |
| Wet grass | Do not mulch when grass is wet |
| Excessively high grass | Mow once at a high cutting height, then mow again at desired height or make a narrower cutting swath |
| Damaged, bent or dull cutting blades | Sharpen or replace blades whenever needed |
| Deck drive belts worn-out or adjusted improperly | Replace deck drive belts and also adjust tension. See Operator’s, Manual. |
9. Uneven Cutting Quality
| Issues | Solution |
|---|---|
| Deck not leveled properly | Adjust deck level to the proper operating position. See Operator’s, Manual |
| Damaged, bent or dull cutting blades | Sharpen or replace blades whenever needed |
| Uneven tire pressures | Check tire pressure in all four tires |
Final Advice
So like to avoid major repairing? Go for a regular maintenance. While that ranges from washing the unit regularly, greasing all fittings, keeping your mower in a shed or garage, checking belts, tires, nuts and bolts and oil a day ahead of use. However, don’t skip periodical maintenance which you should adopt in your habit to avoid major Zero Turn Mower Repair. In conclusion, I must suggest if you are not sure of how to proceed, better you refer to an expert who knows well.
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