Problem
Engine will not start
Engine runs rough
TROUBLESHOOTING
Cause
Starter does not turn the engine over
• Blade lever is engaged
• Steering controls are not locked in neutral position
• Driver is not sitting in driver’s seat
• Parking brake is not activated
• Battery is dead
• Contamination in carburetor or fuel line
• Fuel supply is closed or tap for fuel tank is in wrong position
• Clogged fuel filter or fuel line
• Dead battery
• Poor contacts on the battery terminal cable connections
• Fuse blown
• Ignition system faulty
• Fault in the starter safety circuit, see Safety System in the
Maintenance section
• Faulty carburetor
• Choke control used with warm engine
• Defective valves
• Defective piston, cylinder, piston ring, or cylinder head seal
• Cylinder head bolts are loose
• Clogged fuel filter or jet
• Clogged ventilation valve on fuel cap
• Fuel tank nearly empty
• Fouled spark plug
• Spark plug is loose
• Defective ignition cable
• Defective spark plug electrode
• Defective spark plug connection
• Rich fuel mixture or fuel-air mixture
• Wrong fuel type
• Water in fuel
• Clogged air filter
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TROUBLESHOOTING
Cause Problem
Engine seems weak
Engine overheats
• Clogged air filter
• Fouled spark plugs
• Carburetor incorrectly adjusted
• Clogged air intake or cooling fins
• Engine overloaded
• Poor ventilation around engine
• Defective engine speed regulator
• Soot in the combustion chamber
• Too little or no oil in the engine
• Fouled spark plug
• Poor contact with battery terminal cable connectors.
Battery not charging
Machine moves slowly, unevenly, or not at all • Parking brake on
• Hydraulic pump bypass linkage engaged
• Drive belt for the transmission gears slack or has come off
• Defective hydraulic system
• Air in hydraulic system
Mower deck not engaging • Drive belt for the mower deck has come loose
• Contact for the electromagnetic coupling has loosened
• Blade switch is faulty or has come loose, from the cable contact
• Fuse has blown
Uneven mowing results
Machine vibrates
• Different air pressure in the tires on left and right sides
• Bent blades
• Suspension for the mower deck is uneven
• Blades are dull
• Driving speed too high
• Grass is too long
• Grass collected under the mower deck
• Blades are loose
• Blades are incorrectly balanced
• Engine is loose
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