Mower Died
- Thread starter wood714
- Start date
You can do that, or just remove the air filter and squirt some gas directly into the carb opening. If it cranks and runs for a few seconds, you have a carb issue. Watch a few James Gordon channel videos on YT. He mainly works on generators, but the carbs are all about the same, and he almost always tears them down and cleans them.
I always have a can on hand . I used some today to start my pressure washer . It's been sitting up a while .
OP
I remember the old days when I would use some starter fluid spray bought at Autozone to fire up a small engine. Odd how no one has mentioned this.
My garage still smells like Ether!!!!
I saw a demonstration on TV and the instructor said driving a ZT was just like pushing a shopping cart. I never thought of it that way but he is correct. Larry
OP
That actually makes sense. Push to the right to go left, push to the left to go right.
It takes about 20 minutes to get fairly proficient with a ZTR . It's all hand/eye coordination .
Countrycuz
Member
A 34 inch ZTR will probably mow your lawn as fast or faster than a 42 inch tractor style. They turn faster and shorter, my only problem is my tendency to go too fast, and not get the best cut. The other thing is it's almost impossible to have a beer and mow ! Sometimes I break out my older tractor mower anyway, slower but I can have a beer too.
OP
I listed the John Deere on FB Market Place late last night for $200 just to get rid of it. My phone blew up with people wanting it.
Got up this morning and a good friend saw it and wanted it for an extra mower at his shop. Sold it to him for $140. An hour after he got it he sent me this video.
The carb was full of ****. The new NKG spark plug I put in it wouldn't fire. He took the original Champion plug that was in it and it fired. They called another friend that works on Kohlers and he told them forget trying to use starting fluid, use carb cleaner. He said Kohlers don't like starting fluid. They had to jump the starter that's been acting up a couple years and it's now running like a top.
I bet it will outlast the Gravely I'm getting ready to buy now. I'm really glad a friend got it. I paid $400 for it 17 years ago. It served me most well.
John Deere - YouTube
Got up this morning and a good friend saw it and wanted it for an extra mower at his shop. Sold it to him for $140. An hour after he got it he sent me this video.
The carb was full of ****. The new NKG spark plug I put in it wouldn't fire. He took the original Champion plug that was in it and it fired. They called another friend that works on Kohlers and he told them forget trying to use starting fluid, use carb cleaner. He said Kohlers don't like starting fluid. They had to jump the starter that's been acting up a couple years and it's now running like a top.
I bet it will outlast the Gravely I'm getting ready to buy now. I'm really glad a friend got it. I paid $400 for it 17 years ago. It served me most well.
John Deere - YouTube
It’s alive! It’s alive!
mckenney99
Member
It's almost as if these are made just for ZTR's they were just ahead of their time.
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OP
Turns out the starter was fine. The key switch was dirty, he said it starts like a champ after cleaning the switch.
Congratulations!
You're gonna love the ZT. The smallest Bobcat I could get was 42" and I can mow my lawn in about 20 minutes. That includes cross cutting the front. It took over an hour with my old Toro Super Recycler and the ZT does a much nicer job. I also use it to blow clippings off the street, sidewalk and driveway. I rarely need to use the leafblower anymore.
Lawns here in MI have been growing like crazy with all the rain we've had this year. My deck is set to 3-1/2", I mowed it on Tuesday and it could stand to be mowed again today.
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You're gonna love the ZT. The smallest Bobcat I could get was 42" and I can mow my lawn in about 20 minutes. That includes cross cutting the front. It took over an hour with my old Toro Super Recycler and the ZT does a much nicer job. I also use it to blow clippings off the street, sidewalk and driveway. I rarely need to use the leafblower anymore.
Lawns here in MI have been growing like crazy with all the rain we've had this year. My deck is set to 3-1/2", I mowed it on Tuesday and it could stand to be mowed again today.
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I can drive my ZTR in a straight line with one hand . No problem sipping a drink .
Just when you think you heard it all ..
I was just talking with Kevin when he said: " Dude, gotta go. Santa Clause is here with my new mower".
Click.
Click.
OP
Dude dropped it off, and made sure it would go up the ramp to my shed first, then he drove it around the yard like a pro. While he was here I put it in and out of the shed a few times. Then he left.
I swear he put a curse on this hell machine right before he left! I had stuff to do today, so after he left I put it in and out of the shed a few more times, then rode it around my back yard around 10 or so minuets. Plenty of time to master driving it. Or so I thought. It has a mind of it's own! I was all over the place. Came close to taking out my privacy fence, and almost climbed a tree with it.
I'll try to get some riding time in Sat, and Sun before our mass rains are supposed to hit.
I'm most glad I have a section of my yard with a privacy fence to ride it in. I'd have been most embarrassed out in the front yard driving like a wild man.
I swear this thing is possessed!
I swear he put a curse on this hell machine right before he left! I had stuff to do today, so after he left I put it in and out of the shed a few more times, then rode it around my back yard around 10 or so minuets. Plenty of time to master driving it. Or so I thought. It has a mind of it's own! I was all over the place. Came close to taking out my privacy fence, and almost climbed a tree with it.
I'll try to get some riding time in Sat, and Sun before our mass rains are supposed to hit.
I'm most glad I have a section of my yard with a privacy fence to ride it in. I'd have been most embarrassed out in the front yard driving like a wild man.
I swear this thing is possessed!
Ride 'em cowboy!
Yeah, they are like driving a dozer - or a tank.
It takes a good deal of practice to master the twin-stick steering.
One of the reasons I never wanted one. No time to just relax, think, and daydream while cutting the grass.
I want mowing to be somewhat relaxing - not an exercise in total concentration and focus! Though I suppose with enough practice it gets to be second nature as you develop a real "feel" for it....
Nice mower!
I'll share some lessons I learned the hard way...
Go slow and make minor steering corrections, unless you're on a straight away. It looks like it doesn't have armrests, so keep your elbows tucked in for stability. If you make a u-turn and give it too much throttle (push, pull), you'll tear up the turf.
It also looks like you haven't installed the deflector. It will launch small rocks/gravel that can damage a vehicle or break glass. The blades extend right to the edge of the discharge opening, so don't get that side of the deck too close to trim, posts, downspouts or anything else you don't want destroyed. That's what string trimmers are for... I put a metal protector on the base of my mailbox post and already had to replace it.
These will keep a battery maintained, but they don't have an alternator. If the mower sits for an extended period of time during the off season, disconnect the negative cable from the battery or hook it up to a trickle charger.
I'll share some lessons I learned the hard way...
Go slow and make minor steering corrections, unless you're on a straight away. It looks like it doesn't have armrests, so keep your elbows tucked in for stability. If you make a u-turn and give it too much throttle (push, pull), you'll tear up the turf.
It also looks like you haven't installed the deflector. It will launch small rocks/gravel that can damage a vehicle or break glass. The blades extend right to the edge of the discharge opening, so don't get that side of the deck too close to trim, posts, downspouts or anything else you don't want destroyed. That's what string trimmers are for... I put a metal protector on the base of my mailbox post and already had to replace it.
These will keep a battery maintained, but they don't have an alternator. If the mower sits for an extended period of time during the off season, disconnect the negative cable from the battery or hook it up to a trickle charger.
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