Mower Died

[wood714]

Yesterday I was mowing my back yard and my mower just stopped. Kinda like it ran out of gas, but didn't really stumble like it has in the past when I've ran out of gas.

Pushed it back to my shed, and replaced the gas filter. It's after the gas shut off, I checked that and it worked fine.

Today I cleaned the foam air filter cover and replaced the spark plug that looked fine. It turns over perfect, but isn't even trying to start. The spark plug is pretty far back in the motor, and I can't tell if it's getting spark. It has a Kohler motor.

I bought it used 17 years ago. Never let me down once.

 

[WardenRoss]

Sometimes...

They have a safety kill switch beneath the seat. The switch will fail or just stick.

Mine also has a similar switch on the park lever.


,

 

[tlawler]

Try pouring a little gas in the carb and see if it starts momentarily. I had a Craftsman with a Kohler engine and the fuel pump diaphragm gave out. Just wasn't getting any gas. After a little yoo toob research, I ordered a new one from Amazon (I think it was less than $25). Easy installation and I was back in business. Another tip I'll pass on…if you've got the belt driven blades…go to Tractor Supply and match the belt size. I was replacing a couple a season and they were less than $10. Ordering the Craftsman replacements were something like $45 each.

 

[ralph7]

I would use starting fluid instead of gasoline to test for fuel starvation and this spark checker is handy, but can't be used in direct sunlight.
You have to roll it in a dark area or wait until dusk or dark because you can't see the spark glow with the competing light.

[ame]https://www.amazon.com/Lisle-20610-Inline-Spark-Tester/dp/B0002STSC6/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2VERDEOG7YIL&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.IJaAdMNUqGmDlupdK1bmc3JfQTyD9TVKy0-GLeMbdXz7oegXLUxaBX3a0yFUG8I-fkRYhPcjQxk-QTDEAbGTjIgYszxcjog6rAU-_1SitoNCq4-AR-q85sSczDTftSBoW2GWcmHOhg6FqG6vUkRrdlKoe2yfIvagOZw68OdNr0P1r_OhHxIq4yl6pabO-zj-wJ6nV5zem_w-Iq8YjnI8C1tnNPhIPrJEdwQWwcSoLi13zgq3ZSxyMWf8ug5y0vYwLb9Zp4Yq5zIWXvWMwAO6PCGJNfusI1AhfwGqlhquK1A.amq9-5e85cb0rs8HvN3DsqFPjXSiRXcL39u7fpIXL8c&dib_tag=se&keywords=spark+detector+small+engine&qid=1727640577&sprefix=spark+detec%2Caps%2C1537&sr=8-3[/ame]

 

[Rustyt1953]

Absolutely love the skull & crossbones.

Perfect for yarrrd work.

 

[wood714]

I bypassed the seat safety as soon as I got the mower.

I really think it's the coil. Just ordered one on Amazon for $15.19, will get it tomorrow.

I may go out later to check the carb. I saw them on Amazon for around $25.00.

 

[Rustyt1953]

The spirit of Carl compels me.

[ame]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AynXoLjYrKc[/ame]

 

[SweetMK]

Instead of using gas or starting fluid to help a small engine start,,
I use propane.

A "weed burner" torch, not lit of course,, aimed at the carb gives a perfect mix of fuel/air for the engine to run.

That is exactly what THOUSANDS of fork trucks run on every day.

There is ZERO chance of "flooding" the engine,,
it can not happen with propane.

Propane is also much safer than pouring liquid gasoline,,

I have a "TurboTorch" that runs on propane, with a #6 tip,,
That thing is also spectacular at starting small engines.

 

[s&wchad]

Yesterday I was mowing my back yard and my mower just stopped... It isn't even trying to start...
I bought it used 17 years ago. Never let me down once.

Sounds like you got your moneys worth...
Sell it and buy a ZT mower. You'll thank me later!

 

[cherrypointmarine]

Seeing as you live here , where's the cup holder ? It's been a cruel summer this year .

 

[Chuck24]

Beginning to sound like 1001 ways to blow up your mower, or put it out of it's misery, whichever

 

[wood714]

Sounds like you got your moneys worth...
Sell it and buy a ZT mower. You'll thank me later!

I've been wanting a zero turn for years, but heard the consumer grade ones didn't hold up, and I'd never spend the money on a good commercial one.

I only use the little rider in the back yard. I've always used my self propelled Honda for the front yard. Seems like it makes a nicer cut. My entire lot is only 125x80'.

My daughters friend has a electric robot mower. He programs it when to cut. It cuts his yard, and plugs itself back into the charging station. Now that would be most CooL! But $5K is a bit steep for a grass cutting machine.

I had a lawn service dude cut my yard when I was in Cincinnati a couple times. He charged $40 a cut. I was most tempted to hire him full time, but I kinda enjoy yard work when it's under 90 degrees.

 

[wood714]

Seeing as you live here , where's the cup holder ? It's been a cruel summer this year .

I get up at a brain damaging 5:40 and start cutting as soon as it's light enough to see. I get most hot, but don't have the sun beating down on me. Shade hot is a lot different than out in the sun hot.

 

[wood714]

I was today old when I heard of this device. It will arrive tomorrow when my new coil does.

 

[bobsguns]

I would use starting fluid instead of gasoline to test for fuel starvation and this spark checker is handy, but can't be used in direct sunlight.
You have to roll it in a dark area or wait until dusk or dark because you can't see the spark glow with the competing light.

Phffffttttt...............

Just reach in there & pull off the plug wire, hang onto it while you crank the motor. You'll learn most ricky tick if there's spark or not.

 

[djohns6]

You said it's turning over ? That eliminates every safety switch I can think of .

 

[bobsguns]

I've been wanting a zero turn for years, but heard the consumer grade ones didn't hold up, and I'd never spend the money on a good commercial one.

Wholly untrue.

A good residential ZT can indeed be found IF you stick to a couple of certainties.

Get a fabricated deck, not stamped.

Get at least a 3000 series hydrostatic drive.

Get a Kawasaki engine.

Stick with those three things & you should end up with a darn good mower at a reasonable price. I also add be sure to use pure synthetic oil, such as Mobil 1.

Fall is THE best time to buy a new mower as dealers need to move old inventory to make room for the new stuff in the spring. Good discounts.

Don't buy from the Big Box stores, buy from a stand-alone mower dealer. Lots of good brands out there to choose from too.

My .o2

 

[djohns6]

My Bad Boy ZTR was purchased in 2017 . Kohler engine . Fabricated deck . Still running the original belts .

 

[wood714]

Would a ZT be able to back up the ramp into my shed? Floor of the shed is 14" off the ground.

 

[Yendor357]

My old GT275 would act like it ran out of gas. The crankcase breather which powered the fuel pump would get clogged with dirt. If I keep it clean, no more problems. It took me a long time to figure that one out.

If the mower shuts off like someone hit the kill switch, that's a lot tougher. I've replaced the mother board and the ignition switch. My GT275 was purchased in 1996. It's still in service.