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Problem: Engine stalls easily with mower engaged.
Cause Remedy
Engine speed too slow. Set to full throttle.
Ground speed too fast. Decrease ground speed.
Cutting height set too low. Cut tall grass at maximum cutting
height during first pass.
Discharge chute jamming with cut
grass.
Cut grass with discharge pointing
towards previously cut area.
Problem: Excessive mower vibration.
Cause Remedy
Blade mounting bolts are loose. Tighten to 120 ft-lbs (163 Nm).
Mower blades, arbors, or pulleys are
bent.
Check and replace as necessary.
Mower blades are not balanced. Remove, sharpen, and balance
blades. See Servicing the Mower
Blades.
Belt installed incorrectly. Reinstall the belt correctly.
Problem: Excessive belt wear or breakage.
Cause Remedy
Bent or rough pulleys. Repair or replace.
Using incorrect belt. Replace with correct belt.
Problem: Mower drive belt slips, or fails to drive.
Cause Remedy
Idler pulley spring broken, or not
properly attached.
Repair or replace as needed.
Mower drive belt broken. Replace mower drive belt.
Problem: Mower does not engage.
Cause Remedy
Electrical wiring damage. Locate and repair damaged wire.
Battery voltage too low. Recharge battery and check
alternator. See Battery Maintenance.
Troubleshooting Common Cutting
Problems
Problem: Streaking
Streaking is when thin strips of uncut grass are left behind the mower.
Streaking is usually caused by operator error or poor blade maintenance.
Cause Remedy
Blades are not sharp. Sharpen your blades.
Blades are worn down too far. Replace your blades.
Engine speed is too slow. Always mow at full throttle.
Ground speed is too fast. Slow down.
Deck is plugged with grass. Clean out the mower.
Not overlapping cutting rows enough. Overlap your cutting rows
Not overlapping enough when
turning.
When turning your effective cutting
width decreases–overlap more when
turning.
Problem: Scalping
Scalping is when the mower deck comes close to or hits the ground.
Scalping can be caused by the mower deck misadjustment, unevenness in
the lawn, or by mower deck bouncing because the ground speed is too fast.
Cause Remedy
Lawn is uneven or bumpy. Roll or level the lawn.
Mower deck cutting height is set too
low.
Raise the cutting height.
Ground speed is too fast. Slow down.
Deck is not leveled correctly. Correctly level the deck.
Tire pressure is low or uneven. Check and inflate the tires.
Problem: Stepped Cutting
Stepped cutting is sharp ridges or uneven levels left in the lawn
surface. Stepped cutting is usually caused by mower deck damage or
misadjustment, or damage to the mower blades.
Cause Remedy
Deck is not leveled correctly. Level the deck correctly.
Tires are not properly inflated. Check and inflate the tires.
Blades are damaged. Replace the blades.
Deck shell is damaged. Repair or replace the deck.
Mower spindle is bent or loose. Repair or replace the spindle.
Blades are installed incorrectly. Reinstall the blades correctly.
Problem: Uneven Cutting
Uneven cutting is waviness or smooth troughs in the lawn surface. Uneven
cutting is usually caused by mower deck damage or misadjustment.
Cause Remedy
Deck is not leveled correctly. Level the deck correctly.
Blades are dull or worn. Sharpen or replace the blades.
Blades are damaged. Replace the blades.
Deck is clogged with grass clippings. Clean out the deck.
Deck shell is damaged. Repair or replace the deck.
Mower spindle is bent or loose. Repair or replace the spindle.
Blades are installed incorrectly. Reinstall the blades correctly.
Tires are not properly inflated. Check and inflate the tires.
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