Common problems with zero turn mowers: These problems are typical in most zero turns, the brand name notwithstanding. The problem is there are so many of these products on the market. There is some resistance, but it's not tight like an automotive engine belt or like the three speed toro transmissions when fully engaged. “If your transmission goes and it’s an older mower, maybe it’s time to move on to a new mower,” Radcliff says. Pulley Problem – Frozen or sluggish pulley If the price of the used riding lawn mower and the repairs to get it in 100% functioning order are more than 50% of the cost of a new riding mower then walk away from it. A major cause of concern is the hydrostatic transmission found in plenty of zero turn mowers (they are favored since they provide greater acceleration than geared versions). A lawn mower like a walk behind self-propelled, or do you mean a rider mower, or perhaps a lawn tractor, or it's slightly bigger brother the garden tractor? If this hole becomes clogged, the lawn mower won’t function properly. I prefer Kohler engines as they use roller bearing on the crankshaft. Some mowers have a hole in the gas cap. Problematic fuel lines affect whether the lawn mower get adequate amounts of fuel and it not. It seemed like the gears might be worn down and slipping once a load was put on the mower/transmission. If the lawn mower starts without the spark plugs, the lawnmower has a valve issue. A blown engine on a riding mower could cost $800 to $900 to repair, compared to buying a new mower for $2,000, Radcliff adds. We have all probably seen someone cut their grass after a rain shower or after the sprinkler went off. Also, by this point the mower wheels would turn when I jacked up the back end but the mower would not move much once I put it on the ground. This video from Sears PartsDirect shows how to replace a ground drive belt in some Craftsman zero-turn riding mowers. When the lawn mower doesn’t get enough fuel, it won’t run. Can lawn mowers cut wet grass though? Common Lawn Mower Pulley Problems and Fixes. In this Sears PartsDirect video, we show you how to check for a broken or disconnected drive control cable, how to examine the drive belt and wheels, and how to rule out a transmission problem. Transmission issues: Transmission repair on a riding mower costs $400 to $500, Radcliff says. Zero turn hydrostatic transmission problems. To do this, begin with removing the spark plugs to see if the lawn mower will start without them. Garden and Lawn Tractor Transmissions. But do you know why that is? However, when it comes to transmissions for residential and semi-pro lawn mowers, there are two big names to know: Tuff Torq Transmissions Hydro-Gear Transmissions . Unfortunatly I found this while researching a problem. If your lawn mower won’t move when you pull the drive control lever, several things could be causing the problem. If you think your engine is seized, first try to diagnose your lawn mower’s issue. If you see a lawn mower transmission identified with a code that begins with the letter K, you’re looking at a Tuff Torq transmission. That is the big question. Therefore, check the hole in your lawn mower cap to make sure it’s clean. www.metalinmotionshop.comMetal in Motion based in Lenoir City TN, shows you the concept of testing a riding mower key switch. If the engine does not turn over or start the engine is seized. Zero turn hydrostatic transmission problems. Below are some common pulley problems you may encounter, the possible causes of those problems, and our recommendations on how to fix the problems. 1. Anyone who has a lawn mower and uses it, probably knows it a bad idea to cut wet grass. If you were considering buying a used riding lawn mower that had a bad engine then you should almost get it for free because of the cost of new engines. 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