Troubleshooting & Repair
GENERAL
This section of the manual provides troubleshooting and repair instructions for the more common and easily cor- rected problems. For other problems, it is recommended that you contact your dealer.
A W A R N I N G
To avoid serious injury, perform maintenance on the tractor or mower only when the engine is stopped and the parking brake engaged. Always remove the ignition key, disconnect spark plug wire and fasten away from the plug before begin - ning the maintenance, to prevent accidental starting of the engine .
Locate the problem that best describes the trouble that you have encountered. Check the possible causes one at a time, in the order that they are listed.
TROUBLESHOOTING THE TRACTOR
Engine will not turnover or start.
1. Transmission not in
2. PTO switch in up position (engaged). Place switch in down position to disengage PTO.
3 . Out of fuel. Allow engine to cool then refill the fuel tank.
4.Engine flooded. Move throttle control out of CHOKE position
5 . Circuit breaker tripped. Wait one minute for automatic reset. Replace if defective (see your dealer).
6.Battery terminals require cleaning. See Normal Care section.
7. Batlety discharged or dead. Recharge or replace.
6. Wiring loose or broken. Visually check wiring & replace broken or frayed wires. Tighten loose connections.
9. Solenoid or starter motor faulty. Repair or replace.
10.Safety interlock switch or module faulty. Replace if needed (see your dealer).
il. Spark plug faulty, fouled or incorrectly gapped. Clean and gap or replace. See engine manuat.,
12.Water in fuel. Drain fuel & refill with fresh &I.
13.Old stale gas. Drain fuel & replace with fresh ftiel.
14.Brake pedal not fully depressed (Gear model).
Engine starts hard or runs poorly.
1.Fuel mixture too rich. Move control out of the choke position. If problem still exists, clean the air filter.
2.Carburetor adjusted incorrectly. See engine manual.
3.Spark plug faulty, fouled, or incorrectly gapped. Clean and gap or replace. See engine manual.
Engine knocks.
1. Low oil level. Check/add oil as required.
2. Using wrong grade oil. See engine manual.
Excessive oil consumption.
1.Engine running too hot. Clean engine fins, blower screen and air cleaner.
2.Using wrong weight oil. See engine manual.
3.Too much oil in crankcase. Drain excessive oil.
Engine exhaust is black.
1.Dirty air filter. Clean air filter. See engine manual.
2.Choke not fully open. Move control out of choke and be sure choke opens fully. If problem still exists, check carburetor adjustments. See engine manual.
Engine runs, but tractor will not drive.
1.Transmission in neutral. Shift in forward or reverse.
2.(Hydro models only) Transmission release lever in “push” position. Move into drive position.
3.Belt is broken. See Drive Belt Replacement.
4.Drive belt slips. See problem and cause below.
5.Brake not fully released.
Tractor drive belt slips.
1.Pulleys or belt greasy or oily. Clean as required.
2.Belt stretched or worn. Replace with correct belt.
3.Clutch rod binding in guide. Oil clutch rod.
Brake will not hold.
1.Brake is incorrectly adjusted. See Brake Adjustment.
2.Internal brake disc on transaxle worn. See your dealer.
Tractor steers hard or handlespoorly.
1.Steering linkage is loose. Check and tighten any loose connections. See Steering Gear Adjustment.
2.Improper tire inflation. Check and correct.
3.Spindle bearings dry. Grease spindles.
Drive belt does not stop when clutch/brake pedal depressed.
1. Belt has shrunk. Replace belt.
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