I wash and oil my pre-filter and blow the filter clean and reuse it for several years without a problem.Good news! Just as suspected, the problem was self-caused by failing to properly maintain my machine. Replaced the air filter, prefilter and the plugs. Runs like brand new! Apparently knocking and blowing out the air filter does not restore full air flow. Lesson learned.
The closest dealer, Red Rooster Mercantile in Colquit, Ga.. had none of the parts. The auto parts store in Colquit was able to cross-reference the plugs so I now have two new Gator 77-310's made in the good old Czech Republic (don't we make anything anymore?) and I found the air cleaner filters at (no kidding) Collins Mower Parts and Flea Market. Back in business for forty bucks.
Thanks for the help. It's great to have someplace to go with these little problems. This is a nice place. I'm glad that we got a Hustler forum here. I'm going out and mow with my new engine now.
Have a great day.
Bob
Black Bart said:I wash and oil my pre-filter and blow the filter clean and reuse it for several years without a problem.
I think you filter was so dirty it caused it to run real rich fouling the plugs.
After you cleaned the filter if you had changed the plugs it would have run fine.
I clean and oil my pre-filter regularly and the main filter stays clean allowing me to use it for several years.
I don't like oiling the pre filter. I know some people do. But I wouldn't recommend it. It clogs the paper filter.
I wash and oil my pre-filter and blow the filter clean and reuse it for several years without a problem.
I think you filter was so dirty it caused it to run real rich fouling the plugs.
After you cleaned the filter if you had changed the plugs it would have run fine.
I clean and oil my pre-filter regularly and the main filter stays clean allowing me to use it for several years.
Just when I said that I haven't experienced any problems with my Fastrak, one comes up. It very possibly could be a Honda problem instead.
I have a Fastrak 52" with a Honda 20. I went out to mow today and suddenly it has no power. Starts right up just like it always has but when I engage the deck the engine starts stumbling. It recovers after a few seconds but when I start moving it bogs down and starts missing and has no power.
I pulled the air cleaner off and cleaned it out. It was quite dirty so I thought that, surely, that was the problem. Started it up and it is still acting the same. I have 112 hours on the mower and have never touched the engine other than to change the oil and clean the air filter. I'm letting it cool off now and I will check the plugs but, other than that, I'm not sure what else could be wrong.
It seems to run fine until the mower deck is engaged. Possibly something wrong in the deck that could be overloading the engine? Anyone else have similar experience? Any thoughts will be appreciated.
Thanks,
Bob
I have a Hustler Sport 42" about4 years old. A few weeks go while mowing it suddenly stopped running as if I had turned the key off. I tried to restart but it would not start. I left the machine and came back several hours later, it started and ran fine, no apparent issues. Yesterday it stopped again, I was mowing and it just stopped, no sputter or coughing just stopped as if I had turned the key off. I have returned to the machine several times over the last 2 days but it will not turn over, let alone start. Seems like a dead battery, but don't believe a battery would cause the mower to stop mid cut. I'm thinking a safety sensor malfunction, I know there is one under the seat, how many more are there? Is there a way to test sensors without wholesale replacing each one.
Thanks for any help Dan
Dan. Have the battery voltage checked to see if it is dead or low voltage. You can check it with a DC Volt meter. It should have at least 12.5 volts static and while it is running check it to see if voltage is higher than static voltage. If your charging system is not charging or working than the electric clutch will drain the battery and the mower will stop. Another thing to check are the relays hidden under the key switch panel. Remove bolts holding key switch panel on and lift up to expose 2 square black plastic relays. Go to you hustler dealer and buy one and replace one at a time to find out if either is bad.