Recent content by Auto Doc's

Nylon cutter string tightens up the cell structure when wet. Also, the water provides short term lubrication and cooling, so the line does not get so hot that it starts melting to itself. The rule that most people follow about mowing is don't cut wet grass with a rider or push mower. Why...

Does it have an odd switch on the dash that has the letter RIO faded away? (Reverse Implement Operation) Like others have said, this sounds like a reverse safety switch position adjustment for the shifter. There have been some strange mower safety designs over the years, but it was all done...

A commercial mower is a dealer level machine if you can find one in your area. They are not cheap and not repair friendly.

Is this Yardman a single cylinder or a V-twin model? The engine numbers would be helpful. Are you trying to engage the blades while at too low of an engine RPM? Can you drive along with the blades engaged and they will quit if you stop moving?

Hello platefire, Be aware that the old saws were much more forgiving and had more size and power. The carburetor passages were larger. They also belched more smoke than they do today. EPA regulations have starved many small engines down. Do yourself a favor, if you have not already, and use...

Not all Stihl dealers are the same and maybe only one individual has past their silver level training for Stihl and never went any further. Stihl use to really push for dealer tech training, now they seem to shy away and concentrate on volume sales of new units.

Hi dinows, Reverse PTO (RIO) shut off switches were mandated some years back after people were recklessly backing over kids, pets and bystanders. I've heard them called "Lawyer Switches" a couple of times.

Maybe this will help if you enlarge the page view: https://www.toolservicenet.com/i/BLACK_DECKER/GLOBALBOM/QU/ST4000/2/Instruction_Manual/EN/383809-02_ST3000.pdf

Once the cutter spool is installed, you pull the loose end out of the (temporary) holding groove through the outer hole so it can feed as needed when the center is bumped on the ground while cutting. Maybe a local small engine shop can give you some direction by looking at it.

I've worked small engine equipment since I was a very young man, and it has always been a backup source of income for me. There is not enough paying customers in my area to even consider going any further than that. It keeps me active, and I don't rush anything. If people want it right, I can...

Hello oldntired55, I came across some recently where the new deck spindle makers installed a tight fit pipe spacer to set the distance between the upper and lower bearings because the inner housing casting was machined for only one of the bearings to have a snug shoulder fit. Without the spacer...

Hi dinows, Older mowers like your previous simple design Murray had practically no safety switches. I think people had more sense to understand a machine back in those days. Now everyone (machine owners) is looking to cash in by filing lawsuits to hide the fact that they were a true idiot...

I went back and studied the picture for your spool with the cutter string on it. The starting tip of the string is inserted into the wrong hole. If you look closely, there appear to be a small piece of old red cutting string is in one of the pyramid shapes hole down inside. That suggests to me...

Hi platefire, Many of the new OEM mandrels come installed with one time use self-tapping bolts (On purpose). These bolts are common to break off on purpose, so the mandrel cannot be reused. Creative engineering at its best. I prefer the aftermarket mandrels with regular threaded holes, bolts...

Hi platefire, Many of the new OEM mandrels come with one time use self-tapping bolts (On purpose). These bolts are common to break off on purpose, so the mandrel cannot be reused. Creative engineering at its best. I prefer the aftermarket mandrels with regular threaded holes, bolts and...

Part #8 of this parts list is an example but match your exact engine numbers. https://www.partstree.com/models/407777-0687-b1-briggs-stratton-vertical-engine/cylinder-crankshaft-camshaft-air-guides-piston-rings-connecting-rod-4/

Is part #11 in place under the string spool?

It sounds like the vacuum operated pump is defective or some trash got sucked into the inlet side from the tank. I've had lots of strange issues in the past Even a bug looking for a place to nest will find their way inside of an open fuel line end. I noticed line spring clamps out of place...

Plugs and coils fire easily in an open atmosphere, that is what often tricks people into thinking the parts are good. Get the engine hot, then use a spray bottle to shoot a stream water at each exhaust pipe near the head. If water burns off immediately, the cylinder is producing power. If the...

Kohler Courage engine? Most likely it has an air leak between the cylinder head and the carburetor insulator block. These were not a well thought out design. The insulator block could warp and allow the gasket to suck in stray air especially at idle. Not a governor issue, so never mess with...

That has the signs of a failing ignition coil when hot. Just the same, a spark plug could also be breaking down and plugs are easy to replace. When it acts up, use a spray bottle to shoot a stream of water on each exhaust pipe near the cylinder head. The water should burn off quickly if the...

Hi Rick O., First, how did you set the air gap when you removed the ignition coil and reinstalled it. The simplest way to set this air gap is with a plain paper business card placed between the flywheel magnet and the coil. Loosen the mounting screws of the coil and let the magnet pull the coil...

Husqvarna or Cub Cadet

These were an innovative take on the earlier Snapper rear engine riders in my opinion. This is a 30-year-old mower that only a diehard Dixon 304 person would be interested in possibly. Try selling it on Facebook Marketplace or possibly Ebay. Not many resources beyond that for selling these...

Good, sounds like you have been diligent in your efforts to maintain this. That leaves the breather as a suspect or piston and ring wear issues. There is no accurate way to test the breather that I have found so I recommend it be replaced if you are sure the rest of the engine is in sound...

I think your trimmer string is too thick of a diameter for this trimmer. There should be a spring in the middle that is not shown in your pictures. Next option would be to replace this cutter head an install a universal it type.

Were the cooling fin heat shields left off when you did the overhaul? They must be in place to get force air from the flywheel colling fins. Often times people do not realize why they have to be in place.

This whole thing is pointing at overheating due to excess debris in the cooling fins or a bad crankcase breather from the very beginning. It should not have had issues at 110 hours unless the oil was never changed like it is supposed to be.

This whole problem is pointing at overheating due to excess debris in the cooling fins and or a bad crankcase breather from the very beginning. It should not have had issues at 110 hours unless the oil was never changed like it is supposed to be.

Plugs and coils fire easily in an open atmosphere, that is what often tricks people into thinking the parts are good. Under compression they can fail. To test: Get the engine hot and running at high RPM, then use a spray bottle to shoot a stream water at each exhaust pipe near the head. If...

A JD 140 rider had different engines on them. We need the engine numbers off the valve cover if B&S or the white label if it is a Kohler. Not very many of these had an oil shut off circuit

Cub Cadet does not make the drive motors. Check for a manufacturers label such as Parker. At this age, Ebay might be an option.

Your valve clearance is way off. Only adjust valves when cold. Pull the spark plug so you can turn the engine by hand on the top screen. Remove the valve cover and rotate until 1 of the valves is fully open. Adjust the rocker lash to .005 inch with a slight drag on the feeler. Once that one is...

Has the coil been removed and then put back upside down? These coils are directional.

Technically front wheel drive self-propelled mowers do not belong on banks/inclines. Tell them to get a rear-wheel-drive self-propelled mower, but even they will have trouble on steep banks/inclines. I do not suggest putting weight on the front because that will tear up the transmission drive.

Check this out...

Try static cling spray (not kidding) Plastics naturally create static.

Is the 215 an SX model or SP?

Hello Rao, I don't tend to get too scientific about cutting grass. Less than one acre a good self-propelled mower would do the job. 1–3-acre A 15HP 38"-42" deck is usually a good size. Above 3 acres go with a 54"-60" zero turn or steering wheel zero turn model. If there are lots of...

What you are referring too is the regular brake, there is no separate parking brake, just the pedal lock mechanism to hold the brakes once applied. Like I mentioned, try tightening the center nut just a little and see if that helps the brake function. It would help to jack up the rear of the...

Basically yes, but I suggest you get the proper manual. A governor problem on one of these is rare unless someone made the wrong adjustment while tinkering. Governors are not an adjustment to play with for running problems. What is actually going on with your engine before you go on this adventure?

This is an older UK market model from what I can find online. Sounds like the carburetor needs to be disassembled and all of the tiny passages cleaned out really well. Worst case, the carburetor needs to be replaced. Ryobi is just the brand of the unit. What engine is on this? Briggs and...

I think your Murray number shown is off slightly. Locate the tiny brake disc on the right or left side of the hydrostatic unit at the rear. There is a center locking nut that can be tightened about a 1/4 turn. See if that improves the lack of brakes/parking brake. If it does not the brake pads...

I think your Murray number shown is off slightly. Locate the tiny brake disc on the right or left side of the hydrostatic unit at the rear. There is a center locking nut that can be tightened about a 1/4 turn. See if that improves the lack of brakes/parking brake. If it does not the brake pads...

All of them have a potential of being good if they have not been abused by lack of maintenance or used to constantly mow in rocks or sand. Anything you look at used, make sure the oil is not burnt black, and the blade is in decent shape.

A "golf cart with a mower deck". Pretty cool for the times but never quite caught on.

Seat switches were not on very many models when this machine was made around 1977 or 1978 according to what little I have found. Larger Commercial units had them, but not residential units like this. If you are really serious about wiring one in look up later diagrams for Poulan riders which...

A little-known trick about nylon trimmer line is to wet it with water before use. It's true and it works. I usually wet my loaded trimmer head before each use.

A little-known trick about nylon trimmer line is to wet it with water before use. It's true and it works. I usually wet my loaded trimmer head before each use.

This favors one of the coils getting hot and failing. You would need an adjustable type of spark tester attached to each coil wire to find out which one is breaking down and failing. Another method would be to use a spray bottle of water. When it stalls, restart it and then shoot a stream of...

Darn this site, it erased my reply again. Check the gaskets and make sure one is not upside down and blocking the carburetor vent, it is easy to do.

Hello Monty72, The X300 series was a new model back when I was a JD service manager for a local dealership. These are great mowers that were well built. A key point to remember is the pulse style fuel pump on these and similar mowers is a "flutter valve" mechanism and it only pumps (transfers)...

The owner/ operator manual usually has the deck adjustment information in it. If you don't have the manual, it will be available online at the cub cadet website.

According to the number, this is a single cylinder push mower engine. Does it have an auto choke function? Compression release is only to aid in engine cranking at startup so it can spin faster. If it were not working the engine would fight the pull starter while trying to turn. This sounds...

What model number rider? They are not all the same. Is the foot brake/ clutch locked down? At the rear of most riders there will be a single pull rod with a right angle sticking out. Pull lightly on the rod and rock the machine slightly to see if the releases and allows the wheels to roll.

Set each valve to .004 inch where feeler gauge just fits with a slight drag between the rocker tip and valve stem. Do this with engine cold and plug removed. Page 84 has the specs page. The procedure is explained just prior.

Hi Bartles, John Deere does not build the mowers. they "private label" their lawn equipment from other sources that specialize in those products. AM130924 is a JD part number but not made by JD. The part can easily be found on Ebay or Amazon, but it would be aftermarket. Finding an original...

Hello Ebtate8 You are inserting a separate help request into an existing post, I'll reply to you though. I understand the aggravation. Disconnect and check across the 2-stator wires coming from under the flywheel to the voltage regulator with a multimeter for approximately 30+ Volts AC running...

Yep, most DIY articles appear to be written by AI with a lot of filler words and very little technical content. On the other side of the spectrum are the technical articles from companies like Bando that jump all around with cross dimensional charts and fitment tables. As for longevity of...

This may help: https://www.readability.com/the-anatomy-of-a-mower-belt-exploring-the-materials-construction-and-different-types-of-belts-used-in-various-mower-applications

It will run like normal with the kill wire off, but make sure you have a way to shut the engine down. I cannot advise bypassing anything safety related. To truly resolve this problem, the key switch and all safety switches need to be checked. The wiring on these mowers is pretty simple. This...

The metal fuel filter is simply a generic automotive inline filter you can purchase at any parts store.

Is this just a key to on position pull start model or battery/ electric starter?

It will run like normal with the kill wire off, but make sure you have a way to shut the engine down. I cannot advise bypassing anything safety related. To truly resolve this problem, the key switch and all safety switches need to be checked. The wiring on these mowers is pretty simple. This...

This has me leaning towards a coil breaking down when hot. The spray bottle shooting a stream of water on the exhaust pipe works well. If the water immediately burns off, the cylinder is producing power. If the water is slow to burn off, that is a cylinder not producing power. Firmly bolted...

Sorry to hear your trouble, this was a poor design idea for Ryobi.

Sorry to hear your trouble, this was a poor design idea for Ryobi.

They all have a certain amount of rubber compound to hold the strengthening material such as Aramid or Kevlar. The 8-ten belts are very good and hold up for a few years under regular use.

The intake to head mounting gaskets or O-rings are possibly leaking. What appear to be a plug on the bottom of the intake is not. According to Parts Tree these have a camshaft update number, so it may have a very worn camshaft lobe...

Cut the key off in the future. If you are worried about your last oil change interval, change the oil and start your count over, no intense bookkeeping involved. Some hour meters run off of the machine battery key on power while others have a single wire that spirals around a coil lead and...

Replace both, but get them from Parts Direct or Jack's Small engine. Avoid Amazon. Ebay is also good but look for genuine parts. Just because it fits never means it will work. For air gap spacing, use a simple business card.

Glad to hear you got it working. Never trust a ground that "looks" good.

For both coils to fail at the same time is highly unlikely. Usually, a reduction in power is quickly noticed, but not a total shutdown. I would study the fuel system closer. Trash in the tank getting sucked into the pickup tube is fairly common. Bugs, dirt and grass clippings get into fuel cans...

For both coils to fail at the same time is highly unlikely. Usually, a reduction in power is quickly noticed, but not a total shutdown. I would study the fuel system closer. Trash in the tank getting sucked into the pickup tube is fairly common. Bugs, dirt and grass clippings get into fuel cans...

Check for a broken ground (black wire) that doubles from the headlights and back to the start solenoid. I have seen that strange wiring issues on a couple of models. Creative engineers create confusion.

Hello Packman88, This site does get clunky and lags at times, so be aware of that.... I own a 1988 Snapper RER with a 30-inch cut and the original 8 HP B&S flat head engine. It is a " workhorse" when it comes to close cutting in tight areas. Rear engine riders have outstanding traction...

Make sure the long air cleaner bolt is in place before you make any air mixture adjustments. I usually start by lightly screwing the needle all the way in and then back it out 1-1/2 turns.

These tie rods have a couple of odd bends in them already. It would take a torch to heat the steering rod red hot, then a long prybar to bend it back in place a little at a time until the wheel appears straight ahead again, if you are not equipped or experience on how to do that, just by the...

If the transmission has a growling/ buzzing noise when you try to move it, that means it has had a drive fluid loss more than likely, or the hydrostatic transmission has given out. This machine being roughly 20 years old, maybe a low hour used one is available from a backlot at a large mower...

Hi Tom, Lowe's has an area dealer send technicians out to uncrate and prepare the machines. The blade issue would be a factory assembly defect or mis assembly. Also, someone could have been careless with a forklift. A servicing dealer is who would need to diagnose and correct this. Is this...

Wrong blades or upside down. I've been sold wrong blades several times.

I would say yes, but with low air pressure. If it will not clear it needs to be put in an ultrasonic wash for an hour and retry. The nylon/plastic suction extension tube usually gets the screen blocked by rancid old fuel that has turned to resin. This stuff can turn to a shellac type substance...

This was a bad design on many of the "FH" Kawasaki engines. The breather cover plate has a poor gaskets design that fails with high hours of run time. I try to catch them before it is too late, but many customers refuse the repair. All I can do is document it on the repair order and wait until...

Just don't use any generic brand is my opinion. All name brand oil is developed with certain additive packages. The generic brands are what I would call unregulated "vat wash" of the process and much of that is blended with so called "recycled" oil products to keep the cost down. The base oil...

Check your battery connections and make sure the cables are correct. Positive goes to the start solenoid and ground to the chassis. Not all mower batteries have the same post locations, and it is easy to have one that is backwards polarity.

This favors the fuel anti-backfire valve being sticky. It's easy to overlook. That is the electrical device at the bottom of the fuel bowl. Usually, the plunger and tip portion need to be cleaned well with carb spray, then tested with a 12V battery to make sure it opens and closes freely. Power...

You can get a clutch, but you will need a wiring diagram to connect everything electrical in most cases like this. You may also need a drive pulley with the correct spacer.

Hi Chilidawg, There is no magic life extension to using synthetic in an air-cooled engine, but it will not hurt it. I use Royal Purple (RP) 20W 50 in my '95 Harley and I can tell a performance difference with that oil. In a mower it would probably be "over kill". RP does make 10W 40 also. I...

Buy the actual repair manual for your machine and a multimeter and study the information to make logical diagnostic decisions. A vast majority of my customer will not invest in a repair manual. Believe me it is better than guessing and swapping parts blindly. These high-cost machines are not...

I have a twin brother who knows nothing about anything mechanical. He's the kind of guy who is educated well and can read a procedure but not apply anything practical with his hands. Just for kicks one time (when his car was making a noise) I told him he had a broken "buckle" on his fan belt...

Try here: https://www.partstree.com/models/yth-24v54-husqvarna-54-yard-tractor-parts/

They do not make that particular part number in a black plastic, it would have to be a different number, and it would take some research using just the dimensions of your tank. Typically, older Bolen's, Poulan, Snapper, Lawn Pro and Murray riders had the small back fuel tanks that were similar...

They do not make that particular part number in a black plastic, it would have to be a different number, and it would take some research using just the dimensions of your tank. Typically, older Bolen's, Poulan, Snapper, Lawn Pro and Murray riders had the small back fuel tanks that were similar...

Don't go cheap when it comes to a fuel tank. I prefer the older thick wall black plastic design because they last, but most manufacturers have gone to the cheaper white plastic which breaks down from ultraviolet exposure.

We need the number information off of the product label (usually under the seat) so we can reference how this machine is wired. Is it a V-twin engine or a single cylinder engine?

Hi slomo, I simply tell the customer I will not work on a machine in a "rigged condition". If they will not accept that, then I cannot help them with their machine problems. Most will have me unrig the bypass so it can be repaired. Everything is recorded on the repair order. Sadly, much of the...

Hello Justwayne, I've had very good results using 8-ten belts for many customer applications for a few years now and no complaints.

Heck! don't change the oil until the engine locks up. LOL I've seen that happen before.... New oil and filter, but the engine locked solid.

This is nothing really new to me, or other who work on equipment regularly, but a lot of new mowers are quickly developing running issues just after purchase these days. What I am finding with most of them is old fuel in the tank and lines because they have sat on display for months (some for...

Hmm, reading the operator manual must have been more than the owner could stand.

I've caught several seat switches jumped recently, but customers hate to listen to reason. It's just inconvenient to be safe for some people. I have been using solar sunlight battery maintainers on all of my battery start lawn equipment and tractors for a few years now and it has saved me a lot...

Hello motormike, I apologize, I lost track of out earlier conversation, and this site has delay issues that creates frustration and confusion. Being an opposed twin engine, pull the heads and watch the valve and piston movement to make sure they are working. It been a few years since I have...

That problem favors a seat safety switch issue. A person has to be sitting on the seat to allow PTO activation.

The little cable assembly is for grabbing the hose end once it is forced through the tank grommet, that way the filter can be put on the end of the hose and dropped back in the tank. The spring is a stronger throttle tension spring in the event you feel that the throttle response is too quick...

Hello Meridian28, First question is the bearing correct? If so.... Polish the outer surface of the pulley fit area for the bearing with some fine grit 1" wide mechanic's/ plumber sandpaper or crocus sanding paper. Most hardware stores have it in the plumbing section for copper pipe solder...

Hello Trout bum, The belt guides for the crank pulley need to be close to the outside of the pulley to prevent the belt from jumping off. Was the crank pulley swapped over from the old engine to the replacement engine?

I tried to reply to the no compression issue on one cylinder earlier, but my reply disappeared somewhere. Anyway, the engine likely bent a pushrod due to an overheat or lack of proper adjustment. No compression means an intake valve is not opening on that cylinder. Be aware that valve guides...

Hi motormike, The reason for the air shrouds is to concentrate air around and through the cooling fins of the cylinder(s). The flywheel air fins and top cover are what force the air past the cylinder(s). Without them they would allow overheating and eventually the motor will become physically...

The EPA and engineers are so anal about making sure fuel vapors cannot escape into the atmosphere that it is almost an obsession. In reality, simply filling up a vehicle at the gas station releases more fuel vapor that any mower will ever release.

Yep, as fuel is used air is drawn in through the cap vent. If the cap vent is plugged the fuel tank will go from atmospheric pressure down into a vacuum due the fuel pump suction. The tank will not allow fuel to flow if it has a vacuum.

Hello ILENGINE, I've had pretty good luck with aftermarket clone carburetors in recent years. A lot of original ones are no longer available. I have had better results with Ebay then I have Amazon though. Some OE carburetors get blocked air bleed passages over time that no amount of cleaning...