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...