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Never done an Australian survey - My subjective observation - Lawn mulching is rarely done, even collecting (harvesting) clippings not so common. Why? Simple - the clippings on the surface will be quickly consumed/processed by the organisms (worms/beetles/fungi /etc) living within the sward...

News to me!!! - For the last 50 years plus, I have understood the "drain back" prevention valve is so that oil will be available immediately at start up ie not drain back into the sump. This is specifically to reduce the accelerated wear, that would otherwise occur, due to the delay in oil...

What is it with us humans? - We almost always prefer the costly $$$ solution to the cheap. Why purchase this single use item, in a glossy package, when you can get a small role of ductile aluminium flashing (probably for less $) that will do the job just as well & can be used for a host of...

"Metal was a material I tried, but found that it would not hold its form" Obviously you did not try aluminium flashing. Its designed to be easily formed by hand, no tools or heating required ( similar to the lead flashing it replaces) and hold its form 😈

All way too complicated - I use a piece of malleable aluminium flashing (replaced lead). Can be purchased from the hardware in a small role. Its thin enough to cut with scissors (best with metal shears/snips), soft enough to be easily fashioned into a trough, that will hold its shape. Can be...

Just being pedantic; Weight is but one factor in blade balance. The other factors are "tracking" & weight distribution (base to tip). Tracking means, are all the blase following exactly the same path? This could be effected by damage, blade security, etc Weight distribution - A blade can weigh...

Sir! You are both a gentleman & a scholar - you flatter me. "Is this because the Cub has three mowing blades, and the John Deere has just two? What do you think?" Speculation: Depends on what you mean by blades. Two cutting heads will have 4 blades (even if its a single part, each blade has...

Hi TMT, "Hold on a second there, Skippy! There are those of us in society who are not content to just settle for the basic explanations of life. Many want to know the mechanics of how things work, why a blade cuts, etc. I confess that I am one of those people!! I enjoy a challenge and an...

I check rpm, on a verity of engines, single to four cylinder, about once per annum. To reduce error, I usually use a couple of photo types and a wire in/spark plug lead digital tacho. If the machine also has its own tacho, I end up with up to four comparisons (usually just two) - go with the...

They are far from precision tools. If cheap enough, purchase two & compare the reading. 😈

Sorry Stevestd - no idea how Took MakerTims name got attached to your words You only have to worry about blade balance, when you damage the blade OR sharpen it. Can only try and avoid damage - S--t happens! Sharpening is a deliberate choice, that you impose on yourself, for little gain &...

Agreed! :devilish:

Is the float valve rubber/Viton in good condition? I there any fuel "varnish" , other crap, on valve tip/valve seat? 😈

What can I say? - Mechanical aptitude/knowhow used to be common - no longer.

Or a "Mr Funnel " combination funnel & filter that will also remove any free water in the fuel. Mr Funnel comes in various sizes. For the penny pinchers ; You can make any funnel into a filter funnel by using filter fabric or very fine brass gauze (hard to find these days). The fabric or gauze...

I almost never wash my mowers/decks. I use high pressure air to remove chaff (wet & dry). Why? Simple, wet vegetative matter starts to ferment/break down almost as soon as it has been cut. In this process it develops a highly corrosive liquid. The liquid will vigorously attack/corrode all...

I agree that all fuel is potentially contaminated ("dirty" is a bit of an over statement). Carburetted systems are able to tolerate significant particle size ie as long as particles are smaller than smallest jet aperture, they will pass through. This is why you should take advise from...

EFI engines need "cleaner" fuel than carburetted engines. When it comes to talking filters its almost a chalk & cheese scenario - ie don't mix them FI systems usually require significantly finer (smaller micron) filters. Most often metal casing. Higher cost. Often quite a large filter to allow...

My point is: Replacing an opaque filter at regular intervals, does not allow the maintainer to exercise judgement ie does it really need to be changed. If the maintainer/operator exercises good refuelling "hygiene" the inline filter may not need replacing for many years. Saving $ You will...

The video, posted by MParr, is not very helpful. Pleated filter media can do a good job , however it is hard to judge the degree of material caught/blockage and there is the ever present risk of the media breaking down and entering the carburettor. Use a gauze filter medium. Opaque filter casing...

Very few people in Australia bother with catching clippings. It may be our soil/grass types/environment but the clippings, on the surface, only seem to be around for about a day or two. My assumption - the various biological entities (worms/beetles/fungi/etc) consume the clippings. :devilish:

If the engine manufacturer does not specify, I would suggest a filter micron anywhere from 50-120. My feeling would be one more towards the 100 Reasons: The engines fuel delivery system will be able to handle a certain particle size without damage or blocking. No point in filtering out these...

How many of you have actually made comparative observations of before blade sharpening & after: How does your lawn look How hard did your mower work My bet - you will not be able to tell the difference and if you imagine you can, it will be minimal. Reality - There is no doubt that the mower...

"Straight weight oils like 30HD and 40HD have gone out of popularity. The biggest issue involving straight weight oils is the warmup time required to get the oil heat actually circulating efficiently." Partly correct; Multi grade oils do indeed act like a lower viscosity oil when cold, allowing...

To be able to make an informed decision about the performance of a filter, the following link gives you the idea of what may be involved; https://www.kitplanes.com/oil-filter-testing/ Anything less is just speculation :devilish:

"I hate China for its human rights issues, slave and forced labor, aggressiveness, dumping plastics into the open oceans, unfettered environmental issues, and dumping junk into our markets at a loss to undercut US manufacturers." Wow! Do you realise, that what you "hate" is, in a broad sense...

The only bad oil filter is one that overly restricts/stops the oil flow. Even an empty canister will not heart your engine for the duration of a service period. Will my oil filter; Remove contaminants - The only way to know this for sure, is by third party empirical testing. When did you see an...

No offence intended Tiger but your logic is wanting. Oil (all engine) filters are made all over the developed World, to engine maker specifications, branded (ie painted, serial number, etc) according to the contract (Engine maker, Filter Supply Company, etc). Price & adherence to design...

Thoughts On The Matter: Problem with filters (especially the spin-on/enclosed kind) is that the end user (us) do not have the equipment, technical expertees to make an informed judgement as to how effective the filter is. As others have noted, where the filter is made has little bearing on its...

Thanks Guys, Took my old belt in to my local mower shop. They agree with your part numbers/size HOWEVER the old belt is significantly shorter than the original belt DESPITE being was too loose, when not connected to engine/PTO. It may be that the only solution, to the belt coming off, is the...

Thanks ILENGINE - what of the dimensions/specifications for the belt? :devilish:

I have an old Toro Wheel Horse 17.44 HXL Model No.71283, Serial No. 240000104 - Deck may be a Model No.79107 - mows a great lawn. This mower was gifted to me, to use as parts - couldn't help myself - got her going and glad of it. Cutter deck belt needs replacing. Not sure but think Toro Part...

For all intents and purposes air is a fluid & for the most part behaves as one. Fluids, vary in their compressibility - air is relativly compressible compared with say oil. Pneumatic systems behave much like hydraulic. ILENGINE's reply is the correct one :devilish:

As a retired agriculturalist, I am wondering about a tractor tire that is being inflated to 60 psi ??? Could be some sort of loader I suppose. :devilish:

Follow up report? :devilish:

First check that you have the correct dipstick for your engine: With most vertical shaft B&S engines, you can check the dipstick for correct length & Min/Max markings . Just hold the dip stick vertical on the outside of the holder/tube, cap at the lock/screw down position, the Max mark should...

"flange pattern (should be the same)" If your a bit handy, a diffrent pattern shape/size, need not stop you. NOTE; You must still end up with, the new engine, pto shaft (crank extension) in the same position as the original :devilish:

I agree with the possibility of a blocked fuel tank cap breather - follow above suggestions Fuel filter; If access to compressed air, try blowing the filter out in the reverse direction of flow. Refit and see if you get a better flow from tank (into clean jar) Replace fuel filter - I have...

Try this; https://www.kawasaki-engines.eu/en/support/technical-information/technical-downloads/?f_series=FD&f_model=FD731V :devilish:

In cooler climates multigrades have the advantage over mono's for the very reason you have mentioned. Multigrades are less viscous at lower temperatures than monos, so offer less resistance to cranking (easier faster starting) and better cold engine circulation. Cold weather also reduces the...

Interesting! In Australia - Up until probably the last 10 years, 10W/40, 15W/40, even 20W/40 was probably the most popular mineral multigrade in both petrol & diesel engines. Most small air-cooled engines used a straight (mono grade) W30. They all seemed to do the job. It's all changed now with...

"Ah, very weak frames and a common issue...run er" By "runer", do you mean chassis rails?:devilish:

HaHa! I may be an amature sheet metal worker but no the problem is elsewhere. If I take the bonnet/hood off the engine looks crooked. As the mower is working well I don't realy want to disassemble the whole thing just to fix what is an aesthetic annoyance. I wish I could post photos on this...

Who said the "hood is still intact" - It sort of is - I have replaced the front with sheat metal, riveted on and the broken plastic top vent with an aluminium one. Toro goes a lot faster now :devilish:

This is a Toro Wheel Horse 17.44 HXL - I apologise for not giving the full details at the start. Still cutting a great lawn. Still looking a bit "wonky" from the front - wife (main user) loves it :devilish:

Good on ya! Your making a living out of what people want and I support you 100% in that. Most domestic ride on users, would be hard put to see any difference in power required and quality of cut. Quality of cut - sharp blade may cut a little cleaner at the magnifying glass inspection level- who...

No probs mate - sharpen away. I hope the sharpening contributes to your income because I don't believe it does a thing for the lawn. As I said earlier - I do not know of any professional gardeners/lawn mowing contractors that sharpen their mower blades and they seem to be able to deliver some...

This is news to me. Most grasses have evolved to tolerate considerable damage by grazing animals. Lawn grasses in particular have been selected to tolerate frequent "damage" from mowing without undue stress. As a retired farmer, I know that we depend on the condition of our grass to raise...

Sorry if repeating another's earlier comment; There can be no doubt that sharpening mower blades, will improve performance by reducing the hp required to do the job. BUT THIS MUST BE BALANCED BY KNOWING THAT: Sharpening requires the removal of blade material, vastly reducing the life of the...

So have you checked out the thermocouples, as suggested in #15??? :devilish: