5 COMMMON TRACTOR LAWN MOWER ISSUES

After a winter in storage, your riding lawn mower may not work as well as you’d like it to. While it’s a good idea to get professional help when you notice something’s not working, it helps to be informed about common issues. Here are six tractor lawn mower issues you may encounter and what you should do about them.

1. It won’t start
   This problem can be caused by a malfunctioning starter, a faulty spark plug or a clogged carburetor. If you have them on hand, you can use an ohmmeter and a plug tester to test the functionality of the starter and plugs. If that’s not the issue, check the carburetor: it can become clogged if old fuel gets left in the tank for a long time and evaporates. If this turns out to be the issue, drain the old fuel and clean everything.

2. It’s spewing smoke
   A riding mower that’s belching out a cloud of oily-smelling smoke may be alarming, but the problem is often just a clogged air filter. All you need to do is check yours and replace it if it’s blocked. Cut grass and debris can often clog them.

3. It’s noisy, rough
   If your engine is noisier than usual, inspect your fan belt. If it’s damaged, it could be the cause of the noise. You should also lubricate the motor and ensure that there aren’t any loose parts. These could vibrate, which causes noise and can do damage down the road.

4. It jerks
   A rough, jerky ride is often due to a clogged carburetor or damage to the flywheel after running over a tree root or a rock.

5. It’s not cutting grass
   A mower that’s not cutting may be caused by a damaged blade belt. If this is the case, it will need to be replaced by a professional. If you notice that the grass is uneven after cutting it, you should get your blades sharpened or replaced.

Landscaping equipment in the GTA

Whether you need a new lawn mower or want to get yours repaired, you can count on the experienced staff at Hitch City. Contact us today to learn more about the landscaping equipment we carry as well as our wide range of products and services.