Garden

How to Identify and Fix Common Gardening Problems ?

We provide a variety of viewpoints on how to identify and fix common gardening problems. Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced gardeners :

Check the drive belt that is located just above the mower deck. Follow the belt as it wraps around the deck and to pulleys under the engine and the rear tires. Make sure the belt is secured to the pulleys, because if it is not, then the belt (and thus the mower) will not move. If the belt looks broken, replace it.
A common cause of belt breakage is excessive grass clippings on the deck. Grass clippings can work their way under pulleys and deck covers, causing series problems. Make sure to clean off your deck after every mower use and follow manufacturer recommendations.
The blade belt spins the blades to cut the grass. A worn or broken drive belt won`t spin the cutting blades so your mower won`t cut the grass. A worn blade belt can also cause mower deck vibration or uneven cuts. Examine the blade belt regularly and replace it if it`s worn or broken.
Check the pulleys that the mower drive belt rides on. Place your hand on the belt and push the belt down and toward the pulleys. Check on how the belt gives way to your pressure; it should not be loose enough to give way more than a few inches.
A perfectly tight mower belt can rotate without slipping off but not cause the engine to over-exert and overheat. If the belt does not slip off while working and is not producing unfavorable sounds that indicate wearing off of the belt, then that is the perfect tightness for it.
Home and Garden Geek adds that you should be able to loop one or two fingers over the same belt when the tractor is off and the belt is “engaged” and pull it gently away from the pullies. This translates to one or two pounds of force. If you need more than two fingers, your deck belt may be too tight.
The blade drive belt connects the engine pulley to the mower deck pulleys and spins the cutting blades.
Loose, Dirty or Disconnected Spark Plug in Your Lawn Mower: Check it out, clean off debris, re-connect and tighten. Dirty Air Filter: Clean or replace. Fuel Not Reaching the Engine: Tap the side of the carburetor to help the flow of gas. If this doesn`t work, you might need a new fuel filter.
What Are The Causes of Uneven Cuts from Your Lawn Mower. The causes of uneven cuts from your lawn mower are worn or dull blades, incorrect tire pressure, bent blades, or a clogged deck with grass. Also, due to the deck not being leveled, having an uneven spindle, or the belt may be in bad shape or at low speed.
An improperly routed belt can cause the engine to die when the blades are engaged. To check belt routing, lower the deck to its lowest setting and remove the belt guard by the drive pulley. Next, lift the belt over the pulley and remove the pins that support the deck at the rear.
Mower deck gauge wheels should be properly adjusted to prevent scalping grass on uneven terrain. The bottom of the wheels should sit approximately 1/8-1/2 of an inch from the ground, depending on your cutting height.
If the belt is too tight, it will cause excessive side loads and overheat the bearings. This in turn causes noise, decreased output and even the seizing of the alternator. If the belt is too loose, it will cause the alternator to slip. This slipping can cause the alternator and the battery to work harder.
A belt that`s too loose on a pulley will cause slippage, which leads to heat build up from friction. This heat will damage your rubber belts and cause the belts to crack and break. A belt that`s too tight can add stress to your bearings and cause your motor to over amp, leading to motor failure.
The reasons why mower is not moving forward or reverse is that the battery is dead, or due to clogged fuel line. Additionally, malfunctioning transmission, or a broken drive belt, also a faulty spark plug, even when friction wheel isn`t in contact with the friction plate, or damaged Tires.
Failure of any mechanical component, a broken hose, or clogged filter will cause tractor hydrostatic transmission problems. But the most common issue will be the oil itself. In the transmission section of your operator`s manual, you`ll find a section that covers oil viscosity.
Failure of any mechanical component, a broken hose, or clogged filter will cause tractor hydrostatic transmission problems. But the most common issue will be the oil itself. In the transmission section of your operator`s manual, you`ll find a section that covers oil viscosity.
Worn or broken blade drive belt – If the riding mower blades are not spinning, the blade drive belt may be worn or broken and unable to engage the blades. If the belt is intact, inspect it to see if it`s loose or slipping on the pulleys then replace it with a new one if necessary.
Loose, Dirty or Disconnected Spark Plug in Your Lawn Mower: Check it out, clean off debris, re-connect and tighten. Dirty Air Filter: Clean or replace. Fuel Not Reaching the Engine: Tap the side of the carburetor to help the flow of gas. If this doesn`t work, you might need a new fuel filter.
Loose, Dirty or Disconnected Spark Plug in Your Lawn Mower: Check it out, clean off debris, re-connect and tighten. Dirty Air Filter: Clean or replace. Fuel Not Reaching the Engine: Tap the side of the carburetor to help the flow of gas. If this doesn`t work, you might need a new fuel filter.

Discover Relevant Questions and Answers for Your Specific Issue

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

HOW DO I GHANGE THE DRIVE BELT ON A MURRAY RIDING MOWER
ANSWER : Http://www.ereplacementparts.com/ type in your model number all the diags you need, yours Henry

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Murray mower belt model 52431×92 – Craftsman 17.5 hp 42 in. Deck Lawn Tractor – CA Model
ANSWER : Get a 1/2″ x 92″ belt

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How to install drive belt murray lawn mower
ANSWER : You can go to www.murray.com , enter your model number and download an owners manual which will have the instructions and diagram on how to do it

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I need a diagram on how to fit a cutter deck belt for a murray sentinel 15.5/ 106. Belt number 037 x 88

Keith

ANSWER : The routing is usually pictured on the belt cover such as in your picture. If you send me the model no. to the rider, I will verify proper routing.

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Have a Murray Model # 40507X8A riding mower. Deck drive belt broke. I’m trying to find a manual or diagram to show how to replace belt.. Any help would be most appreciated. Where can I find a repair manual?
ANSWER : Http://www.ereplacementparts.com/ type in your model number all the diags you need, yours Henry

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How to start murray 188 lawn tractor – Craftsman 17.5 hp 42 in. Deck Lawn Tractor – CA Model
ANSWER : Need more info. what is it doing or not doing

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Need diagram to replace murray 42 inch cut belt
ANSWER : Http://www.ereplacementparts.com/ type in model number of your mower ie 40560x50c All parts and diags ypu need ,Yours Henry

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What is the diagram for traction belt routing
ANSWER : Go to this website, upper right hand corner and do a parts look up.
Search for your model and that good stuff they ask of you and then
choose mower housing should be there, browse the site it’s really cool
and has a lot of info. http://www.jackssmallengines.com
I did a
sample search for generic riding mower deck and found great diagram of
belt routing. Give it a try you will find same results Good Luck! Don’t forget the thumbs!

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