Garden
My lawn tractor has lost power. The first 5-10 minutes of riding are ok – but significantly reduced power over my previous mowing (1 week ago). The power fades so drastically it barely can move on anything but a flat surface. I put new spark plugs in it — no difference.
Any ideas what could be wrong ?
Any ideas what could be wrong ?
Experienced gardeners share their insights in answering this question :
Is the engine speed ok but the mower speed slowing down check the belt tension
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 :
You Lose Power in the Middle of Mowing:
Here`s why this happens and what you can do: Dirty Air Filter on Your Lawn Mower: Clean or replace. Dirty Spark Plug: Clean or replace. Build Up of Clippings & Debris: Clean underside of your lawn mower deck as noted above.
Replace dirty or clogged fuel filter. Replace old gas with fresh gas (properly dispose of old gas). Check oil level and add if low. Adjust cutting height of mower before cutting tall grass.
Check for bent or damaged belt idler brackets, a missing, broken, or worn idler tension spring, and service as needed. If these do not resolve the situation, the problem may be with internal components of the transmission.
When a spark plug becomes fouled, the tips become coated with fuel, carbon, oil or dirt. This interference limits the ignition power needed for mowing on level or uphill surfaces. Maintain your spark plugs by changing them every season or regularly removing and cleaning the tips.
If it`s clogged, the combustion chamber may not be getting enough oxygen, resulting in a too-rich fuel mixture that will cause the engine to run poorly and even spew smoke. The solution is to change the air filter, a relatively easy task. Blue and white smoke is the result of oil on the engine.
The spark plugs are worn or damaged
If you find that your lawnmower keeps dying, or keeps stalling while cutting grass, then inspect the spark plugs. Look for signs of damage or wear. Something as simple as a cracked porcelain insulator can mean an electrode has been damaged or burned away.
Anything that restricts fuel from entering the cylinder will cause a loss of power if the engine requires more fuel than is injected. Clogged fuel injectors create a cascade of problems. Deposits can build up on the injectors over time from heat soak or poor fuel.
A full gas tank and oil reservoir are the essential first steps when checking why the lawn mower won`t stay running, but the problem could also be a dirty filter, clogged carburetor, improper fuel mixture, or a dirty spark plug.
The exception may be some Cub Cadet, Husqvarna and John Deere lawn tractors intended for commercial use, which are designed to go for 400-500 hours.
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.
Try replacing the fuel filter; a clogged one will make the mower run sluggishly. Alternatively, check the spark plug. A spark plug that`s outlived its usefulness can cause a sluggish start. Pull the spark plug out, clean it off and reinstall it in the mower.
Changing the Spark Plug and Air Filter are good ideas, and are general maintenance items. The carb cleaner could also be sprayed into the carb through the intake. If those items dont restore power, there is a good chance your motor`s compression is low – and you need to rebuild it.
A dirty air filter is one of the most common causes of a poorly running lawn mower, since it starves the engine of the oxygen needed for combustion. Fuel Filter: Check the fuel filter on the mower to make sure it`s clean, and replace it if needed.
If your lawn mower starts, runs for a while, then dies, check the ignition coil, gas cap, and spark plug. One or more of these parts could be causing your problem. Follow our repair and symptom guide to help you fix this.
Condensation inside the gas tank is one culprit, but moisture can also enter the system through a loose or ill fitting gas cap. The best solution is to drain the mower`s gas tank and refill it with fresh gasoline. A clogged fuel filter can also cause a mower engine to die.
If your lawn mower starts, runs for a while, then dies, check the ignition coil, gas cap, and spark plug. One or more of these parts could be causing your problem. Follow our repair and symptom guide to help you fix this.
Discover Relevant Questions and Answers for Your Specific Issue
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
PTO will not engage on my 0 turn Cub Cadet RZT 50. What should I check and how do I check it?
ANSWER : See if the switch is getting power to it and if it is see if the clutch is getting power. it needs 12 volts in order to engage.
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Cub Cadet zero turn. Cannot get the blades to turn when PTO switch is pulled. Belts are fine and attached. Please help.
John
John
ANSWER : I had the same problem. there was a short in the relay just before the wire gets to to back pulley assembly.
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Where is the fuse – Cub Cadet LTX 1042 KW 42" 18HP Kawasaki Lawn Tractor – 13WG93AS010
ANSWER : Behind the dash panel at top of dash there is only one fuse
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Cub cadet 1050 changed oil now its wants me to change oil again and it smokes really bad now to much oil or too little
ANSWER : The 1050 holds 57.5 oz slightly less than 2 qts 64 oz. the filler stick is marked. shiould be over the add mark not over the full mark
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How to speed up reverse – Cub Cadet Op's Manual Model Lt1042 Lt1045 Lt1046 Lt1050
ANSWER : Only way is to change pulley size on pump / has built in gear
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I have a cub cadet 2165 I just put in a new battery and it is slow turning over any ideas?
ANSWER : If battery is good and everything is hooked up right. Most likely could be the pto clutch bearing. Not the bearing on the pulley but on the clutch inside. Had the same problem, took the spark plugs out got it free. Turned over easy with plugs out, Started right up after and then burned up my bearing. Don’t burn up bearing. If do field assy. For that is 200$ if you can get away with just that. Otherwise 350-400$ for full assy.
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Cub cadet lt1042 will not back-up a small hill
ANSWER : Change your hydrstatic fluid and filter
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PTO WONT COME ON – Cub Cadet Street Sign- tractor lawn riding mower parts
ANSWER : Cub cad rzt 50 o turn, pto will not come up deck,…..replaced both pto button ,safety switch that were bad, does the keys switch send power to the pto button , if so how can u check for for bad key switch thanks
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