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 :

Your lawn mower turning over but not starting due to several reasons, such as a faulty or disconnected plug, a disconnected spark plug wire, a clogged air filter, or a contaminated fuel tank. A faulty carburetor, a dirty cutting deck, or a dysfunctional flywheel brake can also cause this.
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.

Possible cause 1: In some models, when you tip the mower, fuel can leak into the carbon in the cap, which restricts the venting of the fuel system. This can cause the engine not to start, or only run for a few minutes, then quit. POSSIBLE SOLUTION: Leave the cap to dry out or replace it with a new lawn mower cap.
Use Carburetor Cleaner

Fortunately, you can generally do this without even taking the carburetor out of the engine. Start by purchasing some commercial lawnmower carburetor cleanerOpens a new window, which comes in a simple spray can and will make it easy to clean the inside and outside of the carb.

A Dirty Carburetor Can Cause a Lawnmower To Start Then Die

By far, the most common issue that causes a stalled motor is a dirty carburetor. The carburetor on your engine is the thing that draws in air and mixes it with the fuel.

Fuel for your lawn mower or outdoor power equipment must meet these requirements: Clean, fresh, unleaded. A minimum of 87 octane/87 AKI (91 RON); If operating at high altitude, see below. Gasoline with up to 10% ethanol (gasohol) or up to 15% MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl ether), is acceptable.
Clogged or Dirty Air Filters

It is one of the most common problems that cause lawnmowers to sputter. The mowers take the air from the surrounding through air filters and mix it with fuel inside the engine. So, if the air filter is clogged or dirty, it will affect the flow of air into the carburetor.

Usually a rapid clicking noise is a good indication that your starter motor isn`t getting enough electrical current to engage – basically your solenoid is trying to engage but can`t make the connection.
Use carburetor cleaner to remove deposits, clogs & debris

Luckily, you can take care of many of these problems quickly and easily; often without even removing the carburetor from the engine.

With engine running:

Spray down and around the carburetor throat to remove deposits from the throttle plate area. Do not spray down carburetor throat with engine off. Do not spray below throttle plate.

WD-40 Multi-use Product is ideal for cleaning spark plugs. Spray WD-40 Multi-use Product on a microfiber cloth and rub over the spark plug. You can even spray WD-40 directly on the spark plug & then wipe it down using a soft, clean cloth.
A dirty or fouled spark plug can cause your lawn mower to not start. It can also work itself loose, causing issues. If the spark plug appears to be seated correctly but the engine doesn`t start, a new one may be in order. For a few dollars, this easy fix can get your small engine working again.
Your lawn mower runs for 30 minutes then dies if you are having issues such as a bad spark plug, air problems, a malfunctioning carburetor, or a faulty gas cap. You may even encounter the issue that your lawn mower runs for 5 minutes then dies.
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.
Lawn mowers are built to withstand the abuse that comes from the tasks it performs. The build-up of dirt, mud, and grime that accumulates from using your mower can be easily cleaned with a blast from a pressure washer.
Each time you mow, do it in a different direction. If you always cut your lawn using the same pattern, not only will you end up sending your brain straight to snoozeville, but your grass will start to lean in the direction you mow and you may even end up with ruts in the lawn.
If an operator of the lawnmower is not careful, it can cause serious injury to the hands. Lawnmowers are made to cut, and if a hand gets in the way trying to dislodge something that is “stuck” or the like, the blades of the lawnmower can cut through the skin and bones of the hand.
Tighten the spark plug finger-tight until the gasket reaches the cylinder head, then tighten about ½ – ⅔ turn more with a spark plug wrench. (Taper seat: About 1/16 turn more.)
RAY: If your mower uses a 12-volt battery, use the jumper cables as you would when starting another car. Hook the positive cable to the positive terminal of the car battery. Then connect the other end of that cable to the positive terminal of the mower battery.
You can jump-start a riding mower with a car. Most mowers operate a 12-volt system. Put the jumpers on in sequences 1, 2, 3, 4, and start your mower.
Two-stroke (or 2-cycle) engines require a mixture of fuel and oil be added to the fuel tank. This mixture results in both engine combustion and lubrication. Operating a 2-Stroke engine on gasoline alone will result in engine failure.
If the filter gets clogged, you will likely encounter issues with your lawnmower. This can be something as simple as an annoying sputter when you try to start the mower, difficulty getting it started, or it can cause the mower to idle unevenly.
Open the throttle quickly. You should see the accelerator pump system discharge a squirt of fuel into each primary barrel. The flow should continue for a few seconds after the throttle valve reaches the wide-open throttle position. If not, the accelerator pump system is defective.

Discover Relevant Questions and Answers for Your Specific Issue

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

42 inch mower cuts uneven, what is the problem?
ANSWER : Several things here could be the problem. Check to see if mower deck is level, measure distance on both side on a level surface. Check tire’s for low air. If you’ve replace the mandrel’s lately, some have a left & right side & if not put back together properly this will cause uneven cutting

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Uneven grass cutting
ANSWER : I have seen dull blades, blades not installed right and an un-level deck cause that.Hope this helps.

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Seems to start easily run for a few minutes and then slow and stop–bulb remains full –gas is good–have tried half choke in case too lean–did not solve–also seems possibly related to the angle I hold it at–seems to cut out quicker if blower tube angled more downward.
ANSWER : Your filter may be hanging up in the tank. you also my be losing compression

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Cranks up and runs fine ,then starts cutting out then runs fine and starts cutting out again
ANSWER : I am no pro but my suggestion to you is if you have changed your spark plug recently check the gap on it and make sure it is right and make sure is the right spark plug for it. Also check the oil if it is low the motor as it gets hot will start to sputter or if it has to much oil it will have an air lock and blow you Lhead gasket after a while. Another thing to check is the air filter to make sure it is clean and check the timing with this if you don’t trust your self ask an repair expert for your brand of mower.

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The blades are cutting unevenly – Craftsman 17.5 hp 42 in. Deck Lawn Tractor – CA Model
ANSWER : I know this will sound a little crazy, but check the air pressure in you tires. My neighbor had the same problem. The tires looked okay until he sat on the mower. One of the rear tires was low which caused the mower to sit lower on one side. Next check the linkages on the deck to make sure they are hooked up and haven’t fell off.

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Bad Clutch?? 455 rancher 20″ bar) I have owned it for two years and cut tons of fire wood with it. I recently replaced the oil pump. Yesterday I’m cutting oak like butter. Chain saw is cutting fine.. For no apparent reason it starts struggling to cut. I figure I hit something with the chain. I go to sharpen and notice that the clutch it’s red hot. I take it apart clean it up sharpen it up put it back together fire it up and start to cut. It starts to cut on angle and has no power?? runs fine revving it but will not cut?? What do you think?
ANSWER : Hi Before other checking change the spring of the clutch(2). best regards savumihai71

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Mt999 chainsaw. Brand new. Not cutting through wood although blade rotating. Just seems to be burning wood.
ANSWER : Shouldnt be using a chainsaw if you cant figure the chain is on wrong…….just saying…

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My Husqvarna 128cd weedeater would run with choke on but not in the run position. Sometimes it would run in the run position but would not stay running. I had it running and then it cut off. I now cannot get it to crank at all. Any ideas
ANSWER : More than likely a fueling issue, wrong fuel air mix or air leak somewhere

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