Poor Engine Performance

Fuel:

· Dirt in fuel system or fuel is old. Replace fuel with fresh stabilized fuel. Obtain fuel from another supplier before suspecting machine problems. Suppliers blend fuels differently and changing suppliers will generally solve any performance problems

· Fuel blended with alcohol or ether may contribute to performance problems by causing gum and varnish deposits, especially if fuel is stored for several weeks or more. Obtain fresh fuel.

Engine Will Not Start

· Brake is not pushed down.

· PTO lever switch is in ON position.

· Fuse is blown.

· Spark plug wire is loose or disconnected.

· Spark plug not gapped correctly.

Engine Is Hard To Start

· Fuel filter is gummed or plugged.

· Spark plug is fouled.

· Faulty spark plug or wire.

· Spark plug is not gapped correctly.

· Loose or corroded electrical connections.

· Stale fuel.

· Choke adjusted incorrectly.

Engine Misses Under Load

· Faulty spark plug.

· Stale fuel.

Engine Vapor Locks

· Fuel tank vent plugged.

· Dirt in fuel filter.

Engine Runs Unevenly (Surges)

· Cooling fins plugged.

· Loose electrical connections.

· Choke or throttle cable sticking.

Engine Overheats

· Air cleaner element plugged.

· Engine air intake screen plugged.

· Engine oil low.

· Model 345: Radiator cooling fins plugged.

· Engine operated too long at slow engine speed.

Engine Will Not Idle

· Spark plug not gapped correctly.

· Faulty spark plug.

Engine Loses Power

· Engine overheating.

· Too much oil in engine.

· Dirty air cleaner.

· Faulty spark plug.

· Travel speed is too fast for conditions.

Engine Knocks

· Stale or low octane fuel.

· Low engine speed.

· Engine overloaded.

Engine Backfires

· Faulty spark plug.

Tractor Vibrates Too Much

· Attachment drive belts worn or damaged.

· Dirt on drive sheaves.

Tractor Will Not Move With Engine Running

· Parking brake locked.

· Transmission hydraulic oil level low.

Tractor Moves With Engine Running And Foot Pedals In Neutral

· Linkage out of adjustment.

Tractor Rolls Or Freewheels On An Incline With Engine On Or Off And Pedals In Neutral

· Normal situation. Always set parking brake

Starter Does Not Work Or Will Not Turn Engine

· Brake pedal not down.

· PTO lever switch is in on position.

· Battery terminals corroded.

· Battery dead or low charge.

Battery Will Not Charge

· Dead cell in battery.

·

Low engine speed or excessive idling.

·

Battery cables and terminals dirty.

Discharge Chute Plugged

· Travel speed too fast.

· Grass too long.

· Grass too wet.

· Engine rpm not at wide open throttle.

· Restricted air flow.

· Belt installed incorrectly.

Patches Of Grass Uncut

· Travel speed too fast.

· Engine rpm not at wide open throttle.

· Mower deck needs cleaning.

Belt Slipping

· Debris in sheaves.

· Worn belt.

Too Much Vibration

· Debris on mower deck or in sheaves.

· Damaged drive belt.

· Damaged sheaves or sheaves out of alignment.

· Blades out of balance.

Blades Scalping Grass

· Cutting too low.

· Mower wheels not adjusted correctly.

· Turning speed too fast.

· Ridges in terrain.

· Rough or uneven terrain.

· Low tire pressure.

Mower Loads Down Tractor

· Engine rpm too low.

· Travel speed too fast.

· Debris wrapped around mower spindles.

Uneven Cut

· Mower deck not leveled properly.

· Travel speed too fast.

· Blades dull.

· Mower wheels not adjusted correctly.

· Tire pressure unequal.

Grass Tips Are Jagged And Turn Grayish Brown After Mowing

· Dull mower blades.

· Mower deck not leveled properly.

Mower (Or Other Attachment) Stops When Reverse Foot Pedal Is Depressed And Attachment Is Engaged

· Normal condition. (See Using Reverse Implement Option in the OPERATING Section.)