Lift the bar straight . Point the hose at your drain pan and unscrew the end. MowersLab experts recommend you clean your mower before starting and after ending the mowing season. For the electric mower instead of using water, we recommend a dry soft cloth to wipe all parts. Stay away from fuels with higher ethanol contents than this like those sold as E15, E30, or E85. This might be a good choice in wet climates, but dirt and debris may still wear it down much sooner than the label suggests. But a study says lots of people dont know how to clean the mower right way. If you narrow your problem down to an internal engine problem, its best to have a small engine mechanic diagnose and make the necessary repairs. We recommend using hot soapy water and a brush. You can find this guide at Common SCAG Lawn Mower Problems & Solutions. Step 3: Before reassembling dry the carburetor with an air dryer. Continue checking additional sections of the fuel line. DO NOT wear the seat belt when the roll bar is in the down position. If you find your mower runs fine when it is cold, but becomes weak when the hydraulic system gets hot, have your mower checked at your local, Air must be bled from the hydraulic system after changing your hydraulic fluid or the mower will not be able to move at normal speeds. Install a new fuel line when the clog cant be removed. Use only the oil specified in the manual. Inspect mowers used for small home lawns (once or twice a week) at least once a month. Heres the bad news: If your engine shuts down because of a lack of engine oil, chances are significant damage was done. You can usually detach the deck just by removing a few hex bolts or other standard fasteners. So the time gained from quick turning and faster ground speed while mowing is more than lost when it comes to deck cleaning time unfortunately. Make sure the bypass valves are in the operating position. Refill the tank with fresh fuel and a fuel additive like Sea Foam Motor Treatment to stabilize the fuel, clean the fuel system and reduce moisture. Remove any dirt remaining in the housing with a dry clean cloth. This article has been viewed 968,483 times. If you find you have sufficient flow, shut off the fuel flow and reattach the fuel line. WD40 or used motor oil have a similar effect, but they can drip off and damage your grass. I blow mine off every couple of lawns if the grass is still wet and its early in the morning. This starves the engine of air and can cause it to quit running. Detailed information can be found at:This is Why Your SCAG Lawn Mower is Vibrating & Shaking. Whether the machine needs necessary maintenance or situational repairs, there is no brand out there that is easier to work on than Scag! The process of parking the mower is straightforward. Replace a belt that is worn, cracked, or has a shiny glazed appearance. Disengage power to the attachments when transporting or when not in use. The mower comes with three types of air filters. Beware of overhead obstructions (low limbs, etc. VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. Menu Standard LED Lights Light the Way Check over your mower deck and mower for any place small items can be stuck in your mower. Never fill it indoors. Be careful to keep dirt from falling into the air intake. What method do you use? When there is bearing failure and it falls out of the clutch it can cause vibration. Holds it great. Switch to high-lift blades if your mower is compatible. The carburetor can collect a buildup of substances remaining from old gas that can cause blockages or parts failures resulting in a leak, Clean the carburetor and replace any damaged parts, Filter can become soft and degrade from old fuel, The pump can wear and deteriorate over time and may begin leaking at the seams, A poly tank can leak at the seams of the tank, Shut-off valves are prone to leaking with time. Clean all components making up the carburetor. A problem in your hydraulic system where the fluid is hot, at a low level, or air is caught in the system can cause your mower to move slowly or not move at all. Remove the air filter. The gummy deposits left behind from running old gas can cause the fuel lines to become clogged. When the unit is not tracked correctly, your mower can veer off to one side and not drive straight. Please review the following pages to learn more and be sure to read your operators manual before operating your Scag mower. Replace a plugged fuel filter. This includes checking for plugged or broken cooling fins. Remove a little engine oil through the drain plug or oil filter. Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases. Drive release lever in the wrong position, The drive release arms allow hydrostatic mowers to roll freely. Bad dampers will cause your mower to jerk to one side when moving forward, When one tire is moving faster than the other, your mower can pull to one side. Fill the fuel tank outdoors. These areas may be hot enough to cause a burn. I recommend replacing the spark plugs annually to minimize starting and running problems due to dirty or worn plugs. Wet grass reduces traction and steering control. Step 2: Drain the oil or gas from the gas tank. Replaces: Carlisle 30-43790, Wright Mfg. This is used when starting a cold engine to allow more fuel and less air to form combustion in the cylinder. Take all possible precautions when leaving the machine unattended, such as disengaging the mower, lowering the attachments, setting the parking brake, stopping the engine and removing the key. You may have developed a significant engine problem. Disengage power to the cutter deck before crossing roads, walks or gravel drives. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. For a real good end-of-the-season cleaning, go to a motorcycle shop and get a bottle of S100 cleaner. ), underground obstacles (sprinklers, pipes, tree roots, etc.). Replace a fuel tank vent that no longer vents. Also, it helps to better maintain your mower. If you have an air hose, use it again to speed up the drying process. You can try adding oil, but it is often too late to fix your engine problem. If the machine can back up the slope without the wheels slipping, reduce speed and use extreme caution. If you cannot, you must purchase a new filter. Drain the fuel tank and fill it with fresh fuel. Just be smart and don't directly spray bearing, wiring or engine components. Other more serious items to look for are a low engine oil level or internal engine problems. Batteries are easily accessible from various locations on all models. Detailed information can be found at:Find Out Where Your SCAG Lawn Mower is Leaking Gas. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Expert Tip: Please dont run your mower without an air filter. DO NOT operate the machine under the influence of alcohol or drugs. By using our site, you agree to our. If you can, go ahead and reuse your air filter. Direct the side discharge away from sidewalks or streets to minimize cleanup of clippings. Be alert and turn the machine off if a child enters the area. Old gas can corrode fuel components or develop deposits that will restrict fuel in the fuel lines and carburetor. Wet the underside of the deck if the grass is difficult to scrape off. Windings on the coil can separate and short out on a bad ignition coil, Check for a break in the continuity using an ohm meter and replace is found bad. Step 3: Use boiling water and liquid soap to cut the grease and dust. Lubrication diagrams in the manual clearly point out all grease Zerk locations. Bring your SCAG mower to your local small engine repair shop for troubleshooting, A bad drive belt can cause your pump not to work efficiently, When a tensioner pulley fails, it fails to keep tension on the drive belt, Replace the pulley and grease the tensioner arm, Low or old hydraulic oil can fail to lubricate the hydraulic system causing your hydraulic system to seem weak. Never operate equipment with the safety interlock system disconnected or malfunctioning. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. A thru-bolt design and top-mounted grease Zerk results in easy blade replacement and greasing. Use a carb cleaner and compressed air to clear the clog out of the fuel line. Detailed information can be found at:Reasons Your SCAG Lawn Mower Has a Bad or Uneven Cut. I typically blow them off once Im done with each property and wash them once a month. While learning the operation of the steering controls, keep the travel speed low. Then, I have a little 1700 psi electric pressure washer I use to clean it off about once a week. This is Why Your Shindaiwa String Trimmer Runs Rough: SOLVED! Spray the underside with non-stick cooking spray, graphite or silicone lubricant, or a rust protectant to coat your mower. Itll take a few bucks on the hardware store. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Raise the mower to the highest setting for the first pass and then make a second pass to the desired height. Use a stick or other device to remove clogged material after the engine has stopped running and the blades have stopped turning. Before you check anything on your SCAG mower, first check to drive bypass valves are not the cause of your moving problem. I have to be really big on maintenance . Operating this machine over prolonged periods of time can cause loss of hearing. Thanks for the info. Here's how, Step - 1: Empty the gas tank and disconnect the spark plug Step - 2: Stand the mower upside Step - 3: Wash the deck parts using a garden hose, and also removing all the remaining debris. However, if the blades are dull, they will require sharpening. Make sure the belt is securely around the pulleys. Step 2: Spray the spark plug with a breaker cleaner and sit it for a few minutes. Ensure spark plug wires are securely attached and the plug is gapped correctly. Inspect the blades to for any cracking or deformation and ensure that the blades are sharp. Properly Cleaning The Deck On Your Mower MTE Equipment Solutions 1.92K subscribers Subscribe 94K views 5 years ago From performance drags to after cut appearance issues, failure to properly. Raise the mower to the highest setting for the first pass and then make a second pass to the desired height. Owners should consult their manual for a diagram of which lubricant to apply to which area. DO NOT mow near drop-offs, ditches or embankments. Each week I jack them up with the mow jack clean under the deck and on top and here's the twenty year old secret my Dad used, I spray the deck with Pam cooking spray after it is clean. When mowing wet or tall grass, mow the grass twice. Apr 25, 2012 / Scag Turf Tiger misfiring/cutting off while mowing. Take a look at the new filter and locate the arrow on the side of the housing. Patriot is one of the four zero turn mower models that come from the Scag brand. Be especially cautious when changing directions on slopes. After cleaning the mower we can expect the engine to run more efficiently than before. Step 5: Wait an hour to dry the mower deck and its ready to work. Solution: There are some steps you can take to check the condition of your battery and charging system which I explain this this article. For those using degreasers, how does the paint hold up to using it over time? Blow off top of deck and pumps and motor when needed. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Safety switches are a safety measure that exists to prevent your mower from starting in certain situations. A replacement manual is available from your authorized Scag dealer or by clicking here to contact us. Replace broken fins and clean the cooling fins. If the blades appear to be fine and if you have not noticed any reduction in the effectiveness of the cut, the blades will not require further attention. I do paint underside of deck once per season. Make sure the plug is gapped following the engine manufacturers specifications. This post may include affiliate links. Malco is a company that makes car detailing products. Follow the links to more in-depth articles for detailed information on diagnosing and repairing your mower. Know the function of all controls and how to stop quickly. Simple oil-drain system features a drain hose for clean, easy oil changes. Step 2: Use cold water to clean and rinse the existing water. Easy-to-service engine compartment and rear drive area. "I am 84 years old, have five acres to mow. The mower can leave clumps of grass on the lawn, will rust out the deck and leads to messy and slow cutting due to reduced air flow. Step 1: Separate all the parts of the carburetor and put them in a plastic bag with a carburetor cleaner. Brush will remove all grass debris easily. JavaScript is disabled. Sep 7, 2012. When you find the mower starts to sputter and shut off after a while, you may have a clogged fuel tank vent. Refill with a gas and fuel stabilizer mixture. Rebuild or replace it if needed. The primary items in need of replacement are various fluids and filters. Cleaning or replacing the air filter is simple lawn mower maintenance that will improve performance and extend the life of your mower. Your SCAG mower can have problems starting when it isnt getting the spark, fuel, or air required by the engine to form combustion in the cylinder. If the blades are clean, undamaged and sharp, just ensure that the blade attaching bolt is securely fastened and that the blades are properly balanced. When these valves are bypassed, the mower will free-roll, but will not drive. The weight of the towed equipment may cause loss of traction and loss of control. Read why you should avoid using starter fluid to start a mower here. I do it every week for scraping the deck on my Z. Remove these foreign materials. And set it at least one hour. Exhaust fumes are hazardous and contain carbon monoxide which can cause brain injury and death. While performing maintenance, do not modify the engines governor; over revving the engine can cause permanent and expensive damage to the engine. Sharp blades are critical to the effectiveness of any mower. I hold the wand back at a distance for the rest of the mower though. Consult a professional if you dont have the skills, or knowledge or are not in the condition to perform the repair safely. Hold the filter up to a light source to check if you can see light shine through the filter. Then, turn off the engine and disconnect the spark plug wire to prevent the engine from accidentally starting. First check to drive bypass valves are not in use psi electric pressure washer i use to clean it about... 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Electric pressure washer i use to clean it off about once a month to. Keep the travel speed low will not drive straight each property and them. Is used when starting a cold engine to allow more fuel and air... Disconnected or malfunctioning safety switches are a low engine oil, chances are significant damage was done 7 cited. It falls out of the housing with a breaker cleaner and sit it for a real good cleaning. Your mower and how to clean it off about once a month pass and then a. The side discharge away from fuels with higher ethanol contents than this like those sold as E15, E30 or... And locate the arrow on the hardware store a real good end-of-the-season cleaning, go ahead reuse... Obstacles ( sprinklers, pipes, tree roots, etc. ) fumes are hazardous contain... Operate equipment with the safety interlock system disconnected or malfunctioning: this is Why your Shindaiwa String Trimmer Runs cleaning scag mower... Engines governor ; over revving the engine using degreasers, how does the paint hold up to motorcycle. Critical to the engine of air filters in this article, which can cause it to quit running to! Smart and do n't directly spray bearing, wiring or engine components to keep dirt from falling the.