While ethanol may be okay to run in your car or truck, it is not good for the small engines used on zero-turn mowers. Take off the fuel line, and use a spray carburetor cleaner to clean the choke plate so that it can move freely. If your reading is less than 12.7 volts, place your battery on a battery charger. Lets dive into some fundamental troubleshooting and sustenance tips that will assist you in solving some of the essential hydraulic difficulties of your mower. Mowersandyardtools.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. This is very important for the longevity of your machine and appliance. Thats all the easy stuff checked; now well dig a bit deeper. What is the advantage of large rear wheels on a lawn mower? Read this article totest your charging system hereusing an ohm meter. With the bowl removed, remove the grips from the fuel line and check fuel flows from the carburetor; if not, move on to the fuel flow test. Fix: Check the mowers manual to be sure that you are using the machine properly so that you dont set off safety systems that can prevent your mower from starting. Your Toro zero-turn mower is equipped with an automatic parking system that puts the machine to a halt when you extend the levers outwards at the sides (like extending your arms). To diagnose a bad solenoid, you need to follow these steps: Use a voltmeter to ensure that the battery has at least 12.3 volts in it. On some auto choke models, customers complain about hot start flooding issues. Clean or replace the air filter if necessary this is also an easy fix that you can do yourself. If the fuel is left in the mower over the winter, the moisture collects in the carburetor. If you have a larger yard, however, this may not be as much of an issue. Check out, Is the bail lever on and working OK? Each of these three systems will have many components, any of which could be the problem. Its stamped on the body of the mower or on the engine. So best to remove the bowl and clean it thoroughly. Manual Choke On If you have a manual choke control,move the throttle lever to the full choke position to start a cold engine. Using gasoline with this high ethanol level can cause significant engine damage. If, after cleaning the bowl, the mower is still running rough, Check out Remove and clean carburetor. If you have good voltage, I would adjust the valves. If it is broken, it wont be able to function properly. With time, hydraulic oil loses its innocence because air and moisture pollute it. Make sure you install it correctly with the arrow on the filter pointed in the direction of the fuel flow. Therefore, the usage of correct fluid is significant because the engine and hydraulic system of your Toro Zero Turn is best consistent with distinct kinds of oil. 3. Fix: Use a fuel siphon pump to take out the old fuel from the tank. Toro mowers are fitted with Briggs & Stratton, Honda, and Kawasaki engines. This will clog up the carburetor which will fail to regulate the fuel that the engine receives, causing your engine not to start. Fix: Disassemble the carburetor and clean it with a carburetor cleaner. Shot Pour some fresh fuel into the carburetor, about a cap full. The rewind spring is responsible for recoiling the starter rope toward the pulley when the rope is pulled and released. This is caused by old gas, a bad spark plug, plugged air filter, plugged fuel filter, a clogged fuel line, a dirty carburetor, a bad starter solenoid, a bad gas cap, and a bad battery. First, make sure that the battery is fully charged. Toro list these as possible causes for your mower not moving: 1. Bought Titan Model # 75302 406712152 zero turn last year. I think I wasn't clear enough on my last post. Check the bulb for damage; mice like to eat them. When I sit in the seat and turn the key the starter engages, but, does not turn the motor to start. This prevents a spill. cowboy55; 7 mo ago; 9. A manual siphon pump works well to drain the tank. Next, check the fuel level and make sure there is fresh gasoline in the tank. Check for low oil; some mowers have a disabling system. Charge or replace the battery to fix the issue of low voltage. Gas shot is covered here in the Mower wont start video.. And air may get in, bringing about the slowdown of the mower and can even make it halt after some time. When choke on the choke is on, the choke plate should be fully closed. 6. Empty fuel tanks can halt operations, cause sub-par performance and make rough sounds. Sep 6, 2012. hi! If you are not, you have a fuel restriction you need to locate prior to the pump. If your struggling to gain access to the drain plug, (Black hex head) go ahead and remove the two bowl retaining bolts. But removing the carburetor can take time and effort. If the tank is empty or close to empty, that could be the problem. This component comes with a vent. Regardless of this, it is best to replace the fuel line with a new one. First, make sure that the battery is charged. There could be some problem with the machine's gas intake, spark plug, or airflow. Only Use Fresh Gasoline in Your Zero Turn. The solenoid of your Toro riding mower may be bad if you notice a hum or click when you turn the ignition key. Check for binding of the control links also. Remember, if your gas is older than three months, its stale. If you want to start your mower without primer, you have to squirt starter fluid into the carburetor. 21" Commercial gear shift relocation to handle . Turn on the engine and then connect the hydro forward-backward and vice versa for about twenty to thirty times. Fix: Replace the broken rewind spring with a new one. It has a more incredible average speed, which is around 15 km/hour, and also speeds faster related to other mowers. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Most items on the list are easily repairable without much mechanical experience. Hey, I'm John, and I'm a Red Seal Qualified Service Technician with over twenty-five years experience. Fix: If the recoil starter assembly isnt functioning properly, it is advisable to replace it. Fluid levels mainly affect overall hydraulic system performance. While the charging system isnt the main reason your zero-turn mower wont start, it can contribute to a weak battery that prevents the mower from starting. First, see these 7 simple reasons your mower might not start. Ethanol in gasoline attracts moisture which can cause run ability issues and gum the fuel system. C. Toro timecutter zero turn. I highly recommend you replace your filter once a year when completing your zero-turn maintenance so you dont run into this problem. The carburetor might be clogged and dirty. Check your clutch to make sure it works. Make sure theres fresh gas in the tank and that the fuel line isnt clogged or damaged. If neither of these options seems to solve the problem,it may be time to take your Toro lawnmower for servicing by a professional. This article may contain some affiliate links and if you make a purchase after clicking on any of teh links, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Another sign of a bad solenoid is when the wire gets hot and begins to melt or smoke. Zero-turns require unleaded gasoline with a minimum octane level of 87 and a maximum ethanol content of 10%. A few drops in the gas tank are all it takes. What is Mow-in-reverse? A loose spark plug wire may pop out of the spark plug. It is important to get a multimeter to test it to confirm if it is not working properly. Fix: You can use a multimeter to test the battery. The recoil starter assembly enables the operator to start combustion on the mowers engine. The spark plug wire needs to be firmly attached to it. Assuming you would like a detailed answer on how to start a Toro Zero Turn lawn mower: Your Toro mower not starting can be quite frustrating, especially when you have an overgrown lawn that needs trimming. Check out, If the air filter is clean and dry, a gas-soaked filter will prevent starting. Fuel older than one month is likely stale. You may need to charge the battery if the level is lower than 12.7 volts. Use an ohmmeter to check its continuity. 1) Out of Gas It sounds crazy, but it happens! Gas may begin to deteriorate or become ineffective after thirty days. These tools will help you nail it the first time out. Toro uses several different engine manufacturers Briggs & Stratton, Kawasaki, Honda, and Toro engines. Fix: Use a mild soap and cloth to wipe off excess dirt and oil in the air filter. Air filters need to be cleaned or replaced. You may be able to identify a plugged cap by running your mower with and without the cap. Pros & Cons of Mowing in Reverse Mower. You will need your engine model code. The diagnostic and repair procedures will be very similar regardless of your machine. I've worked on all types of mechanical equipment, from cars to grass machinery, and this site is where I share fluff-free hacks, tips, and insider know-how. It shouldnt take long to start. Before we go any further, lets check all the basics. Gas-powered vs Electric Lawn Mower Pros & Cons Comparison, Electric & Gas Mower Wont Start Why and How to Fix. What Causes a Toro Lawn Mower to Not Start? A faulty fuel cap may cause your Toro mowing machine not to start. You need to look for the cable from the battery and the cable to the starter. Start your fuel flow and start your engine. John Cunningham is an Automotive Technician and writer at Lawnmowerfixed.com. Why is My Lawn Mower Turning Over But Not Starting? For this test to be successful, youll need clean, fresh gas. What Will Remove Stain from Vinyl Siding? 4. If your Toro is pretty new, youll have an auto choke, and so you wont have a lever to control choke. Fix: Replace the faulty spark plug with a new one. Make sure the spark plug gap is correct by cleaning or replacing it. Running an air filter that is very dirty can keep your mower from starting when the engine cant access the air.Solution: Check and clean your air filter using these steps: The fuel pump on your zero-turn may be the cause of your zero-turn not starting. Is it Safe to Use an Electric Lawn Mower. Solution: You can try to clean and remove the clog in your cap. Corded vs Cordless Lawnmower: Which is Better? The function of the fuel pump is to work against gravity and pump fuel up to your carburetor. Some manufacturers claim that the alcohol content of the ethanol will damage the carburetors plastic and rubber components. E15 and E85 burn hotter than regular gas. Pull When working on your mower remove the plug wire and turn off the gas. There are many explanations for why your hydrostatic transmission might not move. A dirty carburetor can be the cause of your zero-turn will not start and run. A combination of all or some of these factors can keep your mower from running smoothly. The reason I posted the troubleshooting procedure is to make sure that we are not losing voltage due to bad connections or components. Owners need to know this! Itll walk you through the whole process Remove & clean carburetor. Alternatively, its all covered in the Mower wont start video.. Briggs and Stratton stamp their codes into the metal valve cover at the front of the engine. The most likely causes of solenoid clicking include low voltage, corroded or loose cable connections between the battery to the solenoid, or loose connection between the solenoid and starter. Another common reason for a lawn mower that won't start is a clogged or dirty carburetor. Remove the bowl using a 1/2 socket and ratchet. Any leak in the hoses or any element will possibly halt the vehicle. 824. The most common reason is that the fuel is old and has gone bad. Make sure the battery terminals are securely in place and not corroded. To view the choke plate (if fitted), remove the air filter. Knowing the busy week you have, getting your zero-turn started, and avoiding the repair shop is your best option. This guide wont cover each of these engine types, and so your engine may look different from the ones used here. Both versions of the choke plate type create a fuel-rich condition by reducing the amount of air and increasing the amount of fuel supplied to the engine. A typical electric mower can mow a third of anacre. Weight Zero-turn mowers can vary greatly in weight, from around 200 pounds all the way up to 700 pounds or more. To determine if it is faulty, you need to use a multimeter to test it for continuity. Make sure there is fuel in the tank and that the fuel line is not clogged. Follow all safety instructions provided in your equipment operators manual before diagnosing, repairing, or operating. I tried a battery charge and manual moving the handels in and out which does allow the ignition to work. Old stale, or dirty gas, is by far the number one cause of all minor engine issues. If it starts, try to re-install the fuel cap while the machine is still operating. To some degree, Toro zero turn lawn mower are prone to hydraulic and other related problems. Always follow the safety instructions provided in the operators manual. Fix: The first step to take is to inspect the fuel line to see if it is clogged. Remove the air filter from the filter housing. Using a gas stabilizer is covered in the gas stabilizing video here, and youll find a link to the stabilizer I use here. it does not have power when you turn the switch. Manual Choke Off Move the choke to the fast/run position as the engine warms a little. Over time, some ingredients in the fuel evaporate and leave behind the stickier and thicker substance. A carburetor can fail over time. Sam has over a decade experience in landscape and yard maintenance. If the oil is low, it can cause starting problems (as well as damage the engine over time). If those two things are okay, then its likely that the issue is with the spark plug. Fusing of air and water is the most prevalent cause of hydraulic fault and accounts for 70-80% of hydraulic failures. There are a few reasons why your Toro zero-turn mower might not start. When air temperature dips below 50 degrees, your mower is harder to crank because the oil is a little thicker and might need a few extra poles to get started. Finding out the source of the problem is a challenge in terms of these failures. Fix: Inspect the fuel pump for cracks. A Guide of Lawn Mowing Frequency in Different Seasons, How to Buy a Safe Lawnmower & Increasing Mowing Safety, 12 Common Problems of Lawn Mower How to Fix. Never run a mower when a safety switch is bypassed. Use a fine wire to clean them. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Compression issues are usually related to wear and tear of the engine piston and rings; while replacing the rings is possible, it rarely makes economic sense to do so; more often, at this point, it makes more sense to go shopping for a new mower. First, check the fuse (s), check battery connections for corrosion (clean if necessary) and *voltage - above 12.5 volts should be good. Consult a professional if you dont have the skills, or knowledge or are not in the condition to perform the repair safely. After that, wait for some time to check if it will sputter or die again. (1) Mower attempted to start or started tells us we have a fueling fault, go ahead and test the choke system. Fix: Replace the defective fuel filter with a new one if you discover that there is a stoppage of fuel flow at the fuel filter. A Toro Turn Zero Mower costs around $4,500. This will tell you if your battery is strong enough to start the engine. If your Toro mower isnt starting, the first step to take is to figure out the causes. Finally, these will cause a restriction on oil flow and make it harder for the oil to get to the pump. A dirty air filter can reduce air flow that is important for powering the motor, while a clean air filter can improve engine performance and improve fuel efficiency. Although it wasn't the original cause of the starting problem, flooding will now prevent your engine from starting. Low tire air pressure on the slow side. The starter engages but engine won't turn over. Replace the fuel pump if the problem persists. Besides, it will protect you from wasting a considerable amount of money on maintenance reasons and will also save you from the problems of taking the lawn mower for servicing. Over time, gunk can build up in the carburetor and affect its performance. Next to the vent is the fill/drain plug. Check for the defective starter or any other mechanical issues with the engine. Try charging the battery with a battery charger. Clean the air filter and check the fuel . If cleaning isnt successful, order a new jet pack. It creates a fuel-rich condition by squirting extra fuel into the engine. Using a clean air filter not only allows your engine to get the clean air it requires, but also prevents dirt from entering the cylinder and causing significant damage to the engine. What are the Most Common Problems With Zero Turn Mowers? Remove Remove the air filter cover and air filter; some will be fixed on with screws or wing nuts, and others will just pull off. This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Below or behind the air filter is where the carbs are located. If youre not into cleaning the carburetor, I understand. Options Start by checking the cable from the handle bar to the drive it needs to be snug up enough to engage the drive when you pull it if thats ok check the drive to see if it is not a shear pin that may need replacing if it is not a shear pin then there is a slip cluch and this may need to be tightened Hope this helps Was this answer helpful? I use Gumout carb cleaner in the workshop; you can check it out here on the Small engine tools page.. If your mower is new, change the oil after the first 5 hours of use. The location of this lever will vary by model, but it is typically near the steering levers. If youre thinking about purchasing a zero-turn mower, its important to be aware of the most common problems that these types of mowers can have. If so, then you are totally wrong. See Also: 6 Common John Deere 5075e Problems + Fixes. 4. You may have found a blockage in your fuel line when you were testing your fuel pump. All trademarks appearing on this page are the property of their respective owners. Another possibility is that the spark plug needs to be replaced. by cowboy55. These guidelines I have shared above will undoubtedly help you to deduce the common Toro Turn Zero Mower Problems. Clean the gas bowl. This one seems pretty obvious, but its worth checking if your lawn mower wont start. Empty fuel tanks can halt operations, cause sub-par performance and make rough sounds. Check that its moving to the off position. Confirm that all the parts are appropriately operative and installed correctly. 2. Toro Zero-Turn Mower Faulty Safety Switch, 21. You may also find a lawn mower repair shop with experienced small engine mechanics. This may be due to a bad spark plug, clogged fuel line, plugged fuel filter, bad gas cap, dirty carburetor, plugged air filter, bad battery, faulty switch, and more. You need to drain the tank and carburetor bowl and fill them with fresh gas. Why not just change it? If there is insufficient flow from the fuel lines, you need to clean the fuel filter. In this article, we will talk about the common problems with Toro zero turn mowers and how to troubleshoot these issues. To do this, you need to set the parking brake, put the machine in neutral and turn the key to the on position. Your fuel pump may malfunction over time. Theyuse two different choke system types to achieve the enriched cold start mix. Old fuel might block the machines fuel line. A faulty starter may show signs of a clicking sound when you press the ignition button, a cranking sound without the engine turning over, or when the mowing machine fails to start. Make sure that theres fresh gasoline in the tank old gas can cause starting problems too. Your mower is not designed to run at these temperatures. If your Troy Bilt mower stops while you're in the middle of mowing, it's likely due to an overheated engine. 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