Recent content by Tiger Small Engine

Try EBay.

The issue of the correct model number of the mower will come up when parts are needed for repair in the future. Need correct model number to get correct parts.

Very frustrating going behind a customer that works on equipment and doesn’t fix it. Then you have to dig out what they have done.

The hard push by corporate America, the government, and media for battery powered outdoor power equipment and electric vehicles has been the last 5 to 8 years. It has not caught on and been near as successful as they would have liked, for many reasons. I am going to the Equipment Expo in...

Transaxles don’t go out often. They also don’t just suddenly quit if they are hydrostatic. They slowly start failing. Cost prohibitive for a shop to fix. Typically $1000 and up, plus labor. In other words, buy another mower if it goes out.

Gator blades.

I use Permatex Right Stuff and have had great results with it.

Adjusting the valves every 50-100 hours is unnecessary. Many of my customers don’t adjust the valves ever. The 300 hour recommendation by Kawasaki is what you should follow.

Use a heat gun to soften up the RTV. Use a drill with a wire brush to remove the RTV.

Follow the hydro bypass rod back to the hydro transaxle and look at it and push/pull it back and forth and see if it has full travel. Check the other side for comparison if needed. Make sure no debris is blocking free travel of bypass rod.

The tiny “bump” that you look for to be sure the compression release is working correctly is in fact the whole key to verifying if the compression release mechanism is broken or working on the camshaft. This is how I check when needed.

Swapping decks other than the exact correct deck on any mower will involve lots of modification and time, unless you get lucky. The wash port is a total gimmick and doesn’t work.

That Honda engine is a really good engine. A puff of smoke on start up on older engines is normal. Not so much on a new engine. Realize that Honda got out of the gas self-propelled and push mower business about three years ago, so they probably won’t have another comparable mower to give you.

How much is a Snapper Ninja commercial mower cost? You can buy a good used Toro for under $200.

Husqvarna 128LD is one of the most common Husqvarna trimmers in this area. Residential grade decent trimmer. Worth taking the time to try to get running right.

Push and self-propelled mowers two best: Honda and Toro. No hesitation, no caveats, no excuses. Buy a crappy Hyper Tough made by MTD from Walmart and see how many years you get out of that.

Maybe you should have addressed the issue and fixed it 20 years ago.

Toro makes one of the best self-propelled mowers on the market. Everything from mowers to measuring cups have cheapened in quality and raised in price, especially the last 20 or so years.

I doubt it is 36 horsepower, maybe 26 horsepower. Sounds like it is hunting and surging. Typically a dirty carburetor, and an all too common problem.

First check battery to be sure it is at 12.75 volts at rest. Make sure battery is charging. Typical air gaps on PTO clutch is from .016” to .020” depending upon brand of clutch.

Hit the zerks with heat and a small nail and air compressor blow gun to unclog the fittings. Sometimes it works.

One of the best ways to ensure a smooth customer/equipment/mechanic owner experience is to be selective on what you work on, and who you work on it for. No shop, be it a small engine shop or a guy that repairs clocks and watches, has to fix or help anyone they don’t want to help. I am not saying...

If everything is right, several years.

You can always make more money, but you can’t make more time. I work hard and steady 5 days a week. I push myself and strive for excellence in service, communication, turn around time, and value. I don’t need customers adding to my work load by wanting after hours special treatment or “rush...

I grew up in Decatur, Alabama so I know all about the growth in recent years in Huntsville. Huntsville is now the largest city in Alabama passing Birmingham. I have lived in Missouri for many years and avoid traffic as much as possible.

You posted the same question on Lawnsite (another forum). How could anyone possibly know the exact spec on valve guide on that specific Briggs model cylinder head, without having a good one out on the bench? If the valve guide actually moved, the only real way to make it right long term is a new...

New potential customers that “have to get equipment fixed” immediately I can not and will not help. They can keep calling until a shop will jump through hoops for them. I have a minimum diagnostic charge so they at least have some skin in the game. I only work on four brands of handheld...

You don’t have enough load on the engine. Why anyone would take the good line head off and install one where you have to constantly stop and add more line is beyond me. You have to have the trimmer line all the way out for correct load, and let it rip. 2-strokes love full throttle.

Sounds like choke is hanging up momentarily, then recovering and running right.

Every engine starts differently, period. Some love no choke most of the time. Some love it to blip the choke if it 100 degrees outside. Has nothing to do with how the current state of the engine is (running right vs running rough). It is just the way it is after starting hundreds and hundreds of...

Heet allows the fuel and water to mix so that a tiny amount of water can be burned with the gas. Heet will not overcome large amounts of water. The label says one once of Heet per gallon. I would say your mower with 30 hours on it has either older gas, or gas with water in it, and possibly...

Most days I feel good, good attitude, and good energy level. I can still outwork guys in their 20’s and 30’s. If you don’t have physical and mental health it makes everything much worse. I know we are talking about small engines specifically on this forum, and this thread is addressing running...

I appreciate hearing from you guys, and your life experience and mechanic experience. I am 59 and this is my fourth career (small engines), so don’t have the many years of experience some mechanics have. Turning a wrench correctly is one thing, however, running a shop, and all the different...

A big box store will refer you to a local shop and it will cost to fix. A good dealer will make it right for no charge (where you bought it).

Not worth the time and money normally to replace bent crankshaft on a Honda Gcv160 or 190. Do your best to straighten it if possible.

It is hard to beat a Scag.

Very rarely do Welch plugs fall out. Replace, slightly peen, and hit it with fingernail polish and you are set.