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This has 3 basic safety switches: Clutch/brake, PTO and seat. There is likely a problem with a switch or the wiring that connects them. Here is a diagram I found: https://www.partstree.com/models/425620x92a-murray-42-lawn-tractor-2004/electrical-system-2/

Hello ILENGINE, Glad you resolved it. It's always an adventure to come in behind a DIY who thinks swapping and moving wires around will "fix" something. It's likely the wire came out when they pulled on the connector. Then they just shoved it back in the first empty slot they saw. I have that...

Kerosene heating stove oil with ATF works well and can usually be found. Diesel fuel and ATF also work well. Yes, pour it down in the cylinder and let it seep in. It also helps to rock the piston from side to every now and then with the end of a hammer handle. It will be slow, but that is the...

Looks like a pretty good candidate so far. I recommend you get some fine sandpaper (400 grit) and a tempered glass tabletop (or similar true flat surface) Lightly sand the head mating surface smooth in case it is warped a little. Go back together with a laminated stock head gasket. As for...

Hello Rivets, Back in the late 70s when I started out, I thought all Lawn Boy push and walk behind mowers 2-stroke, but I also forgot that they had a 4.5hp Tecumseh version. They even had a few with Briggs and Stratton up until they quit making them. I had to do a little research and search...

If I am not mistaken these had a square red box style plug in diode that would go bad and create a circuit feedback issue. Locate the diode under the control panel and unplug it to see if that corrects the issue.

A Lawn Boy with a Tecumseh? Welcome Newbie: Before we jump into blind guessing and wasting your time and money, we need to know the information off of the chassis label and the engine. We have lots of experienced people, but most of us retired our crystal ball years ago. We need machine data...

Good deal, glad it was something simple. This engine design has developed a bad reputation over the years. Watch for any oil leaking from the top cover area and running down the block. That is an early sign that the case bolts have loosened up and need to be retightened. If the bolts are left...

"The rest of the story" There are way too many stories that are only explained after they are challenged these days.

We need the info off of the product ID label on the chassis

The stock seat is not a spring ride seat. Any aftermarket spring ride seat would likely sit too high for an operator. One conversion that I have done over the years to some machines with a flip up seat mounting plate is to remove the rubber bumpers and install a pair or old car engine valve...

Hello W., Exmark (Toro) does not require a special oil for their diesel engines, that would be market product steering which is illegal. Use a good brand such as Shell Rotella and change every 200 hrs. under normal conditions. If it is extra dusty conditions, change it more often along with...

Find the product ID label on your mower and look up the parts on Parts Tree. No, a JD 48" deck is not the same as one on a Husqvarna. Even JD had different 48" decks on many different models.

Pictures are of 2 different machines, but the same model? AI generated ad for a money scam? These were a bad design from the start because they used the engine oil to also run the drive system hydraulics. They were the "zero turn" mower of their day before better designs came along. This thing...

The engine stacked pulley does get a wear groove in them with age and high hours. Other considerations are a stretched belt, especially if aftermarket, or a tired main belt tensioner spring. I have had older units that I had to add an additional tension spring to.

Hello M., Kohler K310? or K301. Is there and ID plate on the engine? Just like any machine, it is built using components and major assemblies from outside sources. The service manual for the engine itself should be fairly easy to find. The service manual for the transmission may be more...

Can you attach a picture of the tank fitting you are struggling with? Not all parts diagrams will break down each individual part.

Hello M., My advice is don't jump into buying parts or contemplating a "rebuild" until you have a full evaluation of the entire machine. These projects can be a joy to work on, but surprises do happen. Keep in mind that this thing got parked a long time for a reason. Considering looking into...

Hi Star Tech, The days of actual "Chem Dip" are gone only to be replaced with a useless, bad substitute for more money. I'm waiting for carburetor spray to be banned next.

Hello S., You likely have a B&S Exi725 on this trimmer? They only run at one speed. Carburetor dip is "overkill" on these carburetors. It will not hurt them, but there is very little to ever go wrong with them except the center insert with the jets or the float needle gives out from Ethanol...

I agree Stihl has saturated the market, but I noticed their actual training of techs has been pushed to quick online classes with no instructor led training. The newer Stihl products are not as robust as their earlier models. Same clothing, but weaker internals.

I guess everyone develops a fondness for particular brands. I once like the early Ryobi straight shaft trimmer combo along with the Green Machine 3000. They were powerful and dependable machines for their time. Stihl is very popular around my area, and I only see a few for service once in a...

I guess if one is bad that makes them all bad?

I've never seen a sponge like that in any Stihl FS56 I have dealt with. This looks like and "oops" part that got in there

The Z425 has always been a good light duty residential mower and not too difficult to work on. It has less "bells and whistles" to fuss with. The biggest problem that I recall was people failing to remove the engine fan shroud and keep the cooling fins cleaned. Keep in mind that the chassis...

Sounds like a bit of water in the fuel. Put a little 60% or 80% rubbing alcohol in the fuel tank and see if it clears up. Isopropyl (Petroleum based) alcohol breaks up small amounts of water. Ethanol (plant based) alcohol that is in modern fuel actually collects moisture from the air when left...

Not sure why ATF came up early in the posting. If the manual says 90W then that is what you should use.

Look your engine numbers up on Parts Tree and you will find the short pulse hose that goes to the valve cover.

Have you tried disconnecting the points ground kil wire? Most engines can be switched/updated to a none points ignition magneto. Star Tech may have the updated part number for this engine. This shows to be a cast iron block. Original coil number was 298968 according to my early quick...

So, do you have a manual shift trans with a hydrostatic unit, or just a manual transmission?

What kind of meter are you using and are you finding this by doing a voltage drop test with power applied to the wire being tested?

Build information: Jacobsen Chief 1200 Garden Tractor Build Dates The Jacobsen Chief 1200 garden tractor was produced from 1966 through 1968 TractorData.com+2. It was manufactured in Racine, Wisconsin, USA and was part of the Chief 1000 series, designed for residential and light-duty...

The differential should be an inch below the fill hole to allow for heat expansion of the fluid. That is how I fill most manual transmissions. As for ATF. Just regular old type "A" or type "F" should do just fine. A basic cheap hydraulic fluid will work as well. Nothing with a bunch of...

Hello R., Was the old voltage regulator not working? I take it that you are measuring for a voltage drop from ground to ground? Is the body of the voltage regulator properly grounded? Try running a temporary ground wire from the battery to the voltage regulator body and see if the reading...

Verify the seat switch and brake/clutch switch are good.

Was the mower sitting for a long time before the flood incident? Was the mower running good before? This should be fairly easy to revive. There are no pesky electronics to worry with. You should change the oil, run it for a couple of minutes and then change it again. Second time run it a...

Hello sgkent, I thought that I included the ID plate info, but I missed it. I will get that info and add it to the posting.

Hello S., The wording for this simple solenoid has been a debated jumble since these came out years ago. Between the P-C types being "perfectionists" and DIYs throwing in their half-wit phrases (slang) it has created a lot of confusion and calamity. .

Hello R., I commend you on your efforts and your tenacity to stick with it and see it through. Basically, this mower shut down and has not started and ran since? Currently, it does crank well after a new starter was installed? Initially, two things come to mind.... First is the after-fire...

Make sure the exhaust outlet pipe at the head is tight and the gasket is not sucking in air.

See if you can find a good Kohler Command engine and get rid of the "bucket" motor. The Courage engine was designed to fail, and it does just. You can fix one thing and two more will break in a short time.

Is the "after fire" happen when you shut down and the engine is hot? If so, that means the fuel solenoid on the float bowl is not closing off the fuel flow. That is the most common problem. The solenoid pintle usually gets sticky from old fuel and additive that breaks down in the fuel. Most...

Hello Newbie, Welcome to the forum. The first thing we need with any machine is the product label information that is on the chassis and the engine model and spec numbers. This way we can reference what configuration your machine is. They are not all built the same in a "cookie cutter"...

I have the above-mentioned rider from an original owner who has since passed away. I have gotten the machine running and cutting great, but it is missing the deck chute. This mower has a 30" deck, and I need a chute because it is a hi-lift deck like most Snapper riders back then. I prefer the...

One thing comes to mind and that is the coil kill wire or switch contact is grounding out. I've had a few that had that issue. Unplug the coil kill wire and see if tries to fire up and run.

"It quiets down a rod knock".... until the rod breaks and goes through the block. At that point, no noise and no oil to worry about. LOL

Once the control arms are adjusted an initial "comfortable position", the steering arm links need to be adjusted by trial and error dynamically to obtain the "sweet spot" where both respond correctly. As you dial in the function, adjust the operator control to even up the lap bar. Once ideal...

Hello M., Consistent regular oil servicing and using the same brand of oil has always been important to me. Engine oils have improved greatly in the past 40-50 years, so the old engines that used to specify only SAE 30 oil, now actually run better on SAE 10W-30 or 10W-40. For hot seasons like...

Hello M., All carburetors are basically made by various overseas companies these days, some are just better than others. I also suggest to pick the middle of the price range if given the choice. The best deal is not always the best part. Not sure about what has been happening with Jacks small...

Fuel filters are only good for small dust particles, but the chaff debris gets caught in the fuel line long before making it to the filter. Fuel lines also get dry and rigid with age and collapse the inner liner of them which will restrict fuel flow, especially under heavy engine loads. B&S...