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  1. C

    Southern clay soil. ugh.

    I work large estate properties in south louisiana. eventually, you find areas where the clay, sand, and nutrients, or water table just can't sustain normal grass growth. There are just so many factors involved. Ultimately, in problem areas, I take the long term approach...plant test plots...
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    Used oil

    I mix old oil with kerosene or diesel. this is used to clean parts that are heavily coated with grease/lube. I also use this same fuel/oil mix to help light off the occasional burnpile in rainy weather, which tends to be the ideal moment to do large burn pile fires. You get the benefit of...
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    What to do for a logo?

    don't listen to old farts. I love your logo. It's cool and you like it, so that is what is important. Putting these stickers on your machines and on your shirt is awesome. make sure you have a phone number on these logos and stickers...in big format. get vista print to run 1000 of these...
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    Unusual battery issue

    before buying a new battery, do this (experience talking here...will save you some money possibly and more importantly help you determine the problems/root cause) 1. take battery off mower. Clean those posts ...vinegar and water works fine. 2. with multi-meter test dc volts. write this...
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    Gas Caps do seal out any condensation from entering the gas tank, despite the arguments here saying they do not

    the myth? lol....with years of proof that this is no myth you are going to expect anyone to accept that water ingress into fuel tanks is not a thing? Lets start with some basics. gasoline is generally not water attracting..but the gasoline sold and used by almost all mower owners contains...
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    Charging Battery

    this question is an interesting one. I also have several batteries and machines that get stored for winter season. What I have learned is that it is cold weather that causes more premature charge state problems for batteries in storage than any other factor. So what I do is move all my...
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    What jump starters for zero turn mowers your using.

    I bought a hulkman li-on battery from amazon last year. 2000AMP capacity. It is primarily for my truck as a back up source in case I needed a jump. But what I have found is this thing is amazingly useful in all kinds of applications. I can use it as a charger for my phone, power supply for a...
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    Dead Mower

    this one is damaged goods folks....just ignore. he's obviously here for one reason only...and it is not advice to fix a mower. just ignore. don't feed the moron.
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    Engine runs when bottle fed but draws no fuel through two different carbs.

    Here is something I recently learned from experience working/restoring a vintage 2002 sam's club troybilt "gardenway" riding mower with the B&S 16.5 HP single banger OHV engine. Here was the first things I noticed and replaced/repaired 1. the fuel tank was absolutely filthy and blocked. 2...
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    steering bushing confusion

    just for reference, to improve steering, the friction happens where the load exist...this is counter intuitive to some. the bearing at the LOWER end of the steering bushing is where all the weight/pressure/force exists. I don't know if this helps, but after briefly reading OP, I noticed you...
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    Vanguard 23hp dead

    I know lots of people use the 9 volt power source, but really this is unnecessary and it can create an illusion of failure. Just use the mower battery!. In this way, you are using the same circuit and battery source it will be using in normal operation (fewer things introduced as possible...
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    Age old question, Winter Storage?

    A few suggestions and a caution: Smoking cylinders with standard engine oil and then hand spinning is a tried and true way to pickle an engine for storage. Batteries will prematurely fail in cold temps. Remove battery and put inside out if cold ( in a plastic tray). Once a month put it on a...
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    CV740 27hp bogs severely under average load

    leak down test...start there. and listen closely ..it could be from multiple places (head gasket failure, cracked or warped head, valves). this will establish and point you to where leaks might be coming from if you have leaks. (see youtube for numerous methods and standard tips. always do...
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    Vanguard 23hp dead

    leaking oil and smoking oil out of the exhaust is not likely a result of a failed head gasket. What I mean is that burned oil coming from the exhaust it usually caused by piston ring blow by...and that can be caused from bad/worn rings, damaged/scored cylinder bore, worn or stepped valve...
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    Vanguard 23hp dead

    this^ (snipping is the easiest versus deleting the solenoid)
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    Engine cut out

    the most likely cause of this issue is: the connector itself is shorting the two wires and thus you have a dead short. this WILL cook the connector and produce the magic smoke,even though it's not a great deal of electrical power. It could be the the solenoid is internally shorting...
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    briggs and stratton 25hp valve cover not heating up evenly

    I had a similar problem...one side running very hot and the other cooler. Also some surging. it ended up being two things, related: intake manifold gasket was toast and allowing air into one cylinder - causing a lean condition (too much air in the ratio...causing overheating) but what...
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    SD Blades Level

    h (i): (sorry for this edit post): make sure the blades are tight and the bolts and spindle threads are not worn...using a heavy duty impact wrench can damage the threads and bolts. Blades might be spinning on the spindle! I use a low powered impact wrench gun set to no more than 70 foot...
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    SD Blades Level

    for what it's worth: a. not all blades made are actually the same length. Even OEM blades can be off as much as 1/16 - 1/3 inch. It happens. ALWAYS measure the blades...all of them. out of a hundred, some will not be correctly sized, even if sold as an equivalent or even OEM from the same...
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    Finding the right fuel solenoid

    yes, based on what you have done so far, the ignition switch might be badly corroded internally and shorting. I have a few other suggestions: check the battery ground...the ground point and the cable itself. the chassis/engine acts as the negative common of these mower...if the ground cable...
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    10 Year Old Raptor Bogging Down

    it cost nothing to throw dirt on someone. that's the number one problem with internet haters. do that in person...yeah, I don't think so. there WOULD BE A COST and CONSEQUENCE. behavior online has always been a strange experiment. I don't understand it but I know it's a real thing. And...
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    Finding the right fuel solenoid

    check this out also:
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    Finding the right fuel solenoid

    A blown fuse is usually caused by a bad voltage regulator, yes. So good call. I'm not 100 percent, but there is also a diode that might be in the PTO circuit. This zenner acts to prevent back current from the PTO to the charging circuit when the PTO is first engaged at which time it produces...
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    10 Year Old Raptor Bogging Down

    a compression test is like taking blood pressure...a leak down test is like taking an EKG....this analogy is useful when realizing just how much more investigative information can be collected when performing a leak down test on a small engine. I would start there first. This will help you...
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    Finding the right fuel solenoid

    for testing: remove the anti back fire solenoid. (yes, fuel will drain out, have a small container handy to catch fuel). With fingers or the back of plastic handle screw driver, depress the pin into the solenoid. (engine OFF). Do this a few times. If it will not budge spray some wd-40...
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    Gravely 260Z - Rpm's bog down when moving under load

    couple suggestions from easy to difficult: 1. check the choke valve...should have a spring that opens that valve when choke is not applied...sometimes the spring is too weak, and sometimes the choke valve is gummy stuck...and so as air is drawn into the carb, it will have a tendency to get...
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    Gravely 260Z - Rpm's bog down when moving under load

    couple suggestions from easy to difficult: 1. check the choke valve...should have a spring that opens that valve when choke is not applied...sometimes the spring is too weak, and sometimes the choke valve is gummy stuck...and so as air is drawn into the carb, it will have a tendency to get...
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    2019 Cub Cadet - cranks no start...

    look also for any kill wire that has wire insulation damage and is grounding on the engine. it happens. Some model mower do a pretty good job of sleeving kill wires with heat and chaff material ...some just allow the wires to rest on the cylinder cooling fins and over time, you end up with a...
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    click,click and click

    from the general read, I suspect that the flywheel starter solenoid is either GOING BAD OR, it's just got crude withing it. here is what I would do...spray some wd-40 into the neck of the flywheel starter solenoid...saturate it. Let it sit for a while. now since you have been using your mower...
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    Craftsman 54" mower grass buildup in deck

    I have this problem also, and here is how I solve it. 1. I do not use mulching blades. I understand the purpose, but I've never had good results. I use the blades with a slight lift. Nothing radical. It's just a personal preference based on what has worked well compared to any other...
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    I got a new, undamaged, unused, never-opened Craftsman blade for two cents at Lowe's.

    pro tip: when you go buy blades...or even string trimmer heads..go to store manager FIRST...ask them if you can shop their returns. this is especially true for the big box stores...lots of returns for wrong sized purchases. Same thing with chainsaw chain. And even tools! I have a hard ware...
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    Tire Pressure ?

    I take the pressure rating on the tire and I remove 3 psi. I like a comfortable ride. It helps. (also helps in those soggy days when its not possible to skip mowing...underinflation helps a little to prevent those deep "sharp" grooves in soggy soil/lawn. On the "mini bush hog" (a vintage...
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    Deck belt broken w/ .6 hrs on new machine

    out of good measure, I would lubricate EVERYTHING...the big box stores park their mowers outside and leave them in the rain (and snow?)....you don't really know the condition of the spindles, pulleys etc. Go to every single grease and lube point in the owners manual...also check every...
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    7 year old Craftsman 21 hp riding mower hard to turnover & start, High compression stroke. Model 331877 2371 G5, YT3000

    couple of points. 1. bertsmobile has really good advice...he is particularly reliable with his experienced suggestions. 2. just because you have a new battery does not mean you have GOOD WIRING AND CONNECTIONS. test and inspect every single red and black cable (heavy) wire and...
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    Broken Dipstick

    there is so much about this that just screams "phrasing"...but I will resist the urge to be course.
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    MTD runs only one speed

    i believe only moderators have that option. But I am kind of new to lawmowerforum and only starting using the forum several months ago and never bothered to look at administrative stuff. for what it's worth my experience has been super...everyone has always been helpful and patient..rivets and...
  37. C

    MTD runs only one speed

    this thread has really turned into a train wreck. I get this feeling that some people here have gotten a little callous and bitter. Not judging anyone, okay...just an observation.
  38. C

    JD X580 using a lot of gas when mowing.

    sounds like a good plan. I'm sure they will work the bugs out. AND use a torque wrench to set the CORRECT TORQUE. I've never had a problem with valve locking nuts backing off..kawasaki..kohler...b&S, and even old vintage generac. never had that problem...what I have had happened, which it...
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    JD X580 using a lot of gas when mowing.

    sounds like a good plan. I'm sure they will work the bugs out.
  40. C

    JD X580 using a lot of gas when mowing.

    also look at each blade spindle and free spin them..same with belt tensioner...should all spin freely with little resistance. the reason I posted this? you may be seeing normal spark plug wear during breakin and thinking it's an engine related problem. it could be the engine is running as...
  41. C

    JD X580 using a lot of gas when mowing.

    for reference the fr730V should consume about 1.2-1.6 gallons per hour. It all depends on the weight of the machine plus rider AND pto/blade/hydro load. Your JD in base model, no implements, towing nothing, weighs 777 pounds with no fuel in the tank. You are probably near 950-1000 pounds of...
  42. C

    MTD runs only one speed

    learned something new from FISH! Thanks!
  43. C

    JD X580 using a lot of gas when mowing.

    here are some of the things that can cause a mower engine to run rich: malfunctioned carb...maybe some factory mistake? maybe the main jet lost a rubber seal or even missing? there is a hidden air needle "valve"..usually located at the top of the carb, sometimes covered by a dummy welch plug...
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    JD X580 using a lot of gas when mowing.

    wide open throttle, all the time. Same experience. I would just add that usually a rich running engine will also blow sooty black exhaust. If you place a piece of carboard taped to part of the frame where the exhaust blows out, over time it will turn very black and have a sooty almost dusty...
  45. C

    Kohler KT 715 diagnose symptoms

    yup...it does make a difference even when valves are just a little out of spec. The valves get worn (or the seats of both) and then the valve get tighter with too much clearance. Or the other way, with soot that prevents the valves from seating. With twin cylinders even just one valve out of...
  46. C

    Kawasaki FX850 Oil Issue

    given oil pump failures are rare, I use oil TEMPERATURE SENSORS. For all my machines, I use oil pressure temp sensors in the factory "pressure ports" (threaded with a block plug, usually located near the oil filler tube or oil filter area). I am more interested in oil temp. Living in the...
  47. C

    Looking for a problem free 42" Zero Turn Mower

    bad boy zt elite. exmark radius E these are all 48 inch machines. when you get down below 48 inches, none of the most dependable and "trouble free" (better phrase might be: superior built quality) make them below 48. based on indirect experience (from friends in the trade), toro makes a...
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    hydro-gear problems

    will only be replacing one problem with another...just my opinion
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    hydro-gear problems

    Here is some additional info. First we start with a mower designed AROUND the best hydro drive. https://www.hydro-gear.com/product/zt-4400/ heavy-duty roller bearings, high-capacity thrust bearing for extended life, a high-efficiency 12cc pump, 16cc motor, and a beefy 1-3/8” axle shaft. (this...
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