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Nearly finished with my new toy: 1993 Western Auto Wizard. Replaced spindles & idlers on the deck but every time I engage the blade it kills the motor. Any ideas?

southfreedon said:

Nearly finished with my new toy: 1993 Western Auto Wizard. Replaced spindles & idlers on the deck but every time I engage the blade it kills the motor. Any ideas?

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Found a manual here... neat looking lil machine that one, for a twin rotor.

Manual Western Auto Wizard lawn tractor AYP9187B89 | SearsPartsDirect

How are you on engines?
Obviously idles fine, sooo... are you seeing the governer
at least moving to TRY an' kick in extra RPM?

Has carb been cleaned?

KK - You're a life saver!!!

As far as performance - Nothing seems to be wrong with the engine...A lot of power...A lot of speed...But, when I engage the blades, it comes to a complete stop! Also, just idling, the belt smells smoky...Almost like the belt is too small but it seems to fit fine...I'm at a loss but I like the machine too much to give up!!!

southfreedon said:

KK - You're a life saver!!!
As far as performance - Nothing seems to be wrong with the engine...A lot of power...A lot of speed...But, when I engage the blades, it comes to a complete stop! Also, just idling, the belt smells smoky...Almost like the belt is too small but it seems to fit fine...
[...]

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...ummm,, "rule of thumb" for any VeeBelt...?... if in it's greatest dimension of unsupported length
the belt depressess 1/2" using the palm of the hand and as much force as your handshake, that's "operational tight".
Of course, Cassis(M.Ali) and Mr. Tyson are exceptions to that rule ;-}

It's more likely you are smelling "new belt" settling into the drive pulleys, I take it
the machine walks fine? Transaxle is another thing aside to your chief trouble, lets
not go there if machine walks and belt isn't smokin' the place up

-see attached pix - http://s2.postimg.org/50yn5y5bd/Pulley_Shroud.jpg

No way of knowing if that is your exact setup, but have a look for those
'brackets' I highlight and make sure _anything_ ,, anything that touches the deck
belt is free and clear and good to go. Start there.
Lucks to yer...

southfreedon said:

Nearly finished with my new toy: 1993 Western Auto Wizard. Replaced spindles & idlers on the deck but every time I engage the blade it kills the motor. Any ideas?

Click to expand...

My idea is to separate the safety shut down system from all other possible causes for the engine to shut down when the blades are engaged.

To do this the magneto grounding wire ( kill wire ) on the side of the engine is temporarily disconnected. If it now runs when blades are engaged the problem is electrical.

To kill the engine turn the key switch to off and touch the disconnected wire to ground.

SeniorCitizen said:

My idea is to separate the safety shut down system from all other possible causes for the engine to shut down when the blades are engaged.

To do this the magneto grounding wire ( kill wire ) on the side of the engine is temporarily disconnected. If it now runs when blades are engaged the problem is electrical.

To kill the engine turn the key switch to off and touch the disconnected wire to ground.

Click to expand...

mmmm.. you may well be correct, it is very possible I have misread the OP.

Kinda of leery of messing with any of the electrical system - It was toast when I got the machine (mice had used the area under the battery as a hotel for a couple of years) & it cost me about 12 hours and $300 to replace everything...I'm hoping that I'm just an idiot who has installed the belt incorrectly...I'll attach a picture with hopes of getting some input...

Note: The diagram on the deck shows that the belt goes around the fork on the front. However, the more I think about it, the more I think the belt may need to go through the fork. Thoughts?

Donnie B

southfreedon said:

[...]
who has installed the belt incorrectly...I'll attach a picture with hopes of getting some input...[pix removed]

Note: The diagram on the deck shows that the belt goes around the fork on the front. However, the more I think about it, the more I think the belt may need to go through the fork. Thoughts?

Donnie B

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How you have it looks fine to me, Donnie... those diagrams are not always specific, more
so the effforts that attempt to be "photorealistic".
When you engage the blades..??.. is belt or spindle/s even giving a bump...trying to move?

And just to clear the page for us all?
When you write "kills the motor" are you telling us the engine shuts down
as it would if you turned the key off...or is the engine choking down, bogs and
stalls/stops?
There is a very signigicant difference as I am quite sure you know, but best to
clarify this point...thanks ;-)

It bogs. Sorry, should have been more specific...

southfreedon said:

It bogs. Sorry, should have been more specific...

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Are you engage the blades at a idle or full throttle?

Can you spin all the pulley with one finger?

southfreedon said:

It bogs. Sorry, should have been more specific...

Click to expand...

No... that's great, really...why?
Wellll.. yer engine is fine, electrical circuits are fine.
The trouble IS mechanical, in that drive train.
WE - you and I - have sorted that out.

Now we wait, someone somewhere has had this experience before.
It's taken you some time and labour to get that baby humming.
The Interwebs are never quicker but for the patiently astute are always
waaay fruitfull
Lucks 2 U

Increase engine speed before engaging the blades.

Blades engaged at high rpm...

KK - I agree...just need to wait & see what ideas come in...

You can turn all the pulleys?
Belt is not rubbing on anything ?

I had this happen a few years ago.
Engine was only hitting on one cylinder.
Will run ok till put under a load.

SeniorCitizen was correct!!! I unplugged the kill wire & the blades engaged...My next question is "What now?"...

Mowed with the Wizard yesterday & it ran and cut like a new mower!!!! Need an acre to turn the beast around but I'm happy to say this project turned out AWESOME!!!