My Lawn Mower Repair Thread (56k warning)

[hanyoukimura]

Well here it is, finally a proper introduction to my Jacobsen 32164. As of yesterday it is now in working order and successfully cut my front lawn. The engine runs fantastic. Starts in 2-3 pulls when cold and first pull after warmed up. Runs smoothly with no smoke, and is surprisingly quiet. I have yet to figure out where/what the serial number is for the Briggs engine, so for now I shortened the throttle spring that was on it, which was far too long to be useful, and adjusted until I got it functioning like it should. I also had to ad a washer to the front right wheel arm to take out the excessive play, so it would stay locked in place. There was so much play that the arm and wheel would come out of lock and flip all the way over! It's still got play but at least now it stays locked in place.

My biggest problems for this machine will be getting new wheel arms, all of them have a lot of play because the metal tabs that keep them locked in place have worn down, and getting new blade for it. I can't find any information or parts for it anywhere, or even info on how the blades are supposed to be attached. When I pulled them off, the smaller blade was on top of the large one, with the sharp end facing the opposite direction. Makes no sense to me. Is it supposed to be like that? Making the sharp edge face the same direction as the main blade isn't possible because it won't sit level on top of the larger blade, so I put it under the main blade, facing the same way as it. No idea what the correct setup is, but it mower the grass well!

Anyway, here's a bunch of photos as it appears all together and running.

Meanwhile, a neighbor brought me his Craftsman 917.374430. First thing I noticed was a nut on one of the engine mount bolts. He said the deck was cracked. He complained that it leaked oil. He thought it was the crankshaft seal and wanted me to install it. I told him I would look at it first and then give him a price.

First red flag was that nut, second was oil on top of the deck, and under the deck, but not around the crankshaft itself. Sure enough, as I pulled the engine off, I found the oil leak. The deck wasn't cracked, the base of the engine was where the mount is!

Also the drive belt is broken and the front wheels are loose.

Meanwhile, I ave another Craftsman I was asked to look at. This is a 917.378980. Same deck as the 917.374430, but this has an Intek engine and is in much better shape aesthetically. I have yet to look at it, but the recoil is broken, the blade brake cable is seized, and it needs carburetor work.

 

[Two-Stroke]

Well here it is, finally a proper introduction to my Jacobsen 32164. As of yesterday it is now in working order and successfully cut my front lawn. The engine runs fantastic. Starts in 2-3 pulls when cold and first pull after warmed up. Runs smoothly with no smoke, and is surprisingly quiet. I have yet to figure out where/what the serial number is for the Briggs engine, so for now I shortened the throttle spring that was on it, which was far too long to be useful, and adjusted until I got it functioning like it should. I also had to ad a washer to the front right wheel arm to take out the excessive play, so it would stay locked in place. There was so much play that the arm and wheel would come out of lock and flip all the way over! It's still got play but at least now it stays locked in place.

My biggest problems for this machine will be getting new wheel arms, all of them have a lot of play because the metal tabs that keep them locked in place have worn down, and getting new blade for it. I can't find any information or parts for it anywhere, or even info on how the blades are supposed to be attached. When I pulled them off, the smaller blade was on top of the large one, with the sharp end facing the opposite direction. Makes no sense to me. Is it supposed to be like that? Making the sharp edge face the same direction as the main blade isn't possible because it won't sit level on top of the larger blade, so I put it under the main blade, facing the same way as it. No idea what the correct setup is, but it mower the grass well!

...

That's a fine mower. I'm glad you've got it working.

I'm a little puzzled about the mower having more than one blade (if I'm reading your post correctly). My Jake, which is a few years -- but not too many -- newer that yours, has only one blade -- it's very conventional. Do you have any photos of the underside?

How about a close-up of the wheel adjustment arms -- you said those are worn.

 

[hanyoukimura]

That's a fine mower. I'm glad you've got it working.

I'm a little puzzled about the mower having more than one blade (if I'm reading your post correctly). My Jake, which is a few years -- but not too many -- newer that yours, has only one blade -- it's very conventional. Do you have any photos of the underside?

How about a close-up of the wheel adjustment arms -- you said those are worn.

It's one blade stacked on another, kind of like what my Honda HRB215 has, but the secondary blade is a lot smaller whereas the Honda's two blades are nearly the same length. Also it was originally mounted above the main blade with the sharp edge facing the opposite direction...which makes no sense.

As for the arm, I'll have to take it apart again to get a photo, but where the arm bolts to the deck, t here are two tabs that lock the adjustment lever in place, which locks the whole assembly in place. However the tabs are worn down, so there's a lot of play. This is what the arm looks like mounted on the deck though.

 

[Lee614]

I find it hard to believe that that is an OEM/stock setup. Looks more jimmy-rigged.
Did a Google search yield anything on the model number with the words "two blades"?

 

[hanyoukimura]

I find it hard to believe that that is an OEM/stock setup. Looks more jimmy-rigged.
Did a Google search yield anything on the model number with the words "two blades"?

No, but searching Jacobsen mulching mower did. Eventually I came to this:

Diagrams

Homelite HM20. from what I understand Jacobsen made mowers for Homelite, the deck and mechanicals look identical. As it turns out, that is a legitimate blade setup, but I have it wrong. Looks like the smaller blade is mounted on top of the larger blade and is perpendicular to it! What a crazy setup. There's even part numbers for it and the arms I need, but nothing I can find so far is available.

 

[Lee614]

Yes, but it looks like you need to get the correct blade hub. the one on it seems wrong compared to the diagram. it needs to sit in the notch of the hub.
plus it looks like they added a huge washer to get the thing snug.

 

[Two-Stroke]

It's one blade stacked on another, kind of like what my Honda HRB215 has, but the secondary blade is a lot smaller whereas the Honda's two blades are nearly the same length. Also it was originally mounted above the main blade with the sharp edge facing the opposite direction...which makes no sense.

...

As for the arm, I'll have to take it apart again to get a photo, but where the arm bolts to the deck, t here are two tabs that lock the adjustment lever in place, which locks the whole assembly in place. However the tabs are worn down, so there's a lot of play. This is what the arm looks like mounted on the deck though.
...

It makes more sense to me that the blades would be perpendicular -- that makes it more efficient as a mulching mower (and note that the mower doesn't have a discharge chute).

About the adjustment arm: this seems strange. I can't remember seeing a part like that wear out. That mower must have some serious hours.

 

[hanyoukimura]

Today was a mixed bag. Started off good, I decided to use a spare Quantum I had to fix the black Craftsman. Hooked it all together and it fired right up. Very pleased. Cleaned the deck off and did a quick touch up so it looks halfway decent.

And here it is with my camera.

Not bad, I think. Everything turned out great and it was running good. But this evening I decided to give it another start and it yanked the rope out of my hand. How could that be?

On top of that, the Brute I sold 2 weeks ago came back because it died today while he was mowing

 

[briggs]

Today was a mixed bag. Started off good, I decided to use a spare Quantum I had to fix the black Craftsman. Hooked it all together and it fired right up. Very pleased. Cleaned the deck off and did a quick touch up so it looks halfway decent.

And here it is with my camera.

Not bad, I think. Everything turned out great and it was running good. But this evening I decided to give it another start and it yanked the rope out of my hand. How could that be?

On top of that, the Brute I sold 2 weeks ago came back because it died today while he was mowing

check the flywheel key on the arm jerker as for the other one sounds like dirty carb to me ......Great work man i do the same thing i also re do lawn tractors i should post some pics

 

[hanyoukimura]

check the flywheel key on the arm jerker as for the other one sounds like dirty carb to me ......Great work man i do the same thing i also re do lawn tractors i should post some pics

I always enjoy seeing other people's work, do it!

I'm guessing flywheel key too, but it just seems weird since it was fine before I removed it from the original deck months ago, and fine the first couple times I ran it earlier today. The blade is definitely in place properly (and its new).

The other one, I did a quick test to replicate the problem...starts right up when cold, then after a few minutes coughs, sputters, then dies. Try to start it right after and nothing. Give it a few minutes and it'll want to start again. I let it run until it died, then quickly attached plug to teh coil and groundedit...no spark. Seems to me the coil is bad. I only have one "extra" I'll have to seal from another engine I'm rebuilding.