S21ZSN Operational Questions w/ Pic (anybody have this model Lawnboy ?)

[22R]

Ok since I have no manual and can't find one online I have two questions

1. Is it ok to partially engage the drive bail to regulate the speed to keep the mower from bogging in tail grass or does the bail need to be all or nothing ? ( does this hurt the transaxle gears ?)

2. In this pic does this washer with the spring attached(can't see the spring in pic) to above the pulley to the left and by that idler tensioner bracket really just stick out like this ? According to the parts breakdown it is there but I can't tell how it would look in real life ? It is the flat washer to the right of the left wheel just below the two cables

3. Machine is running and cutting great but I think I need to adjust the spring tension on the control arm cause it wants to creep and is hard to pull back somewhat. I have the adjustment on the cable out as far as possible.

 

[bwright1818]

When I mow with mine, I either have the handle full on or full off. If there is tall grass (it's gotta be pretty tall or thick to stop this machine!) I just proceed in a stop-and-go manner.

I'm trying to understand what you're asking about the spring, etc but I don't understand, yet. Sorry.

I have had a few of machines with that drive mechanism. They have all been difficult to pull back and do tend to want to creep froward on their own, especially when they are first started up. Those conditions seem to get a bit better as you use the mower but never completely go away. They are powerful, rugged, great-cutting mowers but are difficult to maneuver. I need self-propelled now, for going up hills, because my back isn't what it used to be. But once I get one of my simpler Lawnboys going again, I'm going to retire this one. There is another recent thread where the guy asks a value for his mower. That kind of self-propel is the best, in my opinion, driving on the outer diameter of the rubber wheel. The mower is still light weight and easy to pull back. The engagement mechanism on the handle is not the best, though.

 

[beg]

I got one or three of them and when they pull hard backwards its time for a transmission lube.the clutch plates/wave washers are sticking inside the transmission. the parts to rebuild are still available but its a lot easier to just replace the transmission as a unit.I have heard of some people drilling a hole in the trans. case flushing it out with gas and putting in a grease zerk

 

[22R]

I appreciate the responses Guys. Well my unit has a zerk fitting on the bottom so today I removed it and shot some kroil and 3N1 oil in there and it made a big difference. I think I will do it again then put fresh grease in it. I may tear it apart but it will be the fall as it is so hot here now. Luckily it came with a extra parts transmission so I have lots of extra parts. It is one cool little mower though.

Thanks,
22R

 

[bwright1818]

That's really interesting. Whenever I have felt like messing with mine, it's been mowing season and I didn't want to get into it, because it looked kind of time-consuming, compared to most Lawnboy tasks. Maybe I will try doing mine over, too, during the winter.....if the darn snow blowers stay running long enough to give me a break!