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Vibration causing gas tanks to break?

#1

E

Etaub1

Yard machine 4.5 HP
Briggs Stratton engine

Hi guys...

Two gas tanks have broken off underneath the loop thru which the large screw passes and attaches to the Lawnmower. Might it be the vibration of the mower? I ratchet them in pretty tight.

Any suggestions how to reduce the vibration or other reasons for the gas tanks to break ?

Thanks.
Ed


#2

R

Rivets

Two things cause vibrations on a mower. One, blade bent or out of balance. Two, bent crankshaft. I would check both, especially if something was hit in the passed. There is a third possibility, that would be a partially sheared flywheel key, but then the engine would not run very well.


#3

reynoldston

reynoldston

You might want to try some rubber under the loops?


#4

M

motoman

I guess what is meant is what causes "undue" vibration on a tractor. The one I have ( not unlike others?) has an inherently unbalanced V motor ,solid steel motor mounts, no suspension, and stubby wheel base to bounce over rutted ground . I guess it's what a person is used to.:eek:


#5

E

Etaub1

Rivets said:
... bent crankshaft.
Click to expand...

Rivets...thanks for the reply.

If I remove the blade, does the crankshaft just lift out? Or do I need a crankshaft puller for the top of the mower? Hope not, 'cause I don't own the tool.

Ed


#6

E

Etaub1

reynoldston said:
You might want to try some rubber under the loops?
Click to expand...

Thanks, Reynold. So... Create my own thing-a-majig and line the loop? Don't know how much room I have to work with.


#7

E

Etaub1

motoman said:
I guess what is meant is what causes "undue" vibration on a tractor. The one I have ( not unlike others?) has an inherently unbalanced V motor ,solid steel motor mounts, no suspension, and stubby wheel base to bounce over rutted ground . I guess it's what a person is used to.:eek:
Click to expand...

But have your gas tanks broken off? If mine hadn't, it wouldn't bother me either.


#8

R

Rivets

To check the crankshaft, first remove the spark plug. Tip the mower on it's side, carb up. Remove blade. Have someone pull the starter rope while you watch the end of the crankshaft. If it wobbles, it is bent and needs to be replaced. To check the blade I recommend you take it to a good repair shop and have them check, sharpen and balamce it. That should cost you no more than $7.50. Didn't think of it before, but the blade may need to be replaced, due to wear.


#9

reynoldston

reynoldston

The rubber under the tank straps are just a cheap try fix. If it has a bent crankshaft which would be a major repair what I would try frist is a big hammer and see if you could bend it back. As far as a mower blade why not a new one, less then 20 dollars a cheap fix.


#10

E

Etaub1

Rivets said:
To check the crankshaft, first remove the spark plug. Tip the mower on it's side, carb up. Remove blade. Have someone pull the starter rope while you watch the end of the crankshaft. If it wobbles, it is bent and needs to be replaced. To check the blade I recommend you take it to a good repair shop and have them check, sharpen and balance it. That should cost you no more than $7.50. Didn't think of it before, but the blade may need to be replaced, due to wear.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the instructions.

The blade is only a couple years old, but honestly it has nicked the underside of the mower in the past. (Dont ask me how.) Maybe it got damaged and is the cause of the vibration?


#11

R

Rivets

If the blade has touched the deck, it is time to take it in and have a professional take a look at. Your blade probably needs to be replaced, at the leasted sharpened and balanced. By the way your posts read, I advise you not try to repair. In my opinion, you may cause more damage and injure yourself or someone else. Even straightening a crankshaft (which I would never attempt) should only be done by someone who has years of experience. My last post on this thread.


#12

E

Etaub1

reynoldston said:
The rubber under the tank straps are just a cheap try fix. If it has a bent crankshaft which would be a major repair what I would try frist is a big hammer and see if you could bend it back. As far as a mower blade why not a new one, less then 20 dollars a cheap fix.
Click to expand...


Good suggestion, Reynolds. Might do just that.


#13

E

Etaub1

Rivets said:
My last post on this thread.
Click to expand...

Rivets... Thanks again for all the help.


#14

E

Etaub1

Rivets said:
If the blade has touched the deck, it is time to take it in and have a professional take a look at. Your blade probably needs to be replaced, at the leasted sharpened and balanced. By the way your posts read, I advise you not try to repair. In my opinion, you may cause more damage and injure yourself or someone else. Even straightening a crankshaft (which I would never attempt) should only be done by someone who has years of experience. My last post on this thread.
Click to expand...

Rivets...

To close the thread...

This spring, I turned my mower over to inspect the crankshaft and discovered my "universal" blade was perpendicular to the angle it was supposed to be -- hence the excessive vibration. I replaced it with an OEM model and so far so good. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

Ed


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