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Recent Lawn Mower Repair Reviews in Dixon

I’ve used E and M for several years for my lawn mower and Mike always does a great job. Very happy with his service.

I was overall very satisfied with my experiences with Axel’s Saw Tool Sharpening. He is very good at his job. He fixed my weed wacker and my lawn mower. I would give them a 5 star rating. The price was very reasonable. He knew exactly what he was doing. He did it very quickly and easily. I have used them on 3 or 4 different occassions. I will continue to use them show more

Mike fixed it up good as new! He got the work done sooner as promised, despite it being his busy season. A great guy to deal with also!

We searched for a small engine repair shop with a good reputation after BB Repair in Freeport closed last fall. We were delighted to be referred to Farm Fleet by at least 2 people. The small engine mechanic was top notch, knowledgeable, patient and extremely competent. We suspected a carburetor problem, but a bolt on the muffler had broken off so the muffler was half off causing a change in back pressure and the high reving. The mechanic was able to extract the broken bolt, order a new one and have us back in business in a day. We live in the country about a half an hour from the store so we were pleased to find out they also pick up and deliver. For about 40 they will pick up our riding mower and two snowblowers, very reasonable. Their tune-ups rates are also very reasonable. After spending over 600 at Byron Small Engines last fall to service the riding mower and 2 snowblowers and to do a really bad job, we are very happy to find Blain’s Farm Fleet in Freeport, IL show more

My older riding mower would not start and had a lot of issues. I read the reviews on EM and it seemed like a very reputable service provider and worth a try. I am glad I did. I was very pleased with the professionalism and communication. Mike came over and picked up the mower from me (50 fee) and said he would let me know what he found. He called a few days later to let me know upon taking the engine apart, the crankcase had been full of fuel due to it flooding so he had to change the oil twice to make sure all of the gasoline was out so as not to harm the engine. He also rebuilt the carburetor and installed a fuel shut off valve for me to avoid problems in the future. Mike let me schedule a drop off time to get my mower back and was very helpful about answering my questions. Very pleased and would recommend show more

Eand M referred me to another vendor that was closer to where I lived and could complete my service sooner. I appreciated their referral and would use both Eand M and the other vendor in the future.

He explained that the carburator on our 2 year old Toro push mower was not handling the high alcohol content gas well and water was forming and corroding the interior. He broke down the mower and recommended that we replace the part and to avoid the problem in the future to use premium gasoline that has a lower alcohol additive than the usual gas. He came the same day that we called, and showed up when he said he would. He also repairs snow blowers, and recommended that when the time comes to get it ready for winter, we get together with our neighbors to share to cost of pick up and delivery, so it wouldn’t be so burdensome. We live in a rural area, and he has to come a distance. He fixed the mower, and delivered it when he said he would show more

I would tell someone that they are very good. They pick up the lawnmower and bring it to the shop and fix it and they bring it back. It is nice that they pickup and deliver lawnmowers and snow blowers.

Mike was wonderful. Came and picked up our blower and repaired it for us with great efficiency. When it was done Mike dropped it off at our home for us and told us exactly what was wrong with it. Great job! Will definitely call again if we need them. Thank you!

Last update on September 2, 2015

Lawn Mower Repair Services in Dixon

RepairClinic is a retailer and distributor of OEM appliance, HVAC system, and outdoor power equipment parts. RetailClinic does not offer repair services; the company offers free repair resources including more than 5,000 how-to videos to empower DIY-ers and technicians to fix appliances and equipment on their own. RepairClinic.com® makes fixing things easy for millions of people. Founded in 1999, it is North America’s trusted online store with replacement parts for major household applianc. show more

We are a small shop that will give you the best price on parts and Labor,and repairs done right the first time

I’m here to help. Whether your computer isn’t working, your snowblower isn’t blowing or your mower isn’t mowing. If I can’t fix it. I’ll tell you where to go! NO JOB IS TOO SMALL!!

We are a service company. We sell and service outdoor power equipment, home standby generators, and wood, pellet, corn stoves. We also carry pet, and livestock food, as well as lawn care products. Our lawn care products are usually 1/2 the price of big box stores. We do custom engraved sign and plaques show more

Services we offer: Bathroom Remodeling, Full Shower Installation, Lawn Care and Small Engine Repair This is an owner-operated business and we give our all to make your project perfect. We offer in-house and out financing. Call us for a free quote today.

https://wwwcom/pages/Tractor-Town/185027634883394?rf=157201224313052. Additional location: 1459 McKinley Ave, Belvidere, IL 61008

The price seemed reasonable. I guess I’d have to say that the repair was satisfactory. They got the parts they needed and I had no complaints about it.

Cherry Valley Landscape Center is a family owned business that had been in the landscape / snow removal industry for 16 years. Opening a 1-stop shop Landscape Store in 2010. We carry lawn equipment, commercial mowers, snow removal equipment, salt spreaders, landscape materials, plant material, premium hardwood mulch, colored mulch, stone, fertilizer, grass seed, and ice melt products, bagged rock salt, bagged de-icers, bulk rock salt. We have a full service small engine parts and repair depar. show more

I purchased a new Scag zero turn from Bob. I went in not knowing exactly what I wanted but after a few quick questions we were on the right track. Ultimately we choose the Scag as it was the best fit for my needs and budget. They set up delivery and Dennis walked me through the maintenance and operations of the machine including how to set the transmissions in neutral for towing. Eager to try out my new toy I jumped on as the delivery truck was pulling down the drive way. I was mowing and shredding leaves having a great time enjoying the power when suddenly the mower suddenly stopped moving. Panic struck as i fidgeted with the handles and my smile turned upside down. After looking under the seat i found that the drive belt had dislodged caught the cooling fan on the transmission and wouldn’t go any further. Luckily Dennis showed me the already mentioned dis-engagement process fort the trans and I pulled it back to the house. I called the store to see what could be done. Without hesitation they immediately sent the truck back to pick up the mower for servicing and promised it back by the weekend so I could keep enjoying my new toy. So thank you for the quick attention and service. They backed what they said and that says it all for me. show more

Learn How To Solve Dixon Zero Turn Mower Problems

I presume you know that the good old Dixon zero turn mower is a part of Husqvarna, and a few years ago, it declared the discontinuation of its trade in North America.

dixon, mower, electrical, problems, matched, lawn

However, if you are living in another region and Dixon is still approachable, then it’s never too late to have a Dixon to get rid of the lawn creeps.

In fact, there are people around the world who are a little bit old school and fond of the conventional specification of a Dixon.

Initially, no matter how much it disappoints you, there’s something addictive about this mower that you will take the risk of big fat investment and get it fixed!

Now, like every lawn mower, your Dixon zero turn lawn mower might show some complication while performing.

Here, if you manage to resolve the complications, your Dixon zero turn mower will be able to control any stubborn lawn!

With that being said, let’s have a glance over some tips on how to solve Dixon zero turn mower problems.

The Common Problems of Dixon Zero Turn Mower

In this segment, I will outline the common problems of a Dixon zero turn lawnmower.

However, these problems are pretty normal and nothing to worry about as long as it doesn’t persist.

Also, any zero turn lawn mower can witness such criticalities, and similar steps can be taken in order to troubleshoot. Let’s wade through the problems, the causes, and finally, the repairing steps!

Mower Doesn’t Start

Well, it’s almost like a universal problem with every zero turn lawn mower that after months of use, it doesn’t start or start moving out of the blue. It surely leaves you clueless at some point, but no need to panic! The probable reason for such incident can be,

The carbon build-up can cause wear on your engine’s spark plug. And, it gradually restricts your engine to start or generate power.

If you don’t clean up the residues or debris (which occurs from old fuel remnants) from your carburetor, then, in the course of time, it will initiate a restriction on your carburetor.

Equivalent to the previous reasoning, old fuel leftovers can also clog your fuel filter, and thus it stops your engine from starting.

Basically, the ignition coil of your mower distributes the necessary voltage to the spark plug when the engine is still progressing. Now, if there’s any malfunctioning in your ignition coil, then your engine might not start.

Mower Starts But Remains Sluggish

The second common problem with a zero turn lawn mower is that it starts but stalls! Meaning it runs slowly or stops abruptly during operation. These might be the possible reasons,

The residues that result from old fuel being left in the tank can later affect the carburetor to commence farther.

You might have noticed that your fuel cap has that tiny vent holes which allow the vapor to enter. And this allowance is crucial to maintain the oil-vapor balance. But when clogs block your fuel tanks, the air won’t be able to infiltrate the fuel vent holes, and thus cavitation will occur, and as a result, the mower might start but stalls.

As carbon build-up can cause wear on your engines and bars, similarly, it can also hinder the spark plugs over time. over, a weakened electrode can also be the reason that your mower turns up but remains sluggish.

Mower Leaking Gas

The last most common problem of a zero turn lawn mower is possibly the leaking of gas that occurs from time to time. And the pertinent reasons for such an incident can be,

If you notice any leakage from your carburetor, then the most apposite reason is that your carburetor bowl gasket has worn-out or dissipated. And when such inconvenience occurs, the carburetor starts leaking gas.

The carburetor has numerous float assembly mechanisms that can be faulty or inappropriate. Also, the float assembly has an opening or a needle from where the fuel enters the bowl and passes out as it opens and closes accordingly.

Thus, if the fuel’s opening or the fuel assembly itself is damaged, then the carburetor might continue filling with fuel, and eventually, it overflows and leaks.

Lastly, the fuel line of your carburetor can also be damaged, which can cause gas leakage.

So, these are the most common problems and the plausible reasons for such sensitivities.

Effective Tips on How to Solve Dixon Zero Turn Mower Problems

Now, let’s glance over few tips on how you can solve Dixon zero turn lawn mower problems.

Inspect the spark plug for possible damage, or you can use an ignition tester to do so. If you notice any carbon build-up or anything unpleasant, you can replace the spark plug without having to waste time fixing it.
Make sure you check on your fuel tank and always insert fresh fuel and fuel stabilizer in order to get rid of the residue build-up.
If your blades don’t move swiftly or exhibit any sort of discomfort, you can disengage the blades.
Clean the carburetor clogs with an effective carburetor cleaner.
Replace the fuel filter if it has a clogged build-up.
Make sure you use an ignition tester to examine whether the ignition coil is malfunctioning or not. If you notice any defect, then you can replace the ignition coil, and for this, you may need a professional’s help.
Replace your fuel cap with a new one if the cap seems clogged.
If your carburetor’s bowl gasket seems worn out, you can replace it with a new bowl gasket to eliminate stalling.
Look for deficient float assembly, and if you find any, then alter the float assembly with one or more of these components.
Also, make sure you drain the old oil fuel because sometimes the water in fuel affects the engine to cut out abruptly. Thus, draining the old fuel by replacing the new one will be fruitful.
Replace the drive belt if it’s broken.
Lastly, adjust the oil levels or clean the cooling fins from time to time; this will help you to get rid of overheating issues.

End Quote

Well, to be honest, there are a bunch of such problems that can take place before you know it.

For example, the interlock system might be faulty, or the deck drive may seem in the wrong route.

These problems can also interrupt your Dixon zero turn lawn mower to move smoothly. In these cases, you have to change the interlock system, and for the deck drive, you can re-route it in the right place.

And needless to say, you can always call for staff to help you understand the problems and get past them in no time. I hope it helps!

Note: Do you have a country clipper mower? Learn easy tips to solve its problem as well?

1 thought on “Learn How To Solve Dixon Zero Turn Mower Problems”

I appreciate the reply. I currently have a 54 which works fantastic as far as cut width. So I do plan on staying around that range. I m not sure a CVT trans would hold up to years of constant turning on the ZTR. There are very few straight runs on my property. If the hydro gear is a better option in durability how are they on maintenance? I m not looking to break the bank but I know I m looking at around 5-8 thousand for a good mower. Just making sure I go in with as much knowledge as possible. Thanks again

The Starter Relay and Why a Mower Won’t Start

A lawnmower requires several amperes of electrical current to start the engine. For safety reasons, a lawnmower (and other electric-start internal combustion powered vehicles) contains two parts to the starting circuit: a start switch circuit and a relay circuit. Since an electromechanical relay can only be used for a specified number of cycles before failure, a faulty starter relay can prevent a lawnmower from starting.

Why a Lawnmower Contains a Starter Relay

A relay allows a low-power, light-duty switch to actuate or disengage the starter circuit without being directly wired to the starter circuit itself. If the lawnmower starter circuit did not contain a relay, heavy-duty wiring would have to be wired to the lawnmower starter switch. This would pose a potentially fatal shock hazard if the starter switch or starter circuit wiring became damaged. The starter switch would also be prone to electrical arcing and excessive heat, which would eventually destroy the switch and potentially damage the lawnmower.

A lawnmower requires several amperes of electrical current to start the engine.
For safety reasons, a lawnmower (and other electric-start internal combustion powered vehicles) contains two parts to the starting circuit: a start switch circuit and a relay circuit.

Why a Bad Relay Prevents a Lawnmower from Starting

When the starter switch is turned on, the switch circuit provides power to an electromagnet inside the relay. This electromagnet pulls the relay switching mechanism closed and engages the relay circuit. The relay circuit provides power from the battery to the starter.

If either the electromagnet or the switching mechanism in the relay is faulty, the relay circuit will not engage. This prevents electrical current from flowing to the starter from the battery.

Why a Bad Switch Prevents a Lawnmower from Starting

Since the switch circuit provides power to the electromagnet in the relay, the switch circuit is just as important as the relay circuit. If the switch is broken, the switch circuit will not provide electrical current to the electromagnet. Without electrical current flowing through it, the electromagnet will not work and the relay cannot be actuated.

When the starter switch is turned on, the switch circuit provides power to an electromagnet inside the relay.

Other Considerations

Both the switch circuit and the relay circuit require a power source and transmission lines (wires) to operate properly. If there is a break in the wire on either side of the circuit, or if the power source connection is loose or faulty, this will prevent the lawnmower from starting as well.

Troubleshooting a riding lawn mower blown fuse video

Replacing a blown fuse on your riding lawn mower is easy, but finding the cause can be more difficult. Unless you locate and repair the short, you’ll just keep blowing fuses. This video shows you how to test your ignition switch and the engine, chassis, and dash wire harnesses to narrow down the suspects so you can repair the problem and get back to mowing.

For additional repair help, including common symptoms and troubleshooting tips, step-by-step riding lawn mower and tractor repair guides, and articles, check out our repair help section. In addition, find the riding mower parts you need to fix your mower.

Parts needed

Hi, Wayne here from Sears PartsDirect. Today we’re going to troubleshoot a blown fuse in your riding lawn mower.

Most often, the cause of a blown fuse in a riding lawn mower is a short circuit, which happens when a damaged wire or failed component lets electrical current flow to the metal frame of the mower through an unintended path. This excessive current travels through the wiring easily until the fuse blows and shuts off the unintended current flow, preventing wiring damage and fires.

Dixon Zero Turn Lawnmower Motor Not Turning Over (Check Wiring)

To prevent the unintended current flow—and prevent the fuse from blowing as soon as we replace it—we’ll need to find the broken wire or component causing the short. Finding the location of the short can be challenging, but these tips should make it easier.

Our troubleshooting focuses on this common Craftsman model. Although the wiring for your riding mower may be different, you should be able to use the same tactics to find a short.

How to find a short

If you haven’t already removed it, take the blown fuse out of the fuse holder.

During this troubleshooting, we’ll measure voltage through the fuse holder using a multimeter to find the short. In the final troubleshooting step, we’ll use a new fuse to see whether the run circuit has a short.

The troubleshooting process allows us to isolate branches of circuits in the riding lawn mower’s wiring using the ignition switch and disconnecting wires to find the short. When we measure voltage through the fuse holder or blow the fuse after isolating a branch of a circuit, we’ve detected a short in that branch.

Test the circuit through the ignition switch

The first section of wiring and components to check is the wiring through the ignition switch.

Turn off the ignition key to isolate this section.

Set your multimeter to measure DC voltage and insert one meter probe in one side of the fuse holder and the other probe in the opposite side of the fuse holder.

Check the voltage reading.

If the multimeter measures no voltage, skip to the section for checking the circuit when you turn the key to the run position.
If the multimeter measures voltage, the short is in the red wire between the fuse holder and the ignition switch or in the ignition switch itself.

To see if the ignition switch is the problem, unplug the switch and check voltage again.

If the multimeter measures no voltage with the ignition switch unplugged, the short is in the ignition switch. Replace the ignition switch using the steps in this video.
If the multimeter still measures voltage after you unplug the ignition switch, the short is in the red wire circuit between the fuse holder and the ignition switch plug. Find and repair damage to the red wire.

Check the run circuit

If you didn’t measure voltage through the fuse holder with the key turned off, pull the meter probes out of the fuse holder. Insert a new fuse into the holder and turn the key to the run position. Turn the key off and pull out the fuse to see if it blew.

If the fuse blows. When you turn the key to the run position, an internal ignition switch contact sends current from the B terminal on the ignition switch to the A1 terminal to energize the blue wire. So if the fuse blew with the ignition key in the run position, the short is in the ignition switch, the blue wire or a wire harness connected to the blue wire.

If the fuse doesn’t blow. If the new fuse didn’t blow, an intermittent short caused the original blown fuse.

An intermittent short can be difficult to find. Try wiggling each wire harness in the tractor back and forth and then repeat the test using the fuse. If you wiggle a harness and the fuse blows, then that harness contains a shorted wire. Find and repair the damaged wire in the harness.

If you can’t find the intermittent short, replace the fuse. If the fuse blows again, repeat this entire blown fuse troubleshooting process from the beginning.

Check the ignition switch

As I said, if the fuse blew when you checked the run circuit, the problem could be the ignition switch, the blue wire or a wire harness connected to the blue wire. Let’s check the ignition switch first. Defective internal ignition switch contacts can cause a short circuit when you turn the key to the run position.

Unplug the wire harness from the back of the ignition switch. Release the locking tabs and pull the ignition switch out of the dash.

The contact spades on the back of the ignition switch have labels, making it easy to check the internal contacts by measuring resistance between spades.

With the key in the run position, the multimeter should measure near 0 ohms of resistance between B and A1 because the battery sends power to the blue wire when the key is in the run position. The multimeter should measure infinite resistance between B and all other spades.

With the multimeter set to measure resistance, touch one meter probe to B and the other meter probe to each of the other spades. If the multimeter measures resistance between B and any spade except A1, replace the ignition switch because its internal contacts might have failed and caused the fuse to blow.

If the ignition switch is okay, reinstall it in the dash and reconnect the wire harness.

Test the wire harnesses

The final steps in finding the cause of the blown fuse are to test the blue wires in the wire harnesses. This tractor has wire harnesses for the dash, chassis and engine. Check the dash wire harness first.

The dash wire harness. Unplug the engine and chassis wire harness from the dash wire harness. This step isolates the dash wire harness.

” LAWN MOWER REPAIR” / TRACTOR ZERO TURN / ZTR HOW TO TEST ELECTRICAL RELAY SWITCHES

Insert a new fuse in the fuse holder and briefly turn the key to the run position. Turn the key off and check the fuse.

If the fuse blows, then the short is in the blue wire of the dash wire harness. Find and repair the broken wire or replace the dash wire harness.

The engine wire harness. If the fuse didn’t blow when you tested the dash wire harness, connect the engine wire harness and repeat the test.

If the fuse blows, the short is in the engine wire harness. Find and repair the broken wire or replace the engine wire harness.

To find the part number of the engine wire harness, look it up using the engine model number, not the lawn tractor’s model number—engine parts are listed separately from the rest of lawn tractor parts.

Here’s the diagram of the engine wire harness for the engine in this riding lawn mower, circled in red.

The chassis wire harness. If the fuse didn’t blow with the engine wire harness connected, then the short is in the chassis wire harness. Find and repair the broken wire or replace the chassis wire harness.

Have you had your fill of checking wires yet? As we said at the start of this video, finding a short circuit can be challenging. Hopefully you have found and fixed the short in your mower’s electrical system so it doesn’t keep blowing fuses.

Remember to use the wiring diagram for your type of riding lawn mower to find the short if your mower’s wiring differs from this model.

I hope this video helped you out today. You can find links to any parts we talked about in the video description. Check out our other troubleshooting and repair videos on the Sears PartsDirect YouTube channel. Subscribe and we’ll let you know when we post new videos.

What Keeps Draining My Lawn Mower Battery? (CausesFixes)

Only a few days ago you charged your mower battery and took it for a spin. You hauled mulch around to the flower beds and zoomed around getting your landscaping done. All was right with your mower. Fast forward a few days, the grass needs cutting but the battery needs to charge again? What’s going on? The same thing happened the last time you used it, and you get a repeat this week. You ask yourself “why is my mower battery draining?”

We will be going over possible issues that could be draining your lawn mower battery, how to fix them, and if a bad solenoid will drain a lawn mower battery. Get comfortable, crack open a cold one, and let’s start solving the problem.

What Keeps Draining My Lawn Mower Battery? (The Short Answer)

Your lawn mower battery could be draining from a number of causes such as loose, dirty, or corroded battery cables, electronic drain, or a bad battery. There could also be a faulty charging system, a failing voltage regulator, or other issues that are draining your lawn mower battery.

Possible Reasons for a Lawn Mower Battery Not Holding a Charge

Dirty or Corroded Battery Cables

It happens to your automobiles, and it can certainly happen to your lawn mower battery. You open up the hood, there on the battery cables is a whitish, powdery crust building up around the terminals.

Hydrogen gas escapes from your battery and it reacts with the metal on the battery posts and cables causing corrosion. If it gets too bad, your lawn mower battery will not charge or send power to the mower at all. It’s annoying, but a simple fix.

How to Fix: Put on your safety gear, chemical-resistant gloves, eye protection, all that stuff. There could be some battery acid, or the corrosion could be irritating to skin and mess up clothing.

Disconnect the battery terminals, pour baking soda (you can also use battery cleaner from your local auto parts store) around the corroded areas, and then pour a little bit of water on the baking soda to neutralize the corrosion and battery acid.

If the corrosion is stuck on, you can use a small wire brush to scrape it off, then use more baking soda and water to dissolve the residual corrosion. Use paper towels next to clean and dry the areas then reattach the cables, charge your battery again, and you’re good to ‘mow’.

Loose Battery Cables

If you have a loose connection, then of course the battery is going to struggle to keep everything running correctly. The constant vibrations of the motor over time can cause the bolts to loosen slightly causing your battery to work overtime to power your lawn mower.

How to Fix: Simply wiggle all the cable connections to see if they are loose. If any need tightening, clamp them down properly then get back to tending your yard.

Leaving the Key on in the Ignition, or Leaving Accessories on

This could happen. I’m forgetful at the best of times, and even more so when I’m in a hurry. I get it, things happen, maybe the key wasn’t turned completely off, or the lights were on in the daytime, and you just didn’t see that they’d been left on. We’re all very busy people and simple mistakes like this do happen.

How to Fix: To fix this problem simply double-check yourself. Take the keys out and hang them somewhere nearby or put them in the cupholder of your mower. After you park it, take a quick look to make sure all the lights and fancy gadgets are turned off.

A Bad Alternator

The alternator helps to keep the electrical system running and recharges the battery while the engine is running. If the alternator is failing, then it means the battery has to take up the slack and it’s not getting enough charge to keep it in tip-top shape.

How to Check: To check the alternator, turn the mower’s lights on, leave them on then turn off the mower. If the alternator is good, then the lights will dim when the motor stops. If the lights remain the same intensity, then it means the battery is carrying the load and the alternator needs to be replaced. Once that is fixed, the battery will be recharged every time you run your mower.

The Voltage Regulator is Going Bad

If the voltage regulator is going bad you’ll notice some obvious symptoms, namely that it will cause the battery to drain pretty quickly.

How to Check: You will need your trusty multimeter to check for this problem. Set it to check the voltage, turn on the mower just enough to get a load running through the electrical system. Check the battery terminals with the multimeter.

You are looking for voltage between 13.8 and 14.5 volts. Below 13.8 means your battery is failing or is not sufficiently charged, and above 14.5 means you have a fault in the voltage regulator, and it needs to be replaced.

The Battery Needs Maintenance

Another reason your battery is not able to keep a charge is that your battery needs some maintenance. Lawn mower and car batteries are known as wet cell batteries. There is sulfuric acid inside the battery cells and over time gasses escape, the liquid is reduced, resulting in a poor performing battery. Learning how to restore a lawn mower battery can save you a few bucks when this happens.

How to Fix: You can check this by first donning your protective gear. Gloves, safety glasses, you know the drill.

Next, carefully pop off the plastic covers to the battery and peer inside. If the liquid is lower than the round ports, it needs water. Use a small funnel and pour distilled water into the ports to raise the liquid level only to the bottom of the ports. You don’t want to overfill these holes. Put the covers back when you’re done, give the battery a good charge and you should be set.

Now is also a good time to check for dirt and corrosion at the battery terminals.

Not Running Your Mower at Full Throttle

Now I’ve been guilty of this in the past. I was young, just bought my first John Deere riding mower and I wanted to eventually pass it on to my grandchildren. In an effort to reduce the strain on the mower, I didn’t run it at full throttle. Little did I know, mowers are designed to run with the “pedal to the metal.”

Along with other issues that can occur from not pushing the throttle to the top, it can drain your battery. If the motor is not running at full RPMs, the battery may not be getting a full charge. So go ahead, crank that throttle up and run your mower full blast. It was built to run full throttle.

Your Battery is Failing

Another reason your lawn mower battery keeps draining could be because it is heading toward the end of its life cycle. Mower batteries typically have a lifespan between 3 to 5 years with proper care.

Of course, you can get the occasional lemon that doesn’t even tick on that long, but if you can’t find anything else that keeps draining your battery, you might have to think about replacing your old one. When you’ve got a battery that’s soon to be a dead lawn mower battery, the simple fix is to buy another one. I know your wallet isn’t going to be excited about that, but once the battery starts failing, there’s nothing else that can be done about it.

Electronic Drain

With all the new advances related to everything electronic, your battery could be experiencing a parasitic electronic drain. This happens when the lawn mower is turned off, but a tiny electrical charge is still sucking minute doses of power.

Given time, this could weaken or completely drain the battery. This can be difficult to check for and to fix, but if all other avenues have been exhausted, you may have to check for this. You will need a multimeter for this particular diagnosis.

How to Check: Set your multimeter to ammeter mode then set the probes on the battery posts when the mower is turned completely off. If you get a reading of more than 1mA, then your electrical system is still drawing current off the battery via a relay system, or a component in the mower that has a standby mode.

To remedy the parasitic drain, you may have to take it in to get your mower serviced. You could also disconnect the battery each time to save it from the power-sucking culprit or keep a maintenance charger on the battery when not in use.

Will a Bad Solenoid Drain the Battery on a Lawn Mower?

The solenoid is the part connected between the battery cable and the starter. A bad solenoid will not drain the battery on a lawn mower – its main purpose is to send a larger charge to the starter to get the mower running. If the solenoid has gone bad, assuming the battery is still good, you will probably only hear a small click when you attempt to start your mower.

Class Dismissed

I hope this has answered all your questions as to what keeps draining your lawn mower battery. Now you don’t have to continue asking yourself or your neighbors why your John Deere tractor or your Kohler engine keeps draining the battery. You have the knowledge to diagnose and fix the draining battery yourself.

By checking the battery cables for corrosion or a loose fit, keeping up with battery maintenance, and making sure everything is turned off (yes, I’m speaking to myself here) as well as checking for alternator, voltage regulator problems, or electrical parasites you can find out what keeps draining your mower battery. Also, replace the battery if it has reached the end of its life cycle, and keep that throttle running high, so you can keep that battery charged, and your lawn neat and tidy.

About Tom Greene

I’ve always had a keen interest in lawn care as long as I can remember. Friends used to call me the lawn mower guru (hence the site name), but I’m anything but. I just enjoy cutting my lawn and spending time outdoors. I also love the well-deserved doughnuts and coffee afterward!