Push mower wheels locked. Month: January 2020
US7574850B1. Caster wheel locking system for walk-behind mower. Google Patents
Publication number US7574850B1 US7574850B1 US12/136,488 US13648808A US7574850B1 US 7574850 B1 US7574850 B1 US 7574850B1 US 13648808 A US13648808 A US 13648808A US 7574850 B1 US7574850 B1 US 7574850B1 Authority US United States Prior art keywords caster traction drive wheels caster wheel drive bar Prior art date 2008-06-10 Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.) Active Application number US12/136,488 Inventor Dimitri Nunez Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.) Deere and Co Original Assignee Deere and Co Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.) 2008-06-10 Filing date 2008-06-10 Publication date 2009-08-18 2008-06-10 Application filed by Deere and Co filed Critical Deere and Co 2008-06-10 Priority to US12/136,488 priority Critical patent/US7574850B1/en 2009-06-16 Assigned to DEERE COMPANY reassignment DEERE COMPANY ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: NUNEZ, DIMITRI 2009-08-18 Application granted granted Critical 2009-08-18 Publication of US7574850B1 publication Critical patent/US7574850B1/en Status Active legal-status Critical Current 2028-06-10 Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Images
Classifications
- A — HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01 — AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01D — HARVESTING; MOWING
- A01D34/00 — Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters
- A01D34/01 — Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus
- A01D34/412 — Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus having rotating cutters
- A01D34/63 — Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus having rotating cutters having cutters rotating about a vertical axis
- A01D34/67 — Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus having rotating cutters having cutters rotating about a vertical axis hand-guided by a walking operator
- A — HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01 — AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01D — HARVESTING; MOWING
- A01D34/00 — Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters
- A01D34/01 — Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus
- A01D34/412 — Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus having rotating cutters
- A01D34/63 — Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus having rotating cutters having cutters rotating about a vertical axis
- A01D34/82 — Other details
- A — HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01 — AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01D — HARVESTING; MOWING
- A01D34/00 — Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters
- A01D34/01 — Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus
- A01D34/412 — Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus having rotating cutters
- A01D34/63 — Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus having rotating cutters having cutters rotating about a vertical axis
- A01D34/82 — Other details
- A01D34/824 — Handle arrangements
- A — HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01 — AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01D — HARVESTING; MOWING
- A01D34/00 — Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters
- A01D34/01 — Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus
- A01D34/412 — Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus having rotating cutters
- A01D34/63 — Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus having rotating cutters having cutters rotating about a vertical axis
- A01D34/67 — Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus having rotating cutters having cutters rotating about a vertical axis hand-guided by a walking operator
- A01D34/68 — Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus having rotating cutters having cutters rotating about a vertical axis hand-guided by a walking operator with motor driven cutters or wheels
- A01D2034/6843 — Control levers on the handle of the mower
Abstract
A caster wheel locking system is provided for a walk-behind mower. The system includes a caster wheel lock on each of the front caster wheels that locks and aligns the front caster wheels in a forward direction if the traction drive bar is in the forward drive position, and unlocks the front caster wheels to allow the front caster wheels to steer freely if the traction drive bar is in the neutral position. A traction drive bar is connected to the handle and moves between a neutral position and a forward drive position in which the pair of rear wheels rotate to propel the mower forward.
Description
This invention relates to grass mowing machines, and specifically to walk-behind mowers having rear driven wheels and front caster wheels.
Walk-behind mowers may be provided with caster wheels on the front of a mower deck and driven wheels on the rear of the deck. The caster wheels can pivot or steer with respect to the mower deck when the mower is turned, so that the operator is not required to raise the front or rear of the mower deck, or slide the wheels over the turf, during a turn. Front caster wheels reduce the effort required to maneuver the mower through a turn. Each front caster wheel may include an upright shaft which may be pivotally held within a cylindrical opening. As the mower makes a turn, the shaft pivots within the opening to allow the caster wheel to pivot. Thus, front caster wheels generally prevent turf from being scuffed or otherwise damaged during a turn of a walk-behind mower.
Some walk-behind mowers allow an operator to lock the front caster wheels for straight, lengthy cuts. Locking the front caster wheels also may help the mower maintain a straight cutting path along the side of a hill or bank by preventing the mower from sliding sideways down the slope. The caster wheel locking mechanisms may be mechanically actuated at or adjacent the pivoting shaft of each caster wheel. Additionally, during straight travel, the operator may engage a self-propel rear wheel drive mechanism using a lever or control located on or adjacent the mower handle.
When the operator needs to turn the mower, he or she may disengage the self-propel drive mechanism to stop the mower, and then disengage each of the caster wheel locking mechanisms. Otherwise, the mower does not obtain the full benefit of the caster wheels during a turn. After turning the mower, the operator may lock the casters again, and then engage the self-propel drive mechanism to resume a straight cutting path.
A caster wheel locking system is needed for a walk-behind mower that reduces the time and effort to engage the front caster wheels during straight cuts, and disengage the front caster wheels during turns. A caster wheel locking system is needed that increases productivity by allowing engagement and disengagement of the front caster wheels without stopping the mower.
A caster wheel locking system for a walk-behind mower reduces mowing time and effort by automatically engaging the front caster wheels during straight cuts, and disengaging the front caster wheels during turns. The caster wheel locking system increases productivity by engaging and disengaging the front caster wheels without stopping the mower. The caster wheel locking system includes a caster wheel lock on each front caster wheel. Each caster wheel lock can lock and align the front caster wheels in a forward direction if the traction drive bar is in the forward drive position, and can unlock the front caster wheels to allow them to steer freely if the traction drive bar is in the neutral position. The traction drive bar is connected to the handle and can move between a neutral position and a forward drive position in which the pair of rear wheels rotate to propel the mower forward.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a walk-behind mower with a caster wheel locking system according to a first embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view of a front wheel with the caster wheel locking system of a first embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 3 is a side view of caster wheel locking system controls in the locked position according to a first embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 4 is a side view of caster wheel locking system controls in the automatic position according to a first embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 5 is a side view of caster wheel locking system controls in the unlocked position according to a first embodiment of the invention.
In a first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-5. walk-behind mower 100 is provided with handle 102 attached to mower deck 105. The mower deck is supported by a pair of front wheels 104 and a pair of rear wheels 106. An internal combustion engine 110 or other power source may be positioned on the mower deck for rotating a vertically aligned spindle and a mower blade turning under the deck.
In one embodiment, rear wheels 106 may be self propelled by a drive mechanism connected to the engine and controlled by the operator using traction drive/self-propel bar 114. The traction drive/self-propel bar may be hinged or slidably mounted to handle 102, and the operator may use the bar to propel the mower forward and control the drive speed of the rear wheels. The bar may be biased to a neutral position, and the operator may pivot the bar out of the neutral position to a range of forward drive positions corresponding to the position or angle of the bar relative to the handle. Additionally, the mower may include an operator presence bar 116 hinged to handle 102 in a manner requiring the operator to grip the bar in an operating position to avoid killing the engine and halting rotation of the mower blade.
In one embodiment, each front wheel may be rotatably mounted to a wheel mount 132 at the front end of a forward extending arm 126 attached to the mower deck. A caster wheel lock 112 may be provided between each wheel mount 132 and the forward extending arm 126. Each caster wheel lock 112 is part of a caster wheel locking system operable with caster control lever 120 pivotably mounted in lever housing 121 on handle 102. The operator may move caster control lever 120 between a locked position, an automatic position, and an unlocked position. The three different positions are shown in FIGS. 3-5 and are described below.
In one embodiment, bowden cable 122 may connect each caster wheel lock 112 to caster control lever 120. Each caster wheel lock may include an upright shaft 108 mounted in cylindrical bore 124 extending vertically through each caster wheel lock housing 118. Each upright shaft may have an opening or hole extending therethrough, which may be engaged by a spring loaded caster wheel locking pin 128.
In one embodiment, caster control lever 120 determines the position of cable 122 which determines the position of the spring loaded caster wheel locking pins at each of the front caster wheels by increasing or decreasing the tension on cable wire 133. An operator can quickly and easily change settings of the front caster wheels by moving lever 120 between a locked tracking position in which the front caster wheels are aligned in the forward direction, or an unlocked continuous free spin position. Additionally, an operator can move caster control lever 120 to an automatic position where the front caster wheels are locked only if traction bar 114 is engaged. In the automatic position, while the traction bar is engaged, there is reduced tension on linkage 136 (which may be a rod or cable) and wire 133. However, in the automatic position, while the traction bar is disengaged, there is increased tension on linkage 136 and wire 133, extracting pins 128 from the front caster wheels. As a result, if the traction bar is disengaged, the caster wheels are unlocked allowing them to steer around a turn. Traction bar 114 may be mechanically linked by a cable 136 which is fastened to the upper end of the bowden cable housing.
In one embodiment, spring loaded caster wheel locking pins 128 are mounted in each caster wheel lock housing. Spring 130 is provided around each pin to bias the pin into an opening 138 or hole in each upright shaft 108, and bowden cable 122 connected between the pin and caster control lever 120 is used by the operator to pull the pins away from the openings in the upright shafts via mechanical link 134. For example, the mechanical link at the lower end of the wire 133 may be a hook that engages the spring loaded caster wheel locking pin.
In one embodiment, bowden cable 122 is branched to each of the caster wheel locks on the left and right front caster wheels with a “T” or “Y” junction that provides equal force to each cable end.
As shown in FIG. 3. if the operator moves the caster control lever 120 to the locked or tracking position, the bowden cable attached to the lever does not exert enough tension on the inner cable, and does not displace the inner cable sufficiently, to pull the spring loaded caster wheel locking pins out from openings 138 in the upright shafts. As a result, the spring loaded caster wheel locking pins remain in the openings to prevent the upright shafts from pivoting in the cylindrical bore. The pins hold the upright shaft in the locked or tracking position so that the wheels are aligned to rotate forwardly, and cannot steer.
In FIG. 4. the caster control lever is in the automatic position. In the automatic position, bowden cable 122 pulls the spring loaded pins out of openings 138 in the upright shafts only if traction drive bar 114 is released to the neutral position. At that time, while the traction drive bar is released, the front caster wheels can pivot or steer. If the traction drive bar is engaged to drive the rear wheels forwardly, the bowden cable tension is released and allows the spring loaded pins to re-enter the openings. At that time, the front caster wheels are locked and aligned in the forward tracking position. Thus, the automatic position aligns the front caster wheels to track straight as the operator engages the traction drive bar, or steer freely as the operator disengages the traction drive bar.
FIG. 5 shows the caster control lever in the unlocked position. In the unlocked position, the bowden cable attached to the caster control lever pulls the spring loaded caster wheel locking pins out and away from openings 138 in the upright shafts so the caster wheels can freely steer. The spring loaded pins are not in the openings in the upright shafts, so the shafts can pivot within cylindrical bore 124 and the front caster wheels can pivot or steer freely.
Having described a preferred embodiment, it will become apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the accompanying claims.
Claims ( 12 )
a mower deck supported by a pair of front caster wheels and a pair of rear wheels, and a handle attached to the mower deck;
a traction drive bar connected to the handle and moveable between a neutral position and a forward drive position in which the pair of rear wheels rotate to propel the mower forward; and
Self Propelled Lawnmower Wheels Locked Up [Easy Fix]
a caster wheel lock on each of the front caster wheels which locks the front wheels and aligns the front caster wheels in a forward direction, a cable from the caster wheel locks linked to the traction drive bar, and a caster control lever attached around an upper end of the cable to vary the tension on the cable to either lock the front caster wheels in a forward direction regardless of the position of the traction drive bar, unlock the front caster wheels regardless of the position of the traction drive bar, or lock the front caster wheels if the traction drive bar is in the forward drive position, and unlock the front caster wheels to allow the front caster wheels to steer freely if the traction drive bar is in the neutral position.
The caster wheel locking system of claim 1 wherein each caster wheel lock further comprises a spring loaded pin.
The caster wheel locking system of claim 2 wherein each front caster wheel is mounted to an upright shaft that the spring loaded pin can engage to lock the front caster wheels and align the front wheels in a forward direction.
The caster wheel locking system of claim 1 wherein each caster wheel lock is mounted between an arm extending forwardly from the mower deck and a wheel mount.
a pin connected to a first end of a bowden cable and moveable into an opening in an upright shaft between a front wheel of the mower and a mower deck;
a traction drive bar on a handle of the walk-behind mower and movable between a neutral position and rear wheel drive positions; the traction drive bar connected through a linkage to a second end of the bowden cable; and
a caster control lever mounted on the handle and connected to a sleeve around the second end of the bowden cable and moveable between a locked position in which the bowden cable moves the pin into the opening to align the front wheel in a non-steering position regardless of the traction drive bar position, an automatic position in which the bowden cable moves the pin into the opening only if the traction drive bar is in the rear wheel drive position, and an unlocked position in which the pin is retracted from the opening so the front wheel can steer freely regardless of the traction drive bar position.
The caster wheel locking system of claim 5 further comprising a spring biasing the pin to the locked position.
The caster wheel locking system of claim 5 wherein the linkage is a rod between the traction drive bar and the bowden cable.
The caster wheel locking system of claim 5 wherein the pin and the upright shaft are enclosed in a housing.
The caster wheel locking system of claim 5 wherein the traction drive is pivotable on the handle of the mower.
a pair of front caster wheels rotatably mounted to a pair of front wheel mounts, and a pair of rear wheels that may be driven to propel the mower in a forward direction in response to moving a traction drive bar to a forward drive position; the front caster wheels and rear wheels supporting a mower deck;
a handle on the mower deck having a caster control lever pivotably mounted thereto, and a cable between the traction drive bar and each caster wheel lock, the caster control lever attached to a housing around the cable and pivotable to lock the caster wheel locks in a forward tracking position regardless of the position of the traction drive bar, a free steering position regardless of the position of the traction drive bar, or an automatic position in which the caster wheel locks are locked in a forward tracking position only while the traction drive bar is in the forward drive position.
The caster wheel locking system of claim 10 wherein each caster wheel lock further comprises a spring loaded pin to controllably engage an opening in an upright shaft.
The caster wheel locking system of claim 10 further comprising a rod between the traction drive bar and the cable.
US12/136,488 2008-06-10 2008-06-10 Caster wheel locking system for walk-behind mower Active US7574850B1 ( en )
Priority Applications (1)
| US12/136,488 US7574850B1 ( en ) | 2008-06-10 | 2008-06-10 | Caster wheel locking system for walk-behind mower |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| US12/136,488 US7574850B1 ( en ) | 2008-06-10 | 2008-06-10 | Caster wheel locking system for walk-behind mower |
Family Applications (1)
| US12/136,488 Active US7574850B1 ( en ) | 2008-06-10 | 2008-06-10 | Caster wheel locking system for walk-behind mower |
Cited By (4)
| US20110127741A1 ( en ) | 2004-09-15 | 2011-06-02 | Fernando Esteban Araya no | Device for the optional guiding of at least one self-steering wheel of a trolley |
| US20120007325A1 ( en ) | 2010-07-09 | 2012-01-12 | Rich Thomas M | Vehicle front wheel pivot lock |
| CN105532178A ( en ) | 2013-06-28 | 2016-05-04 | 朱保生 | Hay mower provided with grass pulling wheels and working method of hay mower |
| US10780918B2 ( en ) | 2011-09-22 | 2020-09-22 | Mtd Products Inc | Vehicle control systems and methods and related vehicles |
Patent Citations (21)
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| US6880202B2 ( en ) | 2003-04-04 | 2005-04-19 | M.C. Healthcare Products Inc. | Directional lock |
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Cited By (6)
| US20110127741A1 ( en ) | 2004-09-15 | 2011-06-02 | Fernando Esteban Araya no | Device for the optional guiding of at least one self-steering wheel of a trolley |
| US8292327B2 ( en ) | 2004-09-15 | 2012-10-23 | Fernando Esteban Araya no | Device for the optional guiding of at least one self-steering wheel of a trolley |
| US20120007325A1 ( en ) | 2010-07-09 | 2012-01-12 | Rich Thomas M | Vehicle front wheel pivot lock |
| US8282112B2 ( en ) | 2010-07-09 | 2012-10-09 | Rich Thomas M | Vehicle front wheel pivot lock |
| US10780918B2 ( en ) | 2011-09-22 | 2020-09-22 | Mtd Products Inc | Vehicle control systems and methods and related vehicles |
| CN105532178A ( en ) | 2013-06-28 | 2016-05-04 | 朱保生 | Hay mower provided with grass pulling wheels and working method of hay mower |
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Legal Events
Owner name: DEERE COMPANY, ILLINOIS
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:NUNEZ, DIMITRI;REEL/FRAME:022828/0987
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Year of fee payment: 8
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Month: January 2020
Is that riding lawn mowers wheels locked up or will it not move when you put it into gear?
If the wheels are locked up, check the brake system to ensure that you don’t have it engaged. That is the most common problem with a locked up lawn mower. If that does not solve that problem, check the be sure that you are not in a gear or that the hydrostat is in the neutral position.
If the lawn mower won’t move, check to see if the drive belt has come off the pulleys or if it is broken. Also check that the tow rod is engaged. These two items will solve most of the problems with a lawn mower that will not move. It is a possibility that the transmission is broken or slipping.
Transmission problems are more difficult to diagnose and you should consult a professional to resolve this problem. There are many different types of lawn mower transmissions, from simple gear drives to sophisticated hydrostatics.
When you need your riding lawn mower transmission serviced or repaired, visit our Locations page for a shop near you.
How To Tell When To Change The Oil in My Riding Lawn Mower
If you have an hour meter on your riding lawn mower, that is the best way to tell when to change your oil. But that could also not be totally accurate if you mow in dusty conditions. You will need to change your oil sooner if you do.
The best way to tell when to change the oil in your riding lawn mower is to consult the owner’s manual for the engine. This will give you the correct number of hours to change it and what type of oil that the manufacturer recommends. Also be sure to use the correct oil filter for your riding lawn mower.
Normally the oil is changed every 100 hours or more depending on which engine is in your riding lawn mower. You can use conventional motor oil to break in a new engine and then change over to a synthetic oil once your engine reaches its first oil change interval with is normally at 25 hours. This first oil change is the most critical of all because you drain out any metal shavings from the internal components as they wear in. Do not skip this first REQUIRED oil change!
Here is a list of engine manufacturers to help if you do not have your owner’s manual.
Taking great care of your engine in your riding lawn mower is very important to getting the complete life out of it.
If you need a lawn mower repair shop to change your engine oil, visit our Locations page.
My Zero Turn Lawn Mower Does Not Go Straight
Mowing in a straight line is one of the important things about making your lawn look nice. When your zero turn won’t do the job, there are reasons why and we must check them out one by one to determine what the problem is.
The most likely problem is that one of the tires is low and is causing it to pull to the side. Check all your tires for the proper pressure and then do a test mowing.
If that is not the source of the issue, check to be sure that your brake is not dragging and causing it to pull to one side.
Do the drive sticks look like they are aligned properly? If not, this could be an issue as well.
If none of these things resolve the problem, an adjustment to the drive sticks will need to be made to make the zero turn drive straight. If you have the ability to perform this adjustment, go ahead and do so. If not, visit our Locations page for a zero turn lawn mower repair technician near you.
Self-Propelled Lawn Mower Pulls Slowly
Is your self-propelled lawn mower slowing down over time? Does it not pull up hills the way it used to? Does it take longer to cut your grass than it did?
As a self-propelled mower ages, the drive belt will begin to wear and the drive pulleys may wear as well. When this happens, it creates less friction and the drive system begins to slow down.
Eventually something has to give and the belt will either just stop making contact or it may break. The drive pulleys could also wear out to the point that they no longer grip. Then the entire drive system becomes inoperable and you are back to a push mower. And this becomes a very heavy push mower when you have to move it.
You bought a self-propelled lawn mower to help you power through the tall grass and hills in your yard, not to become a brick that you mow your lawn with!
Changing the drive belt can be easy or difficult task depending on the brand and model of self-propelled mower you have. If it looks beyond your capabilities, check out our Locations page for a self-propelled lawn mower repair shop near you.
My Lawn Mower Bogs Down in Thicker Grass
You care cruising along and cutting the grass when you hit a patch that is a little thicker than normal. All of a sudden the mower begins to bog down and may even die. You are now wondering why it does that?
If your lawn mower works well under normal conditions, it could be a mechanical, electrical or fuel problem. Each of these systems will need to be troubleshot to determine what the problem is. One by one is the best way to proceed.
Since you really cannot put a load on the engine unless you are cutting grass, let’s check some easy things first. Is the spark plug normal looking with a brownish appearance on the electrode? Is the fuel filter clogging up? Are the valves properly adjusted? Is one cylinder not getting spark or fuel?
Check each component to find out what exactly is causing the problem. Some things such as spark will require a spark tester to determine if the spark is good or not. The other items are a visual inspection to see if things are working as they should be.
If you find something wrong, adjust or change the component and retest to see what results you get to ensure that your lawn mower is not bogging down.
Should you need technical help with your lawn mower, check our Locations page for a lawn mower repair shop near you.
Honda Self-Propelled Drive Wheels Will Not Turn
Is your mower becoming hard to push or turn? Does it not want to go in reverse when you pull it backwards? Is the speed slower than normal?
This is a problem that occurs in the rear wheel drive system. Over time dirt and debris builds up in the axle assembly and causes it to start to bind up. Then it can become extremely hard to move the mower and the wheels may even lock up completely.
This problem can be solved but it takes a good bit of disassembly to resolve it. Taking the drive system apart is one thing. Putting it back together is quite another. Honda self-propelled lawn mowers are a bit on the complicated side in their drive systems. A good schematic or mechanical knowledge is important to ensure that things go back in their proper order.
Try removing the drive wheels to ensure that the gears are not worn down and are making good contact with one another. See if the drive gear spins freely and locks up in one direction. If all this is good, the problem is deeper in the drive train.
If you need a professional Honda Lawn Mower Repair Technician, visit our Locations page for help.
My Lawn Mower is Leaking Gas From The Air Filter
If any gas is leaking from your lawn mower, that is a safety hazard. The fumes can ignite from a hot exhaust and cause a fire. When you have a gas leak, it is best to get it addressed by a lawn mower repair professional immediately.
Many times the cause of this leak is the needle and seat in the carburetor is not sealing. The weight of the gas from the tank is sitting on the needle which is the size of a sharpened pencil lead. If there is any buildup of oxidation on it, it will begin to leak. It could leak out slowly or it could come out gushing and empty the tank quickly.
Garage fires have been caused by leaking lawn mowers, so be careful about paying attention to the top of your mower on a push or self-propelled and on the floor if it is a rider or zero turn.
The carburetor will need to be disassembled and cleaned or replaced if the fuel oxidation is too bad.
If you need lawn mower repair, visit our Locations page for a shop near you.
The Pull Cord On My Self-Propelled Lawn Mower is Stuck
This condition makes it feel like you are going to break your right arm when the pull cord gets stuck. You yank on it and it is locked up tight.
Let’s check a few easy things first.
Check the oil. If you have no oil on the dipstick, that is a bad sign and the engine could be seized up. “Sometimes” you can break the engine free, add more oil and dodge a bullet, but that is rare. Normally the engine is destroyed if run on no oil.
Pull the spark plug wire off the spark plug and tilt the mower backwards so you can inspect under the mower. Is there anything that is blocking the blade from turning? Can you move the blade at all?
Sometimes a rock or stick will get caught in the blade and stop the engine from turning.
The pull starter would also be broken and causing it to be locked up.
If you cannot determine what the problem is, visit our Locations page for a small engine repair shop near you.
One Wheel Turns on My Riding Lawn Mower and Other Does Not
Riding lawn mower transmissions are normally a one wheel drive at a time. You may notice it especially on hills where one tire slips on the uphill side.
On many riding lawn mowers, this is a perfectly normal situation. There is a sort of limited slip built into them and slippage like this is common.
If your riding lawn mower is supposed to have both wheels turning, then you may have a transmission problem or one of the wheel keys to holds the wheel to the axle may not have been installed after recent work.
One way to tell if your transmission is working properly is to put the rear up on jacks and then spin one back tire. The other tire should rotate in the opposite direction on a normal lawn mower. They should both turn in the same direction on a mower where both wheels engage.
Check the wheel keys. They are just a square piece of steel that slides into the axle and the wheel itself.
If you cannot find the source of the problem, visit one of our Locations for a riding lawn mower shop near you.
How to Start a Hard Starting Lawn Mower
You are struggling to start your lawn mower and you just feel like pushing it over the nearest hill…well that is, if you have a hill!
Lawn mowers can be a real pain if everything is not working properly and a hard starting one can be frustrating. So, let’s see if we can take some of that frustration out of it for you.
A hard starting lawn mower can either have a fuel issue, ignition or a mechanical one.
You can check if the lawn mower is getting fuel by trying to start the engine and then removing the spark plug after you stop cranking. See if there is any gas on the plug. If not, it could be a fuel delivery problem such as a plugged up carburetor or fuel filter.
You can also install a spark tester at this time to see if you have good spark.
A choke that will not fully close is another issue that causes hard starting. Engage the choke fully and make sure that is closes completely.
Improperly adjusted valves is another item that will cause hard starting. Check the valve clearances to ensure they are in specifications.
Low engine compression can also cause this problem. Check for the proper PSI that your engine should have.
These are some simple things that you can check and see if you can resolve your lawn mower problem. Perform these steps and hopefully you will find the problem!
My Self-Propelled Mower Won’t Work…Help!!
So, what happens when the wheels on your self-propelled don’t turn or the mower won’t go anymore?
It’s simple, here are 6 troubleshooting steps that you can use to get your lawn mower back on track!
Whether your push mower is a Honda, a Craftsman, Husqvarna, Cub Cadet, or any of the best push mowers of 2020.
You will likely find the information you need to fix your self driving push mower in this article.
Step One: Inspect the v-belt.
Here’s the deal, the v-belt connects to the pulleys. This in turn drives the lawn mower wheels.
From time to time, the belt may wear out and needs to be replaced. Simply put. if that belt is worn out or broken. the wheels won’t turn.
Below is a helpful video on how to replace the v-belt.
Step Two: Check the drive pulley.
The next step is to check the drive pulley. The drive pulley connects to the crankshaft and is turned by the v-belt. If that drive pulley is defective. the transmission will not be able to engage the wheel assembly and turn the wheels.
So how do you fix it?
It’s easy, with a few tools in the garage, the drive pulley can be replaced if defective. Start by removing the lawn mower blade. From there it should be pretty easy to remove the belt if it needs to be replaced.
Step Three: Check the self-propel cable.
This cable runs from the handle of the lawn mower to the transmission. The location and high use of this cable make it susceptible to breaking. It can be checked by seeing if the control cable moves freely. If it doesn’t, some WD40 should be used to lubricate it a little.
But, if that doesn’t work, it may need to be replaced.
To Check the Self-drive Cable:
- Inspect the line for kinks
- Check both connections of the line
- Check for loose parts or cracking plastic
- Make sure that the cable moves freely
If you have ever folded your lawn mower handles down and your self-propel feature stopped working. There is a good chance you kinked the cable and need to replace it.
Step Four: Check the transmission.
The transmission is powered by the drive belt that connects to the crankshaft. When working properly, the drive belt powers the transmission, and the wheels turn.
To check the transmission, carefully watch the transmission when the engine is running. If the pulley is spinning, and the wheels aren’t turning, the transmission is bad.
Unfortunately. if this is broken, it may be time to buy a new mower because this part is generally unreplaceable.
Fortunately. the transmission will often get clogged up with grass. Often times, you can remove the grass from around the transmission gears to get the self drive mechanism working again.
Step Five: Check gear box and wheels.
If the mower is lifted off the ground, and the other gears work The wheels have to be taken off to make sure that the toothed gear is engaging with the toothed wheel.
The problem could be that a clip slipped along with the washer or that either the gear or the shifting keys are broken or worn out causing the gears to slip.
For more information on checking the gearbox see the video below.
“My self-propelled mower only works in 1st gear”
Step Six: Check tension on v-belt.
Yep another belt issue! The v-belt tension should be tight. If it’s not, it could be slipping and only turning the wheels in first gear, or not at all.
Having the belt too loose can also cause long term engine damage.
In order to tighten the v-belt, refer to this video below.
A Note on The Design of the Modern Lawn Mower
Lawnmowers and guns. These two items do not normally go hand in hand, but thanks to Edward Beard Budding, an English Engineer, they share a connection.
In 1827, Budding was working in the cotton mills and noticed blades sheering excess fibers from the surface of cloth and adapted the principle to the world’s first lawnmower.
Then in 1830, Budding designed a pistol more technically advanced than Sam Colt’s revolver of 1835, but it never saw full scale production.
Since Budding’s inventions, the lawnmower has been a ubiquitous marvel that keeps getting more efficient, easier to use, and cheaper to obtain. Mass production by companies like Murray and Honda have made mowers available to virtually every homeowner as well.
Although the lawn mower has gotten more complex throughout the history of the lawn mower. it has always improved.
The Bottom Line: Repairing your Own Self-Driving Push Mower
Most homeowners prefer the chore of mowing their lawn just for the exercise and to save money; any disruption of this can be a significant inconvenience and can even lead to fines by the city if not mowed in ample time.
In addition, regular mower maintenance can help in prolonging its life. For example, changing oil and sharpening blades regularly.
Additionally, using gasoline without any ethanol may also help to reduce build up in the engine, ensuring the mower will run smoothly for years to come.
Hope these tips have answered the call for help!
However, if none of these tips work, hiring a landscaping professional may be an option.
Hi, I’m Gene Caballero and I’m the co-founder of GreenPal. At GreenPal, we’re helping hundreds of thousands of Americans solve one of the trickiest problems: a reliable, fast, and affordable way to get lawncare taken care of. On behalf of GreenPal, I’ve been featured in the Indianapolis Star. the Sacramento Bee. Entrepreneur. Inc.com. and dozens more. Please feel free to say hi on or connect with me on LinkedIn.
The Best Self-Propelled Lawn Mowers in 2023 for Making Your Yard Work Easier
These lawn mowers drive themselves, taking the load off you in the process.
By Roy Berendsohn Published: Mar 21, 2023
One of the perks of the warm-weather season is getting to spend time outside. If you own your own home and have a yard, it’s very likely that in order to enjoy your outdoor space, you need to mow the lawn. The larger the yard, the more work it will be to maintain. If you have a lot of grass to cut, you’d be wise to consider a self-propelled lawn mower especially now that there are a ton of sales just in time for Memorial Day.
The primary difference between a standard push mower and a self-propelled mower is that the former moves when you push it, and the latter essentially moves itself with only your guidance. Once the engine is running, all you have to do is squeeze a handle or push a lever and the mower will start moving forward with you as you walk.
Turning the mower around is your job, but once you have your heading, just keep the drive handle squeezed and escort the mower down the path, no pushing necessary.
Self-propelled law mowers take power off the engine and route it via a belt to a pulley on the transmission and axle. When you move the drive control lever on the mower handle, you tension the belt, causing the pulley to turn, and this drives the transmission, moving the mower forward.
Move the drive control lever back and the tension is released, the pulley stops turning, and the mower stops moving forward. The belt-driven transmission is a time-tested design to power the mower and take the load off you in the process.
What to Consider
A mower is like many consumer products in that the more features a manufacturer adds, the more expensive it becomes. But a longer or more eye-catching list of features isn’t necessarily better. Sometimes less is more. Here are the most important to keep in mind.
Front-wheel drive mowers tend to be less expensive than rear-wheel drive units. They can be easier to turn because you don’t have to disengage the drive wheels to do so. Simply push down on the handlebar to raise the front wheels off the ground. However, their traction isn’t as strong on hills or when the bag is full, as there isn’t as much weight over the drive wheels.
Rear-wheel drive mowers do cost more and aren’t as easy to turn, as you do need to disengage the drive—but this isn’t too much of a hassle. Rear-wheel drive mowers shine on hills and inclines, and when the grass bag is full. In either scenario, weight is shifted rearward and over the drive wheels, which enables superior traction, thus making the self-propel more effective.
An engine as small as 125 cc can power a mower, but most are somewhere in the 140 cc to 190 cc range. A large engine helps when powering through tall, lush grass or in extreme conditions, such as with a side discharge chute in place and mowing tall weeds in a border area. Also, the extra torque provided by a larger engine can improve bagging when the going gets tough (tall, leaf-covered grass in the fall). But if you mow sensibly and pay attention to deck height—and especially if you don’t let your lawn get out of control—an engine between 140 and 160 cc has more than enough power to get the job done.
A mower can have all four wheels the same diameter (7 to 8 inches), or it may have rear wheels that range from 9.5 inches to 12 inches in diameter. Larger rear wheels help the mower roll more easily over bumpy ground.
With some mowers you can start the engine with the twist of a key or the press of a button. It’s a great option, but a luxury. Keep the mower engine tuned and use fresh fuel with stabilizer added to it, and you’ll never have trouble starting.
Any number of mechanisms can control a mower’s ground speed—a squeeze handle, a drive bar that you press forward, even a dial. There’s no single right answer here. Look at the design and think about how you like to work. For example, if more than one person will be using the mower (and not all of them are right-handed), a drive control like that on a Toro Personal Pace mower might be the answer. Just push down on the bar to make it go faster. Let up on the bar to slow down.
A mower that can bag, mulch, and side discharge is known as a three-function mower, the most versatile kind. Two-function mowers bag and mulch or mulch and side discharge.
Mowers will typically have one, two, or four levers to control the deck height. Single-lever adjustment is the easiest to use, but it requires more linkage, which adds weight and complexity. If, for some reason, you find yourself varying deck height frequently, it’s a good option. Otherwise, two or four levers work just fine.
Only Honda makes a gas-engine mower with a high-impact plastic deck (there are battery mowers that have plastic decks). Otherwise, mowers generally have a steel deck, and a few manufacturers—Toro, for one—offer a corrosion-resistant aluminum deck. An aluminum deck won’t rot the way a steel deck will, but you still need to keep it clean.
This is a hose fitting mounted on top of the mower’s deck. When you’re done mowing, hook up a hose and run the mower to power wash the underside of the deck. We’ve had mixed results with these, but they’re better than just letting a mass of dried grass clippings accumulate.
expensive mowers come with a more durable bag with more dust-blocking capability. If you bag a lot, especially leaves or other lawn debris in the fall, then you need a mower with a higher quality dust-blocking bag. Having said that, if you rarely bag, the standard one that comes with a mower will last you the life of the mower.
Self propelled drive wheels locked up
Also called wide-area mowers, machines in this subgroup help homeowners better reconcile their need for more power and speed with the fact that they may not have enough storage for a tractor or zero-turn mower. A typical residential walk mower has a single-blade deck that cuts a swath from 20 to 22 inches wide. Wide-cut mowers (built for homeowner use) have either a single blade or, more typically, a pair of blades, cutting from 26 to 30 inches with each pass. Some of these are rated for light commercial use and have larger decks, in the 32-inch range, and engines that start at 223 cc and go up to about 337 cc.
Wide-cut mowers typically employ gear or hydrostatic drive transmissions, and they have top speeds of about 4 to 6 miles per hour. At their fastest, they move so quickly you have to trot to keep up with them. Needless to say, they’re overkill for small yards; only opt for one of these if you’ve got a significant plot of land that you need to keep tidy, but not one so large that you’d be better off going with a full-on riding mower.
How We Tested and Selected
We compiled this list based on Popular Mechanics mower testing and our knowledge of the lawn mower market at large. For our testing, we put mowers through the paces using our standard Popular Mechanics methodology: We cut turf grasses such as fescues and blue grass and rougher non-turf grasses like Timothy, clover, orchard grass, and wild oats, all in both normal and shin-deep heights. We mow uphill, downhill, and across the faces of hills. The maximum slope we cut is about 30 degrees.
That may not sound like much, but it’s about all you can do to stand on it, let alone push a mower up it or across it. We mow damp and wet grass to test general cutting performance and whether clippings accumulate on the tires. And we cut dry and dusty surfaces to see how well the bag filters under less-than-optimal conditions.
Honda HRN 216VKA
Key Specs
Honda mowers enjoy a sterling reputation. Having tested their walk and self-propelled mowers for the last 30 years, we feel confident that Honda’s entry level mower is a great choice for homeowners looking for power and durability. The HRN features a GCV 170 gas engine that’s built to withstand long hours of operation.
If you do your own maintenance (and most owners who buy this class of product do), you’ll appreciate the easily accessible spark plug and the fuel shutoff valve that enables better winter storage. Close the fuel shutoff and run the mower until it sputters to a halt. This will clear the carburetor of any gasoline, which will prevent the ethanol in it from disintegrating and causing running issues later on. Open the shutoff valve in the spring, add some fresh gasoline, and the mower should start easily.
All this maintenance stuff is great, but we can also tell you that our past test findings on other Hondas prove that their cut quality is outstanding for cleanliness. Sharp blades deliver a velvet-like finish. And their bagging ability is also quite good, in the same league with other well-bagging mowers from Toro.
In all, if you take mowing seriously, you should enjoy this Honda. If you have a little wiggle room in your budget, consider the Honda HRX, which features a mower powerful engine and a composite deck that won’t rust and is renowned for its durability.
One note is that Honda has announced that it will cease selling lawn mowers in the United States after this year—so if you’re considering buying one, best do it sooner rather than later.
Toro Recycler 60-Volt Max Lithium-Ion
Key Specs
Toro mowers have garnered more recommendations from us than any other brand for two reasons: build quality and cut quality. These were amply demonstrated in our testing as the Recycler turned in the best ratio of cut area per amp-hour of battery in the self-propelled category, while at the same time not skimping on cutting, mulching, or bagging quality.
We attribute this outstanding mower performance to three features, all upgrades to the previous version of this machine. First, the air vent at the front of the mower deck seems to improve mulching and bagging performance. Toro calls it Vortex technology, a design that increases air flow under the deck. This helps to stand the grass for a cleaner cut, which improves mulching performance, and also allows better airflow into the bag when collecting the clippings.
Next, the company’s redesigned “Atomic” blade configuration appears to assist the air flow and clipping movement. Finally, the three-phase, 60-volt motor is exceptionally efficient, resulting in a large cut area for a single battery.
Toro has maintained features that make this mower work: rear wheel drive, a one-piece deck that’s all steel (no plastic nose), 11-inch wheels to help it roll over roots and crevices, and the same fold-forward handle that was an industry breakthrough when it was introduced some years ago.
Ryobi 40-Volt Brushless Self-Propelled Mower
Key Specs
This is one of Ryobi’s top-of-the-line mowers, and it’s American-made construction is something we wish we saw more of. It delivers a tremendous cut area with its two 6-Ah batteries providing a total of 12-Ah of capacity, and its X-shaped blade leaves a pristine surface in its wake.
Ryobi estimates the design should provide 70 minutes of run time; we didn’t time our cut, but it strikes as plausible. Its rear-wheel drive and reasonably aggressive tire tread pattern provide good hill climbing and sidehill cutting performance, and its bagging on all surfaces (level, sidehill, and uphill) is also commendable.
Other ease-of-use features include an easily installed or removed bag that mounts and dismounts straight up and down through the handle; deck adjustment is quick and easy thanks to a single-level deck height adjustment. The straight edge deck is polypropylene; it will never rust and needs very little care other than basic cleaning.
Toro TimeMaster 30 in. Briggs Stratton Personal Pace
The Toro Timemaster 30-in. mower has been around for several years and has earned a reputation as a sturdy workhorse for homeowners who want to cut down on their mowing time. It’s also used by some professionals as well. A few years ago the Timemaster got a slightly more powerful Briggs and Stratton gas engine, so it should have no issues powering through most demanding mowing jobs.
The Timemaster is rear-wheel drive and features Toro’s Personal Pace drive system that’s used on many of its self-propelled mowers. This allows the mower to move at your speed by simply pushing down or releasing the handle, which is spring-tensioned.
With a 30-in. deck, Toro claims the Timemaster will help you reduce your mowing time by about 40% compared to using a standard-sized mower. You can mulch, back, or side discharge with the Timemaster, and the handlebar can be locked in a fully vertical position to reduce space consumption in storage.
If you have half an acre to a full acre of lawn to mow and prefer the experience of a walk-behind mower versus a tractor or zero-turn, the Timemaster is worth a look.
Craftsman M220
Key Specs
Craftsman mowers have been doing very well in our tests, so we can recommend this one because it’s so much like the many other of the brand’s models that we’ve tested. If you’re looking for a good blend of maneuverability and power, you’ll get it with this mower. Its front drive helps move it along and makes it easy to turn.
It’s important to note that front-drive mowers do lose some traction when running uphill, particularly with a full grass bag. But if your slope is less than 20 degrees, and you’re not bagging uphill, you’ll be fine. The side discharge will also help you handle tall grass. Adjust the two deck levers to bring the mower up to full height and have at the rough stuff.
The fact that this mower bags, mulches, and side discharges is a plus, enabling you to handle a wide range of mowing conditions, from early spring and late into the fall. Three-function mowers like this are our preference for that versatility.
Toro Super Recycler Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
Key Specs
This is a beauty of a mower, with a cast-aluminum deck and a smooth-running Briggs Stratton 163-cc engine. We tested the Honda engine-equipped version, and it was effective at both bagging and mulching, even in moist grass.
Equipped with rear-wheel drive and the Personal Pace system (the farther you push the drive bar, the faster the mower goes), it’s an effective hill climber and moderately effective on sidehill cutting. It has relatively small 7.5-inch tires on all four corners, which causes this Toro to bump up and down a bit on washboard surfaces. But the good news is that it’s equipped with a far higher quality tire than we’re used to seeing these days. We didn’t notice them pick up any grass on moist surfaces.
Other features we like include its forward-fold handle that has a built-in shock absorber that Toro calls a Flex Handle Suspension, and a high-quality grass bag that loads through the handle, from the top.
QA
Are there special maintenance considerations with self-propelled mowers?
Yes. Both front- and rear-wheel drive mowers typically feature a drive belt, which can crack or wear out over time. Fortunately these belts are not difficult or particularly expensive to replace.
Secondly, you may have to replace the drive wheels occasionally. These wheels are driven with gears. there are typically teeth on the inside diameter of the drive wheel that line up with a gear on the axle. These teeth can wear out, especially if they are made of plastic. Higher-end mowers may feature drive wheels with a metal gear that meets the metal axle gear, which improves longevity of these components.
My lawnmower says I don’t ever have to change the oil, but just add oil when needed. Is this OK?
It’s not a good idea to never change the oil in your lawn mower. In a lawn mower, same as a car, oil degrades over time and is less effective at reducing heat and friction in metal components. Changing the oil in your lawn mower is easy to do and will significantly increase its service life. For most homeowners, changing the oil at the beginning or end of each mowing season should be sufficient, though there is certainly no harm in doing it more often.
Roy Berendsohn has worked for more than 25 years at Popular Mechanics, where he has written on carpentry, masonry, painting, plumbing, electrical, woodworking, blacksmithing, welding, lawn care, chainsaw use, and outdoor power equipment. When he’s not working on his own house, he volunteers with Sovereign Grace Church doing home repair for families in rural, suburban and urban locations throughout central and southern New Jersey.