The Lawn Mower Is Smoking

Basic malfunctions of electric trimmers

The reasons why an electric lawn mower won’t start and work fall into two main categories, mechanical and electrical.

The lawn mower is smoking

The main malfunctions of lawn mowers and lawn mowers

The lawn mower is a popular garden tool used in individual garden plots, parks and squares. Depending on the scale and conditions of work, use electric or gasoline models. Both of them periodically fail or completely fail. Let’s consider the most common types of electric lawn mowers and lawn mowers malfunctions.

In the first case, the causes of breakdowns can be:

• Blocked blades when trying to cut too hard grass or brush. In this case, the cylinder is freed from the stuck grass and rolled in the other direction.
• Blunt or damaged knives. Knives sharpen or replace.
• Incorrect position of the knives, leading to a deterioration in the controllability of the equipment, a decrease in the quality of work. The problem is corrected by adjusting the gap.
• Vibrations and machine rattling due to loose bolt connections. Bolted connections adjust.
• Models with line may have problems with the trimmer reel. Line may run out, break or get tangled.

The most frequent breakdowns of a lawn mower

Malfunctions of gasoline vehicles can also be roughly divided into two main types of engine breakdowns and mechanical problems.

Electrical faults:

• The reason that the electric lawnmower stalls immediately after starting or during operation may be a break in the supply cable or a loss of power in the network.
• The electric trimmer gets very hot and can smoke. Overheating of the engine and its probable failure can be caused by too long operation or overload, which occurs due to blocking of the cutting elements by any foreign objects. Sparking and fumes can be caused by improperly selected or incorrectly positioned brushes.
• One of the reasons why the electric lawn mower does not start, a malfunction of the control button.

Lawn mowers

The lawn mower is an indispensable tool for fast and high-quality lawn mowing. There is a wide variety of these devices, their designs may differ in the type of engine or cutting element. In most models, the control is carried out by a person, pushing the mower from behind (non-self-propelled) or only directing it (self-propelled), but there are also devices equipped with a steering control system, they are called riders.

Each type of lawn mower has a specific purpose. For non-self-propelled small models, it consists in processing small areas, for self-propelled large mowers. Medium terrain with uneven terrain, and the largest in mower riders. Extensive lawns.

This type of equipment is quite traumatic, so it is necessary to wear protective clothing and shoes when working with the lawn mower. This will greatly increase safety, as it will protect against accidental contact with knives. To protect your hearing, it is also recommended that you purchase earpieces. The robot should be done very carefully and carefully.

Lawn mowers are divided into different types. Models with cylindrical cutting elements are able to provide better lawn mowing. Due to the fixed knives on the horizontal shaft, the grass after cutting looks like it was cut with scissors. The cut is neat and the grass almost does not lose its decorative effect, quickly recovering. The number of knives on the shaft is from 5 to 10 pieces, the quality of mowing depends on this. Cylindrical lawn mowers are divided into mechanical, electric and gasoline models.

Rotary lawn mowers are very popular. They are basically two or four-stroke, single-cylinder engines that run on gasoline or another fuel fluid. Power for this type of device ranges from 1.5 to 5 kW (2 to 7 HP), starter. Manual or electric. Lawn mowers with a manual start type are activated by the rope, and with an electric starter by pressing a button.

Not the most popular models in our market are air cushion lawn mowers. Despite this, these devices are among the easiest mowers to operate. This type of lawn mower is not equipped with wheels and cannot be used to set the cutting height. They move with the help of air currents created by a knife and an engine. In terms of the principle and quality of the mowing, air cushion lawn mowers are similar to the rotary type. They are very convenient to use in terrain conditions with numerous slopes, hills and other irregularities. The disadvantage of working with such a device is that the grass flies in different directions, and this complicates care.

The alternative to rotary lawnmowers is the mower-rider. Their design is similar to a tractor and is equipped with a steering system for an unparalleled ease of use. Riders use gasoline as fuel, they are recommended for mowing grass in very large areas. Usually, the decks of the riders are steel, for the cheaper models. The metal is lightweight, while the expensive metal is heavy, providing high resistance to wear. Some models have aluminum decks that do not corrode and are lighter than steel ones. The most durable and lightweight decks are made of impact-resistant plastic.

Electric lawnmowers are generally low power and are mainly used for small lawns. The disadvantages are: interfering cable and electrical dependence. Electric mowers must not be operated in damp conditions or on wet grass, as electric shock is possible. The great advantage of such devices is their high environmental friendliness, which is provided only by electric mowers. Engines produce minimal noise during operation.

The variety of cordless mowers is small, they are produced by a few companies. They have electric motors powered by a removable power source. Lead and lithium-ion batteries with supply voltages of 24, 36 and 48 V are used. Charging devices are included in the mowers package. This type of units is quite simple to operate and maintain. They are as applicable as electric mowers, moreover, they are independent, maneuverable and mobile like gasoline models. Due to this, they are recommended for work in small areas, with numerous obstacles: trees, bushes, buildings, garden furniture.

The most popular models of lawn mowers are gasoline. They are equipped with high-power internal combustion engines that facilitate the use of mowers in large areas. The main advantages include high mobility, since the cable does not interfere with movement. The disadvantage is their massiveness, high noise and low level of environmental friendliness.

The protective sleeve (adapter) of the knife is broken. The knife attachment is loose. Read the same. Chimney oil

Most lawn mowers have a chimney that directs air from the combustion chamber to an exhaust port, and this tube also collects oil spray from inside the engine and directs it back to the crankcase. If an air leak reduces some of the pressure inside this tube, oil can spray onto the muffler, where it burns and produces white smoke. This will not affect engine performance if there is not enough oil to clog the air filter. If present, the filter restricts air, incomplete combustion of fuel produces black smoke, and the engine runs rough and can stall. A heavily soaked air filter often denotes a blown head gasket that requires immediate repair.

Check the presence of gasoline in the gas tank, top up if necessary. Work is carried out with the air damper closed

Electric trimmers

The electric trimmer is operated from a household electrical outlet. Its advantages include:

• Light weight,
• Environmentally friendly (no exhaust fumes and noise).

Disadvantages of an electric trimmer:

• Network (outlet) binding,
• Stable voltage,
• The everlasting cable on the lawn,
• Low power.

And the cable itself has a limited length: you can’t mow far from home.

Electric trimmer

The battery trimmer is the same as the electric trimmer, but the engine does not operate from the outlet, so you can mow at any distance from home. This is its main convenience. However, the mowing area is determined by the capacity of the battery.

Trimmers

Hand-held lawn mowers (trimmers) are suitable for regularly mowing a lawn in a small area, even with an uneven surface, because. They can mow at any angle. The trimmer is a bar-holder, at the lower end of which there is a cutting device with a line. And in case of high power, also with a circular cutter. The mower hangs on a belt on the operator’s shoulder, literally making it easier for him to work.

Trimmer

The trimmer can be equipped with an electric or gasoline engine. Electric is located at the lower or upper end of the boom, and gasoline only at the upper.

The guard limits the cutting edge and protects the mower’s feet from injury. When working, the left hand holds the boom handle (adjusting, if necessary, the cutting height), and the right handle with the engine control button.

Trimmer

The main advantage of trimmers is the ability to cut grass on uneven ground and close to bushes and trees. But it will not work to maintain the same cutting height.

What lawn mowers are there and how to choose the right one

Creating a beautiful lawn and keeping it in order is not an easy job. And to make it easier, you need a reliable lawn mower assistant. There are many good and different models on sale. And although they all have the same purpose, they differ from each other in a number of parameters. Let’s try to figure them out.

Lawn mower

What are lawn mowers?

According to the method of movement, lawn mowing units are divided into:

• Manual (trimmers), which are held in hand when mowing,
• Wheeled manual ones that need to be transported on the lawn,
• Self-propelled.

By the type of drive engine, mechanical, gasoline and electric lawn mowers are distinguished.

Mechanical wheeled lawn mowers are easy to operate, they do not need electricity or gasoline, but they require significant muscular effort. They are environmentally friendly, quiet and allow you to adjust the cutting height of the grass. The cutting mechanism is a cylindrical knife driven by wheels. Such a tool is good for caring for a young lawn, since the low speed of rotation of the knife prevents pulling out grass with a fragile root system.

Mechanical wheeled lawn mower

And we will consider gasoline and electric lawn mowers below.

Petrol trimmers

The petrol trimmer is designed for large areas. Therefore, it is especially in demand by summer residents, and owners of country estates, and employees of city utilities. However, working with it requires some preparation.

Petrol trimmer

This type of lawn mower is characterized by enviable mobility, increased power and practicality. It can be used for mowing not only lawn grass, but also weeds and bushes. And professional models are able to cut stems up to one and a half centimeters thick.

However, even with a small fuel tank volume, such a unit:

• Weighs quite a lot,
• Requires preparation of a mixture of gasoline and oil,
• Pollutes the environment with exhaust gases,
• Makes noise.

But it can work in any weather.

The convenience of mowing grass with a trimmer is determined by several points, and one of them is the location of the engine.

There are many low engine trimmers on sale. Most often they are rechargeable, low power. They overheat quickly and therefore require frequent breaks in work. They have poor protection against moisture and mechanical stress. They cannot work in the morning dew and immediately after rain, otherwise a short circuit is possible.
Bottom trimmer

Top engine trimmers are more practical, better balanced and more powerful, requiring less mowing effort, and therefore more comfortable to operate. They have good cooling (they overheat less), and therefore more performance.

Top engine trimmer

Among the trimmers with the upper engine, I would like to highlight the knapsack. Their motors are attached to their backs (like a schoolbag), which significantly reduces the load on the arms and much less restricts movement.

Knapsack gas trimmer

A pleasant trimmer option is an anti-vibration system. It reduces vibration stress on the shoulders and hands, protects the hands and back of the mower.

The powerful petrol trimmers feature an ergonomic handlebar-like grip to reduce hand strain. On the right handle there are buttons for controlling the operation of the tool. When buying a trimmer, make sure that the handle and the location of the buttons on it are comfortable for you.

Comfortable bicycle grip

Doesn’t stop

This happens in two cases:

• The cable connecting the wheel drive bracket and the bearing squeezing out the belt is sticking or sour;
• Lost adjustment of the wheel drive cable.

The cable starts to jam when stored improperly or frequently mowing wet grass, when moisture penetrates into the braid and corrosion forms there.

It is advisable to carry out such maintenance annually, regardless of the cable jam, only the volume of oil must be reduced by 23 times. This will protect the inside of the braid and the core from moisture, which will help the cable last much longer. If this does not help, then it is necessary to adjust the actuator as described in the operating instructions.

Initial inspection

To establish the real cause of this defect, you must first carry out a complete visual inspection to make sure that the air filter or muffler holes are not clogged, there is gas in the tank, and the throttle lever and ignition switch are in the correct position.

If everything is in order with this, then it is necessary to perform pre-start work, including cleaning the air or fuel filters, described in detail in the mower’s operating instructions, and then try to start again.

After making sure that the engine still does not start, the mower is placed on the table and proceeds to a more detailed search for the reasons.

First, unscrew the spark plug and plug the plug hole tightly with your finger, then smoothly but quickly and strongly pull the recoil starter cable or press the electric start button.

The moving piston must create enough air pressure to push the pin through and out. If this does not happen, then the motor needs serious repairs, which are difficult to do at home, so it is better to take the mower to a specialized workshop.

After all, the reason that the piston does not move after the starter cable or the rotation of the electric starter shaft can be:

• Breakage of the starter, due to which it does not transfer rotational energy to the engine shaft;
• Sheared flywheel key that links the flywheel and starter to the engine and also ensures the correct firing angle.

To fix both faults, not only tools are needed, but also skill, so those who do not have the skill to repair any engines should not try to fix such problems on their own.

Further verification

If the piston moves, then you must first check the fuel supply, for which the spark plug is thoroughly wiped with a dry clean cloth, then screwed into place, and the air damper position regulator is set to the Off position, as when starting the engine.

Then move the choke lever to the On position and unscrew the candle, which is carefully examined.

Wet contacts indicate that gasoline is entering the engine and an ignition problem, while dry contacts indicate:

• On carburetor models, a faulty carburetor;
• On mowers with fuel injection, a malfunction of the entire fuel system.

In both cases, knowledge and equipment are needed for correct diagnostics and repairs, so those who are not versed in such work, it is better to take the device for repair to a specialized workshop.

If fuel is supplied, then it is necessary to check the external condition of the ignition coil and high-voltage wire. If they have cracks or poor contact both between the wire and the coil, and at the point where the wire is connected to the spark plug tip, they must be replaced.

If everything is fine, then you need to check the spark, for which you can use both a known-good candle and a bolt of a suitable diameter, which is inserted instead of a candle into a high-voltage wire.

The candle is threaded against the ribs of the engine cooling jacket, and the bolt is positioned so that it does not come into contact with the mower body or its engine anywhere, and the distance from it to the cooling jacket was 12 mm.

After that, disconnect any wire going to the ignition switch, then pull the manual starter lever several times or press the electric button and see if a spark appears.

If there is no spark, then the device will not start for one of the reasons:

• Breakdown or breakage of the ignition coil;
• Flywheel key cut;
• The ignition magnet fell off the flywheel.

Skills and equipment are required to repair these damages, so those who do not have them are better off trusting professionals. If there is a spark, then the problem is in the spark plug, so after replacing it, the engine will start working.

Shaking violently

Such a malfunction of a gasoline lawn mower occurs in two cases:

• When the knife is deformed due to hitting an obstacle;
• If the knife is sharpened incorrectly.

In both cases, the reason for the shaking is the lack of balance of the knife, because when the knife is struck, at least a little, but it deforms, and if the sharpening is incorrect, the metal is removed unevenly on both sides.

As a result, a lever is formed, the length or mass of the arms of which is at least slightly, but different. This leads to the fact that the motor shaft will always pull after the heavier or longer lever arm, and due to its rotation, such a force will also move in a circle.

To determine the cause, it is necessary to prepare and set the petrol lawnmower to the position for changing the blade (these operations are described in detail in the operating instructions). Then the knife is carefully examined in search of damage, but if the external examination did not give anything, then it is removed and balanced.

When self-balancing, the knife is put on the bar and they see which side will go down, for more accurate balancing, you can slightly twist the knife on this improvised shaft.

Having determined the heavier side, it is gradually grinded with a file by hand or on a sharpening machine, constantly checking the balance, and the metal is removed only from the side of the blade, keeping the original sharpening angle. In the same way, the knife is sharpened at home, first the edge of the blade, then balancing it.

On some petrol lawn mowers, the shaking may be caused by a broken adapter between the engine shaft and the blade, which protects the shaft from collision damage.

To diagnose such a malfunction, it is necessary to set the device to the position for replacing the knife, then shake the knife in different directions and try to rotate it.

If it wobbles or turns even a little, the adapter needs to be changed because it has completed its task, protected the shaft when the knife stops abruptly, so it can no longer reliably fix the knife. Its replacement is also described in the instruction manual.

Engine speed drops and it stalls

If, when idling, the engine normally keeps even the forcibly raised high speed, but after the start of mowing, its speed drops sharply and it often stalls, then the reason may be as follows:

• The air damper drive is defective or its lever is in the wrong position;
• Clogged air filter;
• The candle is pierced inside, therefore it gives a weak spark.

Perform the steps necessary to check these causes (we already talked about this in the previous sections) and, if the problem persists, contact a specialized workshop, because the motor needs professional diagnostics and repair.

To carry out such diagnostics and repairs, special equipment and skills are required that most users of gasoline lawn mowers do not have.

Engine won’t rev or keep revving

The most common reasons why the engine is not picking up speed are:

• Incorrect position of the choke lever or breakdown of its drive;
• Dirty air filter;
• Faulty manual accelerator control system.

At home, without special equipment and skills, you can only check:

• Air filter condition;
• Operation of the choke lever (only on those models where the air damper position is manually adjusted);
• Manual accelerator control system, that is, a special lever on the folding handle and a cable connecting it to the carburetor.

Checking the condition of the air filter and flushing it is described in detail in the mower’s manual, and we examined the check of the throttle position regulator in the previous section.

To check the manual accelerator control system, you must set the lever to a position where the engine speed will correspond to that required for mowing, then mark its position with a marker and, after waiting for them to decrease, compare the position of the lever relative to the mark.

If the lever matches the mark, then the problem is much more serious and you need to contact the service, if the lever has moved, then you need to replace it.

Some inexpensive Chinese devices are supplied with a factory defect, including an incompletely assembled air damper actuator or improper adjustment.

Many modern lawn mowers are equipped with automatic speed control, so they can only be diagnosed in a workshop.