cleaning scag mowercleaning scag mower

Check over your mower deck and mower for any place small items can be stuck in your mower. Step -4: MowersLab experts recommend you instead of cleaning corroded plug replace them. Step 3: Before reassembling dry the carburetor with an air dryer. To help you save time and money, I have put together a guide to help you troubleshoot the next problem that develops on your SCAG mower. Be sure to have the complete model and serial numbers from your machine. Removing the filter may get your mower to start and run, however, you are taking the risk of getting small particles of dirt and debris in the engine. Wet grass reduces traction and steering control. Carelessness or operator error may result in serious bodily injury or death. Remove a little engine oil through the drain plug or oil filter. The deck is housed under the mower and it is enclosed to the mower blade. These are more serious problems that require a small engine mechanic to perform tests to accurately diagnose and perform necessary repairs. Old hydraulic oil or not having enough oil in the hydraulic tank can also result in a lack of power from the transmission. Do this using the fuel shut-off valve. If you find the tip of your spark plug is very dark, has a burnt electrode, or is damaged, replace your spark plug. Step 2: Spray the spark plug with a breaker cleaner and sit it for a few minutes. Varnish and deposits left behind by old gas can interfere with the carburetors function. If you have an air hose, use it again to speed up the drying process. Owners must apply chassis and lubrication to a total of 20 parts around the machine. This article was co-authored by Anthony "TC" Williams. Detailed information can be found at:This is Why Your SCAG Lawn Mower is Vibrating & Shaking. For added security, remove the spark plug wire or disconnect the battery. Replace the line if necessary. Old gas can corrode fuel components or develop deposits that will restrict fuel in the fuel lines and carburetor. The engine is designed to be operated at full speed. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Repeat as necessary. When you find the mower starts to sputter and shut off after a while, you may have a clogged fuel tank vent. If the machine was recently running, allow it to cool before performing any maintenance. Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases. Don't allow any dirt to fall into the air intake. Contact your local authorities for regulations and equipment requirements. Whether the machine needs necessary maintenance or situational repairs, there is no brand out there that is easier to work on than Scag! Clean a Fuel System of Your Lawn mower. Step 1: Tilt the mower and make it easily accessible to the blades. Interesting thread. If the blades are damaged, they must be replaced. Its disappointing when the mower begins to fail to give you the cut you expect. POR-15 is one of the more popular options. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Use care when loading or unloading the machine onto a trailer or truck. By using our site, you agree to our. Remove any debris around your engine and engine shroud. i use the backpack blower to clean out any grass build up between the spindles and where ever else it may be, i do that every lawn or every other lawn depends.but i don't wash my mower, and i didn't wash my old mower, and after 7 years it still looked pretty clean, i armor all wipes on the plastic occasionally, in the winter on a warm day, i usually armor all the whole mower, it gives it a nice shine, takes some time, but thats what i've done in the past. The potential exposure of the seat belt to severe environmental conditions make it crucial to inspect the seat-belt system regularly. The most common SCAG zero-turn lawn mower problems are: To keep your mower running at its best, regularly clean your mower, check the engine oil and hydraulic oil, clean the air filter, sharpen the blades and scrape the deck. Windings on the coil can separate and short out on a bad ignition coil, Check for a break in the continuity using an ohm meter and replace is found bad. Follow the links to more in-depth articles for detailed information on diagnosing and repairing your mower. Step 2: Drain the oil or gas from the gas tank. Use the alternate-stripe pattern for best lawn appearance. Reduce speed when turning, operating on slopes, or on slick or wet surfaces. Step 4: Rinse the water and dry the air filter. The bearing in the tensioner pulley can fail, If the idler arm spring breaks or goes missing, it can no longer place tension on the drive belt, Hot hydraulic fluid can be a sign of damage to your hydrostatic transmission system, Let your hydraulic oil cool. Select models feature a rear engine guard like shown. Raise the mower to the highest setting for the first pass and then make a second pass to the desired height. Solution: Prevent this from happening by regularly scraping your deck to keep it clean. Manage Settings And set it at least one hour. NEVER leave the machine running unattended. Start the mower to ensure that the battery is fully functional. 1,850. I have to be really big on maintenance . If you find anything, then bring out the air filter and clean it. It can cause components to fail and create fuel restrictions. While smoke coming from your SCAG mower can indicate you have a significant problem with your mower, it may also not be too bad. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Reduce speed and exercise extreme caution on slopes and in sharp turns to prevent tipping or loss of control. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. SCAG mower has a weak hydrostatic transmission, SCAG mower wont drive straight or steer correctly. A fuel tank vent that no longer vents can restrict fuel flow and cause your SCAG mower to shut down. Detailed information can be found at:Your SCAG Lawn Mower is Blowering White, Blue or Black Smoke. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. The degreaser sounds alot better of an idea and will probably not get the I want to kill you look from my employees. In this case, 91% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. If you have a big compressor then use it to get what can't be blown off with a hand blower. Tap the filter against a solid surface to loosen and remove as much dirt as possible. I'm a lawn mowing expert and gardening enthusiast. Your email address will not be published. You don't want to knock any dirt into the air intake. Use a carb cleaner and compressed air to clear the clog out of the fuel line. Simply replace it. If the mower is driven on public roads, it must comply with state and local ordinances as well as SAE J137 and/or ANSI/ASAE S279 requirements. Refill with a gas and fuel stabilizer mixture. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Your Belt Keeps Coming Off Your SCAG Lawn Mower: SOLVED! Failure to do so could cause serious injury or loss of life. Thanks for all the tips. Detailed information can be found at:Your SCAG Lawn Mower Starts Then Dies: SOLVED! Step 2: Use cold water to clean and rinse the existing water. ), underground obstacles (sprinklers, pipes, tree roots, etc.). It could also not move if the belt is worn. Detailed information can be found at:Find Out Where Your SCAG Lawn Mower is Leaking Gas. Remove the mower's air filter and check to see if it needs replacing. For best results, use an air hose with a nozzle or wand to blow away loose grass after scraping. You can also remove a little oil from the oil filter or drain plug. Step 3: If you need to pull out any debris by hand, please dont forget to use working hand gloves and carefully remove the debris. I hold the wand back at a distance for the rest of the mower though. Use a funnel or spout to prevent spillage. I've used Pam, wd40, oil or whatever I could spray under deckafter 5 minutes it's gone. While ethanol is better for the environment, it is not friendly to the small engine in your SCAG lawn mower. Replace if needed. My Z weighs roughly 650 lbs, and I can do it myself easily. 4. % of people told us that this article helped them. I'll scrape and pressure wash the deck once a week. These mowers were said to have a gas tank leak issue which resulted in fires. Even tight turns have the potential to cause turf damage. Beware of overhead obstructions (low limbs, etc. After cutting for 4 straight hours passing through 6 foot tall johnsons grass on to a bare dusty lot then to 5 foot tall lespedeza, things tend to stick. Visit our Lawn Striping page to learn more about how to create great-looking lawn-stripe patterns in your lawn. A dirty or clogged carburetor decreases the mower performance. How Do You Use a Riding Lawn Mower? Remove any debris stuck in the cooling fins and replace any broken fins. The primary items in need of replacement are various fluids and filters. Use a carb cleaner and compressed air to clear the clog out of the fuel line. If the operator(s) or mechanic(s) cannot read English or Spanish, it is the owners responsibility to explain the contents of the owners manual to them. Heres how, Step 1: Empty the gas tank and disconnect the spark plug. How do you clean your ZTR? #4. I get 5 gallon at a time and just mix in spray bottle either 50/50 or if the mower is really bad I just use it full strength. Stop the fuel flow. Just be smart and don't directly spray bearing, wiring or engine components. If the mower discharge ever plugs, shut off the engine, remove the ignition key and wait for all movement to stop before removing the obstruction. Use a fuel additive like Sea Foam to stabilize the fuel and assist with cleaning the fuel system. Any or all parts of the ROPS MUST NOT be removed. The choke can cause your engine to shut off when it continues to restrict airflow after the engine warms. Check the area carefully before mowing for proper overhead clearance (branches, doorways, etc.). For those using degreasers, how does the paint hold up to using it over time? Raise the mower to the highest setting for the first pass and then make a second pass to the desired height. Well, in this guide we are going to show you a step-by-step process of how to clean your mower the right way. Engine oil should be checked after every eight hours of operation and replaced as necessary, although no later than after every 100 hours. Step 2: Use strong jet water to remove the grass finer and other hard obstacles from the blade. Keep reading for more causes of a SCAG mower shutting down and dying. Scag also advises that all maintenance on the hydraulic system be performed by an authorized Scag dealer. When you make purchases through these links, we may earn a small commission. Your SCAG Lawn Mower Starts Then Dies: SOLVED! Equipment must comply with the latest requirements per SAE J137 and/or ANSI/ASAE S279 when driven on public roads. Install a new fuel line when the clog cant be removed. Too much engine oil in your SCAG lawn mower can cause it to shut down. Operate the engine at full throttle for best cutting. DO NOT touch the engine or the muffler while the engine is running or immediately after stopping. Avoid mowing in wet conditions as wet grass clumps and sticks to your mower deck. Use a light layer of silicone dielectric grease to prevent corrosion. In addition to this, look for things that may cause the engine to have to work harder than normal. If you cannot, you must purchase a new filter. We just love our work and share tips with you! Keep flammable objects (cigarettes, matches, etc. Grease the cutter deck spindle with lithium grease. Run your mower with and without the cap for periods of time to see if a clogged vent is the cause of your SCAG mower dying. Each week I jack them up with the mow jack clean under the deck and on top and here's the twenty year old secret my Dad used, I spray the deck with Pam cooking spray after it is clean. Replace the fuse with a fuse with the same amperage. Check product reviews online before buying. In dusty conditions, more frequent cleaning and replacement may be necessary. The newest mower I've ever owned in my career is 10 years old. Grass buildup under a lawn mower deck is a pain to deal with. Make sure the container is placed lower than the fuel tank because fuel cannot run uphill without the help of the fuel pump. To check a slope, attempt to back up it (with the cutter deck down). This includes checking for plugged or broken cooling fins. If you dont find a problem in the fuel lines, keep checking the other fuel components for a restriction or failure. Keep all body parts away from any holes or slots that eject hydraulic fluid at all times. Start your fuel flow and watch the flow from the fuel line into the container. Note: Dont use an air compressor or blower for cleaning the engine. What is the best method to turn over a walk-behind lawn mower? A clean and razor-sharp blade is a crucial part of your mower. A hydrostatic transmission on a SCAG lawn mower can feel weak from the use of a bad hydraulic belt or pulley. Adjust the speed adjustment bolt to change the rotation speed of the tire. And repeat this process until removing all dirt. Pull the two lock pins out of the outside of the bar. Raise the roll bar as soon as clearance permits (see operators manual for details). There are a number of items to inspect and replace when maintaining a Scag mower and keeping track of all of them can be difficult if only some are done at a time. turn this week. I think the added pictures are important, they clarify the, "Cleaning and spraying the business end of the deck is a good idea. Cleaning or replacing the air filter is simple lawn mower maintenance that will improve performance and extend the life of your mower. I always get my backpack blowers and blow them off clean then I run the mowers for about a minute or so with the blades on to air dry the spindles. If the blades are clean, undamaged and sharp, just ensure that the blade attaching bolt is securely fastened and that the blades are properly balanced. When mowing wet or tall grass, mow the grass twice. I am learning to drive it. Clean or replace spark plugs if needed. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. I hold the wand back at a distance for the rest of the mower though. Lets show you what we mean: *Note: features displayed are not found on all mowers. If it runs well, reinstall the cap and allow your mower to continue to run. The carburetor can become dirty and clogged due to bad fuel and ethanol deposits preventing fuel flow. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 968,483 times. Cleaning the lawn mower is not a hard or annoying task, its tricky work. DO NOT wear loose-fitting clothing. Replace if needed. Own a lawn mower long enough, youll start running into problems with it starting, not continuing to run, smoking, leaking gas, giving a bad cut, vibrating, or another issue. It is difficult to not scrap into the paint when cleaning the Scag deck and the areas where the paint is missing, the grass sticks more. DO NOT turn sharply. Solution: If you find your SCAG fuel filter is plugged, remove the filter and install a new filter. If you are in the Waterfall PA or Wells Tannery PA, area please stop by to visit with an expert or just to say hi. Be sure you start with a clean, dry deck before using these products! Other more serious items to look for are a low engine oil level or internal engine problems. It is a great mower for residential and commercial use. * NOTE: Roll-over protection systems (ROPS) are available for some previous Scag zero-turn rider models. Your mower is only as safe as the operator. I recommend replacing the spark plugs annually to minimize starting and running problems due to dirty or worn plugs. When the unit is not tracked correctly, your mower can veer off to one side and not drive straight. The machine and attachments should be stopped and inspected for damage after striking a foreign object, and damage should be repaired before restarting and operating the machine. Slow down when mowing tall, thick, or wet grass so the engine isnt under too much load. You can try adding oil, but it is often too late to fix your engine problem. In addition to LLD cleaning, a cover sheet may be used as a physical barrier between the keyboard/console and the operator. How To Clean Lawn Mower (Step-by-Step Guide), How to Sharpen a Reel Mower Step-by-Step Guide, Scotts Turf Builder Triple Action Review: 2022, 4 Signs that Indicate Your Lawn Mower Is Low on Oil. If you are unsure how to perform diagnostics and repairs on your SCAG lawn mower safely, its best to have a professional complete the repairs. Perform routine oil changes as required for your SCAG mower. Under-Seat Mechanicals Under-the-seat mechanicals are clean, organized and easy to work on, and very easy to service. Follow the steps in this guide to clean your carburetor. Keep all shields in place, especially the grass discharge chute. When the crankshaft and rod have to push through this extra oil, the engine can overheat and die. Take a look at the new filter and locate the arrow on the side of the housing. First, remove or loosen the fuel cap and allow your mower starts and run. Apr 25, 2012 / Scag Turf Tiger misfiring/cutting off while mowing. Inspect the blades to for any cracking or deformation and ensure that the blades are sharp. Replace worn or damaged deck parts including a worn idler arm, worn spring or bad pulleys. Make sure the bypass valves are in the operating position. When the carburetor doesnt function correctly, it can cause your SCAG mower to run sluggishly and stall. Proper operation is essential when using any piece of equipment. Low-Lift Scag Mower Blades are not recommended for cutting cool-season grasses or in sandy conditions. Keep the machine and attachments in good operating condition. If they are, clean the posts with steel wool and a solution of baking soda and water. Two easy-open latches make changing canister or standard air filters a breeze. For owners of Scag riding mowers, proper maintenance will ensure reliable functionality and high levels of efficiency. AboutContactTerms & ConditionsPrivacy & PolicyDisclaimer. In addition to a fouled plug, a spark plug can cause running problems when it is not properly gapped, it is damaged, or the spark plug wire isnt securely connected. When the vents get plugged, the fuel tank will cause fuel restrictions. Equipment: Cleaning involves all ancillary equipment utilized during the procedure at hand. A few things to look at: Check all plugin connectors particularly the engine harness adapter connector as all battery power comes thru it. Even products marketed for lawn mowers often due a poor job of long-term protection. Low blades are also worse for the grass, since they scalp the dirt and tear grass out by the roots. If you are not sure whether the filter can be washed, check the manual. Step 2: Empty the gas/oil tank and disconnect the spark plug to prevent the accidental start. When you can get to a store, buy a graphite, silicone, or Teflon spray, and apply it to the underside. The cooling fins push air to keep the engine block and cylinder cool. I love taking care of lawns and gardens, and I'm always looking for new ways to improve my skills. If the blades are cracked or damaged, do not weld or straighten the blades; simply replace them. Step 3: Inspect the gas tank and if you spot any little hole or damage then dont attempt to repair or clean it. Engine bolts are used to reduce the vibration of the mower when the engine is running, Secure engine bolts and replace any missing bolts. Make sure this arrow is pointed in the direction of the mowers fuel flow. 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