The Great Big Lawnmower Thread

And one for listermint, from about 4min 30 seconds.

I forgot to mention cleaning the holes in the carb plug.

Thanks my3cents.

@madmaggie spotted this when trying to check if listermint's carburetor should have one or two springs.

Edit> Doh forgot link

Ya the other spring is not visible it's under the fuel tank connecting to the rear spring arm for the governor. The visible spring is connected to the air intake lever.

Bit of a loss there? I'd still consider checking that needle on the end of the float valve, sometimes you get one that needs regular attention. I'd also check the parts diagram a lot of small Briggs engines have two springs and I can only see one. Another thing I have done myself when I've had that sort of issue is to run at least one tank full of Aspen fuel through it. I actually avoid one local garage as I get problems with a Honda engine when I use it (low power and hunting) but if I change garage the problem goes away.

So replaced the spring. Started and ran perfectly cut some grass to test it all good.

Went back inside changed and came back out to give the grass a run over.

She's now surging. Bare in mind I cleaned out the carb the other day . Fuel is new.

Video below.

https://youtu.be/JT_NzdJwMcA

Any ideas what to check?

madmaggie wrote: »

@my3cents, it can take 5 minutes or more to start up from cold, I get fed up with it. Usually restarts when I stop to empty the bag, but by no means is this a certainty. It's the inability of the battery to start up the mower is the real problem. Thanks for the tip with the string, must remember that!

Hard to say what is the problem. Was it always this way? I used to cut grass with a team of lads and we used to get an issue where a mower would be fine one minute then after hitting something solid would be next to impossible to start. The reason was a coupling pin on the flywheel that is meant to shear off if you hit anything. Easy fix to replace it depending on your mechanical skill level but really only relevant if you have hit something really solid like a house brick when cutting.

The other issue with some briggs engines is the carburetor. I think its possible that you have the carb thats plastic and built into the petrol tank? Thats what I would replace before doing anything else but that needs a bit of DIY experience. If your carb looks like this https://www.amazon.co.uk/Carburettor-Stratton-Classic-Engines-498809A/dp/B07QB1TSQF/ then there is a chance replacing it may help.

@my3cents, it can take 5 minutes or more to start up from cold, I get fed up with it. Usually restarts when I stop to empty the bag, but by no means is this a certainty. It's the inability of the battery to start up the mower is the real problem. Thanks for the tip with the string, must remember that!

listermint wrote: »

5 minute walk up and down be garden

And this appears..... . Flimsy thing all the same.

Well at least thats 100% conformation of what you need, it might even work still if it doesn't work as is then see if you can shorten it and turn the first part of the spring into the hook and cut the current hook off.

5 minute walk up and down be garden

And this appears.....

. Flimsy thing all the same.

madmaggie wrote: »

Thanks, my3cents, I tried that. I know nothing about lawnmowers, either it starts or it doesn't! A replacement battery is in the region of 70 euro, so I was wondering if there was anything I could try before lashing out that sort of money. It's a great little mower when it goes, my garden is on a slope, and it flies along. Pity it's not dependable.

Is it starting OK from cold? If it is and the problem is the hot start after you have stopped to empty the bag I really doubt the problem is the battery.

I never bother stopping the mower when I empty the bag. I have a bit of string around the safety handle

Thanks, my3cents, I tried that. I know nothing about lawnmowers, either it starts or it doesn't! A replacement battery is in the region of 70 euro, so I was wondering if there was anything I could try before lashing out that sort of money. It's a great little mower when it goes, my garden is on a slope, and it flies along. Pity it's not dependable.

Simplest thing you could do to start with is try replacing the spark plug with a new one.

Hi all, I bought a World walk behind lawnmower with a Briggs and Stratton 575i engine. It has a push button battery start, which I thought would be perfect for me as I don't have the muscle power to start a pull cord machine. My problem is that instead of being "Instant" start, it can take about 5 minutes or more to start, and when I stop to empty the grass bag, it often does not start again. Could it be a starter problem, or a dodgy battery? I make sure the battery is fully charged. From the sound of the engine it sounds like it's not getting enough power to start up. Very annoying, especially on a nice fine day! Thanks for any tip/ hints.

Find the part number https://www.briggsandstratton.com/eu/en_gb/support/faqs/browse/find-part-number.html then check Amazon, ebay or you local dealer.

my3cents wrote: »

http://www.smallenginesuppliers.com/shop/html/governor_adjustment.html bottom of page but check youtube I'm sure I've watched a strip down video on how to adjust that linkage after rebuilding an engine.

Governor spring is missing it's a long one from governor rod to carb housing. That's why I've all the free play. Simple but now I've to get a spring

http://www.smallenginesuppliers.com/shop/html/governor_adjustment.html bottom of page but check youtube I'm sure I've watched a strip down video on how to adjust that linkage after rebuilding an engine.

my3cents wrote: »

So if you go to the end of the rod with the green arrow does is go to a lever attached to a rod coming out of the side of the engine?

If it does thats an internal governor and while I've never had one come loose in hundreds of engines I've used it is supposed to be possible. I'll have a look later and find the instructions for adjusting the linkage. There is a clamp at the bottom of the lever that clamps it to the rod that comes out of the engine and thats where you adjust it.

The rod goes to the rear and is attached to a lever coming out of the engine.

The rod and the plastic attachment at the front are all free moving. No spring or anything attached to them so I presume the governor inside isn't meant to be as free moving . As in it should return to some resting position. I don't have a resting position

So if you go to the end of the rod with the green arrow does is go to a lever attached to a rod coming out of the side of the engine?

If it does thats an internal governor and while I've never had one come loose in hundreds of engines I've used it is supposed to be possible. I'll have a look later and find the instructions for adjusting the linkage. There is a clamp at the bottom of the lever that clamps it to the rod that comes out of the engine and thats where you adjust it.

listermint wrote: »

Have a husky power push with a Briggs and Stratton 650 Exi on it.

One of those long life 'no oil' change jobs .

She started running low rpm today after couple of minutes cutting. Use the mower maybe ever 6 weeks or more as have a robot mower for most of garden.

Changed the oil out completely. Emptied the fuel in case it was gone off and replaced with brand new. Checked the spark ok. Took off the air filter etc . No change in Rpm.

She starts up grand but is running about half or less rpms. Not enough to cut a blade.

Any ideas what to check next. She's about two and a bit year old hasn't had a hard existence.

So I cleaned out the pin in the bowl. Tiny bit of dirt in it nothing major. Fitted all back together. Same low engine idle.

She's reving up high if I adjust the black swing arm attached to the rod arrowed green in pic below. But she won't maintain the revs just drops back down.

I presume this is all controlled by rod . I've no rpm or choke on the control arms as it's a new mower. The rod in purple goes to thermostat at exhaust.

I'm not sure what does what. Is there any way to adjust these at all.

Have the mucolloch painted up, filled it up with oil and petrol and gave it a spin out. Have to say, very happy with it. Easy start Honda is very easy start. Rear wheel drive is much better than front wheel that was on husqsi. It's lighter and easier to maneuver. Decent grass collector. Hopefully will get a good few years out of it.

cena

deezell wrote: »

It's just a small 12v battery. Charge it up if you have a car charger. That mower's in s***e, isn't it?

Not got a charger. It's a in bad shape.

cena wrote: »

Attachment not found.

Any got one of these. Borrowed the neighbours ride on and the battery has gone flat

It's just a small 12v battery. Charge it up if you have a car charger. That mower's in s***e, isn't it?

fryup wrote: »

deezell wrote: »

2016 since I done that, trying to find record of purchase, I gave all my parts diagrams away when I sold the mower in 2017, but... I've tracked it down. This was the type used in the older tc102, 1998 onwards, but there are others.

€21. If it's the same as yours you're sorted.

i mean how much to get it repaired in a repair shop ?

If it's just that part and they have it to hand, an hour's work? Plus the part cost at say €30. I'm guessing €60+. I do all my repairs, family stuff also, no one ever pays me, so I've no idea what a business charges.

cena

Attachment not found.

Any got one of these. Borrowed the neighbours ride on and the battery has gone flat

kaiserrussel

kaiserrussel wrote: »

kaiserrussel wrote: »

I took the plunge and purchased the stiga estate from agrieuro.

https://www.agrieuro.co.uk/stiga-estate-5092-ride-on-mower-briggsstratton-engine-grass-collector-mulching-system-p-10498.html

Let see how it goes. I’m probably a little mad buying so late in the season

Hi all

Mower arrived today so with fading light I’ll see what’s involved in getting this this together.
Not sure how much assembly is involved.

Hopefully not too much

fryup

deezell wrote: »

2016 since I done that, trying to find record of purchase, I gave all my parts diagrams away when I sold the mower in 2017, but... I've tracked it down. This was the type used in the older tc102, 1998 onwards, but there are others.

€21. If it's the same as yours you're sorted.

i mean how much to get it repaired in a repair shop ?

You need to pre tension the rewind spring on the recoil device by pulling the cord out somewhat, then winding it back around the pulley, so that the spring remains tensioned when the cord retracts to the grip. Can be finicky to get right. The entire recoil unit is not expensive to buy, maybe €15 on EBay or used salvage from a mower or hire shop.

johndaman66

johndaman66 wrote: »

McCullough M40 - 450 C with a B&S 450 Series engine. Was cutting wet grass about a week back with it in a bit of a mood. Was clogged and instead of stopping it and clearing out the grass I shook it and kept cutting for a few mins. Has to go away for 5 mins and when I came back the pull chord was jammed - will only pull out a tiny bit, doesn't retract by itself, rather I need to turn the blade to pull it back in.

Presumably it seized when I shook it? Is there any hope of rectifying it if I open up the engine or is it most likely the case that its all fused together inside? Oil level was still full but presumably starved vital parts of the engine of oil after shaking it. I'd be by no means an expert with these sort of things but not bad by any means either. Wheels slightly bent and grass box broken but apart from that it wasn't in bad order so a shame to scrap it if its fixable without too much effort.

my3cents wrote: »

Take the top cowling off (just 3 bolts on the base model but some have loads of pointless plastic as well) that should also remove the starter rope rewind. Then couple of very small bolts to remove a screen off the mechanism that engages with the shaft when you turn the blade. iirc that mech then screws off the shaft. Now check which is jammed the starter cord and its rewind mechanism the main drive shaft - turn the shaft with a spanner on the flywheel nut or the starter engagement mechanism.

This is the bit that might be jammed https://www.ebay.ie/itm/171760491200 - Starter Clutch they call it. It has a load of ball bearings that drop down so that one always engages for starting but are all thrown outwards when the engine starts so they can't engage anymore. They sometimes very very rarely get jammed. If its jammed the top cover pops off so you can see whats going on but don't loose any of the balls.

I went at it today. There was a bit of plastic broke off the inner housing of the chord rewind and the chord had managed to come outside the housing and jammed. Unbolted the chord rewind and and rewound the chord into it. Going again! The same might happen again but its going again for the moment. The chord is not retracting fully so something amiss with the spring not providing as much tension as it should, but all good to start it adequately.