How do I Troubleshoot Craftsman 25 HP Mowers?
- 1). Choke the engine properly if the mower will not start. Push in the clutch pedal and set the parking brake. Move the gearshift to the neutral "N" position. Move the clutch to the "DISENGAGED" position. Pull the choke out and move the throttle control midway between the fast and slow positions. Turn the ignition key and release it as soon as the engine starts. Slowly push the choke all the way back in and move the throttle to the "FAST" position.
- 2). Drain the fuel tank and refill with fresh fuel if the engine is hard to start. Fuel older than 30 days can sometimes cause troubles with starting. Check if the air filter is dirty. Clean or replace the filter if necessary. Blow the air filter out with compressed air to clean it.
- 3). Check if the battery terminals are dirty or corroded, if the engine will not turn over. Remove the negative (-) battery cable first and then the positive (+) cable. Clean the battery terminals with a small wire brush or a pocketknife. Ensure the positive and negative cables do not touch each other. Reconnect the negative cable first, followed by the positive cable. Make sure the battery is secure in its housing and that the battery cables are not damaged in any way. Replace them if they are.
- 4). If the mower vibrates excessively, look for any blades that may be damaged or loose. Replace damaged blades, and tighten loose ones as necessary.
- 5). Clean the underside of the mower housing if the grass is unevenly cut. Check that the tires have even pressure all around to make sure the mower is level.
- 6). Check and remove any obstruction in the mower clutch mechanism if the blades stop operating. Check the mower drive belt for wear or damage.
- 7). Move the throttle control to the "SLOW" position if the engine backfires when turning the engine off. Allow the engine to idle for 30 seconds before shutting it down.