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. Start your fuel flow and watch the flow from the fuel line into the container. 1. To stop grass buildup under a lawn mower deck, spray the underside with non-stick cooking spray or rub vegetable oil on it. Deck sprays are not a miracle product that prevents all buildup, but it can minimize the amount of debris collecting under the deck. Direct the side discharge away from sidewalks or streets to minimize cleanup of clippings. Use a funnel or spout to prevent spillage. Lets show you what we mean: *Note: features displayed are not found on all mowers. These are low to the ground and most vulnerable to grass buildup, especially on a wet lawn. Keep away from any drop off. 5. Replace broken fins and clean the cooling fins. We recommend using hot soapy water and a brush. If the blades appear to be fine and if you have not noticed any reduction in the effectiveness of the cut, the blades will not require further attention. Using super clean on the mowers works great. Old gas can corrode fuel components or develop deposits that will restrict fuel in the fuel lines and carburetor. Try to mow regularly and when the lawn is dry, since long or wet grass can clump and stick to your mower. Remove a clogged fuel line and remove the clog using carburetor cleaner and compressed air. Come join the discussion about performance, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more! On its website, The Mower Shop of Fishers, Indiana, says the minimum fee for repairing a household walk-behind mower at its location is $36. So the time gained from quick turning and faster ground speed while mowing is more than lost when it comes to deck cleaning time unfortunately. Remove any debris stuck in the cooling fins and replace any broken fins. Replaces: Carlisle 30-43790, Wright Mfg. The EVZ gives more people the chance to see why Scag machines are Simply the Best. Out of all the lawnmower brands in the market, Scag Mowers solidified its place in the industry by manufacturing top-notch lawn care tools since 1983. DO NOT mow on wet grass. Fits: Carlisle, Wright Mfg. This includes checking for plugged or broken cooling fins. Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve. But a study says lots of people dont know how to clean the mower right way. Step 5: Wait an hour to dry the mower deck and its ready to work. In this case, 91% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Gas can begin to break down and become less effective as quickly as 30 days after you purchase it. This is Why Your Shindaiwa String Trimmer Runs Rough: SOLVED! A smoking mower must be addressed right away so minor problems dont develop into large ones. Remove the air filter from the air filter housing. Before performing any maintenance on any machine, ensure that the machine is not running. Operate the machine smoothly with no sudden turns, starts or stops on a slope. This will ensure that nothing is overlooked and that all equipment is replaced on time. Step 3: Scrub it with a wire brush or dry soft cloth. Be careful. I've used Pam, wd40, oil or whatever I could spray under deckafter 5 minutes it's gone. Replace the paper air filter once per season or after 300 hours of operation. The gas cap seal can fail and no longer seal allowing gas to splash out of the fuel tank around the gas cap. The blades wont turn when the belt is worn or has fallen off the pulleys due to a stretched belt, bad pulley bearing, or worn tensioner parts. An air filter is used on a SCAG mower to protect the engine from wear and damage. Wet grass reduces traction and steering control. We recommend using hot soapy water and a brush. This article has been viewed 968,483 times. Sep 7, 2012. A product like Sea Foam Motor Treatment can be added while the fuel is still fresh. Use care when approaching blind corners, shrubs, trees or other objects that may obscure vision. I have 3 Turf Tigers and only have one chance a week to do any cleaning. Gas tanks require vents for air to pass through. Never fuel indoors or in enclosed trailers. To do the job correctly you need a garden hose reel, engine degreaser (Remove the excess grease), cold water, and brush. Consult a professional mechanic when you are unsure of any steps required to diagnose and repair your mower safely. When using your mower, dirt and debris are tossed into the air causing dirty air conditions. However, selecting the right mower for your needs can get lost in their overflowing product catalog. Cutter-deck belt cover is easily removed by loosening the thumb screws. On a manual engagement clutch, replace a worn clutch cable, lever, springs, and linkages. I have 3 Turf Tigers and only have one chance a week to do any cleaning. If the machine was recently running, allow it to cool before performing any maintenance. Just spray it on and let it sit for a couple of minutes and wash it off. Actual product may differ from photos. Why Is Oil Coming Out of My Lawn Mower Exhaust? Patriot is one of the four zero turn mower models that come from the Scag brand. Dirty or damaged spark plug causes the plug to foul out and cause intermittent running problems. I don't get it too close to the engine mainly just give it a good rinse. Heres the bad news: If your engine shuts down because of a lack of engine oil, chances are significant damage was done. Having a clean mower is part of general maintenance in order to inspect for busted welds or any other deck damage. Your SCAG will stop running when these clogs prevent sufficient gas to the engine. Use only approved containers. Itll take a few bucks on the hardware store. Additionally, Scag provides a factory maintenance schedule for owners of their riding mowers. But a neat and clean mower deck helps you increase the mower overall performance. Oftentimes, you notice you have a fuel leak when you see a small puddle on the ground. A choke is used for cold starts. Ensure that the ignition switch is in the Off position and remove the key from its slot to ensure that it is not inadvertently bumped. Drain old fuel. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Summer Lawn Dormancy: What Causes it, and How Can You Prevent It? When the crankshaft and rod have to push through this extra oil, the engine can overheat and die. Shanks Lawn Equipment has a large inventory of factory original parts and a wide array of factory diagrams, ensuring that you buy the right type of part for your machine. When youre mowing the yard every time some debris is stuck (grass finer) on the inside of the mower deck as well as mower blades which disable the efficient cut. If you can, go ahead and reuse your air filter. Wear heavy gloves while working around the blades; if inspecting the blades will not be a part of the maintenance, sheathe the blades while you work on the machine. We try our best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice for you. For the normal aspect, you can not see the part. If they are, clean the posts with steel wool and a solution of baking soda and water. You don't want to knock any dirt into the air intake. Just be smart and don't directly spray bearing, wiring or engine components. Step 3: Use boiling water and liquid soap to cut the grease and dust. Fill the fuel tank outdoors. Thanks for the info. Brush will remove all grass debris easily. Rubber fuel lines become dry and cracked causing gas to leak. Solution: When you find a section of the fuel line that isnt allowing good fuel flow due to a clog, shut off the fuel flow and remove the fuel line from the mower. Old hydraulic oil or not having enough oil in the hydraulic tank can also result in a lack of power from the transmission. Properly Cleaning The Deck On Your Mower MTE Equipment Solutions 1.92K subscribers Subscribe 94K views 5 years ago From performance drags to after cut appearance issues, failure to properly. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Equipment: Cleaning involves all ancillary equipment utilized during the procedure at hand. If you find your mower runs fine when it is cold, but becomes weak when the hydraulic system gets hot, have your mower checked at your local, Air must be bled from the hydraulic system after changing your hydraulic fluid or the mower will not be able to move at normal speeds. Your Belt Keeps Coming Off Your SCAG Lawn Mower: SOLVED! Dont overlook the small stuff. While SCAG manufactures top-of-the-line lawn mowers, just like any other brand mower, they will develop problems over time. If you run there is a possibility of debris and other hard obstacles going into the engine and fully damaging it. If the blades are damaged, they must be replaced. When you find the charging system isnt working right, I highly recommend having an experienced mechanic diagnose and repair the problem. I blow mine off at the end of each day. MowersLab experts recommend you clean your mower before starting and after ending the mowing season. Clean and quiet operation is ensured whether you're using the EVZ at home or on the job. If the blades are cracked or damaged, do not weld or straighten the blades; simply replace them. DO NOT operate without the side-discharge chute installed and in the down position, or without an optional grass catcher or mulch plate completely installed. Be alert for holes, rocks, roots and other hidden hazards in the terrain. Grass may have more internal moisture for a day or two after a rain, even if it feels dry. Wearing safety glasses, safety shoes and a helmet is advisable and is required by some local ordinances and insurance regulations. Raise the deck to its highest point and raise up the front of the machine slightly to access the blades. Make sure this arrow is pointed in the direction of the mowers fuel flow. Other heavy-duty rust protection products all have mixed reviews. I scrape the deck when needed. Rebuild or replace it if needed. Failure to adhere to this guideline could result in injury or death. For those using degreasers, how does the paint hold up to using it over time? Point the hose at your drain pan and unscrew the end. Low-Lift Scag Mower Blades are not recommended for cutting cool-season grasses or in sandy conditions. Be careful to keep dirt from falling into the air intake. I'll scrape and pressure wash the deck once a week. When the unit is not tracked correctly, your mower can veer off to one side and not drive straight. SCAG mower runs rough 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. 4. Visit one of the links near the bottom of this page, or, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaooqW0GJkc&t, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Car5vamdGzE, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zjHi30bPu0&t, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOD0xI0qDG8&t. Before cleaning the carburetor inspect it and if you find any sign of corrosion then we highly recommend you replace it instead of cleaning it. The EVZ is the first electric-powered unit in Scag's industry-leading lawn mower lineup. When these valves are bypassed, the mower will free-roll, but will not drive. When using any attachment, never direct the discharge of material toward bystanders or allow anyone near the machine while in operation. Solution: Replace a plugged fuel tank vent. Solution: Identify a bad ignition coil using an ohmmeter to check for a break in continuity. If you must mow in reverse, maintain a constant lookout to the rear of the machine and mow slowly. Clean a dirty plug using a wire brush. Step 2: Drain the oil or gas from the gas tank. The air filter must be checked and cleaned regularly or it may become so plugged that sufficient air isnt able to pass through the filter. I do paint underside of deck once per season. Many of the problems that prevent a lawn mower from starting can also be the reason it dies after it starts and runs. Select models feature a rear engine guard like shown. 98460046 Ships in 2-5 days Consult a professional if you dont have the skills, or knowledge or are not in the condition to perform the repair safely. The filter prevents this dirt from entering the air intake and getting to the engine. This might be a good choice in wet climates, but dirt and debris may still wear it down much sooner than the label suggests. If you find the tip of your spark plug is very dark, has a burnt electrode, or is damaged, replace your spark plug. Consult a professional if you dont have the skills, or knowledge or are not in the condition to perform the repair safely. Solution: The choke lever must be placed in the off position after the engine is warm to allow additional airflow or the mower will sputter and die. Find a buddy and each of you lift on one of the front caster wheels to get the mower in mid air, then slide the tip of sawhorse under it where the board sticks out. Disengage power to the cutter deck before crossing roads, walks or gravel drives. I started my own lawn care business in college and have been doing it ever since. Remove any dirt remaining in the housing with a dry clean cloth. Start the mower to ensure that the battery is fully functional. My orange Scags look brown or green to the point where you cant even tell if there are tiger stripes on the fenders, or even see the logos on the front. Sponsored. The newest mower I've ever owned in my career is 10 years old. Refer to your owners manual. Keep others off the tractor (only one person at a time). DO NOT operate on steep slopes. The mower wont move if your drive belt has fallen off. Slow down the ground speed to match the mowing conditions. Before attempting to start the engine, the operator must be in the seat and must disengage power to the cutter deck, place the steering control levers in the neutral position and engage the parking brake. 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. With over 21 years of landscaping experience, TC has worked on projects such as the Idaho Botanical Garden in Boise, Idaho. Any seat-belt system that shows cuts, fraying, extreme or unusual wear, significant discoloration due to UV exposure, dirt or stiffness, abrasion to the seat-belt webbing, or damage to the buckle, latch plate, hardware or any other obvious problem should be replaced immediately. Expert Tip: Please dont run your mower without an air filter. When a switch fails, your mower may not start. Contact your local authorities for regulations and equipment requirements. Detailed information can be found at:Reasons Your SCAG Lawn Mower Has a Bad or Uneven Cut. Follow SCAGs procedures for changing the hydraulic fluid and bleeding air from the system as outlined in your owners manual. The cutter deck is BUILT. The machine could suddenly roll over if a wheel goes over the edge or if the edge caves in. My Scag dealer has cleaned the mower when in for service and he claims he sprays it down with a special chemical/degreaser that he wont tell me and then just hoses it off. For more from our reviewer on buildup under a lawn mower deck, including how to clean off grass thats already built up, keep reading! When this happens, the spark plugs are unable to get the voltage they need to create spark. Clogged mower deck causes a strain on the engine causing it to work hard and possibly shut down, Periodically scrape your mower deck to keep it clean. 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