Remove the belt guards at the top of the mower occasionally and blow away grass with a leaf blower or air compressor. After the investment you made into purchasing your SCAG mower, its frustrating when it just stops running. And set it at least one hour. Water can interfere with the air filter or other mechanisms, especially on the sides or top of the mower. Essential replacement parts vary depending upon the maintenance schedule. Step 3: Carefully remove the engine screen and detach the blower housing. Additionally, Scag provides a factory maintenance schedule for owners of their riding mowers. 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. Raise the deck to its highest point and raise up the front of the machine slightly to access the blades. If the air filter is below the oil tank when turned on its side, the possibility of oil seeping down through motor and out through the filter is high. Solution: Take caution working around your hot engine. Clean any dirt and debris left in the air filter housing and filter cover. Simple oil-drain system features a drain hose for clean, easy oil changes. Itll take a few bucks on the hardware store. Sharp blades are critical to the effectiveness of any mower. How Do You Use a Riding Lawn Mower? He is a Idaho Registered Contractor and a previously Licensed Irrigator in the State of Texas. WD40 or used motor oil have a similar effect, but they can drip off and damage your grass. Well, follow these simple and easy 5 steps and know how to clean a lawn mower engine correctly. Remove the filter and clean it. Clean a dirty plug using a wire brush. Mow regularly at high throttle when your grass is dry to reduce buildup. The engine can be damaged when this mixture runs through the engine as it burns very hot. Inspecting the battery in a Scag mower requires removing the battery cell cap to inspect the electrolyte level, so this step should be done carefully; wear eye protection and gloves while working on the battery and do not perform this procedure near any open flames. Allow the engine to cool for several minutes before adding fuel. 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. Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve. While ethanol is better for the environment, it is not friendly to the small engine in your SCAG lawn mower. Remove these foreign materials. Check product reviews online before buying. Make sure you have a rag on hand to catch any fuel that begins to leak when changing the filter. Step 2: Use cold water to clean and rinse the existing water. Step 5: Before reassembling make sure that the air filter is dry. Raise the roll bar as soon as clearance permits (see operators manual for details). Keep all shields and safety devices in place. DO NOT allow children to ride or play on the machine; it is not a toy. Clean a SCAG mower paper air filter. Be sure to have the complete model and serial numbers from your machine. In addition to this, look for things that may cause the engine to have to work harder than normal. Take a look at the new filter and locate the arrow on the side of the housing. If you find anything, then bring out the air filter and clean it. If you find it starts, runs, and then dies, disassemble the carburetor and clean it. NEVER tow on slopes. Cleaning the mower deck it's an easy process. Securely fasten seat belt during operation of the machine (a mower equipped with fixed-position ROPS or with foldable ROPS in up position). I'm also a big fan of composting and using natural fertilizers. I blow mine off at the end of each day. Swapping out a belt with the mower on the loading ramps is a lot easier than pushing it 600 yards then trying to crawl under it sitting flat on the ground. Your mower requires a specific amount of engine oil in the crankcase for the engine to run at its best. Pull the two lock pins out of the outside of the bar. I don't blow it off after every yard either, just make sure there's nothing around the engine. The EVZ is the first electric-powered unit in Scag's industry-leading lawn mower lineup. Keep all body parts away from any holes or slots that eject hydraulic fluid at all times. It is a great mower for residential and commercial use. Keep reading for more causes of a SCAG mower shutting down and dying. Patriot is one of the four zero turn mower models that come from the Scag brand. Use the alternate-stripe pattern for best lawn appearance. Remove the air filter. Your SCAG mower can have problems starting when it isnt getting the spark, fuel, or air required by the engine to form combustion in the cylinder. I recommend replacing your fuel filter annually to reduce the likelihood the filter becomes plugged. Vibration in a mower can be caused by something as small as a wood chip or other debris getting lodged in the mower. Check for spindle damage. Parts and labor aren't included in those fees. The mower wont move if your drive belt has fallen off. Other times you will only smell a strong gas odor in the air because the leaked gas has evaporated leaving no other signs behind. This ethanol and moisture mixture can corrode fuel components and leave behind a gummy substance that results in fuel restrictions. Note: Dont use an air compressor or blower for cleaning the engine. Every few weeks I'll hose the dust/ mud/ grass off of it. Before working on the engine, identify which engine your machine utilizes and secure an owners manual for that engine. Brush will remove all grass debris easily. Remove the two cotter pins from the inside of the roll over protection system (ROPS) bar with needle nose pliers. Your mower is only as safe as the operator. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. If you narrow your problem down to an internal engine problem, its best to have a small engine mechanic diagnose and make the necessary repairs. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Replace a plugged fuel filter. Contact can injure. Replace a worn or cracked belt. You may have developed an engine oil leak or have a problem in your engine where it is using or burning oil. When mowing close to obstacles, direct the discharge away from the obstacles to reduce the chance of property damage by thrown objects. HAXMAN The Secret To RUT FREE TURNS On A Lawn Mower Brian's Lawn Maintenance Mower Deck Undercoating Test. This is probably why the Scag SFC30 is a heavy machine, It doesn't look as heavy as it actually is. For More Information Check Out:Reasons a SCAG Mower Runs Rough & Sputters (Coming Soon). By using our site, you agree to our. 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. Actual product may differ from photos. It requires the power of the engine to charge your battery. If you purchased more gas than you are able to use within this timeframe, add a fuel additive to stabilize the gas so it lasts a little longer. Owners should change the hydraulic oil, the hydraulic oil filter, and the fuel filter at least once a year or after 500 hours of operation. Lubrication diagrams in the manual clearly point out all grease Zerk locations. 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. Do not travel forward over a curb. Sponsored. If you notice your mower doesnt provide a better performance and makes more vibration than usual you probably need to clean the fuel line. This can cause your mower to die after its been running for a while. In dusty conditions, more frequent cleaning and replacement may be necessary. Tap the filter against a solid surface to loosen and remove as much dirt as possible. Use only Scag-approved attachments and accessories. Starting at $140. Keep the roll bar in the raised and locked position and the seat belt securely fastened during operation. DO NOT operate the machine under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Step 5: Reinstall and reconnect it correctly. Clean or replace the air filter if needed. For more from our reviewer on buildup under a lawn mower deck, including how to clean off grass thats already built up, keep reading! Internal problems including the piston ring, valve train, or engine gasket. Make sure this arrow is pointed in the direction of the mowers fuel flow. Lack of oil can increase friction in your engine causing extreme heat. If you dont find a problem in the fuel lines, keep checking the other fuel components for a restriction or failure. Engine oil should be checked after every eight hours of operation and replaced as necessary, although no later than after every 100 hours. Follow SCAGs procedures for changing the hydraulic fluid and bleeding air from the system as outlined in your owners manual. Confirm there isnt anything preventing the engine from getting good airflow around the engine block. When mowing wet or tall grass, mow the grass twice. A dirty or clogged carburetor decreases the mower performance. Make sure every operator is properly trained and thoroughly familiar with all of the controls before operating the mower. Switch to high-lift blades if your mower is compatible. While learning the operation of the steering controls, keep the travel speed low. Continue checking additional sections of the fuel line. When the fuel is restricted, your SCAG mower will run badly and possibly die due to the lack of fuel. When these valves are bypassed, the mower will free-roll, but will not drive. Don't use compressed air as it can damage . Drive release lever in the wrong position, The drive release arms allow hydrostatic mowers to roll freely. High-Lift blades create more lift and can cause additional deck cleaning. Internal engine problems can have a detrimental effect on your mower if they are not caught soon enough and fixed. Step 1: Tilt the mower and make it easily accessible to the blades. Step 1: Separate all the parts of the carburetor and put them in a plastic bag with a carburetor cleaner. Here's how, Step - 1: Empty the gas tank and disconnect the spark plug Step - 2: Stand the mower upside Step - 3: Wash the deck parts using a garden hose, and also removing all the remaining debris. Unequal tire pressure can cause your mower to pull to one side. Ultimately it's whatever works best for you. Never attempt running your SCAG mower without an air filter. Thanks for all the tips. Apr 25, 2012 / Scag Turf Tiger misfiring/cutting off while mowing. The gas cap seal can fail and no longer seal allowing gas to splash out of the fuel tank around the gas cap. Replace a gas cap that no longer allows the fuel tank to vent. Fortunately, we drafted a comprehensive Scag mowers price guide. A few things to look at: Check all plugin connectors particularly the engine harness adapter connector as all battery power comes thru it. This post may include affiliate links. . Running old gas through your mower is a culprit that can cause problems in the fuel system. These areas may be hot enough to cause a burn. Free shipping. Spark plug helps to start the mower engine. Regular maintenance ensuring the mower longevity. You can also use an oil evacuator or turkey baster to suck oil through the engine oil fill area. Keep this solution out of the battery cells. Check over your mower for debris stuck in the deck or mower. Use care when loading or unloading the machine onto a trailer or truck. When using any attachment, never direct the discharge of material toward bystanders or allow anyone near the machine while in operation. You don't want to knock any dirt into the air intake. When using your mower, dirt and debris are tossed into the air causing dirty air conditions. Hold the filter up to a light source to check if you can see light shine through the filter. If you find you have sufficient flow, shut off the fuel flow and reattach the fuel line. 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. A hydrostatic transmission on a SCAG lawn mower can feel weak from the use of a bad hydraulic belt or pulley. Then, I have a little 1700 psi electric pressure washer I use to clean it off about once a week. When the crankshaft and rod have to push through this extra oil, the engine can overheat and die. Mow frequently. Cut grass when it is dry and not too tall. It can cause components to fail and create fuel restrictions. 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. For More Information Check Out:SCAG Mower Blades Wont Engage or Turn On (Coming Soon). Look for instructions in the owners manual or online, or talk to the dealer's mechanic. Can damage a dirty or clogged carburetor decreases the mower is using burning! 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