The lawn was long enough here to mow in February.

Went and got some fresh fuel for the riding mower and it started on the first turn of the key. Got it around the corner of the house and it cut out. Disengaged the blades and it started right up. Made it to the rear corner of the house and it quit again. This time nothing but a faint click.

So as some of you have much more experience in dealing with issues like this than I do, I'm wondering what's up.

If it was a solenoid, would it even have re-fired the first time it shut off? I did charge the battery after this happened and the click is just stronger when I turn the key now. I know it isn't fuel related because it just started right up before, and now it isn't even cranking. The battery cables were tight.

Got the solenoid on order just in case...good to have one as backup anyway if it isn't the problem. Won't get here till early next week. But aside from that this system is pretty simple, it does have a seat safety switch and I also don't think it will start with the blade engaged or without the brake pedal depressed.

Thoughts?

The manual with schematic is here in case anyone wants to take a look: https://www.snapper.com/na/en_us/sup...ted=2691183-00

 

I would check the wire from solenoid to starter, clean and tight. If possible check volts at starter when trying to crank.

 

I get only a couple of years out of lawn tractor batteries.. Maybe start there and rule that out.

 

X2 Don71. I have a year old Gravely 54 XL zero turn and the battery failed in 2 years of ownership other than that, it's been a workhorse.

 

A 4 year old Gravely!

 

Turn the key on and take a big screw driver and cross from one post to the other. If it is the solenoid or the power wire to the solenoid it should roll over and start. You can check for twelve volts at the small start wire with all the safeties satisfied. If you have 12 volts present when the key is in the crank position then more than likely a bad solenoid.

Please as advised check grounds and make sure the battery is up.

Pat

 

Was it in a warm enough place that the battery would not freeze.? If not I would take the battery out and have it checked. If the battery lost its charge,and it froze , that is probably the problem. Good luck, Larry

 

Battery fully charged. Tested about 12.5V. Tested solonoid. Works. Tested cables. Fine. Starter itself fine.

Problem was engine was locked up. Not sure what exactly is going on. Starter had to be manually disengaged by turning back to rest position. However, I would need one of these too as it is cracked at the center and not even lined up where the keyhole...rotated around 90 degrees https://www.ebay.com/p/Briggs-Stratt...eel/1720335993

At this point, I'm not even messing with it. My yard has about doubled in size vs our previous place anyway and I will upgrade. Felt the 18.5HP was a little light for mulching here anyway. The entire engine is available for about $550 via Amazon if worse came to worse and add in the cost of the flywheel and I'm starting to get to the point where it may not be worth it.

Thanks for the ideas. It was fun to diagnose a little but I just don't have the time to get into it further.

 

https://video.search.yahoo.com/searc...e8&action=view

 

Just don't have the room in my garage for that one Jamebo. Nice machine though.

 

Have room for a honda ? Be done quicker... get workin' on the Olds and drinkin' beers sooner !

Put-er-ther !

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/autos/news...zUM?li=AAggFp5

 

How much grass or acres? What's the budget?

Pat

 

I ended up with a 22HP Husqvarna twin cylinder. A few inches larger cut, 46 vs 42. Has the same exact model hydrostatic drive in it that the Snapper has. Tuff Torq http://www.tufftorq.com/product/k46/ That costs about $500 or so to replace so now I have a spare if needed, plus the tires and wheels are the same size too. Starter and battery also. Starting to think like you guys...

Pat, I have about 3/4 of an acre here. This new one cost me about $1700 with tax delivered. That sweet sound of the twin cylinder sure beats the old one. Doesn't seem like much would bog that down at all, even if I end up putting a mulch kit on it.

 

That sure does look nice. Needs twin chutes to slow it down.