Why won't my lawn mower go?
July 8, 2013 4:46 PM Subscribe
My 6.5 HP Craftsman self propelled lawn mower doesn't have enough power to go. Help?
The model number is 917.377661. It is a direct drive rear propelled 21" mower - 10 years old. 3 weeks ago the front axle shaft broke, so I replaced it. When the kids were mowing the yard that next weekend they complained that it's wasn't self-propelling. Given that it is 10 years old and the drive belt was original, I replaced it. That was not it. The belt works properly. If I lift up the rear wheels the rear wheels spin when I engage the drive. However, there isn't enough power there to move the lawn mower when the wheels are on the ground.
I can't imagine how the front axle shaft is related, but I mention it just in case. It's not connected to the drive system at all.
Any ideas?
The model number is 917.377661. It is a direct drive rear propelled 21" mower - 10 years old. 3 weeks ago the front axle shaft broke, so I replaced it. When the kids were mowing the yard that next weekend they complained that it's wasn't self-propelling. Given that it is 10 years old and the drive belt was original, I replaced it. That was not it. The belt works properly. If I lift up the rear wheels the rear wheels spin when I engage the drive. However, there isn't enough power there to move the lawn mower when the wheels are on the ground.
I can't imagine how the front axle shaft is related, but I mention it just in case. It's not connected to the drive system at all.
Any ideas?
If you lift up the front wheels, can you spin them by hand? It's possible you borked the axle replacement, and it's got too much friction, and is acting like a brake.
posted by mollymayhem at 5:10 PM on July 8, 2013
posted by mollymayhem at 5:10 PM on July 8, 2013
Possibly the throttle linkage is not getting full play. Does it sound like the engine is not running full throttle? The throttle is adjusted by a cable that runs down the handle to the engine. It's held in place there by a screw/bolt. If you disconnect the cable at the throttle end and push the throttle manually to full open and it runs fine, that's your problem. Adjust that screw/nut until it works properly.
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 5:13 PM on July 8, 2013
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 5:13 PM on July 8, 2013
Response by poster: Never mind. When I went out to check the throttle (it was fine) I decided to pull the rear wheels off. The ridges molded into the plastic where the drive gear turns the wheels was worn down smooth in the left wheel. The right wheel looks new. So I switched them and it is self-propelling so the kids can mow the yard this week, and I'll order a new wheel to replace the worn one.
And my wife wanted me to go out and buy a new mower :)
posted by COD at 5:28 PM on July 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
And my wife wanted me to go out and buy a new mower :)
posted by COD at 5:28 PM on July 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Pogo_Fuzzybutt at 5:09 PM on July 8, 2013 [1 favorite]