QA

Quick Answer: Riding Lawn Mower Shakes When Blades Engaged

If the mower vibrates when you engage the cutting blades, there might be a problem with the blade drive system. Deck vibration can be caused by an unbalanced blade, worn pulley or mandrel, bad blade belt or debris caught inside a pulley. Loose nuts or bolts on the pulleys, mandrels or blades can also cause vibration.

What does it mean when your lawn mower shakes?

This is usually a sign that the mower blade is damaged or out of balance. This can be caused by a damaged blade, or one that has been sharpened incorrectly and is out of balance. If you suspect your mower is vibrating excessively due to an issue with the blade, inspect the blade for damaged and test for balance.

How do I know if my lawn mower blade is unbalanced?

If you feel an awkward vibration when mowing, your mower blades are most likely unbalanced. If your lawn is not trimmed evenly, then the blades are most likely unbalanced. If mowing takes longer than usual, the blades are most likely unbalanced.

How do I know if my mower belt is bad?

How to tell if a mower belt ne​​eds replacement The belt has s​​​ide wall damage. Mower belt edges should be smooth and even throughout the entire length of the belt. The belt has a glazed or bu​rned sidewall. Look at the belt edge that contacts the pulleys. The belt is​​ cracked.

How do I know if my lawn mower shaft is bent?

Symptoms of a Bent Lawn Mower Crankshaft Excessive Vibration. Even if your crankshaft is just a tiny bit bent, you will notice some pretty serious vibration. Strange Noises When Running. Your Cut Looks Uneven. Trouble Starting Your Mower/Stalling Issues. Tilt Your Mower. Look at the Center Bolt.

Why is my lawn mower making a knocking noise?

Checking the blade / checking under the deck Take a look at the blade under the mower deck. Sometimes the knocking sound you hear could be the result of a loose, bent or wobbling blade. If you’ve recently removed or replaced the blade and it suddenly started knocking, this is quite possibly the cause of your issue.

What is a crankshaft on a lawn mower?

A lawnmower crankshaft acts as a bridge between the pistons and flywheel, and is a critical part of starting the engine. The crankshaft takes the up and down motion of the pistons and cranks the flywheel in a circular motion, which also powers the fan belt and the transmission.

Why is my lawnmower making a rattling noise?

One of the most commonly experienced noises from a lawnmower is a loud rattling sound resulting from a loose blade assembly. If the blade assembly is loose, it will move around during startup, and it will keep on rattling as the lawnmower runs.

Do new mower blades need balancing?

The importance of balancing your blades is not so much about the quality of your cut (although it can be in some cases), but more about wear and tear on your mower. Mower blades are spinning 4000 RPMs. So if you want to get the most life out of your mower keep the blades balanced!.

How long do mower belts last?

Good mower belts should last for about 3- 4 years. If you don’t have a quality mower belt, you need to get one to use it for this long. As you use a mower belt, you should also inspect it from time to time to confirm any signs of tear.

Can a lawn mower belt stretch?

Yes, lawnmower belts can stretch. Continuous wear due to regular operation can cause them to elongate over time. When it stretches more than it should, it can result in the drive belts lose grip on the pulley system. Take note that some mowers rely on pulley systems to cut grass.

Why does my mower leave a strip of grass in the middle?

A strip of uncut grass left in the middle of mowing rows could signal that your lawnmower’s blades are unbalanced or that one or both of them was installed the wrong way. Ensure that your mower’s blades are on correctly, that both are secured tightly to the mower deck and that both are balanced.

How do I know if my lawnmower blade is sharp?

Look for these signs that you may need to sharpen the mower blades: Dents or nicks in the mower blades. Uneven grass height after cutting. Grass blades look torn instead of sliced. Brown, frayed grass edges.

What causes a bent crankshaft on a lawn mower?

An rpm of around or over 3000 is not uncommon. This means that the blade and crankshaft possess a lot of kinetic energy, which gets dissipated when the mower hits an immovable obstacle. It can result in a bent crankshaft, hitting a hard rock or a tree stump, or a fence.

Can you mow with a bent blade?

Even something like a slightly bent blade can quickly damage the engine and body, not to mention destroy your lawn. If your mower stalls and you do see a bent blade, you’ve probably also sustained damage to the crankshaft and will need engine repair.

How do you know if your lawnmower is blown?

Here are a few signs that your lawn mower’s engine or head gasket is blown: There’s an oil leak. There’s smoke coming from the exhaust. The mower has low power and pressure. Your mower fails a compression test, or there’s diminished compression.

What causes small engine knock?

The main cause of an engine knock comes from the build-up of carbon in the combustion chamber. Carbon is the natural by-product of burning gasoline, and the average small engine will get a good 100 hours or so of operation before carbon starts to build to a dangerous level.