Problems With Self-Propelled Lawn Mowers

Self-propelled lawn mowers use energy from the engine to drive the wheels with a belt. This mechanical system can develop problems from a variety of causes. Common causes of problems with self-propelled lawn mowers include the belt, drive and wheels.

Types

Some problems with self-propelled mowers occur from using the mower on the wrong surface. Mowers with a front wheel drive are best for level surfaces because the operator tends to lift the wheels off the ground when using the mower on a slope. Mowers with rear wheel drive benefit from the operator pushing down on the handle. Rear-wheel-drive mowers may need larger rear wheels to provide greater traction on irregular surfaces.

Belts

Most self-propelled mowers use a simple pulley and belt system. This system is prone to failure because the belt normally becomes looser as it ages. This causes the belt to slip under load, which prevents it from driving the wheels. This type of self-propelled mower requires regular replacements of the drive belt.

Turntable Drive

Advanced self-propelled mowers use a turntable system to drive the wheels. This system uses a metal disc and drive wheel to transfer power from the engine to the wheels. The operator can then alter the speed of the mower by shifting the position of the drive wheel on the drive disc. The most common cause of problems with a turntable drive system is contaminants on the drive disc, which can interfere with the ability of the disc to drive the wheels. Self-propelled mowers with turntable drives require the drive disc and wheel to be cleaned regularly.