MTD 13B-325-401 User Manual

Page 20

SECTION 10: TROUBLE-SHOOTING

Trouble

Possible Cause

Remedial Action

Excessive vibration

Bent or damaged blade

Bent blade.

Stop engine immediately. Check all
pulleys, blade adapters, keys and bolts for
tightness and spindle damage. Tighten or
replace any damaged parts.

Stop engine immediately. Replace
damaged blade. Only use original
equipment blades.

Mower will not
discharge grass or
leaves uncut strips

Engine speed low.

Speed selection.

Cutting height set too low.

Blades short or dull.

Throttle must be set at full throttle.

Use lower ground speed. Slower the
ground speed, better the quality of cut.

Raise the deck.

Sharpen or replace blades (uncut strip
problem only).

Broken Belt

Sudden stop or shock load to belt

Incorrect belt used

Belt engaged abruptly

Defective or damaged belt

Inspect rider for cause such as foreign
objects stuck in between deck and frame or
belt path. Remove obstruction and check
for damage. Replace belt if needed.

Replace with proper belt. Check Parts list
in this manual for correct part number.

Engage belt slowly by depressing the
blade engagement pedal slowly.

Replace with proper belt. Follow
instructions in Service and Adjustments
section.

Belt comes off

Belt too loose; stretched

Broken or weak idler spring

Readjust belt. Replace if needed. Follow
instructions for belt replacement in the
Service and Adjustments section.

Replace. Order with correct part number
from Parts List in this manual.

Belt shreds

Belt guides or guards incorrectly adjusted

Pulleys not aligned

Pulley rusted or in otherwise bad condition;
frozen bearing

Adjust belt guides and guards so that these
are approximately 1/16 to 1/8 inch from belt
when engaged.

Realign pulleys to be within approximately
1/16 inch of each other. Check with straight
edge. Make sure fastening hardware is
tight.

Replace pulleys. Order with correct part
number from the Parts List in this manual.
Adjust new pulleys to 1/16 inch.