Lawn mower grass deflector. My Lawn Mower Chute Clogs – Solved

22nd July 2023

US4258539A. Grass discharge chute deflector for rotary lawn mower. Google Patents

Publication number US4258539A US4258539A US06/070,859 US7085979A US4258539A US 4258539 A US4258539 A US 4258539A US 7085979 A US7085979 A US 7085979A US 4258539 A US4258539 A US 4258539A Authority US United States Prior art keywords housing grass discharge opening deflector closed position Prior art date 1979-08-29 Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.) Expired. Lifetime Application number US06/070,859 Inventor Richard E. Pearce Ronald M. Stolley Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.) Cushman Inc Original Assignee Outboard Marine Corp Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.) 1979-08-29 Filing date 1979-08-29 Publication date 1981-03-31 1979-08-29 Application filed by Outboard Marine Corp filed Critical Outboard Marine Corp 1979-08-29 Priority to US06/070,859 priority Critical patent/US4258539A/en 1980-05-16 Priority to CA352,125A priority patent/CA1115530A/en 1981-03-31 Application granted granted Critical 1981-03-31 Publication of US4258539A publication Critical patent/US4258539A/en 1989-06-21 Assigned to CUSHMAN INC., A CORP. OF DE reassignment CUSHMAN INC., A CORP. OF DE ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: OUTBOARD MARINE CORPORATION 1991-01-31 Assigned to CUSHMAN INC., A CORP. OF DE reassignment CUSHMAN INC., A CORP. OF DE NUNC PRO TUNC ASSIGNMENT (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). EFFECTIVE ON 09/19/1989 Assignors: OUTBOARD MARINE CORPORATION, A DE CORP. 1999-08-29 Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical Status Expired. Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Images

Classifications

A — HUMAN NECESSITIES
A01 — AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
A01D — HARVESTING; MOWING
A01D43/00 — Mowers combined with apparatus performing additional operations while mowing
A01D43/06 — Mowers combined with apparatus performing additional operations while mowing with means for collecting, gathering or loading mown material
A01D43/063 — Mowers combined with apparatus performing additional operations while mowing with means for collecting, gathering or loading mown material in or into a container carried by the mower; Containers therefor
A01D43/0631 — Control devices specially adapted therefor

A — HUMAN NECESSITIES
A01 — AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
A01D — HARVESTING; MOWING
A01D2101/00 — Lawn-mowers

A — HUMAN NECESSITIES
A01 — AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
A01D — HARVESTING; MOWING
A01D34/00 — Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters
A01D34/01 — Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus
A01D34/412 — Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus having rotating cutters
A01D34/63 — Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus having rotating cutters having cutters rotating about a vertical axis

Abstract

A lawn mower comprises a housing enclosing a rotary cutting blade. The housing includes a continuous sidewall having therein a side grass discharge opening and a top wall extending from the sidewall and having therein a top grass discharge opening. A deflector is located on the housing adjacent to the side discharged opening and is operative for movement between an open position permitting the escape of grass clippings through the side discharge opening and a closed position blocking the escape of grass clippings through the side discharge opening. The deflector is biased toward the open position. A grass discharge chute is detachably attached on the housing in communication with the top discharge opening. The chute includes a tab member which engages the deflector and moves the deflector from its open position to its closed position against the action of the bias during attachment of the grass discharge chute on the housing. The tab member also maintains the deflector in its closed position against the action of the bias when the grass discharge chute is attached on the housing.

Description

The invention relates generally to rotary type lawn mowers. particularly, the invention relates to grass discharge chute deflectors for rotary type lawn mowers.

John Deere Mower Grass Chute Detail Assembly and Disassembly

Attention is directed to the following United States patents which disclose rotary lawn mowers with associated grass discharge deflector assemblies:

Thelander 2,802,327 August 13, 1957 Shaw 3,065,588 November 27, 1962 Shaw 3,118,267 January 21, 1964 Shaw 3,134,214 May 26, 1964 Siwek 3,423,918 January 28, 1969 Ramey 3,673,778 July 4, 1972 Taub 3,706,190 December 19, 1972 Cope 3,726,069 April 3, 1973 Marion et al 3,760,572 September 25, 1973 Erdman et al 3,797,214 March 19, 1974 Woelffer et al 3,805,499 April 23, 1974 Finneran 3,828,533 August 13, 1974 Dahl 3,872,656 March 25, 1975 Lessig et al 4,008,559 February 22, 1977 Gobin 4,031,694 June 28, 1977

The invention provides a lawn mower comprising a housing enclosing a rotary cutting blade and including a continuous sidewall having therein a side grass discharge opening. A top wall extends from the sidewall and has therein a top grass discharge opening. Deflector means is located on the housing adjacent to the side discharge opening and is operative for movement between an open position which permits the escape of grass clippings through the side discharge opening and a closed position which blocks the escape of grass clippings through the side discharge opening. Means is operatively connected with the deflector means for biasing the deflector means toward the open position. A grass discharge chute is detachably attached on the housing in communication with the top discharge opening and includes means which engages the deflector means for moving the deflector means from the open position to the closed position against the action of the biasing means during attachment of the grass discharge chute on the housing and which maintains the deflector means in the closed position against the action of the biasing means when the grass discharge chute is attached on the housing. Thus, when the grass discharge chute is attached on the housing, substantially all of the grass clippings are directed outwardly of the housing through the discharge chute in response to cutting blade rotation.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the lawn mower further includes a cover plate which is adapted to be detachably attached on the housing in covering relation to the top discharge opening when the grass discharge chute is not attached. The cover plate prevents the escape of grass clippings through the top discharge opening.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the cover plate includes means engaging the deflector means for moving the deflector means from the open position to the closed position against the action of the biasing means during attachment of the cover plate on the housing and for maintaining the deflector means in the closed position against the action of the biasing means when the cover plate is attached on the housing. When the cover plate is attached in this fashion, the lawn mower acts as a mulching type lawn mower.

One of the principal features of the invention is the provision of a rotary lawn mower which is alternately operable as a chuteless grass mulching mower, in which the grass clippings are mulched by the cutting blade and discharged below the lawn mower housing, or as a lawn mower having an associated grass discharge chute, in which the grass clippings are discharged outwardly of the housing through the grass discharge chute, or as a lawn mower in which grass clippings are discharged through a side discharge opening in the lawn mower housing.

Other features and advantages of the embodiments of the invention will become known by reference to the following general description, claims, and drawings.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a rotary lawn mower having a detachable grass discharge chute shown in a detached position from the lawn mower;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the rotary lawn mower shown in FIG. 1 with a detachable cover plate attached in place of the grass discharge chute;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the detachable grass discharge chute shown in an attached position on the lawn mower; and

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the grass discharge chute deflector which is associated with the lawn mower shown in FIG. 1 and which is taken generally along line 44 of FIG. 3.

Before explaining the embodiments of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description and as illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways.

Shown in the drawings is a lawn mower 10 which includes a housing 12 supported by wheels 14 for movement over the ground. Lawn mower movement is controlled by pushing on a handle 16 which extends upwardly and rearwardly from the housing 12. Grass is cut by a rotary cutting blade 18 (see FIG. 1) which is supported within the housing 12 on the drive shaft 20 of an engine 22 mounted on the housing 12.

The housing 12 includes a continuous sidewall 24 and a top wall 26 which extends from the sidewall 24. The sidewall 24 includes adjoining vertical and horizontal edges 28 and 29 which define an opening 30 through which airborne grass clippings may be discharged from the housing 12 in response to cutting blade rotation.

Deflector means 32 is located on the housing 12 adjacent to the side discharge opening 30. The discharge means 32 is operative for movement between an open position (shown in solid lines in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4) and a closed position (shown in phantom lines in FIGS. 2 and 4 and solid lines in FIG. 3). As is shown in FIG. 4, means in the form of a spring 34 is operatively connected with the deflector means 32 for biasing the deflector 32 toward the open position.

When the deflector means 32 is in its normally open position, the escape of airborne grass clippings through the side discharge opening 30 is permitted. When the deflector means 32 is in its closed position, the escape of airborne grass clippings through the side discharge opening 30 is blocked.

While the deflector means 32 may be variously constructed, in the illustrated embodiment, a deflector shield 36 is provided which includes a lip 37 which extends laterally outwardly from the upper edge 39 of the shield 36 and which generally overhangs the exterior surface of the shield 36 (as is best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4). The shield 36 also includes integrally connected sidewalls or wings 38. These wings 38 are spaced apart so as to be in substantial alignment with the vertical edges 28 of the discharge opening 30 (see FIG. 3). The shield 36 is pivotally attached on the housing 12 by means of a shaft 40 which extends along the upper horizontal edge 29 of the opening 30.

A stop tab 42 (see FIG. 4) extends laterally outwardly from the upper edge 39 of the shield 36. The tab 42 rests against the housing top wall 26 when the deflector shield 36 is in the position shown in solid lines in FIG. 4 and limits further pivotal movement of the deflector shield 36 upwardly beyond this position. When in this position, which corresponds to the heretofore described open position of the deflector means 32, the deflector shield 36 extends at an angle outwardly from the housing sidewall 24. The escape of grass clippings through the opening 30 is permitted. At the same time, grass clippings, stones or other debris struck by the cutting blade 18 are deflected by the shield 36 downwardly toward the ground and away from the operator and bystanders.

When the deflector means 32 is in the heretofore described closed position (as is best shown in FIG. 3 and in phantom lines in FIG. 4), the deflector shield 36 is in covering relation to the side discharge opening 30 with the wings 38 registering with the vertical edges 28 of the side discharge opening 30 to completely block the side discharge opening 30.

Top wall 26 includes edges 44 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) which define an opening 46 in the top wall 26. As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, a grass discharge chute 48 may be detachably attached on the housing 12 in communication with the top discharge opening 46 so that orbiting grass clippings may be discharged outwardly of the housing 12 through the discharge chute 48 in response to cutting blade rotation.

While various constructions are possible, in the illustrated embodiment (and still referring to FIGS. 1 and 3), the grass discharge chute 48 includes a main body portion 52 which is generally curved radially outwardly of the engine 22 and which has a rearwardly facing discharge opening 54 which preferably empties into a grass discharge bag 50 (as shown in FIG. 3) suitably supported on the lawn mower housing 12. The main body portion 52 of the chute 48 includes at the bottom thereof a peripheral edge 56 which defines an inlet opening and which is adapted to fit in sealing registry with the edges 44 which define the top discharge opening 46 (see FIG. 3). Threaded bolts 58 or the like secure the peripheral edge 56 of the grass discharge chute 48 to the housing 12.

The grass discharge chute 48 includes means 60 which engages the deflector means 32 and moves the deflector means 32 from its open position to its closed position against the action of the biasing spring 34 during attachment of the grass discharge chute 48 on the housing 12. In addition, the means 60 maintains the deflector means 32 in its closed position against the action of the biasing spring 34 when the grass discharge chute 48 is bolted to the housing 12. By virtue of this arrangement, substantially all of the grass clippings are directed outwardly through the chute 48.

While various constructions are possible, in the illustrated embodiment, the means 60 takes the form of a tab which projects laterally outwardly from the peripheral edge 56 of the main body portion 52 of the chute 48. As is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, this tab 60 contacts the lip 37 of the deflector shield 36 when the chute 48 is properly positioned on the housing 12. Engagement between the tab 60 and the deflector lip 37 during attachment of the chute 48 on the housing 12 moves the deflector shield 36 against the action of the biasing spring 34 from its open position to its closed position. Furthermore, when the chute 48 is bolted on the housing 12, the engagement between the tab 60 and the deflector lip 37 maintains the deflector shield 36 in its closed position (as is shown in FIG. 3 and in phantom lines in FIG. 4).

As can be seen in FIG. 2, the lawn mower 10 also includes a cover plate 64 which is adapted to be detachably attached on the housing 12 in covering relation to the top discharge opening 46 when the grass discharge chute 48 is not attached. The cover plate 64 thus prevents the escape of grass clippings through the top discharge opening 54, and the flow of airborne grass clippings proceeds outwardly of the housing through the normally open side discharge opening 30.

The construction of the cover plate 64 is similar to the construction of the chute 48. particularly, the cover plate 64 includes a peripheral edge 66 which is adapted to fit in sealing registry with the edges 44 which define the top discharge opening 46. Also, like the heretofore described chute 48, the cover plate 64 is bolted in position upon the housing 12 of the lawn mower 10.

In an alternate embodiment, and as can be seen in phantom lines in FIG. 2, the cover plate 64, like the heretofore described grass discharge chute 48, may include means 68 which engages the deflector means 32 and moves the deflector means 32 from its normally biased open position to its closed position against the action of the biasing spring 34 during attachment of the cover plate 64 on the housing 12. Furthermore, the means 68 subsequently maintains the deflector means 32 in its closed position against the action of the biasing spring 34 when the cover plate 64 is bolted on the housing 12.

particularly, the cover plate 64, like the grass discharge chute 48, includes a tab 68 which projects laterally outwardly beyond its peripheral edge 66 and contacts the deflector lip 37 in the same fashion as the tab 60 of the grass discharge chute 48. In this alternate embodiment, when the cover plate 64 is attached on the housing 12, the grass discharge deflector 32 is maintained in its closed position (as is shown in phantom lines in FIG. 2). With the cover plate 64 thus attached, the lawn mower 10 operates as a chuteless grass mulching mower.

Claims ( 3 )

A lawn mower comprising a housing enclosing a rotary cutting blade and including a continuous sidewall having therein a side grass discharge opening and a top wall extending from said sidewall and having therein a top grass discharge opening, deflector means on said housing adjacent to said side discharge opening and operative for movement between an open position permitting the escape of grass clippings through said side discharge opening and a closed position blocking the escape of grass clippings through said side discharge opening, means operatively connected with said deflector means for biasing said deflector means toward said open position, and a grass discharge chute detachably attached on said housing in communication with said top discharge opening and including means engaging said deflector means for moving said deflector means from said open position to said closed position against the action of said biasing means during attachment of said grass discharge chute on said housing and for maintaining said deflector means in said closed position against the action of said biasing means when said grass discharge chute is attached on said housing.

A lawn mower according to claim 1 and further including a cover plate adapted to be detachably attached on said housing in covering relation to said top discharge opening when said grass discharge chute is not attached for preventing the escape of grass clippings through said top discharge opening, said cover plate including means engagine said deflector means for moving said deflector means from said open position to said closed position against the action of said biasing means during attachment of said cover plate on said housing and for maintaining said deflector means in said closed position against the action of said biasing means when said cover plate is attached on said housing.

US06/070,859 1979-08-29 1979-08-29 Grass discharge chute deflector for rotary lawn mower Expired. Lifetime US4258539A ( en )

Priority Applications (2)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Family Applications (1)

Cited By (23)

Citations (1)

1979-08-29 US US06/070,859 patent/US4258539A/en not_active Expired. Lifetime

1980-05-16 CA CA352,125A patent/CA1115530A/en not_active Expired

Patent Citations (1)

Cited By (29)

Legal Events

Owner name: CUSHMAN INC., A CORP. OF DE, NEBRASKA

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:OUTBOARD MARINE CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:005159/0016

Effective date: 19890619

Owner name: CUSHMAN INC., A CORP. OF DE

Free format text: NUNC PRO TUNC ASSIGNMENT;ASSIGNOR:OUTBOARD MARINE CORPORATION, A DE CORP.;REEL/FRAME:005584/0592

Effective date: 19901019

My Lawn Mower Chute Clogs – Solved!

Just so FRUSTRATING!! Cutting tall, heavy grass, especially if it’s wet, will keep you busy clearing the chute all day.

So what’s going on? Why does my mower chute clog? The most common reason a mower chute clogs are because the grass is too heavy, but there are lots of other reasons:

Lawnmower grass catcher troubleshooting is straightforward; most are common problems and easy to solve. In this guide, we’ll look at all the most common causes.

Grass height, weather conditions, and a worn blade will be the most obvious reasons for the tractor or walk-behind mower clogging. Very often, a dull, damaged, or worn blade is the root cause of a clogging chute.

If you need video help, check out the “Mower blade sharpening video” it walks you through the whole process step by step, from examining the blade, sharpening both on and off the mower, blade removal, blade balancing, refitting, including using a torque wrench to tighten blade bolt to spec.

Conditions Chute Clogging

As a guide, you should cut no more than 1/3 off a blade of grass at once. For best results, a mower shouldn’t be cutting more than an inch of grass, and the best lawn height is about 3″. Cutting regularly keeps the workload on the machine to a minimum, and it’s easier on your lawn.

Weather makes a big difference. Obviously, if the grass is damp, the mower is going to struggle to perform. But I understand, sometimes it’s necessary to cut wet grass when you need to get the job done.

A clogged chute can, of course, is a symptom of an underlying problem. Clearing the chute may not resolve the issue. Grass build-up or damage to the underside of the deck can cause the grass to catch and clog. The underside of the deck should be smooth so that the grass moves freely around the deck, up the chute, and into the bag.

Chute – Clearing the chute may not solve the problem. Check the chute for damage or old dry grass build-up.

Clean – Old grass on the deck can cause problems. Regular cleaning will prevent build-up and prolong the life of your mower.

Deck Wash Port – Clean the underside of the deck at the end of the season, as the acid in the grass eats away at the metal over the winter. Most mowers will have a garden hose connection on the deck, simply connect your hose and run your blades to clean the underside of the deck. This does a reasonable job of cleaning.

The wash-out port isn’t fitted to all mowers. It does a pretty good job of cleaning the underside of the deck.

Hose – Move your mower to a suitable location, as it leaves a bit of a mess. Just attach and turn on a garden hose. Start your mower to engage the blades. Run until the water runs clear – simple!

Deck Coating – After cleaning the deck and allowing it dry thoroughly, spray on a coat of WD40; it’ll help protect the deck over the winter and also help keep the deck grass-free in the spring. Better than that is applying a non-stick film, it works pretty well, and it’s easy to apply.

The best in the business – DuPont Teflon non-stick dry film, and you check out the price on Amazon.

Clean – Lift the front of your tractor, and secure it well before climbing under. A wire brush and paint scraper do the job.

To Prevent Clogging

To help prevent clogging, three options are common:

Option 1 – Quick fix is to spray the deck with WD40. It does help, but it won’t last.

Option 2 – Spray deck with DuPont Teflon coating.

Option 3 – Spray the deck with bed liner. Works on tractors, riders, and walk-behind mowers. Check out the video here.

Check Your Grass bag

A clogged grass bag is a common problem. Tractors and walk-behind mowers often get cleaned at the end of the season (well, some do), but bags rarely do. Symptoms of a clogged bag are not collecting or only a half-filled grass bag.

Examine your bag/box; when held to the light, you should be able to see through it. A stiff brush will remove the old grass, or use a power washer.

Consider buying a new grass bag if damaged. They are available to purchase, usually with or without the frame. Check if the bag/box sits correctly against the mower body. If it’s loose, the air and grass flow to the bag will leak.

Bag – Thatched grass on the inside of the bag is a common issue. It prevents airflow through the bag, which in turn prevents grass from entering the bag.

Clean – As a rough guide, you should be able to see through the bag. A stiff brush or, better, a pressure washer does a great job.

Check For Blade Damage

Two types of blades are common, the lift blade and the mulching blade. They are fitted to tractors, ride-on, and walk-behind mowers. A defective blade can cause vibration, uneven cutting, and poor grass collection.

No need to tell you a bent blade is dangerous and should never be repaired. A new blade, bolt, and washer is the way to go.

Examine – Check your blades for damage, misalignment, or bent or broken tips. Your blade is the business end of the mower and needs to be in top condition. Defective blades can cause vibration, uneven cutting, and poor grass collection. A mowing blade may look OK, but they do wear.

Mowing blades are engineered to cut and move grass; as they wear, they become much less efficient. A worn blade will cause clogging.

5-Minute Modification To Reduce Mower Deck Clogging

Timed Blades – Some deck setups will have an overlapping cut, although more common on lawn tractors than walk-behind mowers.

Toro Timemaster walks behind the mower and has a timed blade set up. To achieve this, the blades must be fixed at a set angle in relation to each other. This is done by using a toothed timed belt.

If one of the blades hits an object, the blades go out of time, or the belt can break. When the blades are out of time, bagging quality suffers, and a clogging chute is a symptom. In addition, badly timed blades usually damage each other. I wrote this detailed guide, including pictures, to help you replace your “Timed deck belt”.

Dull or Worn Blade

A dull or worn blade will cause clogging; as the carefully engineered blade wears, the trailing edge is less efficient at moving the clippings. The leading edge will also be worn from grit and debris, and sharpening sessions will likely have changed its shape.

The average mower should get a new blade every 3rd or 4th season. If the blade is in good overall condition, go ahead and sharpen it.

Lift Blade

The Lift blade is also known as the 2 in 1, so-called because it bags and discharges. Lift blades vacuum the grass upright, before cutting and moving the clippings to the bag. Lift blades are specially designed for collecting grass and come in the low, medium, and high lift.

2 in 1 Lift Blade

Lift means sucking power; a higher lift blade will require a more powerful engine. The lift is created by curving upwards of the trailing edge of the blade.

If you like bagging – You need a lift blade.

Mulching Blade

A true Mulching blade is designed to cut grass, circulate it around the deck, cut it several more times, and drop it back onto the lawn as fine clippings.

You’ll know a mulching blade when you see it; the leading edge isn’t straight; it curves up and down. This results in several cuts to the same grass blade but at different heights – fine clippings.

If you’re not interested in mulching, then remove the mulching blade and fit a lift blade. It will always bag better than any hybrid mulching blade.

3 in-1 Blade

A true Mulching blade is not designed to collect. That got engineers thinking – Meet the hybrid mulching blade or 3 in 1. It attempts to do it all, mulch, bag, discharge. However, we all know it can’t be excellent at everything, and it isn’t.

Mulching has become quite popular, and manufacturers have responded by making a blade that tries to do it all but doesn’t quite succeed.

Check out the blade replacing video here, and if you need new blades, check out the Amazon link below.

Engine Performance Problems

It’s also worth considering if the throttle is set correctly; it should be set to fast/run when cutting. Is the engine running as it should? If the engine power is reduced, the mower may still cut well but will be less efficient at collecting.

A small-engine tractor or walk-behind mower should have a tune-up at the beginning of every season, regardless of how well it might be running.

I wrote these guides to help you tune up your own mower; it includes an oil grade chart and quantity for your engine; check out:

Bad Gas

Stale gas is the number one most common cause of poor engine performance. It’s usually caused by letting gas sit in the mower over the winter. The bad gas can damage the carburetor causing 100 in repairs, and it’s not covered by your warranty.

This problem can be avoided by using a gas stabilizer; you won’t have to use it all season, just at the tail end. It’s simple to use, just dump the bottle of gas stabilizer into your gas tank and run the engine to mix it throughout the fuel system, that’s it. You can find a link to the fuel stabilizer I use here and a video on how to use it here.

The fix for bad gas – is to remove and clean the carburetor; if it’s badly corroded, you’ll need to replace it.

I wrote these easy-to-follow guides, including pictures on carburetor cleaning, which will help you find your problem and fix it fast.

Tune-up – Mowers like a tune-up at least once per season.

What Is Power Take Off (PTO)?

The PTO clutch assembly will not be fitted to all mowers, and so this may not be applicable. It’s fitted mostly to tractors, ride-on, and larger walk-behind mowers.

A PTO clutch is a unit fitted to the end of the crankshaft. The deck belt wraps around the PTO pulley; its function is to apply the power of the engine to the blades when a switch or lever is operated.

PTO Wear

The PTO clutch, when worn, will slip, reducing power to the blades. This will be especially noticeable in taller grass. The PTO, if fitted, will be manual or electromagnetic.

If manual, it will likely have a lever and cable to operate – check that the cable is pulling the PTO. Both types can’t be repaired; they must be replaced.

PTO – Check the PTO system. The manual version is engaged by a cable. It lives on the crankshaft, right under the engine. Check that the cable is pulling the PTO lever all the way.

Fitting – Replacing the PTO isn’t difficult; air tools make it look really easy.

Tractor Belt Wear Problems

Belt wear is also a common reason for a chute to clog; check the deck-cutting belt for damage and general wear tear. A new belt will transfer more of the engine power to the cutting blades and will improve the cutting and bag-filling performance.

Belt types and lengths will be specific. Some brands will only work well using OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) belts.

Worn – A cutting deck belt that’s slipping will be less efficient at collecting. Check the belt for proper tension, cracking, glazing, or contamination.

Damaged – Damaged belts will cause vibration and poor general performance. A typical deck belt might last 3 – 4 years.

You may find these links useful: