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    Why would my Toro 8 hp rider mower stall when engaging the drive or blade?

    +2  Views: 2301 Answers: 2 Posted: 12 years ago

    2 Answers

    Things to check:


    Riding Mower
    1
    Start the lawn mower. Adjust the mower blade height adjustment to the highest setting and engage the blades. If the lawn mower stalls, proceed to the next step. If the lawn mower runs while cutting the grass, the problem may have been that the height adjustment was set too low.


    2
    Turn off the lawn mower switch and remove the spark plug wire from the spark plug. Place a piece of electric tape over the spark plug wire, and tape the wire to the side of the mower; the spark plug wire must be at least four inches away from the spark plug. Put on the work gloves.


    3
    Engage the parking brake on the lawn mower and place the transmission in neutral. Lift the lawnmower approximately one foot from the rear by using an automotive jack. Place the rear wheels on automotive jack stands. Reach under the mower and turn each blade. If both blades turn freely, skip the next step and proceed to Step 5. If one or both blades are stuck, proceed to the next step.


    4
    Use the screwdriver to scrape away any debris or other buildup that is causing the blade to stick. If wire, rope or other material has wrapped around the blade, remove the blade by using the adjustable wrench to loosen the blade retaining nut. Remove the material from the blade, and reinstall the blade. Use the automotive jack to lift the lawn mower off the stands, and remove the jack stands. Lower the tractor so the tires touch the ground.


    5
    Check the blade engagement mechanism linkage and belts to make sure there are no missing pieces or misaligned belts. Replace any missing or damaged components before attempting to restart the lawn mower.


    6
    Remove the vinyl tape from the spark plug wire and reattach the spark plug wire to the lawn mower spark plug. Start the lawn mower.


    Read more: Honda Mower Chokes Out When Engaging Blades | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_12077468_honda-mower-chokes-out-engaging-blades.html#ixzz234Wl0nba

    bustieone

    yes there are no obstructions, belts are aligned properly, linkages are fine, but it still stalls, and not just with blade, but also when shifting into drive gears.
    bustieone

    also, the brake is not working very well, could this have something to do with the problem of the stalling?
    Colleen

    Moderator
    No, it sounds like a carburetor issue. Make sure you are running fresh gas. If you can get to the gas filter, remove it and see if there is any water in it.

    Many companaies use kill switches as a safety device, so if you fall off it doesn't slice and dice you instead of the grass or keep going if you have a heart attack..  It has been a culprit several times when I have stupidly bought expensive parts when the 3-4 dollar (too much) switch was the issue.  Mine is a Craftsman, but given the danger of these things they put them under the seat, in blade engagement lever, on clutch/brake pedal and others I have yet to find. The same thing still happens occasionally and I have to jiggle, or clean the contacts on this annoying, but necessary safety measure.  In the above post I described an incident where I almost killed my dog and the mower had so much torque, it did a wheelstand underneath me throwing me off backwards. Don't circumvent it, if this is the problem.  They are a push button that grounds the engine out and kills it and chances are therre are several so read your manual and check the places I susggested  There are other causes but go from least expensive to more, rather than the opposite when checking for problems on these machines or any machine particularly cars.Good Luck, its an easy fix if this is the problem. Woofer

    bustieone

    I have found such a switch, at the shift lever and will replace it. The one for the blade engagement is a bit harder to get to but will locate it also. I will try to clean the contacts, and I have a new one which I will try and rotate it if it doesn't seem to make a difference. And do you think that the weak brake is tied in with these as more safety? Thanks for your assistance, I will let you know how I make out..


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