I've killed my MTD ride on mower - I think
Manda Moo
6 years ago
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Comments (9)
PROJAN MOYER
6 years agoRelated Discussions
BioDiesel in my riding mower
Comments (29)Briggs allows use of E10 in their engines without modification. Has slightly higher octane, which doesn't do anything as these are already low compression engines. E10 has less heat (BTU's) than gasoline, so you'll get poorer fuel economy (maybe 5%-10%). Briggs specifically does not recommend E85 and states usage could be grounds for warranty denial. To run E85 you would need to rejet carburetor (richer) and replace all elastomers (rubbers) and plastics in the fuel system. Ideally, you would also want to raise compression ratio by milling head or replacing piston with some type of pop-up. Also, advancing ignition 3 to 5 degrees would be necessary. If you do all of this correctly, you should be able to run E85 with as much or more horsepower than stock. You will own a highly modified engine which means no warranty. Also, your per gallon fuel economy will be down approximately 35% due to the much lower heat content of ethanol. Actual thermal efficiency should be about same as gasoline engine. Going a step further, I wouldn't even think about running any type of methanol blend. Performance is similar to ethanol, but meth is much more corrosive to aluminum and Zamac components common in small engines. As little as 0.5% meth has been found to be highly reactive with zinc alloy die cast parts....See MoreMTD riding mower won't start
Comments (9)If the battery is more than 3 years old--buy a new one! Then, clean up all of the connections, such as ends of battery cables, and especially the ground wire where it bolts to ground, i.e.tractor frame, or body of tractor. Use new bolts, nuts, and lock washers to connect the new battery! This will make sure you have a good electrical connection in the starting circuit! there is also, usually, a fuse in the line somewhere. It will be one of those new style flat fuses, and easy to find. See if it has blown. You'll be able to tell easily. The little curved piece of metal in it should look to be in one piece. If it has blown, there will be a gap in it, and a burnt look. Also, the bolted connections to the starter solenoid are known to get corroded and cut off current to the starter solenoid! And, any battery cables with a green powder coming out of the covering are ripe for replacement. The seat switch wires should be connected, to avoid hurting anybody who might manage to tamper with the mower if you aren't on it! Especially little kids!...See MoreMTD Riding safety switches
Comments (5)If you have an ohm or continuity meter, check to make sure that there is no reading on that strip with the other lead of the meter connected to a bare part of the frame (ground). On our MTD there are 4 safety switches; the parking brake, seat sw, the reverse cut out metal bar and the deck lowering sensing switch. Even if the parking brake is depressed and locked, and there is no one in the seat, the engine will continue to run but the deck will kill the engine if lowered. This leads me to conclude that if all of these other switches are ok, then you might have a seat switch problem. Again an ohm meter or a continuity meter will help greatly to check these switches. I don't know what that button is that you are referring to does, as our MTD does not have that. Can you determine if it's strictly mechanical or connected to an electrical device? Keep pluggin, It's gotta be one of these switches. Terry...See MoreRiding mower under $1500
Comments (11)Mownie made a good point. American lawn tractor manufacturers actually make very few of the parts. They don't make the engines, the transmissions, tires, batteries, switches, electric PTOs, electrical wiring, etc., etc. For the most part, they assemble the machines. I'm guessing that they manufacture their own frames, but I'm not certain. Some manufacturers tend to use a better grade of parts, particularly in their higher-end stuff, and some designs might be superior. Keep in mind that both Briggs & Stratton and Kohler (the most-used brands) make different grades of engines - you can research this on those company's web sites. Transmission manufacturers make different grades, too. A common transmission is the TuffTorq K-46 - go to their web site and you will find that this transmission is rated for a certain maximum tire/wheel size, and is intended for lawn (NOT garden) tractors. Some manufacturers provide more powerful batteries. Some use heavier steel, particularly in the mower decks. Just generally speaking, higher-end machines are likely to have better grade engines and transmissions, and heavier-gauge decks. The point is, you need to do your research. Under $1500, you're not gonna get top-notch quality. But, if you're careful and do your shopping, I think you can find a machine that will do the job for you....See MoreManda Moo
6 years agoManda Moo
6 years agoManda Moo
6 years ago
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