grasshoppermowersguide

How do I start the Grasshopper mower’s engine?

Ensure that you’re in a well ventilated, open space when starting the engine as the fumes contain toxic carbon monoxide. Position yourself on the driver’s seat as designated in the owner’s manual – ensure that you are properly seated before you attempt to crank the engine up. Disengage the parking brake and pull both the steering levers out to the neutral position. Push the electric clutch switch down to the OFF position. Set the throttle to the slightly open position, about 1/3^rd as per the marking. Push the key into the ignition slot and twist towards the marked RUN position (set the throttle at the half open position or more if the weather is cold). Test the brake light to see if it has come on. Turn the key towards the START marking and if necessary, choke the engine – this might be required if you’re attempting a cold weather start.

Release the key the moment the engine starts to prevent over-cranking the starting motor. Proceed to then gradually push down the choke knob and ensure that it has been completely turned off. The engine should still be running smoothly. Allow the engine to warm up for a few minutes at the medium speed before you begin mowing. Avoid keeping the start motor activated for more than 15 seconds per starting cycle as this can damage the motor.

Video describing how to start the grasshopper’s engine can be found here

 

How do I check and replace the engine drive fluid level?

Ensure that the engine had been turned off before you attempt to check the fluid gauges. You can find the expansion tank located beneath the seat at the right side of the unit. Ensure that the mower has been parked securely on a level surface before you attempt to look through the side of the expansion tank. Check whether the fluid level is up to the marking provided on the side of the reservoir’s decal. If you need to fill it up, ensure that any foreign debris has been cleaned off the area before you open the reservoir.

Ensure that you change the engine fluid after every 500 hours – the fluid needs to be completely drained before you fill it again. Take off the drain plug located beneath the mower and allow all the fluid to drain out. It’s advisable that you do this when then engine is slightly warm as it improves the fluid’s viscosity and enables better streamlined flow. Once all the fluid has been drained out, re-fasten the drain cap and tighten it securely.

Take care to prevent foreign debris from dropping into the fluid reservoir when you’re opening it as this can clog the drive system. Gently disconnect the hosing connecting the adapter to the tandem hydro pump before you refill the fluid. Ensure that you use Hydro-max fluid as recommended in the user manual. Once the fluid has been filled to the recommended level, reinstall the adapter’s connecting hose to the hydro pump. Remember that this is a self-bleeding system so no air bleeding will be required.

Video describing how to replace the engine drive fluid can be found here

 

How do I replace the blade on my mower?

It’s important that you regularly inspect the condition of your mower’s blades in order to prolong the life your engine and ensure a well-trimmed lawn, every single time. A defective or damaged blade can break while mowing, causing considerable damage to both the mower and yourself. Ensure that you only use authorized blades as mentioned in the owner’s manual – specific to your mower’s model number – when shopping for the replacement blade.

Ensure that the mower has been parked on a flat, secure surface and that the parking brake has been engaged – also ensure that the ensure has been turned off and wait for all moving parts to come to a stop before attempting to replace the blades. Disconnect the spark plug wiring connecting the circuitry located at the side of the engine. Release the blade’s belt system after lowering the mower to the lowest cutting position available. Gently take out the pulley cover of the left side and proceed to push in the blade’s idler pulley – you can now roll off the blade’s drive belt.

Proceed to disassemble the deck’s mounting screws and disengage the hanging brackets. Now gently push the mower slightly forward to release the unit from the bracket. After this, you can pull out the deck from beneath the mower’s main frame. Ensure that you remove all mounting pins as well as the washers. Now turn the deck upside down to expose the cutting blades. It is recommended that you use a piece of wood or cloth to prevent the blades from rotating while replacing. Ensure that you are wearing gloves during this part of the process as the blades are sharp and can potentially hurt you. Unscrew the blade from the deck by twisting the mounting pin in the counterclockwise direction until the pin comes loose. Proceed to remove the blades.

Install the new blades into the blade shaft and fasten the mounting bolt over the blade, tightening with the help of a wrench until securely fastened. Grasshopper offer several types of blades including the high-mulching blade, the medium-lift blade, contour blade, high-lift notched blade and extreme high-lift notched blade. One or several of these may be applicable for fitting on your mower based on your requirements – ensure that you check for compatibility before purchasing. After installation, flip the deck back to the right side up and slide it under the mower once more. Now you can re-install the deck to the mower’s brackets with the mounting pins. Reattach the blade belt onto the electric clutch and fix the pulley cover. Reconnect the spark plug circuitry.

Video describing how to replace mower blades can be found here

 

How do I replace my mower’s filter?

Regular replacement of your mower’s air filter is essential to the long-term durability of your mower’s engine, and will prevent the engine from stalling or losing power in the middle of a mowing session. It is recommended that you change your filter once a year but based on your operating conditions you may need to change the filter more often than this.

Ensure that the engine and all moving parts have come to a complete halt before you attempt to work on the air filter. Wait for the engine to cool down as well, as the parts can get very hot after operation. Locate the spark plug circuitry at the side of the engine and disconnect the spark plug wiring.

The filter is located at very bottom of the tandem hydro pump – ensure that you have cleaned out the area surrounding the filter and the reservoir before you take it out as falling debris can contaminate the engine and combustion chamber. Gently remove the filter and replace it with the new unit.

Video describing how to replace mower’s filter can be found here

 

How do I change the ignition coil on my mower?

Disconnect the unit’s battery before attempting any work on the mower’s ignition coil. Proceed to locate the battery’s terminal wiring and disconnect them so that the cables do not come in contact with the battery’s post. Lift the engine hood and carefully unscrew the duct mounting screws from each of the slots, along with the washers. Remove the filter as well as the mounting screw from the housing.

Locate the spark plug circuitry at the side of the engine and proceed to disconnect the wiring – after this, turn the flywheel physically so that the magnet no longer points towards the ignition coil. Gently unscrew the mounting screws on the ignition coil before you lift the coil itself. Remove the kill-switch wire before taking out the ignition coil. Proceed to transfer the same spark plug boot over to the new unit from the old piece. Now connect the kill-switch wiring to the new coil and reposition the flywheel after you install all the mounting screws.

Align the magnet with the coil and insert the feeler gauge – it is advised that you reset the air gap once again before tightening the mounting screws. Re-fasten the spark plug’s wiring through the engine bracket and reconnect the wiring once more. Refasten the housing before setting the battery cables back in contact with the respective terminals.

Video describing how to exchange the ignition coil can be found here

 

How do I install a new PTO clutch on my mower?

Ensure that the mower is parked on a flat surface with the handbrake engaged before you attempt to change the clutch. The mower must also be turned off, wait for all moving parts to come to a stop before proceeding to the drive belts. After this, carefully ease tension on the main drive belt and then unfasten the belt from the pulley. Disconnect the electric wiring providing connection to the clutch.

Locate the mower’s main drive shaft and carefully remove all the mounting pins along with washers – use an air ratchet if you’re having difficulty getting the pins out. Take out the clutch’s cover shield carefully. Ensure that you have cleaned the area around the shield before removing it. Once you have removed the cap bolt and washer, slide the PTO clutch off the shaft carefully – use a suitable lubricant to slide the clutch out if you’re having difficulty. Once you have removed the old clutch, slide in the new unit into the stub shaft and reattach the electrical wiring. Tighten the springs to gently increase tension on the idler pulley after you have replaced the drive belt – fasten the five hexagonal socket bolts tightly until they are securely fastened. Now proceed to re-install the clutch bracket and then attach the clutch’s shield cover back in place.

Video describing how to install new PTO clutch can be found here