Troubleshooting Common Cutting Problems - Ferris IS600z series Operator's Manual

Problem: Rider drive belt slips.
Cause
Pulleys or belt is greasy or oily.
Tension too loose.
Belt stretched or worn.
Problem: Brake will not hold.
Cause
Brake is incorrectly adjusted.
Braking components in transmission
worn.
Problem: Rider steers or handles poorly.
Cause
Steering lever linkages are loose.
Improper tire inflation.
Troubleshooting the Mower Deck
Problem: Mower will not raise.
Cause
Lift linkage not properly attached or
damaged.
Problem: Engine stalls easily with mower engaged.
Cause
Engine speed too slow.
Ground speed too fast.
Cutting height set too low.
Discharge chute jamming with cut
grass.
Problem: Excessive mower vibration.
Cause
Blade mounting bolts are loose.
Mower blades, arbors, or pulleys are
bent.
Mower blades are not balanced.
Belt installed incorrectly.
Problem: Excessive belt wear or breakage.
Cause
Bent or rough pulleys.
Using incorrect belt.
Problem: Mower drive belt slips, or fails to drive.
Cause
Idler pulley spring broken, or not
properly attached.
Mower drive belt broken.
Problem: Mower does not engage.
Cause
Remedy
Clean as required.
Adjust the spring tension. See
Transmission Drive Belt Replacement.
Replace belt.
Remedy
See Parking Brake Adjustment.
See authorized dealer.
Remedy
Check and tighten any loose
connections.
See Checking Tire Pressures
Remedy
See authorized dealer.
Remedy
Set to full throttle.
Decrease ground speed.
Cut tall grass at maximum cutting
height during first pass.
Cut grass with discharge pointing
towards previously cut area.
Remedy
Tighten to 70 ft. lbs. (94 Nm)
Check and replace as necessary.
Remove, sharpen, and balance blades.
See Servicing the Mower Blades.
Reinstall the belt correctly.
Remedy
Repair or replace.
Replace with correct belt.
Remedy
Repair or replace as needed.
Replace mower drive belt.
Remedy
Problem: Mower does not engage.
Electrical wiring damage.
Battery voltage too low.
Troubleshooting Common Cutting
Problems
Problem: Streaking
Streaking is when thin strips of uncut grass are left behind the mower. Streaking
is usually caused by operator error or poor blade maintenance.
Cause
Blades are not sharp.
Blades are worn down too far.
Engine speed is too slow.
Ground speed is too fast.
Deck is plugged with grass.
Not overlapping cutting rows enough.
Not overlapping enough when turning.
Problem: Scalping
Scalping is when the mower deck comes close to or hits the ground. Scalping
can be caused by the mower deck misadjustment, unevenness in the lawn,
or by mower deck bouncing because the ground speed is too fast.
Cause
Lawn is uneven or bumpy.
Mower deck cutting height is set too
low.
Ground speed is too fast.
Deck is not leveled correctly.
Tire pressure is low or uneven.
Problem: Stepped Cutting
Stepped cutting is sharp ridges or uneven levels left in the lawn surface.
Stepped cutting is usually caused by mower deck damage or misadjustment,
or damage to the mower blades.
Cause
Locate and repair damaged wire.
Recharge battery and check alternator.
See Battery Maintenance.
Remedy
Sharpen your blades.
Replace your blades.
Always mow at full throttle.
Slow down.
Clean out the mower.
Overlap your cutting rows
When turning your effective cutting
width decreases–overlap more when
turning.
Remedy
Roll or level the lawn.
Raise the cutting height.
Slow down.
Correctly level the deck.
Check and inflate the tires.
Remedy
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