Troubleshooting; Troubleshooting The Zero-Turn Riding Mower; Troubleshooting The Mower Deck; Troubleshooting Common Cutting Problems - Ferris 300S Series Operator's Manual

Troubleshooting

While normal care and regular maintenance will extend the
life of your unit, prolonged or constant use may eventually
require that service be performed to allow it to continue to
operate properly.
This troubleshooting guide lists the most common problems,
their causes, and remedies.
Refer to MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES for instructions on
how to perform most of these minor adjustments and service
repairs yourself. If you prefer, all of these procedures can
be performed for you by your authorized Ferris® servicing
dealer.
WARNING
Remove ignition key prior to performing maintenance on the
unit.
To avoid serious injury, perform maintenance on the unit
or mower deck only when the engine is stopped and the
parking brake is engaged.
Always remove the ignition key, disconnect the spark plug
wire(s) and fasten it away from the plug(s) before beginning
the maintenance, to prevent accidental starting of the
engine.
Troubleshooting the Zero-Turn Riding
Mower
Problem: Engine will not turn over and start.
Cause
Ground speed control levers are not
in START/PARK positions.
PTO (electric clutch) switch is in ON
position.
Out of fuel.
Engine flooded.
Battery terminals require cleaning.
Battery discharged or dead.
Spark plug(s) faulty, fouled or
incorrectly gapped.
Engine starts hard or runs poorly.
Cause
Fuel mixture too rich.
Spark plug faulty, fouled or
incorrectly gapped.
Engine knocks.
Cause
Low oil level.
Using wrong grade oil.
Excessive oil consumption.
Cause
Remedy
Lock ground speed control levers in
START/PARK positions.
Place in OFF position.
If engine is hot, allow it to cool, then
refill the fuel tank.
Open the choke (if equipped).
Clean the battery terminals.
Recharge or replace.
Clean and gap or replace.
Remedy
Clean air filter. Check the choke (if
equipped).
Clean and gap or replace.
Remedy
Check/add oil as required.
See engine operator's manual.
Remedy
Excessive oil consumption.
Engine running too hot.
Using wrong grade oil.
Too much oil in crankcase.
Engine exhaust is black.
Cause
Dirty air filter.
Engine choke control is in closed
position.
Engine runs, but unit will not drive or handles poorly.
Cause
Transmission release lever(s) in
"bypass" position.
Transmission drive belt or pulleys is
greasy or oily.
Steering lever linkages are loose.
For all other issues, see an authorized Ferris® servicing
dealer.

Troubleshooting The Mower Deck

Problem: Mower will not raise.
Cause
Mower deck is not properly installed. See your authorized Ferris®
Problem with deck lift linkages.
Problem: Engine stalls easily with mower engaged.
Cause
Engine speed too slow.
Ground speed is 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, spindles, or pulleys
are bent.
Mower blades are not balanced.
Belt installed incorrectly.
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.
Check engine fins, blower screen,
and air cleaner.
See engine operator's manual.
Drain excess oil.
Remedy
Replace air filter.
Open choke control (if equipped).
Remedy
Move transmission release lever(s)
to the "drive" position.
Clean as required.
See an authorized Ferris® servicing
dealer.
Remedy
servicing dealer.
See your authorized Ferris®
servicing 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 grass.
Remedy
Tighten to 50-60 ft-lbs (68-81 Nm).
Check and replace as necessary.
Remove, sharpen, and balance
blades. See Servicing the Mower
Blades.
See your authorized Ferris®
servicing dealer.
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