Troubleshooting Common Cutting Problems - Ferris 400 Series Operator's Manual

Problem: Excessive mower vibration.
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
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. Overlap your cutting rows
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.
36
Remove, sharpen, and balance
blades. See Servicing the Mower
Blades.
Reinstall the belt correctly.
Remedy
Replace damaged pulleys.
Replace with correct belt.
Remedy
Repair or replace as needed.
Replace mower drive belt.
Remedy
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.
When turning your effective cutting
width decreases–overlap more when
turning.
Remedy
Roll or level the lawn.
Raise the cutting height.
Slow down.
Problem: Scalping
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
Deck is not leveled correctly.
Tires are not properly inflated.
Blades are damaged.
Deck shell is damaged.
Mower spindle is bent or loose.
Blades are installed incorrectly.
Problem: Uneven Cutting
Uneven cutting is waviness or smooth troughs in the lawn surface. Uneven
cutting is usually caused by mower deck damage or misadjustment.
Cause
Deck is not leveled correctly.
Blades are dull or worn.
Blades are damaged.
Deck is clogged with grass clippings. Clean out the deck.
Deck shell is damaged.
Mower spindle is bent or loose.
Blades are installed incorrectly.
Tires are not properly inflated.
Problem: Stringers
Stringers are sparse patches of uncut grass left behind the mower.
Stringers are usually caused by operator error or poor blade maintenance.
Cause
Blades are not sharp or nicked.
Blades are worn down too far.
Engine speed is too slow.
Ground speed is too fast.
Deck is plugged with grass.
Correctly level the deck.
Check and inflate the tires.
Remedy
Level the deck correctly.
Check and inflate the tires.
Replace the blades.
Repair or replace the deck.
Repair or replace the spindle.
Reinstall the blades correctly.
Remedy
Level the deck correctly.
Sharpen or replace the blades.
Replace the blades.
Repair or replace the deck.
Repair or replace the spindle.
Reinstall the blades correctly.
Check and inflate the tires.
Remedy
Sharpen your blades.
Replace your blades.
Always mow at full throttle.
Slow down.
Clean out the mower.
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