Zero Turn Mower Down on Power - Not Firing on all Cylinders
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ต.ค. 2024
- Last week we fixed up Paul's old Cub Cadet lawn tractor. This week we look at his new Troy Bilt zero turn lawn mower. It's about 6 years old and a few months back the Kohler 7000 series engine started to bog under load and seems to be missing horse power. The Kohler is a V-Twin engine and most likely a cylinder is down. Hopefully its an easy fix.
Zero Turn Model: Troy Bilt 17ARCBDT011 DOM:07/2017
Engine Model: KT725-3083
Engine Displacement: 725cc
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With all these lawn mowers that you repair and having to make all these test cuts, your lawn must be the envy of the entire neighborhood :)
When you comment “Beautiful” , I love it !!! That’s exactly what I say when things are going well with a repair… Love you videos James, keep the great variety of content coming. I especially like your generator videos. I have no problems with the engine side of the generator, it’s the power head that gives me issues. I’ve learned so much from you repairing the power heads. Thanks James !!!
That Caterpillar 🐛 is going to claim compensation when it get back on it’s feet’s 😂
Poor thing went under the back wheel at 15:46 😢
@@iconoclad I was thinking the same thing
little bro was just enjoying his day
This is the second time you have reminded me to be thankful that my brother owns a gas station (with a tire machine for more than 40 years). Watching you plow through those tires was illuminating.
James, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate not having commercial interruptions in your videos! 🙏
Me too!!!!!!!
😊
Tire tip I learned from a old school dune buggy forum.
Their tires are shaved so thin for weight there are often in holes in the sidewall of brand new tires
And not uncommon to air up before every little trip out
Anyway this solves the problem
1 part Bars leak liquid aluminum
2 parts full strength antifreeze
Better than slime, doesn't eat aluminum wheels, never hardens up like slime, never freezes, and ATVs and utvs actually causes a natural tire balance. On higher speed stuff
Mix up, break outer bead, use small funnel and hose to pour it in and reinflate.
Roll around a bit in all directions
Typical large atv tire I use about 15 to 18 oz per tire
Small lawn mower front tires like those maybe 6 oz
Try it! It has yet to fail me
PS tire guys hate slime. This stuff just hose it out like a radiator flush
If you ever need to replace or service tires
Love your channel
TSC has been a life saver for those who work after normal hours
It’s my first place to go period 😊😊❤
I just wish they had more of the common stuff and more than one in stock because I like to buy 4/5 at a time 😊
Simple rule of thumb about positive battery cables: First on, last off when connecting or disconnecting them.
Id would have liked to known what the resistance was on the new coil to compare
And if it would have started after cleaning the connectors on the "bad" coil!
Why replace the good coil?
Great bit of maintenance there, James. Thanks for sharing with us.
The never ending struggles with the "dinky" tire. You have to prepare for battle because you'll want a nap when you're done 👍
Love the pop! From a tire seating to the rim!!!
I had a 20HP Briggs and Stratton that was having a weird sputter when not under load and I tried everything all fuel components except the tank where replaced but cleaning the cooling fins made a massive difference for such a worn out engine. It had oil combined with grass on one cylinder but no oil leak and has 50psi on left and 60psi on the right cylinder after 20 years.
Its a testament to how good that kohler is that it was running that good down a cylinder and with all that crud.
Another good job James. No fluff and actor stuff, just seeing what you did on camera in every detail (and your detailed thoughts out loud) to complement your professional work. "Quiet on the set" as James the pro is working while teaching with great patience once again. This IMO is why so many look forward to your videos. The camera work is outstanding too. You update videos as you learn too and that's great. I almost missed the torque wrench on this video. lol
I had a set of tires like those for a lawn vac, just as smushed. I had two ratchet straps and a whole lot of creative language before each of those buggers would bead up! Never thought of the tube expansion idea, although I think I would have had the same success you had with yours. I broke the bead breaker handle on my HF tire changer. Ended up buying a "Bead Buster" which after a re-weld of the bead hooks, works like a charm!
This is why I love you James, you always start with the BASICS, then work tward the harder stuff. Great Job Man. I'm learning alot from you. Hopeing to pass this info on to my children.
JAMES, I try not to miss any of your videos, but man you need to be in them, all we see is your hands, my kids are 40, 42, and 34 and I tell them to look at me when we talk I'D LIKE TO SEE WHOM I'M WATCHING
Hey, at least you know his name! There are some creators who never show their face and never state their name. I have to ask so at least I can address them by their name.
On the other hand, if you watch enough videos (including James’), you’ll see their person eventually, by accident. I recently saw James’ face reflected in a window and I seen his whole amazing self in some early video he did.
Then there’s ChrisFix, who made a whole thing about not showing his face (but the same goes for him - we’ve seen his face on occasion by accident, reflected in car windows). 😂🔧👍
@@Rein_Ciarfella The way I was raised it was impolite not to look at someone while talking to them
You see a quick shot of his face every once in awhile…he doesn’t do a total ChrisFix.
The c-clamp trick is genius!
I used to use an old bumper jack, set the wheel on the driveway under my bumper and jack away. Cars no longer have steel bumpers, but it will still work using the rear bumper on a truck in an emergency, assuming you have one of those old jacks.
If someone else has not said it , Habor Freight has a good tire changer. I have one and it works very well. Always great videos, look forward to seeing them.
Oh nevermind, made comment without watching all of the video. Lol.😊
Nicely done, James. However, I don't understand why you don't use dielectric grease on electrical fittings, such as the coil wires. Prevents rust from forming due to rain water or other "liquids" from critters that make their homes in machines. :) It works great on battery terminals, too.
Because dielectric grease is not conductive? So, on a battery where the terminal is clamped tightly, then it won't work itself in between, but on the coil, it might just work itself in between the lug and connector causing issues, that's just my guess
@@Behemoth33 Dielectric is needed because grease can melt and will cause many problem if it conduct electricity. The grease is not there to help to the conduction by itself but to prevent rust from forming. And that is keeping a good conduction between 2 connector. Car company use those on major plugs that are open to element. Connector that goes on the transmission of cars and trucks, they use dielectric grease.
Agreed. Using dielectric grease is a good practice for protecting connections from corrosion. It's a common misconception that it will introduce resistance but it's essentially a fluid, and the force of the metal-on-metal contact moves the grease out of the way. You can prove it by doing a resistance test before and after applying it. I've been using it for years without any problems and works great for keeping moisture out of connections. One example I can think of is that the cutoff switch on my gas weed trimmer wouldn't shut off the engine anymore. I took the switch apart, cleaned the corrosion from the contacts, and packed it completely full of dielectric grease. Several years later and I never had another problem with it. More recently, I've been using it on all the connections for my my outdoor low voltage lighting to keep the water out of them with good results.
I used to use dielectric grease all the time, and then I started having electrical problems on some of my equipment, and it turned out to be the grease. So I decided it wasn't for me, but I would still use it in certain applications. It's just one of those things that I think is a personal preference things If you were to ask 100 guys about it, 50 would use it, and the other 50 wouldn't.
Where “dielectric” comes in. Both petroleum grease and dielectric grease DON’T conduct in their normal form. The difference is when they burn. Petroleum grease leaves carbon ash which is conductive and would add to the list of problems for a fire. Dielectric ash is still nonconducting.
I see you’re wearing Keen boots. I bought a pair of Keen’s 3 years ago at Rural King. I wear boots everyday and was lucky to get a year out of any of the boots before I bought the Keen’s, they lasted me 2.5 years. I’m now on my second pair and hoping they last just as long. They are the most comfortable work boots I’ve ever owned.
So nice to see you get equipment that fixes with no fuss. Miss the carb in the ultrasound this time
Your becoming a full service shop James!
The steering and transmissions are linked on these machines, and for a sharp turn, the transmission for the rear wheel inside the turn is actually power reversed. This was demonstrated when you did the U turn after querying whether it was a true 4 wheel steer or not. The problem is probably more 4WS than a conventional Zero Turn, as they are actual 2 wheel steer with the front wheels free to castor to follow, whereas this system combines conventional ackerman type steering at the front with differential drive at the rear, so all 4 wheels contribute to the steering effort.
Yes and this is actually an advantage on slopes where one rear tire might lose traction. Plus it allows you to push the machine and steer it with the hydro disengaged, like a regular tractor. Kind of cool.
Hi James - I am just amazed that you have a tyre shop - Tractor Supply that you can just go, we dont have anything like that here in New Zealand - everything has to be ordered in basically. Well done again and looking forward to the water blaster repair video to come.
Jeez, you have grass in NewZealand. ? I thought it was all snow and ice. 😮
I gotta get out more. 😊
I bought the Cub Cadet version of that. I've been pretty happy with it. I bought the welded deck instead though since initially, I had to transport the mower often.
I have the exact same engine on my Gravely ZTX 42 inch Zero turn. If I fill the gas tank all the way up some gas gets past the carb and past the rings and dumps into the engine compartment. I just do not fill the gas tank all the way any longer. It only has about 50 hours on it and it has always been parked in a garage. I found this out by checking the oil before starting and the oil level had gone up and the gas level had gone down. Such crazy problems for a machine that has very low hours on it. I can only assume the float valve is leaking by when the gas level is above the carb or the protection solenoid at the bottom of the carb has a problem with it. I only lose about 3/4 of a gallon capacity. When it first happened I changed the oil and never ran it with the gas in the oil. Great video. I will keep in mind if I have to change tires on the Gravely.
With tubed tires, my grandfather who was born in 1901, always said to inflate and deflate tube tires multiple times to get the inner tube to release any folds it may have in the inner tube/tire. This will keep the tube working properly without air leaks down the road. Blue Sky's.
Jim, I don't have time to fight removal of those donut tires. I get my Sawzaw out and just cut them off. Be surprised how fast those old tires come off. You bought the right tool to mount the new tires. You were using the tool wrong.
👌👌 "I hope this video help someone"👌👌those words at the end......those words ending with a positive note....yes sir , yes sir, it is really helpful....👍👍👍👍
James great job. Looks like the driveway needs some upgrades and so culverts. Looks like your son needs to do some tree timing so you don't lose your head too and clean up around the wall. It will make the yard area look great. keep up the videos and send those tires back to China.
This is therapy to me, watching and learning, another great vid, thanks.
Paul I have enjoyed your videos so far
Dude did a really 💩🪰 job caring for this beast of a machine. 22hp, twin, rear engine, 4 wheel steer and a beer holder. What more could a guy ask for?🇺🇸👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✅✅✅✅✅🫵🏻
When I lose something and look and look and look, I call my wife and have her look. "Here it is!" inevitably.
Hello James: I was wondering what happened to your tire changer. Then you explained giving it away. They make a very difficult task a lot less difficult, not easy but manageable. If you have not already spoken to Paul about the deck guard/ discharge. Maybe a quick disconect bracket could be fabricated to facilitate quick removal & install if the guard is not already configured with one.
I put a bungie cord with a breakaway connector on my riding mower so I can lift the guard up while going through the door. It just clears with the guard lifted. Steeling yor closing, I hope this helps someone.
My Husky Varney zero turn discharge chute is double-jointed. It lift’s completely out of the way.
15:46 The poor caterpillar got squashed.
wow no torque wrenches must be a first great videos!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There has to be a way to have that discharge chute cover on there and be able to lift it out of the way when needed. The older a person gets, the more forgetful they get and accidently putting your foot in the gaping hole with a blade spinning in it becomes more of a possibility.
There is, you just flip it up. No idea why this guy took it off unless he hit something and broke it.
there is a cover plate...
@@russellv6234 Paul took it off so it would fit in his shed.
@@YukonHawk1 or you know. Flip it up and it's just as narrow genius
I certainly admire your diagnostic skill at fixing the engine. The design of the actual mower deck, with that gaping exposed space just where a foot can step into active mower blades (especially a child's) is an engraved invitation to amputated and/or maimed body parts and lifelong guilt and regrets when someone gets hurt. I get the feeling that Troy-Bilt simply does not care about designing for safety. With that said, I will never need one of these machines. Troy-Bilt does not seem to be popular in my geographic area. It was very interesting watching you fix the engine and tires.
Please let Paul know to drive the mower over a tarp. Let it cool and than fold the tarp up and use pinch clamps to close it. No more mouse problems.
I have a John Deere Z-425 zero turn. It's a Briggs 23hp V twin. I've seen this before. Your coils might not be dead, just corroded and/or dirty. Many times, buying new coils isn't necessary.... You can clean up the wire plugs and connections on the coils as well as the tips that pass the mags on the flywheel.. This is important. And files are slow... Clean your connections with a Dremel with a brass wire wheel and a bit of oil. Nice-n-shiny. Also clean up the flywheel magnetos and make sure they're making optimum contact (gap) using a business card as a spacer.
Great work James ! 👍👍
To break the small tire bead I use a big C clamp and put hook end on the far edge of the wheel, the screw end on the tire as close to the rim as possible, pops them right off! Oh yeah! You fid that! Never mind!
I like to coat magneto fasteners with threadlocker after touching them up on the wire wheel. That way the dissimilar metals are isolated and they can be set snugly. If they won’t come off easily the next time, then an application of a little heat will easily free them. No rust, no breakage!
That is nice looking machine for its age, with such few hours explains why. Again another interesting and informative video, sir. 😊
I use mine once a week, but I only have half an acre ( about 30-40 minutes to cut my grass) sometimes I go very slow so the battery wil have more charge time. And sometimes I just drive around the neighborhood for about 15- 20 minutes.
Using a Battery Tender greatly improves the battery's life.
@@lnk4328
Yes, that is a good idea. My Kohler puts out 14.25 volts, and I have used my regular battery charger and charged the battery in the winter. The battery is 5 years old so its probably getting close to needing to be replaced.
Always great content!
Paul is a gem for broken equipment. I mean, I feel bad for the guy having so many equipment problems, but he's gotta be a friend of the channel for life! You could do content forever just on his stuff.
@@davidduma7615 Yeah, that Cub Cadet was an eye-opener. That thing was WAY more messed up than I thought it was going to be when the first video about it started. Some people are just "hard on equipment." That's what I call it when I want to say it politely.
Paul should get some mousetraps or a cat 😂
Perhaps Paul is an alias in order to protect the identity of the perp
😂 I was thinking the same thing. As many spare parts as James has, Paul always seems to have more stuff to fix 🤣
Paul must have access to used equipment by its job, he could be buying and selling stuff in a pawn shop or he buy them at auction or at yard sells. If they work grreat he clean them good and sell direct. If broken he send them to James, and james do it at a nice price and keep the revenu from YT. everybody win.
Really James it's always been a sort of law when working with batteries you ABSOLUTELY never take the positive cable off before the negative. Jus sayn Other than that you really do very great work on whatever ur working on..
Please do not take this the wrong way..the rule is disconect " GROUND SIDE" first. Even today there is positive ground equipment. Not common anymore, still found occasionally.
Great video. I'm surprised you didn't check/change the oil....as many of your videos include. 😅😅 😅
I usually do on unknown equipment, but I know Paul had just changed it and out the good stuff in.
Excellent video audio and masterfull troubleshooting.
Obviously I enjoy watching your channel.
JC always interesting and well presented videos, thanks.
A good trick for those deformed tires is a plastic bucket. By pressing the rim down very hard and shooting air to it you get pressure from inside the bucket that will pop the bead to seal.
The correct tool is a compression belt...
@@walkertongdee He used about 97 of them and it didn't work?
There is a trick that tire professionals use on tires just like that. It’s called tire mounting compound. Aka tire grease. Fills the large gaps and holds tight enough to allow air pressure to push the sidewalls out and the bead to contact. Boom. Done. I’ve used it for years and on everything from tiny lawnmower tires to road tractor tires. Stuff is a godsend.
There is a video called “how to bead up a stubborn tire”. Older guy shows you what I mean. You fill the opening with the Murphy soap and when the bead seats it will squeeze out all the “grease” and you scoop it up and put it back in the container for next time. Stuff work’s amazingly.
Starter fluid and a lighter. Boom
Great work James 😊
I have to say that i am impress with that zero turn mower, I had have my doubts as well thank you for your video.
I have a zero turn mower with a Kohler motor on it,I also am a firm believer in checking the oil in it before I crank it up, it's a 2019 hold over to
Good Job, James!
James, much like Eric O (South Main Auto Channel) you develop content from the results of "crusties" and rodents. Perhaps Paul should keep some peppermint oil balls in his shed to protect his Troy Bilt...
James, another very interesting video, thank you for posting.
All the best from Nottinghamshire in the U.K.
Good work as usual but I was a bit disappointed that you did not fit dustcaps to new tyres and you did not check the integrity of engine oil after the engine getting very hot and unburned fuel from cylinder that was not working, Somerset mike.
I put plugs in my tires with slime and works just fine. I'm not looking for good looks it a lawnmower. lol Great videos.
I think you can get a mulching plug for the mower. It will give you some protection..
Another interesting video. Love the channel . But, is nobody gonna comment on the cool, massive stone retaining wall?!
I have one of those Kohler 7000 series 26 hp on a Husqvarna zero turn. I've had to replace both coils on it after about 4-5 years. Starter after 4 years. Other than that no other problems.
We both know you're never gonna use that tire tool again so if you don't mind i'd like to borrow it,,,,,, forever.. :)
It'll be here with me in Houston if you ever need it.
Im learning a lot from this channel.
You ran over the caterpillar! lol
😂
I was waiting to see...lol.
I thought I was the only person who lost bolts on a regular basis,lol.
I had a gravely mower with that same engine. One summer it started bogging severely, almost like you had killed the spark to it. The issue only happened when going down a hill.
I replaced fuel pump, spark plugs, low oil sensor, ignition coil, carburetor, fuel filter, seat pressure switch, and made sure there was nothing blocking the fuel pickup.
I got fed up with it and sold it before i could figure out what was wrong with it.
I'd really like to see Paul get a guard on that deck before he looses a foot.
Stick your little finger up the plug boot, and turn it over, you'll know instantly if you have spark. I do that on ocassion... usually not intentionaly....😂 Works great!
One word on leaky tubes/tires: Slime. Works wonders
Paul needs to step up his equipment maintenance game & possibly needs some training…
Why, he’s got James.
He stepped up his rodent control.
Yep. Paul needs a good mouser in his barn.
I have a Kohler Pro V twin, yesterday I was checking the spark plugs, and I took the left cylinder plug out and I looked in and seen what looked like a clump of dirt, I used needle nose plyers to pull it out. It was a very well done mouse. I use my mower usually once a week. So I don't think it had been there very long. I'm sure it didn't take long to cook it either.
@@chrisdevitto4340pķkjl
I brought my tires to a local tire installer and they put ny lawn tractor on the rims for me for free. I too spent hours and probably the entire French dictionary before I gave up. I felt silly after since they did it in 5 min and for nothing. 😆
Don't feel silly. Failure is how we can learn.
Tyre
I had a rider with the grass shoot that was hinged for storage. Maybe he could find something like that for his.
Nice job, James
good video , but, Since the engine has been running on 1 cylinder for some time, it is surprising that you do not change the oil
Paul had recently changed the oil, but good point.
At first I got mad at you for the treadless tire, and then I realized it was a zero turn😂
That's a very special battery for this mower. Not really, it just has a "go handle" 😀
Do I sense a VGG reference? 😁
@@oldsharkie3786I noticed after the spark was fixed, the mower started much quicker when James.. ahem.. brought the thunder!
@@TheOneTonHammer Derek wouldn't like that mower. It's too shiny and the brakes work.😂😂
That thing runs really good for being down on 1 out of 2 cylinders lol
Great Video James. Those deformed tyres were an absolute joke. There is no quality control or care for a product. You don't buy car tyres like that
They are squeezed to be able to put maximum amount in a shipping container.
Hi James, as always, a really good video, and spot on diagnosis. Just a nit pick on the vocabulary. Ohm, Kilo Ohm, Mega Ohm, is how most EE's refer to the Ohms ratings...... Thank you very much for the video's. And then I have another question, would applying a dose of slim to the new tires not help with future punctures?
The question about tire slim is a good one. Personally, I haven't had much luck with tire slime, or fix a flat. I haven't tried automatic transmission fluid. I have seen others say it works pretty good.
Slim is good, but try to avoid it since it makes a mess when the tire is eventually replaced or tubed. Was hoping the new on will last longer as it was 4 ply instead of 2 ply like the original. Paul Cub Cadet had similar punches on the front tires. Might be something in his yard causing the issue.
Good work and as usual very enjoyable to watch. I am a little reluctant to mention that an oil change may have been in order, but that may well have been done. Am sure the owner will be delighted with your efforts :) THis is just as enjoyable to watch for a second time too :)
35:35 reminded me of my bicycle shop days when I was filling a racing bike's tires to 120psi and noticed the tube slipped under the bead. Standing right next to it, frantically attempting to let air out when it let go and sounded like a shot heard around the world.
Look at something called a head buster they work amazing on all tires
🎉Youare right about the tight quarters of the engine area the stuff that's packed around the cylinder heads on this engine is a nasty thing to have to deal with😮😂
And it is all plastic "for looks", not required. Customer focus groups must think people do not want lawn equipment to look like lawn equipment.
@@JasonW. you got that right 👍
@@JasonW.
So true, I like the older equipment, not so much of unnecessary clutter. 😊
love your videos , they help a lot
My Zero Turn is 7 years old... but very low hour, since I can cut the grass in 20 mins. I REALLY like that type of mower. Never tried one with the steering wheel. Glad this was a straight forward fix. Tell the owner to FEED HIS MICE.... some green pellets, or peanut butter over a bucket of water.
I was hoping to see the difference in resistance readings between the old and new coils
Tire mounting compound. Aka bead grease. That’s the ticket that would have allowed you to mount that first set.
There is a video called “how to bead up a stubborn tire”. Older guy shows you what I mean. You fill the opening with the Murphy soap and when the bead seats it will squeeze out all the “grease” and you scoop it up and put it back in the container for next time. Stuff work’s amazingly.
I bought that same exact mower clearance at Lowes for 600 bucks was a warranty return I belive the ignition switch was replaced was a good mower for us
James I was under the understanding that when you turned on your power take off for your blades that you want to have your motor idle down somewhere in a half range so it isn't so much shock on the clutch does that make sense to you?
That makes sense. Always hate how quickly the electric pto turns on. Always liked the manual lever better.
My troybuilt if the key is left in the ignition, there is a parasitic drain that kills it.
This mower is NOT a zero turn. Zero turn mowers can spin in place and are steered with the independently powered rear tires and two levers. It does have a very tight turning radius though.
Some zt now have a steering wheel. EGO just came out with one.
@@JasonW. Wheels or levers are means of control. The Zero turn means no radius. This mower has a radius.
air presure tank. like the shops use to mount tires. blows high presure all at once... seats the tires. anyways.
26:35 I was so relieved to see your admonition about disconnecting the negative first (and reconnecting it last). I've winced and talked to the screen so many times in the past when seeing you disconnect the positive first. I don't know how the information got to you but It's great that you are passing it along. My son learned this the hard way when he welded his 7/16" combination wrench to the fender of his Ford Pinto (40 years ago). He was able to break it loose before catastrophic damage occurred.
Great video! Enjoyed it very much!
Thank you. Good fix. Luck is not as reliable as blessing. There is or was a spray foam for punctured or leaking tires. Ron PTL USA
Can’t believe you didn’t change the oil and sharpen the blades ! You are slipping James ! Haha! Good job !
Now you need a set of flame stickers or pinstriping and flames. What I am saying that it’s a hot rod now, better than the new plastic crank engines!🔥☄️
You have a dirt bike for your son. Use that to break the bead. Flip the kickstand down and put it on the corner of the tire. Lean bike and break the bead.