troubleshooting a Toro 21" model 21352 with self-propelled issues

[tstex]

Thanks Texas

 

[tstex]

Question on troubleshooting:

Below is a process for cking drive belt btw the blade shaft & self-propelled motor:

-remove spark plug
-strap self propelled handle/cable to main handle engaging it fully
-lift mower up and turn blade to see if belt is tight or slips.
/if tight and does not slip, next?
/if tight but does slip, next ?
/if loose & does slip, next?

I can also take pictures of what i see too.

Questions, thoughts, suggestions?

Thanks

 

[oldnslo]

I have had grass build up in the pulley on the crankshaft causing belt to slip especially when grass is damp or belt gets wet so would check for that if belt is slipping.

Another thing would be engagement cable adjustment. Does it pull the belt tight.

Does belt look shiny and smooth on V edges. If yes this is also a sign of belt getting older worn and possibly slipping a little.

If belt does not slip and drive does not work would point towards a problem in the gear box. No idea on if gearbox is repairable or replacement type item.

 

[tstex]

I have had grass build up in the pulley on the crankshaft causing belt to slip especially when grass is damp or belt gets wet so would check for that if belt is slipping.

Another thing would be engagement cable adjustment. Does it pull the belt tight.

Does belt look shiny and smooth on V edges. If yes this is also a sign of belt getting older worn and possibly slipping a little.

If belt does not slip and drive does not work would point towards a problem in the gear box. No idea on if gearbox is repairable or replacement type item.

Great, thank you old! I'll post back when i view the mower/belt

 

[tstex]

Ok, really sorry for the long delay...

I took the Toro or a spin and it seems that it will self propel for about the first 15-20 mins, then it seems it's more in the push mode. So, it works ok at first, but then starts to decline on the self-propel mode. About 15-20 min's into cutting, I can pull on the handle to prepare it to self-propel, and once fully engaged, nothing happens after running for awhile.

I am all ears and I am going out now so I can work on it...thank you very much, tstex

 

[tomplum]

Parts | Toro

www.toro.com

A few ideas: The tension for the drive cable is adjustable if there is not enough tension. The wheels themselves have a plastic driven gear that wears out. The gear should have relatively sharp teeth and not be rounded off. On occasion, the belt will hop off the drive pulley under the engine and be around the shaft itself.

 

[flyerdan]

It looks like it has a cable that pulls an idler pulley to tension the drive belt, chances are that the cable is gummed up, or has stretched and there doesn't seem to be any adjustment for it. It could also be the idler pulley bracket is gummed up and don't want to move. The idler pulley may also be in a slotted bracket to allow for taking up the slack, I'd start by taking everything apart and cleaning / test for full motion.

 

[tstex]

It looks like it has a cable that pulls an idler pulley to tension the drive belt, chances are that the cable is gummed up, or has stretched and there doesn't seem to be any adjustment for it. It could also be the idler pulley bracket is gummed up and don't want to move. The idler pulley may also be in a slotted bracket to allow for taking up the slack, I'd start by taking everything apart and cleaning / test for full motion.

Thanks Dan

I flipped her over and started taking apart & cleaning. I ultimately found too much slop in the self-propelled engagement cable. Once i tightened that, it worked beyond the 15-20 min threshold, so all is good now.

Thank you very much,
tstex