Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

Hey, does anyone know why my mower will only start and stay running w/the blade going?  It is hard to pull the cord and won't start with out holding down the blade handle.  If I try to let go of the blade handle to empty the grass it boggs down and dies... and if I try to let go of the blade handle a little and go off and on a few times it kinda has that smelly clutch smell.  I just got the mower and am still learning about it.  It is the older (non hydrostatic) mower w/ the aluminum deck.  I only paid 170 for it. So far I really like it and the shaft driven propulsion but hope the clutch isn't messed up...maybe it's just frozen up or something.  Any suggestions out there?

Thanks,

Cat

True, good points!  I was just checking to see if I would get a response.  It turns out my mower has a worn out BBC (brake, blade, clutch) bearing...$60 for the part OR $80 for a whole clutch unit w/bearing used though...  I decided to go w/the used clutch from the mower shop...hope it turns out to be an o.k. decision.  I could have kept on mowing as is but it will be nice to not have to restart the mower when dumping the grass each time.

Thanks for the replys,

Cat

Hey that BBC has some bige loose ball bearings in it if i remember.

Is it the loose bearings and there slots that are worn out,   or is it the 2 sealed bearings on the center of the bbc about the size of a half dollar?

Friiy