Addressing an Overheating Mower

Whether you’re a professional landscaper or a yardwork perfectionist, or even just looking for something to keep your property well-maintained, possibly the most important tool you’ll need to have is the right lawn mower. Not only does a freshly cut lawn look better, it’s also healthier, and in the long run, it’ll be easier to manage. But even the most efficient mowers can run into maintenance issues, even if you’re properly caring for them. 

One common problem, especially when it’s warm out, is overheating. If you notice your zero-turn mower can’t seem to stay cool, you’ll need to know how to identify the problem in order to go about finding a solution. Harold Implement Company, Inc. has provided some common sources of overheating and ways to fix them. If you still need help, or if you need a professional to take a look, stop by our location in Corning, Arkansas, serving Paragould, Jonesboro, and Pocahontas.

Overheating Causes

Hot weather alone can aggravate overheating problems if your mower can’t properly regulate its own cooling system. If you’re having maintenance problems, your mower can be vulnerable to overheating at any time of the year. 

We also want to stress that when you go looking for the source of the problem, you should wait for the engine to cool off completely first. It won’t be just a little warm—you could really injure yourself on the hot metal!

On that note, if you run into issues, start by checking the common problem areas below.

Engine Oil and Filter

Start with your engine oil. If the interior mechanisms aren’t getting properly lubricated, then there’s too much friction inside the engine, creating more heat than it’s designed to handle. If you’re noticing your engine gets way too hot or even shuts down, consider looking here first. Don’t forget to check the filter as well.

Blocked Cooling Fins

The cooling fins are placed next to the spark plugs to allow more heat to move away from the engine. In other words, they’re designed to help cool off the engine. However, clippings and debris can get stuck in the fins and prevent them from doing their job properly, so check here next and clean the fins as needed.

Blocked Cutting Deck

A similar problem can happen with the cutting deck. If clippings and debris jam up the blades, not only can this cause your mower to underperform, but it can also force the engine to work harder. Too hard, in fact. It’s probably a good idea to get in the habit of clearing the blades after every use.

General Engine Issues

These are some of the more common issues, but in reality, there are many engine problems that can lead to your zero-turn mower overheating. Your mower engine is a complex system of moving parts and intricately connected functions, all of which rely on each other to provide efficient performance. Of course, your engine and mower can get by if one of these systems fails, but not necessarily without consequence. That’s what can happen with an overheating mower engine. If the right part breaks or can’t function the way it’s supposed to, it can throw the entire engine out of whack and lead to overheating or other serious problems.

As you can probably tell, some of these problems can be solved fairly quickly and easily on your own, if you have some experience. However, this won’t be the case for all your problems. Whether you don’t have enough experience to tackle a repair, you can’t identify what’s wrong, or you simply need someone with the right tools, contact the trained technicians at Harold Implement Company, Inc. Check out our selection of zero-turn mowers for sale while you’re here! We welcome all patrons from Corning, Paragould, Jonesboro, and Pocahontas, Arkansas.