Restoring a Zero-Turn Mower
Restoration of old machines is a great way to recycle them and breathe new life into something that can still be used. For example, there are thousands of old mowers in garages out there that have something wrong with them, but no one has had the time to fix them. Or maybe the owner wanted to upgrade to the latest technology. You might even have an old mower in your garage or shed that’s seen better days and still might have some use left in it, if only you knew how to get it going again!
Boehm Tractor Sales is your Texas zero-turn mower dealer, located in Shiner. Here are some tips for how you can restore an old zero-turn mower and make it useful again.
1. Gather Your Tools
In order to restore a zero-turn mower, you’ll need to gather up some of the tools you’d probably use to maintain it. These tools might include a continuity tester, a voltmeter, a welder, screwdrivers, wrenches, pliers, wire cutters and sockets. Other tools you might need to clean up the exterior of the mower are some primer, paint, brushes, sandpaper and lubricants. Some type of jack would also be helpful to raise up the mower, allowing you to perform work underneath it. Either a motorcycle jack or a scissor jack will work nicely.
2. Analyze the Electrical System
Your lawn mower may not be working for a few reasons. The engine needs compression, a spark and fuel in order to run, and a fault in any part of the system will result in malfunction. Often, electrical issues are the culprit. If there isn’t an electrical connection that generates a spark in your spark plugs, then nothing much can happen.
You’ll need to check out the condition of your wires and terminals, which may be loose or rusted. The spark plugs themselves may also need to be replaced. If your ignition switch is bad or missing, you’ll want to replace it with a new switch, which you’ll have to wire in yourself. Do not bypass the safety switches when you do this!
3. Fix Your Fuel System
Your next order of business is to examine the fuel system to make sure that gasoline can flow from the tank into the engine via fuel lines. If you end up having to remove parts, one way you can help yourself remember where they go is to use your phone to take pictures of each part as you remove it. You can then scroll through as you reassemble to make sure everything is in its right place. Your fuel problems may stem from a bad carburetor that needs replacing, and you may also need to clean out the tank or fuel lines.
4. Check the Cutting Deck
With your mower raised up on jacks, remove the cutting deck by taking out the pins that hold it in place. Check the drive belt to see whether it needs to be replaced; chances are good that it’s very worn out if you’re restoring an old mower. Remove the blade itself and sharpen it up so that you get a clean cut when you mow. Examine the metal deck for any tears that need to be welded together and make sure that everything else looks like it’s in place and functional.
5. Remove Rust & Prepare to Paint
Now that the innards of your zero-turn mower are fully functional again, it’s time to focus on the outside. You may have only a little rust to deal with or there may be a lot. Wire brushes or sandpaper will remove the rust, but it will take some effort on your part. Try to avoid scrubbing too hard since you don’t want to damage the metal underneath.
Once the rust is removed, it’s helpful to apply a rust-resistant primer to the exterior of the motor before you paint it with an appropriate paint like an enamel that is temperature-resistant. Allow it to dry completely before storage or use. You should have yourself a refurbished mower that runs well and looks new!
We hope that this guide helps you to restore your old mower to your liking and put it back to work on your lawn. Searching out a new lawn mower instead? Browse our website to see the full stock of new and used zero-turn mowers for sale at our location in Shiner, TX. Boehm Tractor Sales proudly serves the greater Austin metropolitan area as well as the city of Seguin, TX.