7 Common Simplicity Zero Turn Mower Problems (Fixed)
Let us guess, you have a Simplicity zero-turn mower, but it’s not working fine, and you’re not happy about it.
No doubt your situation isn’t ideal but don’t lose hope because we have the solutions to Simplicity zero turn mower problems.
You might be facing one of these issues: the deck of the mower might not level, the blades aren’t cutting the grass, the mower is vibrating, overheating and generating smoke, or the engine and fuel lines aren’t working fine.
No matter what the issue is, we have devised this guide for you. Here you’ll get the best solution with proper guidance.
So let’s scroll the page and dive into the topic!
7 Most Common Simplicity Zero Turn Mower Problems With Solutions
Below are the seven common issues, along with their solutions.
But before you dive into them, remember you have to spot the right problem in your Simplicity mower, which you can do by reading the guide carefully.
Otherwise, you won’t be able to solve the issue.
Problem | Possible Reasons | Solutions |
Deck problem. | The deck isn’t leveled. | Level the deck. |
Engine issues. | Low fuel and oil. Faulty spark plug.Clogged carburetor. Damage ignition coil. | Add fuel and engine oil. Repair or replace the spark plug.Repair or replace the carburetor. Repair the ignition coil. |
Mower won’t start or move. | Repair or replace the fuel pump. Change the ignition switch. Disengage the hydrostatic drive transmission lever. Change the PTO switch. | Add more air pressure to the tires. Replace the spindles or dampers.Adjust the steerings. |
The mower isn’t mowing straight. | Damaged fuel pump.Faulty ignition switch. The hydrostatic drive transmission is engaged. The PTO switch isn’t working fine. | Add more air pressure to the tires. Replace the spindles or dampers. Adjust the steerings. |
Overheating and smoking. | Using a mower on the wet grass. The deck must be clogged. The air filter would be dirty. Cooling fins are clogged. | Blades aren’t sharp enough to cut grass. Blades aren’t balanced. The deck isn’t leveled. |
The blades aren’t working. | Blades aren’t balanced. The blades aren’t installed correctly. The belt and pulleys are damaged. | Sharpen the blades. Balance the blades. Level the deck. |
Mower vibrates while working. | Insufficient air pressure in tires. Spindles or dampers are damaged. Steerings aren’t aligned. | Balance the blades. Install the blades correctly. Replace the belt and pulleys. |
Also Read: [Fixed] Common Ferris Zero-Turn Mower Problems
Deck Problems
You may not know, but the level of the deck plays an important role in mowing.
For example, if you notice that the mower isn’t cutting evenly or from the scalp, it must be because the deck is unleveled. You can check the level by using a measuring tape.
First, low the deck down and then hold the measuring tape. Use the tape to measure the height difference from the ground to the deck on both sides.
If they’re uneven, you need to level up both sides for better performance.
The Fix:
You can adjust the deck height by moving the positions of the deck tension cables.
- If you see between the seat and the deck, there will be tension cables.
- You only need to change the position of the tension cable down to another hole.
- Repeat this process for the second side of the deck.
- Thanks to this way, your deck will be leveled up easily.
Engine Issues
The engine of your mower is the base; if it’s not working properly, there’s no way you can use the zero-turn mower.
The issue is a lot of internal issues can make your mower engine bad, and finding the right reason is the catch.
But no worries, we’ll discuss the reason and solutions one by one so you can identify the cause easily.
The Fix:
- First, check the fuel tank and oil level of your mower; the mower must have run out of fuel and oil.
- The second reason might be the faulty spark plug. You can check the spark plug; if it’s damaged and has carbon build-up around it, then you have to replace it.
- Another possible reason is the carburetor must be clogged and dirty. Its solution is pretty simple: either clean it or replace it.
- Lastly, don’t forget to check and repair the ignition coil, which transfers the spark from the battery to the spark plug. So, there’s a high chance if it’s not working, then the engine won’t start.
Mower Won’t Start or Move
You’re trying to start your Simplicity zero turn-mower, but it’s not starting, and if it does, it’s not moving, right?
This issue isn’t new; many customers have faced it before, and the good part is there are solutions for this issue.
The Fix:
- You should check and repair the fuel pump of the zero-turn mower. When it doesn’t work, the fuel won’t go to the carburetor, which stops the mower from starting.
- Have you checked the ignition switch? No, then you should check whether it’s broken or not. If it’s, you have to change it because that might be the reason that’s stopping the mower from starting.
- Sometimes, the zero-turn mower starts but doesn’t move an inch. This happens when the hydrostatic drive level is engaged. You can easily disengage it by pulling the lever.
- Make sure the PTO switch is working fine by watching the video below. Otherwise, you should replace it to start the mower.
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Mower Isn’t Mowing Straight
A common problem people face with Simplicity zero-turn mowers is the mower won’t go straight and rather pulls to one side.
It’s a serious issue because when the mower doesn’t go straight, you can’t mow the lawn perfectly.
The Fix:
The simple solution is to check the common issue that creates this problem.
- The main cause behind this issue would be that the tire pressure isn’t sufficient to make the zero-turn mower pull to one side. Make sure to add more air to the tires.
- Other possible reasons are the spindles, or the dampers are damaged. The solution to both issues is to replace them with new ones.
- Sit on the mower and check the steerings or drive arms of the zero-turn mower. If the steerings aren’t aligned, you have to align them with the help of an adjustment bolt that’s available at the end of the arms.
Overheating & Smoking
Having your lawn mower overheat during a warm day can be incredibly frustrating, and we understand it.
Just like any other issue, it also has various reasons, and luckily all of these issues have solutions which you can read below.
The Fix:
- You may have no idea, but if you’re using the zero-turn mower for mowing the wet grass, it will overheat. It happens because wet grass sticks to the blade and deck. This build-up blocks air flow that makes the mower overheat.
- Check the bottom part of the deck; it might be clogged. You can easily clean it, and the mower won’t overheat.
- Every lawn mower comes with an air filter that’s basically a filter system for airflow. It eliminates the chances of dust entering the mower through the air. If it gets clogged, the mower will overheat. So ensure to clean it frequently.
- Apart from the air filter, you should also check the cooling fins. You can check it by removing the engine casing; if you see a build-up there, then this is an issue. Hence, clean it and solve the problem.
The Blades Aren’t Working
The blades of the lawn mower are an important component; without them, the mower is of no use.
What happens is most of the time, we see that blades don’t work correctly. Either they don’t cut the grass, or they cut the grass unevenly.
Both situations aren’t ideal for the lawn because they’ll make your lawn look bad. But you don’t need to worry too much about it because you’ll know the solutions below.
The Fix:
- Check the edges of the blades, whether they are sharp or not. If they aren’t sharp, you have to remove them to sharpen the edges of the blades.
- The second common situation individuals face is the blades cutting the grass from the scalp. The cause of this issue is the deck. Blades are attached to the deck, and when the deck level is low, this happens. So level up the deck.
- You don’t only have to sharpen the blades but also balance them. Otherwise, the mower will vibrate when you work, and the blades won’t cut the grass evenly. You can do this easily by watching the video below.
Mower Vibrates While Working
Any mower that vibrates while working is annoying and inconvenient, and there’s no doubt about it.
Thankfully there are solutions to sort out this common problem.
The Fix:
- The first reason it happens is when the blades of the mower aren’t balanced. The easy solution is you can balance the blade, and this won’t happen again.
- In case you still face this issue, then check whether the blades are installed properly or not. If the blades are loose, a high chance is the mower will vibrate. Therefore, install it properly.
- You should check the belt and the pulleys of the zero-turn mower. The belt might be damaged or worn out. Otherwise, the issue must be that something is stuck with the pulleys.
Also Read: (Fixed) Simplicity Zero Turn Mower Electrical Problems
For More Information, Watch This Video!
After solving the mower issue, make sure to watch the video below. It’s about how you can do the proper maintenance of the Simplicity zero-turn mower.
With the help of proper maintenance, you can easily increase the mower’s life and performance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are simplicity mowers good?
Simplicity mowers are a great choice for anyone looking to maintain a beautiful lawn.
Not only are they highly efficient, but they also come with many features that can help you keep your lawn in perfect condition.
They offer excellent speed control and the ability to adjust the height of the cutting blade, ensuring you get the exact cut you want.
Who manufactures Simplicity?
The American company Briggs & Stratton is the manufacturer of Simplicity mowers.
How do you start a Simplicity zero-turn mower?
Here’s how you can start the Simplicity zero-turn mower.
1. Engage the parking brake.
2. Open the drive arms wide apart.
3. Sit on the mower and turn off the blade engagement switch.
4. Disengage the parking brake and close the drive arms.
5. Now you can use the Simplicity zero-turn mower.
Conclusion
Overall, the Simplicity zero-turn mower is a good investment. It has some issues, but you can solve them with the help of our guide, “Simplicity zero turn mower problems.”
Though we believe 90% of your issue will be solved if you follow our suggestion.
However, in case the solutions don’t work, then you should go to an expert as soon as possible. Otherwise, the problem might become big.