Dealing With Overheating Mowers
Whether you’re working hard to keep your lawn tidy, or trying to help others with theirs, you’ve likely run into overheating problems once or twice. We here at Bobcat of York, Frederick, Hagerstown, and Adams County know how important it is to handle these issues quickly and efficiently, so we’ve put together a guide on troubleshooting for overheating mowers. If you want more tips, or you’d like to see the mowers we have for sale, contact our stores across Pennsylvania and Maryland, today!
Common Causes
Hot weather is one of the more common causes for an overheat, but it’s far from the only one. Various maintenance issues can also contribute to the problem. If your mower overheats, your first step is to wait for it to cool off completely before you go problem-hunting, for your own safety.
Once it’s safe to continue, check off the following potential causes from your list one by one.
Engine Oil And Filter
Engine oil helps keep mechanical parts of the motor lubricated. If it’s low or old, increased friction might create too much heat for the mower to handle. Check the oil to make sure it’s filled properly and isn’t thick or discolored. Verify that the oil filter is also in good condition.
As a general rule, oil and oil filters should be changed out once every spring or summer, or after every 50 hours or usage, whichever comes first.
Cutting Deck Blockage
Clippings and other debris can get caught in the cutting deck, jamming up the blades. Even if they still run, they’ll need to work harder to maintain their rotation, forcing the engine to overwork itself. Make sure to clear the blades at least after every use, though you’ll sometimes need to clear the deck during a run.
Other Engine Trouble
Your mower is a complex machine with an awful lot of moving parts that all need to work perfectly in sync to perform their jobs. There are any number of other engine issues that are less likely to cause an overheat, but which may still contribute to the problem. Sometimes, there will be a malfunction or failure that isn’t immediately noticeable, but which can lead to consistent and repeating problems down the line. If addressing the two issues above doesn’t resolve your problem, there may be a number of mechanical problems adding up to create the overheating issue. This will require an immediate service visit.
If you don’t already have a trusted service department, look no further than Bobcat of York, Frederick, Hagerstown, and Adams County! Our expert maintenance teams are ready and waiting to get you the help you need at the prices you want. We proudly serve the people of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and Baltimore, Maryland—let us serve you today!