The mower also seems to lose power when cutting through high grass.
Could this be related to the backfiring after I turn the mower off.
Probably, but need more info. How old is the mower? Was it fixed or tampered with recently? is it a "cared for" mower? (Not left outside in the rain and snow...etc...) Backfires can have a few causes. Too much fuel, way too lean of a fuel mixture, (Not enough or wrong type of oil or mix ratio) Misadjusted mixture screws on carb, idle set too fast/high, generally it is a adjustment issue though. Try a tune up! Ya small engines need them more often than you'd think! And there is one more culprit for the loss of power you mentioned,and it may or may not be causing the backfires but you never know...and that is the mower blade's "sheer pin" or "Breakable keyway key" If (with the mower off) you reach the blade and try to spin it in both directions and it seems to move out of sync with the engine crankshaft (or wiggles a bit too freely) Than you need to replace the split /broken key with a new one. I had a Craftsman do that to me once and all the power returned like magic after replacing it. BE Careful! Its an easy fix if that is it, but you have to give more info.
Some self-propelled mowers include a speed control, but sometimes it may seem that no matter how you adjust it, the mower just creeps along at a snail's pace. Most likely this isn't a mechanical malfunction, but an adjustment is probably needed.
Very tall or thick grass can bog down a self-propelled mower, but adjusting the height of the blade may allow it to roll through and cut the grass at normal speeds. If the blade is low, the amount of cutting required may slow down the movement of the entire mower. The frame of the mower may also stick in the high grass. Raise the blade little by little until the mower rolls at the appropriate speed. Going up hills may cause a similar response.
It's possible the drive belt on the mower can slip. Inspect this part to see if it is loose or cracked, and replace the belt to restore power.
696 views
Usually answered in minutes!
×