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nitekram · Mar 30, 2008, 03:05 PM

Issue: When blades get engaged the engine sometimes stops, when sitting for a 5 minute length of time the enging stops.

Have Tried: I disconnected the safety plunger under the seat. This did work for a little while then same issue.

I just bought this from my brother, he had told me of this issue, but when I was at his house - I was unable to replicate. I then mowed my lawn for about 15 minutes and then started mowing my neighbors and it was on a hill. That is when I disconnected the safety plunger, as I thought my weight might be shifting. I then found that it was still having a lag problem. I would have to disengage the blades and then it would run fine.

I then took it home and sat it in the driveway running, it then just shut off. Now it will run for about 30 seconds and then cut off.

Any clues as to what I can try - I am handy but not engine handy, not that I am not willing to give anything a shot.

MOWERMAN2468 · Mar 30, 2008, 05:07 PM

When the engine dies, does it restart? Does the engine die as soon as you engage the blades?

nitekram · Mar 31, 2008, 03:56 PM

Yes the engine restarts with no issues - then just dies. I have not tried it today, but believe it to be true.

The engine does not die as soon as you engage the blades, but it does die - it kind of studders at first and if I disengage the blades, it seemed to run fine. But if you leave the blades engaged it will die after it sputters for about 30 secondes.

Thanks for taking the time to reply to my question.

nitekram · Mar 31, 2008, 04:05 PM

Oh, one more thing - my brother told me it worked fine for about the first 3 months he had it ( bought it at a auction ) - then he said he hit a rock and ever since then it has been doing this.

Thanks again

nitekram · Apr 3, 2008, 04:22 PM

Can anyone help me?

I worked on it again today, and was able to drive it about 50 yards before it quit and did not want to start again. I was able to get it started by holding the throttle open. Also there is a spring wrapped around the throttle arm ( I have no clue what its called ). I am not sure where it goes as it was not connected to anything. I put it in the same hole as the arm, but that does not seem to do anything - if it goes there, what does it do that the arm could not do on its own.

dman73 · Apr 18, 2008, 11:36 AM

Normally if the engine dies when the blades are engaged the switch under your seat is bad. Or a bad connection. You can jump it for testing but I do not recommend leaving it that way. It is designed to force you to be sitting on the seat when the blades are engaged. There is a second switch behind the left foot pedal. This switch forces you to have the pedal pushed in to start the mower. When pushing in the pedal it pushes the hydro drive lever into neutral so it doesn't take off on you. Once the mower is started the foot switch is no longer used. This switch failed on mine and the engine will not start. I jumped the switch out and fixed the problem. I feel jumping this switch isn't as unsafe as the seat switch. Just remember if you have kids make sure they didn't shove the mower into drive before trying to start it. This is assuming your hydro 175 is the same as mine. Good luck.

dman73 · Apr 18, 2008, 11:58 AM

Sorry I should have read your entire problem a little better. With your problem it could be gas supply related or electrical. I bought my hydro 175 from a friend last summer not running. I completely went through it. Here is what I did and maybe you could do the same. Removed gas tank and cleaned. Replaced ALL fuel line and fuel filter (clear see through style). Carefully took the fuel pump apart and cleaned it. Replaced the ends on the battery cables(original were corroded badly). New spark plug. New air filter(mice had a hayday with the old one)(bought at NAPA). Cleaned the connections at the starter with a wire brush. Sharpened blades. Inspected and cleaned all wires going to the dash like the key switch, etc. You need to inspect the wires going to the clutch on the blades and make sure they are not shorting out somewhere. I hope this helps. I bought all parts at NAPA and local hardware just because it was much cheaper. This mower purrs like a kitten and I love it! One more thing. I do not know a ton about this but a friend told me there is an electrical part at the bottom of the carb that allows the gas to be completely burned up so none is left in the bowl. I do not know if this is true but your problem could be there if it regulates gas. Again good luck.

nitekram · Jul 9, 2008, 12:30 PM

I gave up and sent it to the shop - so far it has been back 3 times. I guess I was not as bad as I thought. Battery, fuel filter, spark plug, clean gas tank, and still no good. The think it might be a fuel solenoid ( sp )issues so they ordered one.

Thanks for every ones help

rb50ny · Jul 12, 2010, 10:05 AM

Tractor blows fuse when blads are engaged why