billski

Thanks folks.  I've pretty much elliminated the fuel supply, line, filter and carb.   I've also elliminated the notion of being under load, which is what I thought too.

  Did all you suggested including checking the safety switch operation, but that got me thinking:

Here's why I think it's a safety circuit problem - 1. Engine in gear, moves fine.  2. Engine out of gear, off brake pedal, OK.  3. cutting blade engaged and spinning, OK.  4. Cutting blade engaged, in neutral foot off the brake - STALLS.

I'm beginning to think it's the circuit board that seems to control the safety circuitry.  all the kill switches feed into it.  One dealer said he's seen this before.  I may spend the $25-ish to swap out the circuit board. 

Snapper seems pretty proprietary with their wiring diagrams and pretty jealous of their dealerships. 

Bill

More things I checked
a. Threw some fuel stabilizer in just to be sure.

b. made sure the vent cap was venting.

Reading the archives suggest something else I need to check - there is a screen in the bottom of the fuel tank?  Guess I need to unhook and see how it flows.  If there is something in the screen, how do I get it out? 

Thanks,

OK, here's a challenge for y'all. 

My 3-YO Snapper 31" RER ran just fine through the summer.  Now during leaf cleanup, it's been towing the leaf wagon around for 4 weeks, no problems.

Yesterday, I fired up the mower deck, rotating just fine, no encumberances.  I put it in gear, foot off the brake, engine just starts to labor, backfire, and jerk forward, stall if I let it go.  Foot on the brake, deck engaged, clears right up, engine runs normal.  Also, with no deck running, can drive around the yard (flat) with an occassional backfire.    If I let this go, it stalls out, but will re-start right away.

I started with the easy stuff. One at a time, I did the following:

1. Thought I might have gummed up things pouring the last of the gas into the tank (fairly fress <1.5 months old) gas.  - Carb spray into the carb and linkage.  No change

2. Changed inline fuel filter - no change. 

3. Changed spark plug - no change (plug looked ok other than usual burn)

4. lubricated brake pedal linkages all the way through. - no change.

5. Checked oil - good shape.

6. Checked electrical connections, all snug.

No other lifestyle changes for this mower.  No damage, accidents or parties. Gets fairly light use - 1.5 hrs/week summer, winter vacation.

I would really like to finish up the lawn, with a good final mulching, but things ain't looking too good here.  Would appreciate your suggestions.

Thanks!

Bill

Thanks all.

Picked up a $30 slow-trickle automatic charger at Sears.  The battery seems to be holding it's charge, so I'm holding my breath that the patient will be ok.  The charger came with a "quick connect" plug which when fastened to the battery lugs allows for easy charger attachment.  Given this, is there any reason not to leave the battery attached to the mower during the winter months and simply hookup the charger now and then?

Terminator20 wrote:
Would you keep the charger on, 7x24 if you will, all winter, or only every now and then?