April 19, 2023

Riding Mowers & Tractors: Why won't my riding mower move?

Replace the ground drive belt if you find it worn or broken when the riding lawn mower won't move. If the engine dies when you release the brake, then the seat switch may be unplugged or broken. Our troubleshooting video riding lawn mower engine dies when you release the brake shows how to check the seat switch. Replace the seat if it's damaged and won't activate the seat switch.

Check the transaxle freewheel control to see if the drive is disengaged. Shift the freewheel control to engage the transaxle if you find the control in the freewheel position. Purge air from the transaxle before using the riding mower the first time and after any transaxle repair. Tune up the mower engine if it sputters and then stalls when engaging the drive system. Rebuild or replace the carburetor if it's clogged and not providing the engine with fuel to stay running when driving the riding mower.

riding mowers & tractors

THESE REPAIRS MAY HELP SOLVE YOUR RIDING MOWERS & TRACTORS PROBLEM

JC-RM-Replace-the-riding-mower-drive-belt

Replace the riding mower drive belt

If your riding lawn mower won't drive forward or slows down when you go uphill, check the drive belt. Reinstall the lawn tractor or riding mower drive belt if it's slipped out of place. Replace it if it's damaged or broken.

Riding mower drive belt

Find the required part specific to your product.

RG-RM-Replace-a-Zero-Turn-Riding-Mower-Ground-Drive-Belt-Intro-Image
January 01, 2015

How to replace the ground drive belt on a zero-turn riding mower

If your zero-turn riding mower won't move forward, the ground drive belt could be broken. This DIY repair guide and video give step-by-step instructions on how to replace the ground drive belt on a zero-turn riding lawn mower.

Repair difficulty
Time required
 90 minutes or less

RG-RM-Replace-a-Riding-Mower-Ground-Drive-Belt-Intro-Image
March 01, 2017

How to replace a ground drive belt on a riding lawn mower

If your riding lawn mower won’t move, the problem could be a broken ground drive belt. If the riding mower is slow and sluggish, the ground drive belt could be so worn that it slips. Either way, follow the steps in this repair guide and video to replace the ground drive belt on your lawn tractor.

Repair difficulty
Time required
 45 minutes or less
JC-RM-Replace-the-riding-mower-carburetor-assembly

Replace the riding mower carburetor assembly

The carburetor mixes gas with air before the fuel goes into the cylinder. If the gas/air mix isn't balanced, the engine won't start or the engine will run rough and stall when you try to drive the riding mower. A damaged carburetor may also leak gas. Replace the carburetor if it causes any of these symptoms.

Riding mower carburetor assembly

Find the required part specific to your product.

RG-RM-Replace-a-Riding-Mower-Carburetor-Intro-Image
January 01, 2015

How to replace a riding lawn mower carburetor

When a lawn tractor engine surges or is hard to start, the problem could be a clogged or damaged carburetor. This DIY repair guide and video show how you can replace the riding lawn mower carburetor yourself.

Repair difficulty
Time required
 45 minutes or less
JC-RM-Rebuild-the-riding-mower-engine-carburetor

Rebuild the riding mower engine carburetor

The carburetor mixes fuel with air to create a combustible mixture that enters the engine cylinder and ignites to drive the piston. Impurities in gasoline can clog the carburetor, preventing the engine from starting. Carburetor clogs can also cause the engine to run rough and the engine may stall when you try to drive the riding mower. Seals and gaskets in the carburetor eventually wear out and can leak gas. Use a carburetor rebuild kit to refurbish a clogged or leaking carburetor.

Rebuild the riding mower engine carburetor

Find the required part specific to your product.

RG-RM-Rebuild-a-Riding-Mower-Carburetor-Intro-Image
January 01, 2015

How to rebuild a riding lawn mower carburetor

Does your riding lawn mower engine run rough or misfire? The carburetor might be clogged or worn. This DIY repair guide and video show how to rebuild the carburetor in a riding lawn mower in about an hour.

Repair difficulty
Time required
 60 minutes or less
JC-RM-Tune-up-the-riding-mower-engine

Tune up the riding mower engine

The engine tune-up includes routine maintenance for a riding lawn mower or tractor. Engine performance suffers if you don't regularly tune up the engine. A poor-running engine may stall when you try to drive the mower. You may notice uneven cuts if the engine doesn't run smoothly when you're mowing grass. Routinely tune up the engine by replacing the engine oil, oil filter, air filter, fuel filter and spark plug. The tune-up also includes checking the ignition, carburetor, battery, throttle and choke controls, as well as cleaning the engine cooling fins.

Tune up the riding mower engine

Find the required part specific to your product.

RG-RM-Replace-a-Riding-Mower-Fuel-Filter-Intro-Image
January 01, 2015

How to replace a riding lawn mower fuel filter

If your riding lawn mower’s engine runs rough or won't run, the fuel filter could be dirty. This repair guide and video show how to easily replace the fuel filter on your riding lawn mower in 15 minutes.

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less

RG-RM-Replace-a-Riding-Mower-Spark-Plug-Intro-Image
January 01, 2015

How to replace a riding lawn mower spark plug

If your riding lawn mower engine runs rough or is hard to start, it might be because the spark plug is damaged. This DIY repair guide and video show how to replace the spark plug on a riding mower in 15 minutes or less.

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less

RG-RM-Replace-a-Riding-Mower-Air-Filter-Intro-Image
March 01, 2017

How to replace the air filter on a riding lawn mower

If your riding lawn mower runs rough or stalls after starting, the air filter could be dirty. This DIY repair guide and video show how to replace a clogged riding mower air filter in less than 15 minutes.

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less
JC-RM-Replace-the-seat

Replace the riding mower seat

The seat keeps your body stable as you drive the riding mower and engages the seat switch to keep the engine running while you're sitting on the seat. A worn or broken seat may not engage the seat switch, causing the engine to shut off when you release the brake. Replace the seat if it's damaged or worn.

Riding mower seat

Find the required part specific to your product.

RG-RM-Replace-a-Riding-Mower-Seat-Intro-Image
March 01, 2017

How to replace the seat on a riding lawn mower

If the engine on your riding lawn mower shuts off when you release the brake, a cracked seat or missing cushioning foam could be the problem; both can keep the safety switch in the seat from engaging when you’re sitting on the mower. Replace the seat, following the steps in this repair guide and video.

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less
JC-RM-Replace-the-seat-switch

Replace the riding mower seat switch

The seat switch kills the engine if the switch doesn't detect you in the seat when you release the brake. To prevent tampering, the seat switch also stops the engine if you unplug its wire harness. When the engine dies as you release the brake pedal, check the seat switch wire harness to make sure it's plugged in. Replace the seat switch if you find it plugged in but not recognizing your presence on the seat.

Riding mower seat switch

Find the required part specific to your product.

RG-RM-Replace-a-Riding-Mower-Seat-Switch-Intro-Image
March 01, 2017

How to replace the seat switch on a riding lawn mower

If your riding mower shuts off when you release the brake while sitting on the mower, the seat switch might not be working right. The step-by-step instructions in our repair guide and video explain how to replace the seat switch in your riding lawn mower.

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less

Most common symptoms to help you fix your riding mowers & tractors

Choose a symptom to see related riding mower and lawn tractor repairs.

Main causes: punctured tire or inner tube, leaky valve stem, damaged wheel rim…

Main causes: clogged carburetor, damaged flywheel key, dirty spark plug, stale fuel, improper valve lash, engine needs a…

Main causes: worn or broken ground drive belt, bad seat switch, transaxle freewheel control engaged, transaxle failure, …

Main causes: damaged tie rods, bent or worn wheel spindle, worn front axle, damaged sector gear assembly…

Main causes: engine overfilled with oil, leaky head gasket or sump gasket, damaged carburetor seals, cracked fuel pump, …

Main causes: shift lever needs adjustment, neutral control needs adjustment…

Main causes: worn or broken blade belt, broken belt idler pulley, blade clutch cable failure, bad PTO switch, damaged ma…

Main causes: damaged cutting blade, worn deck pulley, damaged mandrel pulley, loose fasteners on mower deck components…

Main causes: faulty battery, bad alternator…

Most common repair guides to help fix your riding mowers & tractors

These step-by-step repair guides will help you safely fix what’s broken on your riding mower or lawn tractor.

How to replace a riding lawn mower rear tire

How to replace a riding lawn mower rear tire

Your mower can’t run on a damaged rear tire. Here’s how to install a new one.…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 60 minutes or less
How to replace a riding lawn mower blade

How to replace a riding lawn mower blade

If a blade on your mower is dull or bent, replace it following the steps in this repair guide.…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 30 minutes or less
How to replace a riding lawn mower fuel filter

How to replace a riding lawn mower fuel filter

Help your mower run better by replacing the fuel filter during your riding mower's annual tune-up.…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less

Effective articles & videos to help repair your riding mowers & tractors

Use the advice and tips in these articles and videos to get the most out of your riding mower or lawn tractor.

How to remove a lawn mower blade using a removal tool

How to remove a lawn mower blade using a removal tool

Learn how a blade removal tool makes replacing the blade easier and safer…

Charging a battery in a riding lawn mower video

Charging a battery in a riding lawn mower video

Learn how to use a battery charger if your mower battery is dead.…

Riding mower and tractor common questions

Riding mower and tractor common questions

You might find the answers to your questions about your riding mower or lawn tractor in this list of frequently asked qu…