Interesting findings and failures found during power equipment service

Interesting Findings and Failures Found During Power Equipment Service

Volume I

TORO RECYCLER MOWER

Model: 20449

S/N: 7904648

The customer's complain was that mower would not start. In fact it was not possible to pull the starter rope because the blade was totally blocked.

Mulching mowers do not perform well in wet heavy grass. This is what happens.

ECHO EXTENDED HEDGE CLIPPER

Model: SHC2400

S/N: 001543

Engine seized due too a lean fuel/air mixture (lean seize). This unit had the correct gas to oil mixture. However seized due to the engine seal on the flywheel side being cut by a string getting rapped around the crankshaft. The cut seal allowed air to be drawn into the engine resulting in a lean air/fuel mixture. This caused scoring of the piston and cylinder at the exhaust port. The arrow points to the string around the crankshaft. Note the string looping under the crank. The string appears to be that from a hooded sweat shirt.

HONDA HARMONY MOWER

Model: HRM215SDA

S/N: 6102297

The customer complaint was that the mower would not start. The carburetor was removed from the engine and this is the float bowl. A couple of ounces of water was in the bottom of this bowl and by the looks of the amount of corrosion the water had been present for awhile. This is a very common problem and care must be taken to keep water and dirt out of the fuel source. Most small engine manufacturers do not recommend the use to "dry gas" since it can damage certain parts of the carburetor. I have found that a good fuel stabilizer is quite effect in maintaining the quality of the fuel. I recommend using fuel stabilizer year around.

Stihl 028 Super Chain saw

s/n: 218006670

The customer complaint was that the chain saw lacked power. This is how the air filter looked when the air cleaner cover was removed. The filter was "fouled" to the extent that the engine could not get adequate air to run properly. One condition that leads to the premature fouling of the air filter is cutting with a dull chain. This causes more saw dust and less wood chips to be formed thus fouling the filter. It is a good practice to clean the filter each time you sharpen or replace the chain.