
What Causes a Lawn Mower to Shake?
- Unbalanced Blades If you have removed the blades of your mower recently for sharpening or have made any adjustments, they may have been reinstalled improperly. ...
- Debris on Blades Sometimes the blades of a mower go through something they can’t sling off. ...
- Mount or Crankshaft ...
What causes a lawn mower to shake when blades are engaged?
The strangest things can cause vibration in your lawn mower. What causes my mower deck to vibrate or shake when blades are engaged? Your mower deck vibration can be caused by unbalanced blades, bad bearings in cutter housing, and foreign material wrapped around the blade shaft or lodged into the deck and pulleys.
Why does my lawn mower vibrate?
Your lawn mower may be experiencing vibration from loose engine mounting bolts, the electric clutch, unbalanced blades, foreign mater wrapped around the blade shaft, bearings in the spindle housing, bad pulleys, or debris wedged in mower. I had a friend call me up in a massive panic. He said, “Hey, you need to come check out my mower.
How to fix a vibrating lawn mower blade?
If an unbalanced blade is causing your lawnmower to vibrate severely, you can balance it using a blade balancing tool. Alternatively, you can sharpen the blade to make both sides balanced. And if you have got a loose blade on your tool, simply tighten so that it can stop vibrating.
What causes a lawn mower blade to break?
Much like damage to the blade, this can be caused by the mower suddenly striking something solid that it is not able to move past (rocks or a tree stump, for example). This sudden stop can cause damage both to the blade as well as the crankshaft.

How do I fix my lawn mower from shaking?
0:070:56Lawnmower shakes and rattles | Fix for lawnmower with heavy vibrationsYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPiece of metal you can see there and once that's lined up you can tighten it back down by swishingMorePiece of metal you can see there and once that's lined up you can tighten it back down by swishing the block over the other side and and once your lawnmower blade is tightened.
How do you balance a lawn mower?
0:082:09How to Balance Mower Blades : Lawnmower Maintenance & RepairYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipLet it come to rest and look for which side of the blade sits a little lower than the other the sideMoreLet it come to rest and look for which side of the blade sits a little lower than the other the side that sits lower is the side with more metal and you'll need to grind a little more off that.
Why is my lawn mower not running smoothly?
A dirty air filter is one of the most common causes of a poorly running lawn mower, since it starves the engine of the oxygen needed for combustion. Fuel Filter: Check the fuel filter on the mower to make sure it's clean, and replace it if needed.
Will a bent lawn mower blade cause vibration?
Excessive Vibration A small amount of vibration is normal when using your lawn mower. But if you've noticed that this vibration has significantly increased, especially if it coincided with hitting a rock or something similar, there's a good chance that your blade has been bent.
Why does my mower deck vibrate so much?
Mower decks can begin vibrating when the mower blades are damaged or unbalanced; material is wrapped around the blade shaft; the belt or pulleys are worn; the spindle or spindle housing is damaged; or debris is lodged in the deck or under your pulleys.
How do I know if my lawn mower blade is unbalanced?
If you feel an awkward vibration when mowing, your mower blades are most likely unbalanced. If your lawn is not trimmed evenly, then the blades are most likely unbalanced. If mowing takes longer than usual, the blades are most likely unbalanced.
What causes a lawn mower engine to rev up and down?
A lawnmower that hunts and surges may be experiencing something as simple as an airflow issue. If the air that the engine requires to run is blocked, especially sporadically, it can cause the engine to slow down. When the blockage moves or clears, the engine may suddenly rev up in response.
How do I know if my lawn mower carburetor is bad?
How to Tell If Lawn Mower Carburetor is Bad (9 Symptoms)2.1 Engine Won't Start.2.2 Engine Doesn't Idle.2.3 Jerky Engine & Back Firing.2.4 Surging & Spluttering.2.5 Engine Doesn't Accelerate.2.6 Flooded Carburetor.2.7 Black Smoke.2.8 Excessive Fuel Consumption.More items...
How do I stop my lawn mower from surging?
2:2210:14How To Fix A Surging Engine on a Lawn Mower, Generator ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSometimes you just have to tap the carb.MoreSometimes you just have to tap the carb.
How do I know if my lawn mower shaft is bent?
Look at the Center Bolt On a mower that doesn't have a bent crankshaft, you will hardly notice that center bolt move at all. However, if you spin the blade and that center bolt is wobbling all over the place, it's a sure sign that your lawn mower crankshaft is bent.
How do you sharpen lawn mower blades?
2:255:04How to Sharpen a Lawn Mower Blade | This Old House - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI'm just gonna go along the back. And take off any burrs. And that's pretty good now if you have aMoreI'm just gonna go along the back. And take off any burrs. And that's pretty good now if you have a cordless drill. You can get an attachment to put in it to sharpen your lawn mower blades.
Can I straighten a bent lawn mower blade?
If you don't have an anvil, you can use a sledgehammer to get the blade flat. Now you need to get the blade sharp again, so it cuts your grass like a dream. Take one of your files and hold the straightened end of the blade on your worktable and use the file to sharpen the cutting edge of your lawnmower blade.
How important is it to balance lawn mower blades?
An unbalanced blade spinning that fast will cause a significant amount of vibration, which will put stress on yout blade shaft, spindle, and even the engine. So if you want to get the most life out of your mower... keep the blades balanced!
How do you sharpen and balance lawn mower blades?
13:0018:02How to Sharpen and Balance a Lawnmower Blade - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNow what you're going to do is try to line this thing up to as flat as possible. And then you'reMoreNow what you're going to do is try to line this thing up to as flat as possible. And then you're just going to let it sit and do its. Thing. Now the heavier. Side will always fall to the bottom.
Do new lawn mower blades need balancing?
No, it's not necessary to sharpen brand new lawn mower blades. You can simply remove your new blade from its packaging, remove the old blade carefully from your mower, and then attach the new one.
How do you balance lawn tractor blades?
1:062:36HOW TO BALANCE a Lawnmower BLADE after Sharpening ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd you put the blade on and it will tell you especially if you have a straight edge above it likeMoreAnd you put the blade on and it will tell you especially if you have a straight edge above it like this it'll tell you which side is heavy and in this case as you can see it tends to want to go to
Why does my lawn mower crankshaft bend?
Most of the time, the lawnmower vibration is the cause of this bent crankshaft. And sometimes the abrupt stopping of blades can cause the crankshaft to bend and vibrate.
Why are my mower blades rough?
By cutting a huge amount of grass, roots, and debris, blades become rough.
How to fix polluted blades on lawn mower?
How to fix pollute blades – Why Lawn Mower Shakes Violently. You can simply fix the pollute blades by; Untie blades from the deck. Make sure to clean them thoroughly by water, brush, and cloth if needed. Reinstall them properly using a spanner and the user manual. 3.
Why does my lawn mower rattle?
It causes the blades to get imbalanced which produces noise, vibration and makes the lawnmower shakes and rattles. Sometimes when blades strike with some hard material (stone, rock, or hard root) on the ground, it can also disbalance the blades or any other damage to them.
Why does my car vibrate?
The major causes behind this vibrating issue can be the blades or a crankshaft. Without getting panic or worry, you need to know that you can easily track, control, and fix them by simply reading the user manual. But in a critical situation, our guide will help you to fix and overcome the shaking issue in the future.
How to check crankshaft runout after removing blades?
After removing the blades, it is necessary to check the crankshaft runout by using a dial indicator. Eliminate the blades along with the blade mounting core and the spark plug from the lawnmower. Attach the dial indicator to the deck and placed it on the crankshaft.
Why do you tilt a lawn mower?
Tilt the lawnmower to prevent fuel leakage and to keep the carburetor up.
Why does my mower deck shake when the blades are engaged?
What causes my mower deck to vibrate or shake when blades are engaged?#N#Your mower deck vibration can be caused by unbalanced blades, bad bearings in cutter housing, and foreign material wrapped around the blade shaft or lodged into the deck and pulleys.
Why does my lawn mower vibrate?
Why is your lawn mower vibrating? Your lawn mower may be experiencing vibration from loose engine mounting bolts, the electric clutch, unbalanced blades, foreign mater wrapped around the blade shaft, bearings in the spindle housing, bad pulleys, or debris wedged in mower.
Why remove spark plug boot on lawn mower?
Do not skip this very important step. Removing the spark plug boot will prevent the engine from starting while you work under the mower deck. It’s important to ensure your safety while working on your lawn mower.
How to check if a blade is wired?
Look at the top of the blade to check to see if there is string, wire or any other foreign material wrapped around the blade shaft or spindle shaft as the professionals call it. If any items are found, remove them and make sure the object didn’t cause any additional damage.
How to check blades before installing?
It’s important to install balanced blades. A good way to check your blades before installing is using a blade balancer or hanging on a nail to ensure the blade isn’t heavier on one side.
How to tell if a spindle bearing is bad?
Look at the bearings in the spindle housing which are sometimes referred to as quill assemblies on smaller units. With a good pair of work gloves, to protect your hands from the sharp blades, grab a hold of both ends and rock it up and down to see if the bearing is bad.
Can a lawn mower burn?
With dry grass packed into the top of the mower deck the belt housing area heat can build up and, when you least expect it, you can have a fire on your lawn mower. Avoid this costly repair by keeping the area clean.
Why does my lawn mower vibrate?
Most lawnmowers start to vibrate because a certain part of the machine is damaged or poorly installed. Some of the parts that make the lawn to vibrate are the cutting blade, valves, spark plug, flywheel, crankshaft, and blade adapter pins. In this guide, we will highlight some of the things that cause the lawnmower to vibrate badly.
What happens if a lawn mower blade hits a rock?
Since the blade attaches directly to the crankshaft, damage to the blade has an impact on the crankshaft. If a blade hits a rock or metal, all the energy is transferred to the crankshaft.
How to stop a lawn mower from vibrating?
Alternatively, you can sharpen the blade to make both sides balanced. And if you have got a loose blade on your tool, simply tighten so that it can stop vibrating. 2.
What happens if my lawn mower is not tuned up?
If the engine is not tuned up, it will continue vibrating excessively. How To Fix It. Simply tune up your engine. If you tune up your lawn mower’s engine often, it will help to increase the engine’s efficiency. Aside from that, it will prevent engine wear and tear.
What valves do lawn mowers have?
Most lawn mowers come with overhead valves, which are easy to adjust.
Why is my blade unbalanced?
Another reason that may cause your blade to be unbalanced is improper sharpening.
What happens if a flywheel is damaged?
The flywheel works as a shock absorber and a cooling fan. So, if it’s damaged, your machine won’t work well and will start vibrating.
Engine Mounting Bolts on a SCAG Lawn Mower Causes Vibration
While your engine is running, it vibrates. To help absorb some of that vibration, you will find engine mounting bolts under the engine. These are sometimes referred to as motor mounts.
Clutch on a SCAG Lawn Mower Causes Vibration
Your SCAG lawn mower will most likely have an electric clutch. This type of clutch has a bearing that can fail sending a vibration through the mower. Replace the clutch when this happens.
Mower Blades on a SCAG Lawn Mower Causes Vibration
There are many items in your mower deck that can cause a vibration including your SCAG mower blades. Using the wrong blades for your mower or blades that are unbalanced can cause them to wobble, spin unevenly and vibrate the mower.
Material Around the Blade Spindle on a SCAG Lawn Mower Causes Vibration
The mower deck can draw debris and foreign materials to the underside of the deck. Items like string, wire and even long sturdy weeds can become wrapped around the spindle shaft. This can cause the mower to shake.
Spindle Components on a SCAG Lawn Mower Causes Vibration
A spindle can bend and the bearing can become damaged. This happens when you hit something solid under the mower deck. A bearing can also fail over time. When either item is damaged or worn, it must be replaced.
Deck Belt and Pulleys on a SCAG Lawn Mower Causes Vibration
The belt and pulleys on the deck can also cause your mower to begin shaking. A belt that is worn may not sit securely around the pulleys. The extra slack will cause vibration and the belt may actually fall off.
Idler Bracket & Spring on a SCAG Lawn Mower Causes Vibration
The idler bracket and spring on a SCAG mower deck can wear over time. The hole in the bracket can wear larger and the spring can stretch causing it to begin vibration.
Why does my lawn mower vibrate?
Worn or broken belts can cause your lawn mower to vibrate. Worn belts will also make your machine work harder, which means that it will overheat more easily.
What happens if your lawn mower wheels are broken?
If any of your lawn mower’s wheels have cracked or broken, then you may need to replace them with new ones. A cracked wheel can cause vibration in your machine as well as make it harder for you to turn corners and maneuver around obstacles.
What is the most important tool in lawn maintenance?
Your lawn mower is probably the most important tool in your lawn maintenance arsenal. Not only does it help you create that beautiful green grass, but also it helps keep all those pesky weeds away!
What to do if your mower is clogged?
You should also check the filter for clogging, which could be causing the engine to work harder than it needs to. Replace any clogged filters with new ones before starting up your mower again.
Is it easier to replace a broken wheel on a lawn mower?
Replacing a broken wheel is much easier than replacing an entire lawn mower, so it is worth fixing this problem before buying a new machine.
Can a loose gas cap cause vibration?
A loose gas cap can also cause vibration in your lawn mower, so make sure that it is tightly closed when you start up your machine.
Why does my lawn mower make a noise?
This is usually a sign that the mower blade is damaged or out of balance. The vibration is a result of uneven weight distribution at either end of the blade while it spins (the same way a washing machine with a load that is distributed unevenly will knock around and make more noise than usual). This can be caused by a damaged blade, or one ...
Why does my lawn mower vibrate?
Another cause for excessive vibration during the operation of a mower is that the crankshaft is bent. Much like damage to the blade, this can be caused by the mower suddenly striking something solid that it is not able to move past (rocks or a tree stump, for example).
What to do if your blade is out of balance?
If it is damaged, replace it. If it is out of balance sharpen the blade so it is balanced or replace it. Testing a blade for balance is as easy as hanging the blade on a nail driven into a wall through the center hole. The heavy side of the blade will drop lower than the lighter side. Continuing operation with an issue such as this could cause ...
Can a bent mower crank cause vibration?
This sudden stop can cause damage both to the blade as well as the crankshaft. A bent crankshaft (even one that is just slightly bent) can cause excessive vibration when the mower is running, as the spinning blade will be unbalanced. This can be dangerous if not addressed immediately. If you believe your blade or crankshaft has been damaged ...
