Troubleshooting Common Cutting Problems - Ferris SRS Z2 Series Operator's Manual

Problem: Excessive belt wear or breakage.
Cause
Bent or rough pulleys.
Using incorrect belt.
Problem: Mower deck drive belt slips or fails to drive.
Cause
Idler pulley spring broken or not
properly attached.
Mower deck drive belt is broken.
Problem: Mower (blades) does not engage.
Cause
Electrical wiring damage.
Operator is not standing on the
operator platform.
Troubleshooting Common Cutting
Problems
Problem: Streaking
Streaking is when thin strips of uncut grass are left behind the mower. Streaking
is usually caused by operator error or poor blade maintenance.
Cause
Blades are not sharp.
Blades are worn down too far.
Engine speed is too slow.
Ground speed is too fast.
Deck is plugged with grass.
Not overlapping cutting rows enough.
Not overlapping enough when turning.
Problem: Scalping
Scalping is when the mower deck comes close to or hits the ground. Scalping
can be caused by the mower deck misadjustment, unevenness in the lawn,
or by mower deck bouncing because the ground speed is too fast.
Cause
Lawn is uneven or bumpy.
Mower deck cutting height is set too
low.
Ground speed is too fast.
Deck is not leveled correctly.
Tire pressure is low or uneven.
Remedy
Repair or replace.
Replace with correct belt.
Remedy
Repair or replace as needed.
Replace mower deck drive belt.
Remedy
Locate and repair damaged wire.
Operator stands on the operator
platform and pulls up on the PTO
(Power Take Off) switch.
Remedy
Sharpen your blades.
Replace your blades.
Always mow at full throttle.
Slow down.
Clean out the mower.
Overlap your cutting rows
When turning your effective cutting
width decreases–overlap more when
turning.
Remedy
Roll or level the lawn.
Raise the cutting height.
Slow down.
Correctly level the deck.
Check and inflate the tires.
Problem: Stepped Cutting
Stepped cutting is sharp ridges or uneven levels left in the lawn surface.
Stepped cutting is usually caused by mower deck damage or misadjustment,
or damage to the mower blades.
Cause
Deck is not leveled correctly.
Tires are not properly inflated.
Blades are damaged.
Deck shell is damaged.
Mower spindle is bent or loose.
Blades are installed incorrectly.
Problem: Uneven Cutting
Uneven cutting is waviness or smooth troughs in the lawn surface. Uneven
cutting is usually caused by mower deck damage or misadjustment.
Cause
Deck is not leveled correctly.
Blades are dull or worn.
Blades are damaged.
Deck is clogged with grass clippings.
Deck shell is damaged.
Mower spindle is bent or loose.
Blades are installed incorrectly.
Tires are not properly inflated.
Problem: Stringers
Stringers are sparse patches of uncut grass left behind the mower. Stringers
are usually caused by operator error or poor blade maintenance.
Cause
Blades are not sharp or nicked.
Blades are worn down too far.
Engine speed is too slow.
Ground speed is too fast.
Deck is plugged with grass.
Remedy
Level the deck correctly.
Check and inflate the tires.
Replace the blades.
Repair or replace the deck.
Repair or replace the spindle.
Reinstall the blades correctly.
Remedy
Level the deck correctly.
Sharpen or replace the blades.
Replace the blades.
Clean out the deck.
Repair or replace the deck.
Repair or replace the spindle.
Reinstall the blades correctly.
Check and inflate the tires.
Remedy
Sharpen your blades.
Replace your blades.
Always mow at full throttle.
Slow down.
Clean out the mower.
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