Question"Hello,
I have a Snapper rider with a rear mounted engine. It is a 38" dual blade hydrostat rider with a 14.5 hp briggs and stratton
model: 287707
type: 1257-E1
code: 990428ZE
Yesterday the engine was running and BLAM it died. No unusual noises were heard. As I was looking at the motor, I hit the start key and observed oil coming from what looked to be the overhead valve cover. The motor stopped running almost immediately.
I tried to restart and heard a clicking. I pulled the start cord, the piston must be disconnected for this is no compression.
I drained the oil and pulled the motor today. There were some decent size chunks of what appears to be aluminum in the oil. I am assuming the motor is shot. So with that being said . . .
Would a slightly higher hp motor increase my blade speed? I've never been real happy with the blade speed of this mower.
I put on NINJA blades and keep them sharp, however I still have to almost straddle my mow line to get a good cut which obviously adds a lot of time to my mowing. I've got an acre lot with a lot of trees and other mowing obstacles.
The rest of the rider itself is in great condition and looks almost new, so I really don't want to purchase a new mower, although if I had the cash I would like a ZTR mower. HA.
Sorry for all the questions at once, but I am in a pickle. Leaves will start coming down in the next 6 weeks and I use my mower to mulch the majority up.
Also, now that I have the engine separated from the mower and on the work bench, how do I get the double pulley off of the crank? I assume if I buy a new or rebuilt motor I will need this part to put on the new crank? What is the torque?
Thanks in advance for your time.
sincerely,
Scott Thompson
Indianapolis, IN
Answer Hello Scott:
1- The Connecting Rod is Broken in the Mower. 2- A Slightly Larger Hp Engine will Help, but the RPM are Regulated by the Governor Spring. If the RPM are too Slow you Simply Replace the Governor Spring with a Higher RPM Spring. The Maxium RPM for the Briggs Engine is 3200rpms. 3- The Pulley is Removed with Lots of PB Rust Catalyst and Heat. Make Sure the Bolt is Out of the End of the Crankshaft. Hope this Helps. Let me know what Happens, Please. I enjoy knowing the Outcome. Thanks.
Good Luck
Respectfully
John
