ride on mower stalling

[harrycovert]

My ride on mower srarts OK but when the brake is released the engine stalls .Where is the braking mechanism located?

[LimaDelta]

What model? Mine (Husqvarna) will idle but not let you drive if there is insufficient weight on the seat and will therefore cut out when you disengage the parking brake. Sounds like it could be the seat switch causing the issue? An easy one to check.

[spaximus]

Again depending upon model, my mates had both a seat switch but also one which is fitted behind the grass box.

We found out by googling the model and symptoms are there are lots of informative video's on there

[andy43]

Mines got a hydrostatic gearbox - Westwood/Countax - and it can stall as I drop the handbrake and it takes up drive if it’s not got quite enough choke when cold. Once warm it’s fine. Must be an engine ‘power’ problem ie fuel, air spark, unless it’s literally stopping stone dead.
Change fuel and check gearbox oil level too?

[harrycovert]

Its a Weed Eater? It does have a seat switch but I have bypassed this to rule it out .It`s definitly when the brake is released It happens even before I put it in gear.
The brake pedal moves the idler pulley to tension the drive belt and also moves a rod that goes to the gearbox.

[harrycovert]

[harrycovert]

[Metric Max]

It might help if you told us the make and model

[harrycovert]

Weed Eater GE 1138

[Metric Max]

My Westwood has a cut off micro switch on the parking brake which gets jammed occasionally with dirt but a good spray of WD40 frees it off

[Gtom]

Does the engine cut out if you engage the blades?

It sounds like the governor isn’t working properly and it’s not adjusting the throttle to compensate for the load being placed on the engine.

[harrycovert]

Yes, both when I release the brake and or engage the blades .

[andy43]

Depends how it conks out I reckon. If it dies like when it's run out of fuel it must be the carb/governor as above, it it stops like it's hit a brick wall I'd guess transmission fault or a safety switch?

[Gtom]

harrycovert said:

Yes, both when I release the brake and or engage the blades .

Have a watch of this and see if it helps

https://youtu.be/3WkkBV7h8GM?si=QOyI5jJjIl-ZbRpj

[harrycovert]

I think it must be a mechanical brake some where in the system ,as I release the brake the govenor arm moves to speed up the engine but it still stalls when the brake is fully released,

Even pushing the govenor rod fully by hand won`t keep the engine going.

I suspect its something to do with the shiny disc on the side of the gearbox but it does not appear to have any pads .

[andy43]

That disc does look like a brake disc. Any wires going to it for a solenoid or is it operated via that rod?
Probably a stupid question but have you tried with an assistant - they release the brake while you’re underneath seeing what moves? If you release the brake while your foot is mashed on the throttle does it still do the same thing?
As previous mines a tufftorq hydrostatic, probably totally different to yours - my brake operation (I think) is done within the gearbox.
Something must have gone out of adjustment if there’s no electrical seat or handbrake switch that’s affecting things.