Self Propelled Mower Struggling on flat ground

[TVR MAN]

I bought a McCulloch Self Propelled lawn mower a few weeks ago (like this http://www.tjhughes.co.uk/fcp/product/brands-for-l... and it really struggles to move forward even on flat ground where the grass has already been cut and set at the highest cutting height.

Any ideas what the problem may be? What can I do to get more drive from the wheels? (They do turn when lifted off the ground)

[freecar]

http://www.mcculloch.biz/ddoc/MCCO/MCCO2009_AAaa/M...


The manual says to adjust the clutch mechanism.

[TVR MAN]

The clutch mechanism has 3 stages of adjustment (I think) and it is at the tightest setting. The gear does engage as the wheels will turn when the mower is lifted off the ground. But they just don't seem to have enough power under the weight of the mower to turn without rather a lot of pushing from me. It doesn't seem to be a grip issue as they are not spinning without traction.

[davepoth]

Fit a Hemi?

[MrChips]

TVR MAN said:

The clutch mechanism has 3 stages of adjustment (I think) and it is at the tightest setting. The gear does engage as the wheels will turn when the mower is lifted off the ground. But they just don't seem to have enough power under the weight of the mower to turn without rather a lot of pushing from me. It doesn't seem to be a grip issue as they are not spinning without traction.

That does pretty much sound like the clutch isn't engaging fully. All self-propelled mowers i've tried have been fairly difficult to actualy stop moving, you shouldn't be needing to put any forward effort no matter how high the grass is (presuming it's a normal garden).

[Total loss]

Are they not still belt driven underneath (older ones were), in which case the belt needs adjusting. Also is it new ? if so, why not take it back to the shop ?

[98elise]

Definately sounds like clutch problem. I have a really cheap mower, and its pulls just fine