DR® TRIMMER/ MOWER
Troubleshooting
A guide to solving common problems with
your DR® Trimmer / Mower.
Most problems are easy to fix. Consult the Troubleshooting Table for common problems and their solutions. If you continue to experience problems, you can contact our Technical Support Specialists for more detailed support.
When performing any maintenance, you must first shut off the engine, wait five (5) minutes for all parts to stop and cool, and disconnect the spark plug wire, keeping it away from the spark plug. Read the
safety considerations section of your Owner's Manual before performing any repairs or maintenance.
Click headlines below for more information.
Recoil will not pull out or is difficult to pull.
- Check the Engine oil level, adjust as needed. If the level is too low, then Engine may be seized.
- There may be an oil compression lock in the Cylinder. Take out the Spark Plug; hold a rag over the Spark Plug hole and pull the Recoil Cord several times to blow out any oil in the Cyclinder. Wipe off the Spark Plug and reinstall it.
- The Recoil may be broken or jammed. Try to turn the Engine pulley by hand, with the Spark Plug wire off. If it turns, the Recoil is broken or jammed.
- If you continue to experience problems, further troubleshooting is needed. Our Technical Service Specialists can assist in a more in-depth diagnosis.
The Engine turns over, but does not start.
- Check for proper attachment of the Spark Plug wire.
- Check that the Engine has the right amount of clean oil. If the oil is dirty, change it following the procedure in your Owner's Manual.
- A cold Engine should be primed. Push the Primer Bulb 3 to 5 times, releasing it completely each time.
- You should be using fresh, clean, unleaded gas. If the gas is old, change it. Use an enzyme treatment if you keep gas longer than one month.
- Check the Fuel Filter (if equipped) to see if it is clear. Place a can under the Fuel Filter and remove the fuel line from the Engine side of the Filter. If gas flows freely, it is okay.
- If the Air Filter is dirty, change it following the procedure in the Engine Owner's Manual.
- Check that the Throttle is in the RUN position. Check the Throttle Cable and make sure that it is attached to the Engine and moving freely.
- Check Spark Plug(s). If it is dirty or cracked, replace it. If the Spark Plug(s) is oily, leave it out, hold a rag over the Plug hole(s) and crank the Engine a couple of times using the Electric Starter to blow out any oil in the Cylinder(s). Wipe off the Plug(s) and reinsert it.
- If you continue to experience problems, further troubleshooting is needed. Our Technical Service Specialists can assist in a more in-depth diagnosis.
The Engine won't start using electric start.
- Review the Starting procedure section in your Owner's Manual.
- Check the wiring behind the Key switch; it may have vibrated off the Switch terminals.
- Check the wire connections – especially the ground connection, the large black wire coming from the Battery, where it connects to the Engine.
- Check the wire connections to the Solenoid. Disconnect the black Battery ground wire first to avoid sparks. Check to be sure that all of the connections are clean and tight. Reconnect the Battery ground wire.
- Check the ground connection on the Solenoid where it bolts to the Frame. Using a wrench or socket, tighten the Bolts to ensure a good connection to the Frame.
- The Battery may not be charged. Check the voltage yourself or at a service station. If the voltage is low, charge the battery with a 12-volt, 1- to 2-amp trickle charger. If you don't use your machine for at least 45 minutes at a time, the Battery may need to be periodically charged. See the Battery Care section in your Owner's Manual.
- If you continue to experience problems, further troubleshooting is needed. Our Technical Service Specialists can assist in a more in-depth diagnosis.
The Engine lacks power or is not running smoothly.
- Check the Throttle travel. The Throttle Lever should be in the Run position.
- Check for debris (hay seed, etc.) clogging the Air Filter Intake and clean out as required.
- The blower housing, throttle linkage, and cooling fins should be free of debris. Clean them following the instructions in the Engine Owner's Manual.
- The Choke should be pushed all the way to the left – in the Run Position.
- If the Air Filter is dirty, change it following the procedure in the Engine Owner's Manual.
- Check Spark Plug(s). If it is dirty or cracked, replace it. If the Spark Plug(s) is oily, leave it out, hold a rag over the Plug hole(s) and crank the Engine a couple of times using the Electric Starter to blow out any oil in the Cylinder(s). Wipe off the Plug(s) and reinsert it.
- The gas must be fresh and clean. If the gas is old, change it. Use a fuel stabilizer if you keep gas longer than one month.
- The Engine may not have the right amount of clean oil. If the oil is dirty, change it following the procedure in your Owner's Manual.
- If you continue to experience problems, further troubleshooting is needed. Our Technical Service Specialists can assist in a more in-depth diagnosis.
Engine smokes.
- Check the oil level and adjust as needed.
- You may be operating the machine on too great an incline. See "Slopes and Uneven Terrain" in your Owner's Manual.
- Check the Air Filter(s) and clean or replace if needed.
- You may be using the wrong oil – too light for the temperature. Refer to your Engine Owner's Manual for detailed information.
- Clean the Cooling Fins and the Carburetor housing if they are dirty.
- If you continue to experience problems, further troubleshooting is needed. Our Technical Service Specialists can assist in a more in-depth diagnosis.
The Trimmer Head won't spin or lacks power.
- Check for proper alignment of the V-Belt and verify Belt Guide Positions. Check against the Figure: "Trimmer Head Belt-All Models" in your Owner's Manual.
- The Belt may be worn or frayed; replace it. See your Owner's Manual for instructions on replacing the Belt.
- If the Trimmer Head still will not spin, follow the procedure for "Adjusting the Belt Tension through the Trimmer Control Cable" in your Owner's Manual.
- If you continue to experience problems, further troubleshooting is needed. Our Technical Service Specialists can assist in a more in-depth diagnosis.
The Trimmer Head keeps spinning or spins when your release the Bail Bar.
- Check for proper alignment of the V-Belt and verify Belt Guide Positions. Check against the Figure: "Trimmer Head Belt-All Models" in your Owner's Manual.
- If the Trimmer Head keeps spinning when you release the Bail Bar, see "Adjusting the Belt Tension through the Trimmer Control Cable" in your Owner's Manual.
- Check the Brake for excessive wear and replace if necessary. See the "Brake Arm-All Models" in your Owner's Manual.
- If you continue to experience problems, further troubleshooting is needed. Our Technical Service Specialists can assist in a more in-depth diagnosis.
The cutting Cords are breaking.
- The Cords may be too dry. Store Cords in a plastic bag with a damp sponge or cloth to make them less prone to breaking or soak them in a bucket of water for a few days.
- Try a lighter cord. The smallest diameter of Cord capable of cutting the material at hand combined with the fastest engine speed usually provides the best grass trimming performance. When you need more power for thicker growth such as berry canes, brambles, thistles, or ragweed, you may want to use the 175-mil Cord in combination with the highest engine speed.
- You may be trying to do too much too fast. Ease into the material you are cutting; let the Cord tips do the work. Take small bites of tall or tough vegetation. Cut half a swath at a time, keeping the finished area to the discharge or right side of the Trimmer. Go over tall material twice, the first time with the Trimmer Head tilted up and back; the second time with the Mow-Ball™ Support on the ground.
- Make sure that you are not hitting the Cords against a stone or a chain-link fence. The Cords won't last as long against obstacles as in the open. Work on controlling the cutting pattern. With practice, you'll learn to cut closer to obstacles without hitting them.
- If you continue to experience problems, further troubleshooting is needed. Our Technical Service Specialists can assist in a more in-depth diagnosis.
The cutting Cords are pulling out.
- You may be moving too fast into tough, woody growth. In doing so, the cords may wrap on stalks and pull out. Check the operating tips in the section above on breaking cords.
- Make sure that you are not trying to cut material too heavy, dry or woody for the cord. The design of your Trimmer is to cut green material up to about the thickness of a pencil. For very heavy material, you may need the optional Beaver Blade� attachment.
- For Trimmer Heads prior to August 2008: Be sure that you are not installing the smaller Cord in the larger Cord slots. See your Owner's Manual for cord installation.
- If you continue to experience problems, further troubleshooting is needed. Our Technical Service Specialists can assist in a more in-depth diagnosis.
PTA (Parallel Trimming Action) is difficult.
- If you have adjusted the Handlebar up or down, you may need to adjust the PTA lever. See the section "Adjusting the PTA" in your Owner's Manual.
- If you continue to experience problems, further troubleshooting is needed. Our Technical Service Specialists can assist in a more in-depth diagnosis.
The Mow-Ball Support is wearing too quickly.
- You may be pushing the Trimmer Head down into the ground. The DR® Trimmer/Mower works best with a light touch, with the Mow-Ball™ Support gliding just above the ground.
- You may be hitting the Mow-Ball™ Support against rocks, concrete driveways or other hard obstacles. Try approaching them slowly, and from different directions, to avoid unnessary wear.
- If you continue to experience problems, further troubleshooting is needed. Our Technical Service Specialists can assist in a more in-depth diagnosis.
The Drive Wheels won't turn (Self Propelled model).
- The Transmission Clutch may be out of adjustment. Adjust the Inline Adjuster located in the Clutch Cable. See "Adjusting the Wheel Clutch" in your Owner's Manual.
- The Drive Chain may have broken or come off the sprockets. Remove the Bottom Shield to investigate. See your Owner's Manual for removal and Drive Chain replacement.
- The Drive Belt may have come off the pulleys, worn out or failed. Remove the Bottom Shield to investigate. See your Owner's Manual for removal and Drive Belt replacement.
- Check to see if the Wheels rotate freely in each direction. They should freewheel in the forward direction and lock against the axle going backwards. If they freewheel backwards, the Drive Wheel Clutches may have failed.
- If you continue to experience problems, further troubleshooting is needed. Our Technical Service Specialists can assist in a more in-depth diagnosis.
The machine creeps forward without squeezing the clutch (Self Propelled model).
- The Transmission Clutch may be out of adjustment. Adjust the Inline Adjuster located in the Clutch Cable. See "Adjusting the Wheel Clutch" in your Owner's Manual.
- If you continue to experience problems, further troubleshooting is needed. Our Technical Service Specialists can assist in a more in-depth diagnosis.
End of Season and Storage
Recommended Maintenance Schedule
Tips & Tricks