FIXING up a $100 ZERO TURN MOWER

#mechanic #repair #lawnmower
In this video we will be diagnosing and fixing issues that this MTD White Outdoors Zero turn mower has. It has been sitting for 3-4 years and didn't have a lot of information on it. Lets dive in and see if we can get this machine back to good operation again!!

[@freedommowers420]

Thank you ALL for the support. Let’s keep growing and the projects coming. Hit that thumbs up and subscribe for more. I love hearing from each and every one of you 😎🇺🇸

[@garymeador6750]

Alex, those engines were used with mowers that didn't have an electric PTO also, like the sears that had the manual PTO (with the lever) to engage the blades, normally up by the steering wheel, john deeres had that as well on some models. For a $100 you got a good deal for sure.

[@rogermcdonald1607]

Alex those zero turns sold for about $3200 new so after your reconditioning it should be worth $1500 in my opinion at least! The pigs look like they are doing great. 🐖🐄👍

[@freedommowers420]

Thank you Roger. Yea I’m hoping when all done it will fetch 1200-1500. I think that will be a fair price for a good running low hour unit. Yes the pigs are doing great. The big one can be a handful but they are loving it here.

[@Lawnmowerman02346]

One end of the Briggs stater is always grounded . The ac voltage out put should be about twice the dc voltage out put . If the windings look good , no brakes , and not burnt or discolored it should be fine . The regulators go bad on them all the time . If your like me with used parts you may need to check two or three regulators before finding a good one .

[@freedommowers420]

Great information!! Thank you very much.

[@rogermcdonald1607]

Alex that is a real find for $100. I bet i know what this will look like when done. Goodluck buddy with the charging system! ✌🇺🇸

[@freedommowers420]

Thank you so much Roger. It’s rare I find these deals but I jump on them quick if I can find it. I’m hoping I can get this 100% ready to go and looking good. Hope you are doing good.

[@rogermcdonald1607]

@@freedommowers420 im doing great Alex and i just turned 69 on 1-27 . Im looking forward to warm weather so i can get back to my mini bike projects. 👍🇺🇸

[@Rein_Ciarfella]

Alex, I could be wrong, but check that single wire to see if it has an an area where it’s slightly thicker. If so, then that’s the kind of setup that has a diode there and the diode has fried. Easy enough to confirm by removing the covering. If the diode is fried it’ll be obvious, but once it’s exposed you can test. I replaced one for the first time not that long ago on an MTD v-twin and it solved the non-charging issue. I have links to three videos if you want.

[@freedommowers420]

Yes I’ve dealt with the diode style before. I’m actually going to make a video on that soon with a John Deere twin. It’s not like one I have dealt with before. Interesting to say the least. Thank you for the great input as always.

[@fightdhr8866]

My cub cadet zt 50 is just like that besides the 22 kholer..Adjustments on the hydro the same parking brake gas pto all the same..I pulled both hydrostatic and changed fluid and put new cooler fans on after left side started roaring in the heat of the day and fluid was cavitation the cooling fan was cut off by previous owner putting belt on it..I been useing it 6 yrs are better and no more issues..Synthetic oil that went in it was pricey..Took certain kind I could only get at part house..Good looking unit you got. ❤

[@andybecker2693]

Definitely worth $100. Those are definitely built better than the new MTD models for sure. Hopefully that oil leak is not the sump gasket Those cheesy plastic oil drain valves are always leaking. I’m curious as to why there is so much staining on the left fender and not the right.

[@freedommowers420]

It doesn’t appear to be the sump, but worst case I will pull the engine and re seal. I think it’s a loose drain plug. Those plastic ones always leak. They had it parked partially under an overhang. One side got moldy.

[@jjyemg2397]

Ask James Condon about the stator

[@freedommowers420]

Thank you. He really is a master of electrical.

[@67enfield]

I think you got a great deal on that zero turn. I'm sure when you get done it will be a solid machine. Your pigs looked glad to see you their tails were wagging lol. Have a good week buddy.

[@freedommowers420]

Thank you very much. Hoping to get it finished up for part 2 very soon. Yes the pigs have been doing just great. They like to give me plenty of attitude while I’m working haha.

[@breannaoliver6316]

​@@freedommowers420never is too late. Sorry happy new year 2024. Iam glad to see your videos again...

[@jimmuller6962]

Alex before pulling a stator and regulator from a known good machine, test to see if the single wire system has continuity through the stator to ground. I THINK (may be wrong, probably am) that you do need some sort of ground connection somewhere. My Kohler twin has a 2 wire system that won’t charge unless the regulator is grounded.

[@freedommowers420]

Thank you. I’m not the best when it comes to electrical diagnostics. I’m learning, but unfortunately I did end up burning up this stator when testing. I’ll be putting a new/used unit on it to see what we can come up with. I really appreciate the tip!! 😎

[@williambeichler4971]

What a good sounding motor, great find !

[@freedommowers420]

Thank you!! I’m excited for this project.

[@leosweeney7955]

The two yellow or white wires (I see them in the vid) should be to stator. Engine running, meter leads connected to those two wires, around 30-38 ac volts coming out.

[@freedommowers420]

Thank you so much for the information!!

[@treystewart544]

That mower sounds funny it’s like it’s saying aww frick lol like oh man 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@robertmailhos8159]

That z.t r definitely needs a lot of t.l.c but it is in the right place to get it fixed and running again Alex

[@freedommowers420]

Thank you Robert. It’s coming along nicely. It should be a nice machine when I get it all finished up. Stayed tuned for part 2 😎🇺🇸

[@robertmailhos8159]

@@freedommowers420 I'll be watching the part 2 on this mower repair job there Alex

[@philliphall5198]

That’s a great deal for 400 even, 100 is just giving it to you I think 😊

[@bigbill810]

Man, I hear you about the tall thing. I don't have a zero turn, but I have a Craftsman tractor and they just aren't built for big or tall! My legs are so long, that the floor pedal puts my legs at a weird angle. Wouldn't mind finding me a Hustler Dash or some other smaller zero turn where I could bolt some brackets onto the bar mounts that allows more room!

[@freedommowers420]

It seems like they don’t make these units for taller people. It would be nice if they had a little more adjustment, but yes that would be a good idea if you could make it work with extensions.

[@Turningwrenches85]

Nice work on it brother, solid machine for $100

[@freedommowers420]

Thank you very much John 🙏😎😎

[@Turningwrenches85]

@@freedommowers420 your very welcome 🙏

[@chriseisele9969]

ALEX. ALWAYS LEARNING FROM YOU BROTHER. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK. CHRIS FROM OHIO GOOOOOOO BUCKEYES

[@freedommowers420]

HECK YEA!! thank you so much. I really appreciate the love and support i get. Makes it all worth it to make videos to share!!

[@gulfcoastgarage]

can't believe they put ZT2800 hydro gears with a stamped deck.

[@freedommowers420]

They did the same thing with the cub cadet zt models of this era. They were the weak point for sure on these machines. People would just throw them out because the decks wore out.

[@gulfcoastgarage]

I have seen the cub cadets with that set up. never seen this one before. they must be brothers :) @@freedommowers420

[@jerrymullins4962]

Good content good information

[@freedommowers420]

Thank you very much! Comments like yours make it worth making these videos.

[@liljoeii6091]

THANK YOU FOR THE VIDEO

[@freedommowers420]

Thank you for the continued support to the channel 🇺🇸😎

[@gpoohssmallenginerepair9116]

Hi Alex, just stumbled on your channel, great video... can't wait to watch part 2. P.S. I noticed that your volt meter is the same one that I use and I'm interested in finding out where did you buy the aligator clips from? Thanks

[@freedommowers420]

Thank you so much for stopping by. I ended up ordering the wires from Amazon. I’ll see if I can find them. It was a long time ago.

[@Walshslandscaping]

Good find

[@freedommowers420]

Thank you!! I couldn’t pass up this deal?

[@snoopysrc]

Nice mower

[@freedommowers420]

Thank you. I’m excited to see how it turns out in the end.

[@philliphall5198]

I’m surprised you don’t have a LGD there

[@RooneysSears01]

Awesome job Alex! Boy you just can’t beat a vtwin Briggs, they run and sound amazing, can’t wait for part 2 brother!

[@freedommowers420]

Thank you so much!! Yea that Briggs v twin sounds great. I’ve always liked the way they sound. I’m plugging away at part two. I’m excited to see the final product. I hope you have been doing well!!

[@TheHomePros6221]

Kawasaki sounds better 😊

[@RooneysSears01]

@@freedommowers420 thank you sir all is well here, I just acquired a 67 Rugg from my nephew I’ve been tinkering with lol talk about a cute lil mower

[@freedommowers420]

@@TheHomePros6221 haha. Yes yes! I’m always biased to the Kawasaki’s but the Briggs twins do sound good.

[@garymeador6750]

With the elec PTO clutch most of those engines have a regulator, with a charging system of 15 -19 amp charging system. Take your model # and look up the parts for that engine. I'm wondering if that stator was changed out from a smaller single cyl. engine that doesn't require an electric PTO?

[@freedommowers420]

See I was wondering that as well if it was the wrong charging system installed. I had the parts breakdown pulled up but it show three different options for stators on this engine. I have installed one from another engine and it’s charging great now, but I want to sharpen my diagnostic on electrical. Thank you so much for the tips

[@armyvet4081]

where i live - an engine like that would sell for 2-3 hundred

[@freedommowers420]

I don’t really see many people sell engines in my area and it’s rare for me to see a zero turn for under $800-1000 even in bad shape. I find deals once in a while and have to jump on them. I’ve got some decent engines here I’ll have to see if I can sell this spring. Thank you so much for stopping by.

[@rogermcdonald1607]

@@freedommowers420 I see engines here in Iowa and they want $200-$300 and all they say is that it ran the last time it was running ! DAH! Alex your doing great and moving in on 5,000 subscribers! 👍

[@philliphall5198]

At less 275 up to 350

[@robertb5922]

Is it my imagination or do the left hydros always seem to go out first?

[@freedommowers420]

It does seem that way.

[@Rico702]

Hey Alex I just painted a older murray and couldn’t save the lettering for it,is there anyway I can buy or make a stencil for it?

[@freedommowers420]

You might be able to find some decals on eBay. I would check around online and see what you can come up with. Sometimes they sell the original stickers.

[@fartsackjack7081]

roger mcdonald ......RONALDS brother

[@philliphall5198]

Ohm it out and check for ground, that’s usually the problem

[@AltonRowell-gb1lb]

I would go for at least 1500 to 1700.

[@freedommowers420]

Thank you. I would be super happy to get that price.

[@slilentkid8055]

What’s ur Facebook so I can see the mowers that u try to sell thank you. Always love and watching the videos