Many people throughout the United States know the importance of keeping a lawn looking great. In fact, statistics show that 90% of those surveyed who owned a yard felt that this space should always be properly maintained. One study found that the average adult in the United States spends four hours each week on personal lawn care. That being said, many individuals use riding lawnmowers to drastically reduce the time it takes to mow a lawn. For instance, homes with larger yards could take days to mow with a push mower. As with any other vehicle, riding lawnmowers will require maintenance work from time to time. With that in mind, here is how to replace the electric clutch on a riding lawnmower.
Safely Preparing to Work on Your Lawnmower
Before you can replace a clutch, you’ll need access to the bottom of your mower. Considering that weight of these vehicles, it’s important to have some type of jack on hand. Also, you’ll want to make sure that the lawnmower is completely shut off before any lifting begins. In turn, this ensures that your riding mower is safely secured and ready to work on.
After the lawnmower is secured, you can begin getting to work. The next step is to remove the blade safety covers. This is why you’ll want to have your lawnmower turned off, especially during repairs that involve coming into close contact with the blades on this vehicle.
Removing an Old MTD Electric Clutch
After removing safety blades, it’s time to begin working on internal components. You’ll need to remove the belt near your electric clutch. Certain lawnmowers might have higher belt tension than others. After removing the belt, it’s time to find the plug that sends power to your MTD electric clutch and disconnect it.
The next step is to remove the bolt or bolts that are keeping the clutch secured to the crankshaft of your riding mower’s engine. You’ll want to keep these bolts nearby, as you’ll be placing them back on soon. For now, slide the MTD electric clutch off of the crankshaft.
Installing Your MTD Electric Clutch Replacement
It is now time to place your new MTD electric clutch on the crankshaft. After this happens, secure it with the bolts you previously removed. Many who are new to replacing electric clutches can forget to make sure this device fits properly within the lawnmower. Achieving a tight fit reduces the risk of the clutch turning over after you start the lawnmower. Don’t forget to plug the new wire to ensure the clutch will receive power.
Once the clutch is properly secured and connected, it’s time to test out your work. You’ll want to give the engine a test start. This is done to ensure that the clutch has been replaced properly and that the lawnmower itself is in working condition. If there are no issues, you’ve successfully replaced an MTD electric clutch. After turning off the mower and replacing the safely blades, you’re all set.
In conclusion, many people who own riding lawnmowers will sometimes need to repair these vehicles. Statistics show that there are an estimated 85 million private lawns throughout the United States. Considering that, it’s understandable that many people will need to replace an electric clutch on their respective riding mowers. While this might seem like an intimidating job, taking your time and remaining safe will help make this project easier to complete. If you’re in need of an MTD clutch replacement, make sure you’re ordering from a reputable supplier. In turn, you’ll be able to receive quality lawnmower replacement parts that are delivered in an efficient manner.
