Forgot to say, I can't view the video of the mower unfortunately, it just says this,

"Dynamic Link Not Found
Short URL (https://photos.app.goo.gl/zLUyKN5RkH) not found

If you are the developer of this app, ensure that your Dynamic Links domain is correctly configured and that the path component of this URL is valid."

I can safely say it's not the governor, it would just rev its self to death if set incorrectly, or hardly rev at all if set the other way.

The fact that it's surging means the governor is working. 

Quote from: Paul B on Today at 09:22:38 AMThat's really helpful., thanks. That makes a lot of sense. I should have sought advice before buying the Suffolk punch. I will have to work on getting the ground to the right quality to be able to use it properly.

That would certainly help. Just getting the grass down nice a short should also help.  You need to cut more often with this type of machine just to keep it at a a decent height.

Quote from: Paul B on Today at 09:22:38 AMThe guy I bought it from did say he later found a plastic front fairing for the mower, I will of course collect that. However, do you thing that would improve it?
Many thanks again.

Do you mean the Grass box? If so it will probably make matters worse as it will add some weight to the front. Instead of over the driven roller.  I'm sure you'll be fine once the lawn is levelled a bit though. 

Ok, so the rear roller is still turning but slipping on the grass?  Either the machine is bottoming out over the bumps, or the grass is just far too long for this machine. 

Cylinder mowers really don't like long grass and undulating surfaces, they tend to just fold it down instead of cutting it. They did make a long grass kit which basically removed the front middle rollers and just left the two small outer ones in place, but even then if the grass is too long it will struggle.

We would normally recommend a four wheeled rotary mower for this scenario. Even some rear roller rotary's struggle on bumpy surfaces.

It's definitely starving of fuel then, or it has a air leak between carb and engine.

Is the fuel fresh, I mean freshly purchased? It goes off so quickly these days.  I would still check the flow from the tank, making sure the cap isn't causing a vacuum and stopping the fuel.

And also make sure all the gaskets are correct and fitted the right way around as this can cause problems.

Hi Taz, and welcome to TGMF.

Sounds like it still has a carburettor issue. In a lot of cases where the engine hunts / surges it's the idle circuit of the carb that causes it. The little jet in the top of the carb in your case. 

Where did the replacement carb come from, was it a OEM one, or a generic one from Amazon or ebay etc?

I ask because although some sites state they are compatible with certain models, and to a point this is true as far as the fit is concerned, that doesn't mean it has the correct size jets inside for the size of the engine.

Normally when a customer has changed the carb and brings it to me for repair because it still won't run correctly I ask them for the old carb and work on that. At least you know it's right for the engine.

Check the fuel flow from the tank, pull the pipe off the carb end and check. And while you have the pipe off, make sure the fuel cap is letting air in, so the fuel can flow out. Tighten / loosen cap and check flow from the end of the pipe.

I'm going to guess a little on this one, because I'm not sure of the age and model series you have.  I reckon if you remove the four allen screws from the side cover, you'll find the adjusting arm on the front roller frame has slipped down behind the plastic adjuster plate. 

While in there you should be able to see why it's not driving, probably pink gear behind the pulley has failed.

Some images would be handy if possible.

Hi Paul, and welcome to TGMF.

No worries on the first post thing, this intro board isn't compulsory but here should you wish to say hi. 

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Hi Shortgrass24, and welcome to TGMF

Those Honda's are notorious for coils dying, but like you said not normally both at the same time unless there was a major wiring fault on the machine.

As you said, the thin wire from each coil does the job of stopping the engine when grounded.  That wire is split into three via a diode module between the coils.

The engines are also very fussy on spark plugs, I have seen plugs that spark on one engine and not on another. So if it hasn't had a new set for a while I would try that first before throwing money at coils. Also make sure it's getting fuel, especially as it's not been run for so long.

Hi Will, and welcome to TGMF.

Have you tried removing the spark plug and see if it spins over ok like that.  Sounds to me like the decompressor on the camshaft isn't working, so as soon as it hits compression it stops. You could also try turning the engine backwards by hand half a turn or so, and then try engaging the starter again.

It could be valve clearances need adjustment, but to be honest this doesn't normally just happen suddenly unless something comes undone.

 

Andy, yes you have to remove the flywheel. Do you have a hammer?

Although it has a key the flywheel sits on a taper.  If you unscrew the starter clutch again, and remove the domed washer.  Then looking at the flywheel face on, if you turn the flywheel so it's set like this image.



You'll see the key and keyway is away from the arrow in the pic.  Where the arrow is pointing give it a sharp blow with said hammer while holding the flywheel with your left hand. It should come off without issue.

Have you checked and cleaned the points behind the flywheel? They can very often lose their spark when not used for long periods.

Quote from: Jrich179 on May 11, 2024, 07:59:33 PMWas a bit like it this winter Mick, I agree with Greg quite a few of my regulars were late booking this year as they were convinced it would stop raining for one more cut. I can confirm it didn't stop here in Cornwall. Now it's mental I've got statermotor and water in fuel jobs left right and centre.

Hi Jrich179, and welcome to TGMF. 

Yep it's the same here, it's finally stopped raining, grass is growing like crazy now the temperature has gone up.

Quote from: Jrich179 on May 11, 2024, 08:02:38 PMJust out of interest had a ding dong with a customer you seemed to believe he was the only one with a broken mower. What sort of times are you all taking, phone call to bench as it were then time to repait on top?

You always get a few customers like that.    I've scaled down a bit now so can be a bit more selective to what I take in.  Probably a couple of weeks behind, then depends if I can get the parts should I need them, I mean other than normal service parts..

I've no idea what other dealers waiting times are.

PDR, Hi and welcome to TGMF.

Interesting, I did wonder if that would work.  I've see people do similar to power tool battery packs by connecting a dead battery to a good one to to put some charge back in so the charger can see it.

Would connecting via your method, a good charged cell to one of those bad cells also work?