Thank you for the very helpful information regarding the updated  wiring harness for my mower Mick. I will come back and let you know if the starting problem has been sorted as soon as I can get the harness fitted.

The harness part number is 84003347

https://www.gardenhirespares.co.uk/bp84003347-genuine-briggs-stratton-instart-wiring-harness-596005.html

Hello members. The problem I have is exactly the same as a post by Swissqp back in August 2024, where the starter clicks for a while before it decides to start. Mick recommended a new type harness, and this worked for the swissqp member. My mower has the same old type harness as pictured in the 2024 forum post, and I'm certain it will solve my problem too. The only thing is, I dont know the name or part number for this new type harness. To Mick, Do you sell these new harnesses? My mower is a Hayter Harrier 48 type 491J serial number 401115426. Ps. The battery is fully charged and  I have removed the cable plug from below the battery and squashed the terminals a little to make a better contact and it is starting better, but not every time Thank you, Tonino

Thank you for your pleasant welcoming words Mick. The problem I have with my mower will seem trivial to someone with 48 years experience, but I'm now certain that it can be sorted, just by reading the previous forum posts. I will start a new post explaining my problem. Thank you.

Hi Tonino, and welcome to TGMForum.

Hopefully we can help you along the way, and keep your hobby going. Just ask as required. 

I've been repairing this stuff for 48 yrs, and must admit I'm struggling to lift some of the Hayters onto the bench these days.  The kids have it easy these days with hydraulic benches etc. 

Greetings everybody. I'm just a hobbyist who thinks he can still do things in his seventies just like he could do when he was in his forties !
Unfortunately I now realise that I can no longer lift a Hayter Harrier 48 onto the work bench, or even crouch down to  fix problems due to arthritis in the joints. But I keep pressing on with jobs. It just takes longer to complete them.
I'm hoping that I can get help and advice on fixing my mower from the forum  including the " proper name" for the parts I need, plus advice on where to get the parts from. Thank you. Tonino

Hey Mick, ok thanks, that's interesting. No there's definitely no rattling or jumping. I engage the drive, no noise, have to give it push for it to start moving, then it regularly stops and I have to push to get it moving again. Wouldn't say it feels hard to push without the drive on - well expected hard for something weighing 70kg. Btw it gets bogged down in the grass much more than on concrete.

Ok great I'll follow your instructions and have a dig next weekend. Thanks so much!

Cheers
Harry

Hi Harry.

The labour cost isn't normally too bad to be honest, it's usually the cost of the parts that kills the job.  Providing it all comes apart without issue it's not a bad job to do.

You say there's no jumping or rattling when you engage the drive?  I would remove the plastic pto cover and check the drive shaft, and while in there take a look at the arm to make sure it's not cracked or slipped around on the selector shaft.  Make sure the rollers can freewheel when not in drive, if not then the two needle bearings are probably seized.

If the dogs are worn you'd normally get rattling or jumping when you engage the drive.
If needle bearings are seized it will make the rollers stiff to turn or not turn at all.

Hey Mick, hope you're still here and well! Just getting back onto this after my first mow of the year.

I replaced the blade cable and spoke to a service engineer about the drive last year.. he rightly pointed out the labour to do this is going to cost more than the value of the mower. So I'm feeling brave and up for giving it a crack myself. I found a gearbox repair video guide for what I think is a like-for-like machine:
https://youtu.be/an73-HJb7nc?si=RWtEPNMFkhdcxoG4

I just wanted to check what my diagnostic process should look like to ensure I'm fixing the correct bit. No rattling noise while it engages so can I rule out the clutch arm? So next stop try tightening the drive cable and check if that makes a difference? If that's ok how do I know whether it's the dog clutch or needle bearings? Is it just take it all apart and have a look? I think I can recognise worn dogs but what about seized up needle bearings?

My repair experience is only oil change / new blade / new blade cable so far, so if this is likely too complicated for a newbie like me then do say!

Any help much appreciated 

Many thanks
Harry

I am currently working on a Mountfield 725M and regret that decision. The levers on the carb seem to foul the airbox when you operate the throttle/choke lever causing the butterfly flag to stick in position in the carb. I'v looked and cannot figure out why as it all seems to be in the right place in terms of alignment etc. tried to find a decent diagram and it's like it's a massive secret for this model.