DIY hopper walk-behind tractor repair

In detail: do-it-yourself hopper walk-behind tractor repair from a real master for the site my.housecope.com.

If you actively use small-sized agricultural machinery, like walk-behind tractors, you probably encountered some problems in their operation. One of the most common questions among owners of this type of equipment is "why does the walk-behind tractor stall?"

In the overwhelming majority of cases, this is due to engine malfunctions, which can be eliminated independently without contacting specialized workshops.

With a compact size, the walk-behind tractor is a rather complex mechanism, for diagnosing the malfunctions of which you should first understand what the function of its main components is.

A classic walk-behind tractor consists of the following systems and elements:

  • fuel system, which includes a carburetor, a fuel tank complete with a crane, a supply hose and an air filter;
  • starter manual or electric (in professional models), designed to spin the main shaft (this function is performed by the starter cord);
  • cooling system, driven by the rotation of the crankshaft and providing the injection of air flow by the impeller of the flywheel;
  • ignition systemresponsible for the formation of a spark;
  • gas distribution systemsupplying a fuel mixture to the engine cylinders and allowing the release of gaseous waste.

Since the engine is the main element in the design of the walk-behind tractor, the largest number of faults are associated with it. The first signs of engine malfunction are reduced performance indicators.

If the engine runs poorly, we recommend checking:

Video (click to play).
  • is it warmed up enough, especially in the cold season;
  • air filter contamination level;
  • the quality of the fuel used;
  • the correctness of the ignition system;
  • the presence of blockages from combustion products in the muffler;
  • the level of contamination of the carburetor;
  • the integrity of the piston mechanisms.

If the engine does not start at all, check:

  • the position of the motor - when tilted about the center axis, it must be put back in place to avoid more serious malfunctions;
  • the availability of a sufficient amount of fuel;
  • the level of contamination of the tank lid;
  • fuel supply system to the carburetor;
  • the level of contamination of the spark plugs and the fuel tank valve.

The most affordable and popular models preferred by summer residents and farmers are: walk-behind tractor MB, MB 1, Agro, Mole, Zirka and Zubr. Repair of the Zubr walk-behind tractor, like all the other listed models, can be easily done with your own hands by replacing certain structural elements by purchasing them (including the old model) at specialized disassembly.

However, we will look at the most common technologies for self-diagnosis and troubleshooting of key elements in their design.
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Restoring the function of the carburetor is easy with the help of its competent cleaning from blockages. To eliminate contamination, the unit is disassembled, cleaned in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations and re-adjusted. The algorithm of actions is in the instruction manual for walk-behind tractors.

You can adjust the carburetor by adjusting the operating parameters of the float, which is located in a partially closed chamber.

All manipulations are reduced to restoring the uniformity of its immersion by eliminating the deformation of the bracket with which it is attached to the piston system.

Adjustment can be made with the needle valve closed or open. In both cases, the elimination of deformation of the bracket is carried out manually or using a screwdriver, all actions must be precisely directed.

Along with the repair or diagnostics of the state of the carburetor, it is also recommended to adjust the valves on the walk-behind tractor. The procedure involves checking the tightness of each valve to restore optimum valve clearance. Adjusting the valves of the walk-behind tractor allows you to restore its functions, the exceptions are serious breakdowns in the carburetor or other systems of the unit.
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The high-pressure fuel pump, or the high-pressure fuel pump, performs one of the key functions in the operation of the walk-behind tractor - at a certain point in the cycle, it supplies metered fuel to the engine cylinders.

Symptoms of a pump malfunction are:

  • violations in the supply of fuel to the engine injectors;
  • fuel leaks as a result of mechanical wear;
  • atypical noises and sounds during work;
  • failure of basic settings.

A properly adjusted fuel pump ensures the correct operation of the engine and other systems of the walk-behind tractor. The design of this element is rather complicated, therefore we do not recommend repairing it yourself.
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As you know, mechanisms based on a crankshaft are driven by a transmission, which can be provided by a serviceable belt on a walk-behind tractor. As practice shows, this is one of the most vulnerable and subject to mechanical wear of elements in the design of the walk-behind tractor.

  • timely transfer of torque from the engine crankshaft to the gear shaft;
  • adjusting the engine load during gear shifting;
  • the ability of equipment to move from a place and stop without necessarily stopping the motor.

If you notice atypical behavior of the walk-behind tractor in one of the cases listed above, we recommend that you carefully inspect the condition of the belt and check the level of its tension. As practice shows, it is quite simple to repair the tensioner for a walk-behind tractor with your own hands by welding a part of the same size and configuration from a metal corner.

Another indicator of problems with the transmission is a violation of the parameters for reducing the speed to the operating indicator, the adjustment of which is provided by a creeper, or gearbox. It is very difficult to make this element for a motor-cultivator on your own, since from the point of view of design it is similar to a gearbox. You can buy it inexpensively in almost any city, and some models, for example, the gearbox of the MB walk-behind tractor, can be used for repairing other models of motor cultivators.

In this material, we will consider typical malfunctions of a walk-behind tractor engine and how to fix them.

Typically, there are two types of engine faults:

1. The engine will not start.

2. The engine does not work satisfactorily (it does not gain power, it runs intermittently, the engine stops).

If the engine does not start, then in search of malfunctions and their further elimination, you should perform the following steps to identify the causes.

- Checking the presence of fuel in the tank (checking the fuel system)

- Checking the carburetor air damper (when starting a cold engine, the damper must be closed)

- Checking the flow of fuel to the carburetor.

- If there is no fuel entering the cylinder, a dry plug is indicated. Check the presence of fuel in the fuel tank, fuel flow to the carburetor by removing the fuel hose from the inlet fitting. For the K45 carburetor, press the sinker until the fuel leaks through the drain hole.

- If fuel does not flow to the carburetor, unscrew the fuel cock, disassemble it and clean the filter from dirt.

- When fuel enters the carburetor, but there is no fuel supply to the cylinder, check the operation of the fuel valve and the cleanliness of the jets.

- To check the KMB-5 carburetor, remove it from the engine, drain the gasoline from the float chamber, then supply air through the fuel inlet in the operating position of the carburetor. The air should be easily blown through.

- Repeat the purge with the carburetor turned 180 degrees, in this position the air supply should stop. If the result is the same as described, the fuel valve is working properly.

- The fuel level in the float chamber is regulated by the float tongue, the normal fuel level should be 30-35mm.

- After all actions with the carburetor and installing it back, the carburetor should be adjusted.

- It so happens that the engine does not start from excess fuel, this is evidenced by a wet plug. Dry the cylinder and “bleed” the engine with the plug turned out, before that, turn off the fuel supply.

- If the plug is dirty with deposits, clean it and check the gap between the electrodes, usually the correct gap is 0.8mm. Next, you should check for the presence of a spark, if there is no spark, then there may be a malfunction in the electrical circuit or a large gap between the ignition coil and the magnetic circuit.

If the engine starts, but does not develop the required power, runs intermittently, stalls, etc., the reasons for this may be the following malfunctions:

- The air filter is dirty, as a result of which the air in the carburetor is insufficiently supplied.

- Defective ignition system. You should check it, as well as check the candle, the gaps between the electrodes, etc.

- Clogged muffler with combustion products. The muffler should be disassembled for cleaning.

- Dirty carburetor and incorrect setting.

- Low power may be due to wear of the cylinder-piston group. The compression should be 8 atm. Compression can be checked by attaching a compression gauge to the spark plug hole, turning the engine shaft with a starter.

Read also, information on how to make a trailer for a walk-behind tractor with your own hands.

If the engine of the walk-behind tractor does not turn off, first of all it is necessary to pay attention to the operation of the shutdown button. It is necessary to disassemble, check and, if necessary, replace or clean the contacts.