Cutting your grass with a mower provides an appealing and perfectly manicured lawn. However, it comes with some challenges; you may wake up early in the morning to mow your lawn, and then oops! You realize the mower is not cutting the grass. So, why is the lawn mower not cutting grass?
A damaged blade is the most common cause of a mower not cutting grass; this problem can also result from poor engine performance, low throttle, clutch slip, too low deck, wet grass, and a full grass bag.
Why is my Ryobi Lawn Mower Not Cutting Grass?
Ryobi electric and gas lawn mowers are a great option for budget-conscious shoppers. However, some gardeners have raised concerns about their Ryobi lawnmowers not working. Based on research, the following are notable causes of this problem.
1. Dull or damaged blade
Dull blades can cause all sorts of problems to your lawn, such as not cutting the grass or leaving behind uncut grass. The blunt blade can also damage your lawn. Instead of cutting each blade of grass cleanly, it tears the grass. The ragged edges may turn the grass tips yellow or become entry points for infections.
Mower blades have it tough when cutting the grass. It can become damaged after hitting stones, stumps, water pipes, and sprinklers. Be sure to check for loose bolts, and misaligned, damaged, broken, or bent blade tips.
Misaligned, bent, or broken blade tips may not cut the grass. It is also dangerous to use a bent blade; it can damage the mower engine. Changing the blade when it is damaged or worn out is recommended. Be sure to replace the blade washers and bolts too.
2. Poor engine performance
Poor engine performance results from the use of old fuel. Fuels older than a month may clog or gum inside the carburetor and block the fuel feed ports. When fuel is left for more than a month, some of the ingredients in the gas evaporate, leaving behind thick and sticky substances that clog the carbonation.
As a result, the engine becomes sluggish with less power, not cutting the grass.
3. The grass is wet or too tall
Is your grass wet or too tall to be cut? It is difficult to cut grass in wet conditions as compared when dry. When the grass is wet and taller than normal, it may lay down easily when rolled over by a mower. So, the blade will not be in a good position to cut it off.
You are literally pushing down the grass rather than cutting it off as expected. Mow your lawn regularly when it is dry. Don’t let your grass overgrow, and avoid mowing wet grass.
4. Low throttle
Ryobi lawn mower requires full throttle to produce enough energy to cut grass off. Low throttle can cause the engine to be a bit sluggish. Check the cables to ensure they are well connected to the carburetor. The lever may be set to full throttle, but the cables may not reach the carburetor end.
Low throttle results from a dirty air filter. Dust and other air particles can accumulate in the air filter after using the mower for a long period of time. This may reduce the efficiency and performance of the engine. It may not produce enough power to spin the blade fast.
5. Clutch slip
The clutch, also known as PTO (power take-off), helps transfer the engine power to the blades. When having mechanical problems, it may slip. Therefore, the blades won’t be able to spin with the same power as normal. Clutch slip is characterized by low power, especially when cutting a thick or heavy lawn.
6. Mower deck is too low
The deck on your lawn mower plays an important role in guiding the cut grass into the bag. It also prevents the grass from falling back on the lawn or clogging the deck area.
When mulching, the deck helps to recycle the grass clipping to be cut into tiny pieces that are dropped back into the lawn. When the deck is too low, it can cause the grass to build up underneath. This can stop the blade from cutting.
7. Grass bag is too full
Check the grass bag and empty it when full. Continuing to mow when the grass bag is full can clog the area between the deck and the blade. This can prevent the blade from spinning to cut the grass.
Ryobi Lawn Mower Blade Not Spinning
You turned on your mower and realized the blade was not spinning. Several factors can keep your blade from engaging. The following are tips to troubleshoot your Ryobi lawn mower blade that is not spinning.
Consider safety first
Before troubleshooting your mower, understand all the precautionary signs and warnings. Power off your mower before putting your hands in the blades to check if they are obstructed or not. Ensure the lawn is on a concrete floor or garage before loosening any bolts. You do not want some of the tiny bolts to get lost in the tall grass.
Reading the manufacturer’s manual
Instead of going to Google search and YouTube videos, read and understand the manufacturer’s recommendations for troubleshooting the problem. You might be lucky to fix the problem just right away. Ryobi lawnmowers come with a manual. It contains information on some of the common problems and how to fix them.
Check the power supply
Ryobi lawnmowers may be powered by electricity, gas, or batteries. Check if the electric cables are well connected to the main power source, if the gas tank is filled with fuel or if the batteries are fully charged. The blades may not engage if your unit is not receiving sufficient power.
Check and remove obstructions
If your mower runs but vibrates badly and the blades barely engage, try to check the deck for any obstructions. Obstructions from big junks of grass and other foreign materials like stones can jam the mower’s blade from spinning.
Check the drive belts
Drive belts on the mower’s deck coordinate with power take-off to spin the blades. When the drive belts are worn out or damaged, the blade also won’t spin. Check and replace them if they are worn out. Ensure they are routed properly during installation. The blades also won’t engage when they are poorly routed.
How to Fix Ryobi Lawn Mower that’s Not Cutting Grass
Mower’s problems can be frustrating, especially when you can’t figure out their cause. These guidelines can help you to fix some of the common problems.
1. Sharpen dull blades or replace them if damaged
Inspecting the mower’s blade regularly helps determine whether it is blunt or damaged. Sharpen the blunt lawn mower blade using a file at least once per season or depending on how often you use your lawn mower. A sharp blade cuts the grass cleanly, allowing it to heal quickly.
If the blade is misaligned, bent, or broken, it is time to replace it. It is dangerous to use a lawn mower that has a damaged blade. A new blade will solve many problems. When replacing the blades, ensure to get new bolts and washers too.
2. Mow at a full throttle
Read the manufacturer’s instructions to check if the throttle is set correctly. The lever should be set full when mowing. Also, check the throttle cables to ensure they are adjusted correctly. The engine is supposed to run perfectly to generate enough power to cut the grass.
3. Use fresh fuel
Avoid fueling your lawn mower with old or bad gasoline. Using fuel stored for over 1 month can be detrimental to your lawn mower. It may clog carburetor chambers. Drain the fuel tank, clean the carburetor and refill with fresh gas to resolve this issue.
4. Free obstructions
Remove rocks and other foreign objects that may be lodged in the mower PTO (power take-off). PTO helps to transfer power from the engine into the blades to spin. When foreign materials are lodged, it may not be able to transfer enough power into the blades.
5. Replace worn-out drive belts
Drive belts on the mower’s deck work hand in hand with the PTO mechanism to engage and disengage the blades. The drive belts may not engage when they are damaged or worn out. Be sure to install them properly when replacing them. It may also not work properly when installed wrongly.
6. Clean out the mower
After using your lawn mower, ensure it is cleaned properly. Remove grass stones and other foreign materials that may be plugged into the deck. Inspect the deck to find out if it is damaged. Tighten loose bolts and grease the blade joints for a smooth spin.
Final Thought
Having a mower is a good thing; it helps maintain your lawn to the desired levels. If your lawn mower is not cutting grass, read and understand the manufacturer’s recommendations for troubleshooting the problem. You may also seed a technician’s help to solve the problem.