Pre-Start Check List
Here are a few ways to prevent damage on your mower and should be done before each use.
OIL
Be sure your oil levels are correct according to your dipstick. Remember too much oil can be just as bad as not enough.
TIRES
Driving on flat tires can cause tires to break loose from the wheel. This will result in damaged tires and wheels and may prevent future tires from properly sealing to the wheel.
GAS
Be sure you have plenty of fuel. Running out of gas may result in damaged fuel pumps and abnormally long cranking.
No Start Checklist
This is basic troubleshooting. Not a repair guide. This may or may not be helpful. Refer to your owners manual for proper starting sequences.
Battery
Check that the battery terminals are clean and tight. Corrosion will cause connections to lose connection resulting in no power to the mower.
Electrical
Visually inspect all connections under seat and under hood. These mowers vibrate and could shake connections loose.
Fuel
Proper fuel levels may not always be easy to see. Make sure fuel is visable from the fill cap.
Safety Switches
There are lots of safety switches, under the seat, under the brake pedal, PTO sensors. Make sure you are sitting on the mower with brake pedal fully pressed and the deck must be disengaged for a mower to start and run. Some mowers may also have a reverse sensor. This will deactivate operation until mower has been put into neutral.