21 inch Ego Self Propel mower - Right Wheel Locking
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- Опубликовано: 6 сен 2024
- Update: Fixed under warranty: www.summet.com...
My 21 inch Ego mower with the updated self propel unit has developed an annoying quirk. Some of the time when I try to move it, or make a turn at the end of a row, the right wheel "locks". This isn't an issue when making right pivoting turns, but when you are trying to pivot around the left wheel and the right wheel locks up, it stops the turn.
It appears to happen both with or without the mower motor engaged. It sort of acts like the "anti-roll-back" feature, except that I'm not trying to make the mower go backwards, and it's always the right wheel that locks up, never the left.
I had never noticed this behavior before a month ago, so it appears to be a newly developed issue. So far the self propel unit is working fine when engaged, but given my history of self propel unit failures, I'm concerned that this quirk may indicate something in the motor control unit is having issues...
This is the fix for the locking wheel problem (at least for me) I've posted this on other videos so that most people with the locking wheels will have some information:
Had all the same problems with random locking up of the right rear wheel, and it showed up within months of owning a brand new mower.
The cause of the problems are the "tumblers" not disengaging correctly. These tumblers are 5 tiny cylindrical pins that are supposed to disengage the powered drive system from the wheels, so you can manually push the mower backwards and forwards. What is going wrong is that there is too much factory grease inside the housing where these tumblers reside, and too much grease on the friction clutch (basically a rubber washer under spring tension) . In a short time it builds up around the tumblers and causes some of them to stay in the wrong location. Then, you move the mower around manually and that pin catches randomly because the gob of grease alone held it near the locking location. The clutch also doesn't have enough force to move the cam because it's so loaded with grease that it provides very little force to move the cam as well. One or both of these is basically rendering the whole engagement mechanism hit or miss.
I took my wheel off. Disassembled the clutch engagement assembly and with q-tips and a rag, removed all the built up grease. I used what grease remained to lightly move it around with a q-tip to finely coat the surfaces. Not so much that you see gobs of grease, but rather a thin clear coat. Reassembled and now it's as reliable as can be! No more hanging/locking wheels. I tried every combination of everything to get it to hang and it wouldn't do it anymore. I even tried using the powered drive while manually putting reverse(pull) pressure on the mower to slow it down. The second I let off the power drive, the wheels released instantly and I was pulling it backwards freely.
Steps:
- Remove hub-cap on wheel. This caps just pops off. There is a tiny open groove on one side of the hub-cap where you can insert/pry a thin screw-driver.
- Remove bolt.
- Remove big C-clip. Careful. There is a spring under mild tension. Also, note the order of two washers under it.
- Pull off nylon gear. Note black rubber washer under it. That is the slip-clutch. Most likely covered in lots of grease. Your call on whether removing some access is needed or not. I cleaned it and just left a fine coat of grease. It seemed to provide more clutching power to move the cam on the tumblers.
- Remove small C-clip.
- At this point you are removing the two-part engagement with the 5 tumbler pins. Don't lose parts here!
- I took this assembly to a kitchen table with lots of light and cleaned everything up, getting the excess grease out. You will see that the pins like to stick, while some won't and will fall out easily. NOTE: When you put it together, the 5 sided cam has to be aligned correctly, or it won't fit over the shaft when you put it back together again. A little trial-and-error will help you figure out the right way. Look down the shaft hole to see how the flat sides need to line up.
Just an FYI of how this engagement system works: The nylon cam basically moves in one direction, while the metal one moves in the opposite direction. If you look at the wheel, you will see the gears are engaged from opposite sides, causing them to spin in opposite directions at the same time. This happens when you manually spin the wheel in either direction. This keeps the power assist drive shaft disengaged. Now, if the power assist is driving the wheels, then the tumbler pins engage and drive the wheel. You can play with this when you have the wheel off. Just try turning each of the gears in opposite directions to see it work. If you move them in the same direction, they lock. Opposite direction, and they spin freely.
Hope this helps. I'll do what I can to assist anyone that wants to try this out. A little mechanical know-how, a few tools, and patience are required.
Steven
BONUS FIX: Tired of that clunking sound front the front wheels? You know, that annoying "cheap feel" sound as you go over bumps in your yard? Pop the plastic hub cap off of your front wheel. Remove the bolt. Put a washer with a 1/2" hole over it and put the bolt back on. Repeat for other front wheel. It will take up the slack in the wheel on the black shaft. Your wheel should turn freely, but not wobble and make that "cheap sounding" noise anymore.
Do you have a picture or video of the tumbler assembly as you took it apart and put it back together again?
Steven,
When you reassembled the two-part piece with the tumblers, did you apply any type of lubricant inside where the tumblers are located?
My new EGO mower did the same thing, I was told by the customer service representative to return it since it was within the 30-day return window. Got the replacement and the rear wheel is locking as well(I have .33 of an acre and it happens about 4 or 5 times per cutting). I will return this one too in hopes that the issue will be addressed by the manufacturer. If the locking wheel problem hasn't been addressed soon by EGO I will not purchase another mower from EGO in the Spring of 2022.
I got a LM2135-SP and first mow it locked 3-4 times. Second mow was the same deal. It would lock when turning and when mowing in a straight line. If I used the self propel, I had to release the button a second before I stopped or it would lock and I'd have to engage and release again to properly disengage the drive. I even tested without the battery installed and confirmed it is a mechanical issue and not electrical. I returned it, got a refund and bought a Honda HRN non-propelled. Store I bought the Ego from said I was the first to ever return one and hadn't heard of the problem.
I just bought the LM2135SP yesterday. I mowed my back yard and didn't notice it. But today I mowed the front and the same wheel was locking intermittently for me as well. I wasn't using the self propelled function. Glad I found this video, seems like an issue with these mowers. Now I need to decide if I return it try another one or deal with it.
In my case, the locking was due to gears wearing out. I'm surprised you saw it that quickly with a new mower. Follow the link in the description to see the state of my worn gears and the repair details.
Did you ever got another one? I just got a brand new one today and it does the wheel lock.
I have same mower and same issue since new, when trimming around shrubs and turning or end of row turning .. I have begun releasing drive control "slightly before" end of row which prevents lockup, also releasing drive "slightly early during forward motion" during trimming .. manually pushing last foot or so avoids lockup, frustrating but it works, ...
I also have this problem (can't remember whether it's the left or right wheel). I notice it once I stop using the self propel and go to move forward or turn it locks up.. and I have to move backwards first to unlock it.
Just got my 3rd mower replacement from Ego for this exact issue and once again, the same exact problem occurring. Guess what? They're now telling me that it's a "safety feature" and it's suppose to do that. YEP! Guess the company can't just owe up to the fact that their mowers have a design defect. They must have recently had a board meeting with all the top dogs and decided from hence forth, we are now going to call this a "built-in safety feature". Really??
Kept trying to argue with the rep about how this is not a safety feature but a defect but was getting nowhere. I asked how is this a safety feature to just lock up the wheels when turning and he claimed it was for preventing the mower from rolling down a hill while mowing and going out of control. I told him I was mowing on a flat level yard and then he said it was because I didn't come to a complete stop and then move slowly forward as a turned the mower. Really? What B.S. but this is what he kept on repeating back to me and claiming it's not their fault and they weren't going to do anything more about it. What a terrible company and product.
So why didn't they refuse to replace in the firs place and mention the "so called" safety feature?...I have one and I do have a hill, you have to lean forward to go up and never had that problem, Also If I let it go it would roll down the hill dangerously. so much for safety feature. ? LOL I now have a flat lot and it mysteriously started to lock up????
I have a 2135SP bought 4/2021 at Lowes and I just started having a similar problem yesterday with right rear wheel also. For storage, I fold mower and store upright with blades facing me. When I try to roll vertical mower backwards into position, the wheel sporadically locks or feels like it is grabbing. Once, the motor started spinning as I was rolling it. Called support and his only answer was "it shouldn't be doing that". I have not noticed locking right wheel while cutting but I will definitely pay attention next time I cut. If others are having this problem, I hope they add comments to this thread.
Yes, I have also noticed that behavior when moving/storing the mower (even without a battery in it) vertically. The behavior got worse over time, so I called Ego customer support and they directed me to take it to a local ego certified repair shop.
Similar mower, exact same issue it happens to me while mowing. Always when I'm making a turn.
@@jacobblalock8218 Mine was fixed under warranty, see the blog post linked in the description.
I have been having the same problem. It did not do this when it was new last year.
I am on my second Ego mower and the same problem has happened again. Wheel is making clunky noise. Locks up even without self propelled mode on, when pushing it back to my vehicle. Really frustrating issue.
UPDATE QUESTION: Jay, it's been about a year and a half since you made the repairs. Did the NEW nylon/plastic gears permanently fix the problem, or is it acting up again?
Still going strong so far!
I have a new Lm2156 select cut and it does this once or twice a mow, supposedly know issue even on new ones. Not sure it is similar issue you have. Does it free up if you push fwd a little?
Mine is happening frequently enough to be annoying. If you push forward the motor makes a "whirring" noise (like it's doing regenerative braking?) and it does eventually start moving again.
I've also got a new LM2156 and both wheels lock up intermittently when using push mode only ( speed control set to OFF). After making a 180 deg turn the rear wheels will lock and skid until you back up a few feet. Annoying to say the least. I thought I might have been hitting one of the drive buttons accidentally but even carefully avoiding those still results in lock ups. Can't fidn any rhyme or reason to it.
Yup. Happening to me as well. Very frustrating considering how much is didn't on the mower. Just roll a already would you!
Having the exact same problem and had the same thoughts. I finally called Ego and they sent me a new mower and first time out with the new one, I started having the same problem. Called them back again (today) and they were reluctant to send me another new one as I don't think they believed me that the same problem is happening with the new mower as well and wanted me to send them a video of it happening. I told them it was a random problem so that would be difficult. They're sending me another new mower anyway. At least their customer service with sending a replacement has been good. I'd like a mower that actually worked though. I wished I had returned it to Lowes within their 90 day return policy and exchanged it for something else.
I am having the same issue with a brand new EGO LM2150SP. I've used it three times. Super frustrating. Here's a link to my video: ruclips.net/video/U78K_0R-J2g/видео.html
If it is brand new, take it back to the store for an exchange.
thats all fine and dandy but what do you do when the self propelled unit doesnt turn the wheels?
Take it in for service (hopefully it is still under warranty). Early models needed new motor controllers, later models needed new motors or gears after they made the motor controllers more robust.