The Ferris ISX3300 is a quality built ferris zero turn riding mower. Ideal for cutting through wet and dry grass, the Ferris ISX3300 is powered by a strong Briggs and Stratton engine. This mower gives you a smooth ride and efficient cut with a forefront suspension system that utilizes four upper and lower control rods and mower specific shocks. It has a weight of approximately 1717 lbs. The Ferris ISX3300 comes in perfect working condition and is quite durable. Any mechanical or electrical problems that you may encounter along the way are attributable to wear and tear. Attempting to use the mower without fully familiarizing yourself with the user manual can also lead to an unsatisfactory experience. In this article, we will explore some of the common problems you may face when using the Ferris ISX3300 and the possible solutions.
Table of Contents
1. Uneven cutting
The first thing you expect from your mower is to get smooth, even, flawless cuts that leave your lawn looking beautiful. It’s obviously a problem when that is nolonger happening. Quite a number of factors may be a cause for this problem. Faulty blades are often a leading cause, but other factors may include a wrong mowing speed (either too fast or too slow) or improper mowing patterns. If you find yourself facing this issue, paying attention to the following may lead you to a solution.
Timing
The Ferris ISX3300 does work on both wet and dry grass, but the recommendation is that you mow at a time of day when the grass is cool and dry. in the early morning hours, surfaces are normally covered with dew but in the late afternoon or early evening the grass dries up. For the same reason, you may also want to avoid mowing after rains.
Mowing patterns
While cutting long, straight, overlapping strips, cut and recut your lawn, first in one direction then perpendicular to the previous cut. The purpose of overlapping strips is to make sure that the area that may have been off the path of the blades does not remain uncut. When cutting really tall grass, you can make three passes, setting to maximum height for the first pass, then adjusting accordingly for the last two. Avoid having a heavy layer of clippings on the surface.
Speed
You are moving too fast if you hear the engine slowing down. Grass differs in height and thickness, so appropriate ground speed should be used for different types of grass. This will give you a smooth, even cut.
2. Brakes not working.
The importance of properly functional brakes can not be overemphasized as it may be the difference between safety and disaster. Worn out brake calippers and improper adjustment may be the cause of faulty brakes. You will be glad to know that there are several measures you can take to curb this problem.
Parking brake adjustment
It’s important to understand the set up the parking brake mechanism before attempting to adjust it. The proper procedure is to adjust the compressed spring length of the parking brake springs. DO NOT ADJUST THE POSITION OF THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE IN THE REAR SUSPENSION. The cable is factory preset and should not be tempered with. Compressed spring length should be adjusted to 2-3/4 inch or 7cm. Remember to disengage parking brake before adjustment.
Braking pads and calipers
The relationship between calipers and pads is central to the performance of the disc- brake system. Operating your mower with worn out pads causes damage to the calliper because the pads will fail to insulate the calliper from excessive heat, resulting in brake failure. It is, therefore, important to prioritize the periodic servicing and replacement of both pads and calipers in order to maintain fluidity in the braking system.
3. Above normal oil consumption
Engine oil plays very important roles in the running of an engine; lubricating, cooling, cleaning etc. After prolonged use, you can start to see changes in consumption levels. This may be attributed to engine overheating, wrong weight oil or excessive oil in the crankcase. Like any other fault, there are possible remedies for this one.
Manage oil levels
Oil change intervals after approximately every 500 hours should be observed and, the oil change amount is 5qt (4.73l). Having oil in excess of required or recommended amounts can be an issue as well. If this does happen, drain excess oil from the crankcase until you have the correct quantity.
Clean up
When you allow the Ferris ISX3300 to run for a long time without thoroughly cleaning areas like engine fins, blower screen and air cleaner, it may get clogged up or fail to receive normal cooling, resulting in the engine overheating. To avoid this, ensure that you regularly clean the engine.
4. Above normal mower vibration
It can get really uncomfortable when the mower is continuously vibrating during use. While in most cases, this problem is traced to the machine itself, sometimes the terrain on which you are mowing may be the cause. Machine factors could be loose parts, bolts or screws, poorly angled blades, incorrect installation of belt etc. Let us explore possible solutions for this problem.
Servicing mower blades
The recommended interval for inspection of blades is every 25 hours, but replacement should be done at least once a year. When the area being mowed has not been thoroughly inspected, you may hit solid objects with the blades. When you do so, stop and conduct an inspection. As a general rule, damaged blades should be replaced not straightened. Check if the blade mounting bolts are not loose, tighten them if they are.
Belt installation
Mower belts play an important role on the Ferris ISX3300. Besides powering the motion of the machine, they also transfer power from the engine to the blades. This means that if they are not installed properly, blade performance and stability will be compromised, hence, compounding the problem of excessive vibration.
With good maintenance, belts can easily give you two to three years of smooth running, Always ensure that you replace belts before they get entirely worn out or broken. If you have not fully familiarized yourself with the installation/replacement standard procedure, it is best to contact your local dealer for assistance.
5. Problems with starting
When your mower wont start, its safe to say that it won’t do much else either. The most likely cause of this problem is an electrical fault, but since there can be many places to look, let us narrow them down for you with these possible solutions.
Fuel quality and quantity
Ensure that there are adequate fuel levels in the tank. Fuel tank should be filled to the bottom of the filler neck. The tank must be filled with fresh fuel and make sure the fuel selector valve is in “on” position.
Fuel flow (air filter & carburetor)
The engine runs smoothly and efficiently when it is provided with the right amount of fuel /air mixture according to its operational demands. Traditionally, the fuel/air mixture is controlled by the carburettor while the filter is there to keep dirt and debris from entering the engine or polluting the fuel. In order for the air filter to run efficiently, function properly and pass clean air through the system, it must be clean and installed correctly. So it is important to constantly moniter and service these.
Battery service
Using a voltmeter, you can assess the condition of battery. When engine is off, the voltmeter should read 12 volts. A charging circuit voltage of 13 to 14 volts should show when engine is running. If your battery is too weak to start the engine, don’t replace it immediately. Try cleaning the battery terminals and the cable ends with a wire brush until they become shiny. You may also want to have a professional check if the alternator is charging the battery sufficiently.
6. Engine not running efficiently.
You will find, at times, that your engine does not have any problem starting, but when it does start, it does not run very smoothly but keeps choking and stuttering. This obviously does not make for a pleasant mowing experience. Several factors may contribute to this problem, among them faulty spark plugs and a rich fuel mixture.
Spark plugs
A spark plug, as small as it is, plays a key role in starting the engine and keeping it running. Spark plugs provide a spark to ignite the fuel and air mixture. So make it a point that you constantly monitor and replace them when necessary. Signs of bad spark plugs include sluggish acceleration, rough idling, misfiring engine among others.
Overally, the quality of service that your Ferris ISX3300 will give you, largely depends on the care, maintenance and service that you render to it.
