I purchased my Metro HP (ECS) just over a year ago to mow my yard (1-2 hours/ week) but it has developed a brake problem that I can't figure out. The brakes are adjusted according to the manual, but the right hand brake tends to engage all by itself. I can feel the brake lever move as if I was applying the brake. When this happens, the mower wants to move to the right. The only way to disengage it is to fully apply the right brake and realease it. It is only a matter of minutes before it happens again though. When looking at the linkage, it appears that brake is dragging or catching to the point that the lower linkage gets pushed up. I can push the linkage down by hand, but the problem reoccurs in a few minutes. I have tried adusting the brakes so that they are looser, but I have to adjust the brakes to the point that my right brake is ineffective before the problem goes away. Any idea about what's wrong? BTW, this is the best cutting mower I've ever had! Thanks! Steve
Steve, You may want to look at this thread: http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?threadid=50165 Thanks Terry
Thanks for the link Terry. I checked things a little closer yesterday evening while I mowed. I noticed that the brake lever doesn't comepletely release on both sides. I pushed them down by hand, but there was resistence. I'll spray some silicone lube on the bushings to see if that helps. What's funny is that I had used zip ties to do EXACTLY what ffemt1271 did. I pulled them off for two reasons: 1) makes it hard to adjust the brake wing nut when needed (have to cut off old zip tie and install new) and 2) because that seemed like a fix that shouldn't have to made for a $3200 mower. I'll try the lube to see what happens. If that doesn't work, is there a newer style/different bushing that can be put in to fix this problem? It seems like a spring could/should be installed to pull the brake levers completely back to the "off" position. Thanks. Steve
Terry, I took the brake lever bushing off and coated it with silicone, reassembled and tightened the bolt as tight as when I removed it but that didn't help. I then decided to loosen the bolt up to see if that would help - and it appeared to have worked. The bolt is fairly loose - to the point that the lever can be moved up and down slightly. Any tighter and the problem returns. How tight should this bolt be? Thanks. Steve
Steve, I'd take it in and have the dealer look at it. If the hardware has been over tightened the bushing, arm or washer could have been damaged. If that's the case it's hard to say what could happen. Also what color was the bushing? Thanks Terry
Terry, The bushings were silver in color. The one on the right side (problem side) slid completely out of the brake lever assembly but the one on the left could not be removed - it was pressed in very tight. Since I am now past the one year mark on this mower (end of June), would a dealer review and possible replacement of the brake lever be covered by the warranty? Thanks for the help! Steve
Steve, The bushings should be yellow and require replacement. The silver bushing may work temporarily but the problem will most likely increase the longer they are in there. Please e-mail me at terry.eckert@exmark.com with your serial number as well as the name of your dealer and I'll have the bushings sent out as soon as I have your information. Thanks Terry
