Technical Articles

We receive a lot of phone calls and emails from customers seeking help with their tractor issues. Some of the most common issues are related to the tractor’s wiring. It can be intimidating to look at a mess of different colored wires going in every direction, and try to make sense of it all. In this article, I will break down wiring theory and practices to its most simple and easy to understand form.Before we dive into how our tractors are wired, let’s begin with some basic electrical wi …

Engine Science: Preventative Maintenance by Norman NgAs published in Lawn and Garden Tractor Magazine March, 2017 IssueWe all know we should take care of our engines in order to maximize their life span. However, many of us are guilty of not doing annual tune ups and oil changes. Some of us may even boast that our engine has been running for 30 years without an oil change!I guide many people through the small engine rebuild process. After completing a rebuild some customers can’t wait to …

The Troubleshooting Mindset as Published in Lawn and Garden Tractor Magazine by iSaveTractorsRepairing issues on your tractor can be frustrating, and costly. My business, iSaveTractors.com receives about 400 – 500 calls per month relating to technical issues with Garden Tractors and their engines. In this issue, instead of writing an article on how something works, I want to share with you my thoughts regarding troubleshooting techniques and mindset. When faced with a problem, it’s easy …

Here is an example wiring diagram for a garden tractor that is equipped with a Delco Remy Starter Generator. The below diagram also shows our 5 prong, 3 position ignition switch, and our 4 prong mechanical voltage regulator. Note: You can either operate your accessories such as your headlights off of the "L" terminal of the voltage regulator as shown, or run headlights from the "A" terminal on the ignition switch. Whichever terminal you do not use, block it off with electrical tape or a wire c …

Engine Science: Fixing the Rough Running Engine with a Valve Job By Norman Ng, iSaveTractorsWhen you encounter an engine that is hard to start, lacks power, runs hot, or just runs badly; your first thought may be to rebuild or replace the carburetor. You spend an hour spilling gas on yourself and afterwards your engine still runs poorly. Your valves may likely be your problem!The valve takes the most abuse in your small engine. It slams against your cast iron block millions of times d …