A cyclone rake can collect leaves and grass from your lawn quickly, leaving you time to do other things. But what should you do if it doesn't start? We researched this issue to help you troubleshoot the problem.
Before we delve into troubleshooting, you should know why your cyclone rake won’t start. Below are some of the most common reasons:
- Manual start rake
- Faulty spark plug
- Disconnected spark plug wire
- Stale fuel
- Fuel shut-off lever is off
- Incorrectly positioned throttle control lever
- Electric start rake
- Battery not charged
- Wrong wiring to the battery
- Improperly connected key-start wires
Keep reading to learn more about the reasons your cyclone rake refuses to start and how to troubleshoot the issue. In addition, we'll discuss if this machine shreds the leaves it collects and how to use it without riding a mower or tractor. We'll also explain how to store it correctly.
Reasons A Cyclone Rake Won’t Start And What To Do
A cyclone rake can save you time when collecting leaves and grass. It can also prevent stress on your back because you no longer have to bend while removing leaves with a traditional rake.
It’s especially helpful if you have a big lawn. When the rake refuses to start, it might be due to the following problems.
Manual Start Rake
The engines of manually started cyclone rakes use gas. Here's how to troubleshoot a manual cyclone rake that won't start:
Faulty Spark Plug
The problem could be as simple as a dirty spark plug, which can prevent the engine from starting. If you examine it and find combustion deposits on it, you can clean it using sandpaper or a wire brush. You could also use a spray-on plug cleaner.
Check out these spark plugs on Amazon.
Since spark plugs are inexpensive, it can be better to buy new ones. But if you are not able to purchase them right away, you can clean them.
You can watch the video below to see a demonstration of how to clean a spark plug with a wire brush.
Spark plugs ignite the mixture of fuel and air to start the engine. If they're worn out or damaged, they may not ignite a spark, meaning the engine will not start.
You need to check your spark plugs for damage, such as cracked porcelain and burned electrodes. If you spot any of these or some other type of damage, replace them.
Disconnected Spark Plug Wire
Stale Fuel
You may need to add gas, or the gas in the rake could be stale. If you don’t use the rake for at least 30 days, you will have to change the gas.
When gas stays in the fuel tank for too long, it evaporates, leaving a sticky residue that can block the fuel system. To prevent this problem in the future, you should buy just enough fuel for your task. You can also add a fuel stabilizer to keep the gas fresh longer.
You can find this fuel stabilizer on Amazon.
Check out this video for an explanation of why you should use fuel stabilizer.
Fuel Shut-Off Lever Is Off
The fuel shut-off lever is responsible for cutting off fuel to the tank. This is a function that is similar in most engines. When undertaking repairs, the fuel shut-off should be closed or turned off.
If you or your technician do not turn it back on or open it, the engine will not start. This is because the fuel passageway is cut off. You should take a look at it and turn it on if it is off.
Incorrectly Adjusted Throttle Control Lever
Electric Start Rake
Electric start cyclone rakes are powered by batteries. These rakes can also experience problems that prevent them from starting. Here are some of their common issues and how to troubleshoot them.
Battery Not Charged
If your battery charge is low, you will not be able to use your cyclone rake. A battery without enough power cannot start the engine.
To solve this problem, take out the battery and connect it to the battery charger. After connecting the charger to an electrical outlet, wait around one hour for the battery to charge fully.
Check out this battery charger on Amazon.
The video below shows how to install an E-battery on a cyclone rake.
Wrong Wiring To The Battery
If the wires to the battery are not connected correctly, you will not be able to use your cyclone rake. That is why you need to check the battery connections. Ensure the red wire is attached to the battery’s positive terminal. Also, ensure the black wire is attached to the battery’s negative terminal.
Improperly Connected Key-Start Wires
The ignition switch transfers power to the engine to start it. If the wiring to the ignition switch is incorrect, you cannot start the engine. You can solve this by checking the wiring. However, if you don’t have the skills, it is best to call a technician to correct the wiring.
Can A Cyclone Rake Shred Leaves?
Your cyclone rake can do more than just collect leaves and grass. It can also shred them as well as debris like pine needles and sticks. Even if the leaves are wet, your machine will still mulch them up.
This is possible because of the combined action of the impeller inside the machine, and the mower blades. It produces a much smaller compost pile, making it easier to dispose of it. You can later use this compost in your flower or vegetable garden, or your potted plants.
The video below explains how a cyclone rake works:
Can You Use The Cyclone Rake Without Riding A Mower?
You don’t necessarily have to ride your mower to pick up leaves with the cyclone rake. If the leaves are in hard-to-reach places, you can use a vacuum hose that you attach to the cyclone rake.
To vacuum, strap the wand handle to the vacuum hose. You may adjust the strap until you are comfortable enough. When vacuuming, keep the hose straight to prevent it from bending which can cause clogs.
After raking, you can store the hole straight or coiled. If you have a PVC hose, store it at temperatures between 20 and 160 degrees Fahrenheit. It's best to store a urethane vacuum at temperatures between -40 and 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
Storing at these temperatures allow the hose pipes to remain flexible and last longer. Avoid storing the hose in direct sunlight as the sun can degrade it.
The video below explains how to use a cyclone rake vacuum hose:
Is It Easy To Repair A Cyclone Rake?
You might be wondering where to take your cyclone rake if it needs repairs. If you have the necessary expertise, you should be able to replace parts and make small repairs with hand tools.
However, if the engine experiences problems, you should take the device a Briggs & Stratton dealer. The great thing is that there are more than 16,000 dealers across the United States.
If you maintain the engine well, you may never need to take it to a dealer. That's why you should change the oil regularly, including the air filters, while also ensuring the fuel does not go stale. These and other measures will keep your engine in good condition.
In Closing
By attaching the cyclone rake to a riding mower or tractor, you can quickly collect a large number of leaves. Just like any other machine, your cyclone rake may refuse to start. We have explained the common problems that can cause this to occur and how to troubleshoot them.
To learn about mulching leaves and removing moss from your lawn, click on our previous posts below:
Can Mulching Leaves Kill Grass?
How To Get Rid Of Moss In Your Law
