Swisher Mower & Machine Co.: FAQ

Questions & Answers

Before selecting a mower, log splitter or other accessory, it is important to determine which product best fits your application. You should expect performance and demand quality when selecting your lawn and garden equipment. This is why Swisher provides knowledgeable service representatives to assist you in your search. Anyone can sell you a product, but Swisher wants to help you select a product that will do the quality job you deserve.

Shopping for quality equipment can sometimes be a stressful situation. There are a number of questions that you need to ask yourself. What features are important to me? How big is my lawn? How much time do I want to spend mowing each week? How much trimming does my landscape require? How much do I want to spend on a new mower? Please let our question and answer section help you in determining answers to all your questions. If you have additional questions that are not answered below, please feel free to contact us.

General Questions
Service & Maintenance
General Troubleshooting
Zero-Turn Riding Mowers
Trailmowers
Trailcutters
The Predator
String Trimmers
Lawn Vac
ATV/UTV Accessories
Log Splitters
Quadivator
Big Mow/Ride King

General Questions

Where are you located?

The Swisher Mower and Machine headquarters are located in Warrensburg, MO.

What kind of products do you offer?

Swisher offers a full line of Zero-Turn Riding Mowers as well as pull behind trailmowers. In recent years we have expanded to carry ATV Accessories, Log Splitters, the Lawn Vac, Walk Behind mowers and trimmers, as well as lawn & garden implements.

Can I buy direct from you?

Swisher does not sell direct to the public as we are not licensed for retail sale. Please visit our Dealers & Partners page to find a local retailer near you. Many units can also be purchased online through such websites as Northern Tool, Amazon.com, and Outside Shopper.

How can I become a dealer?

Swisher is open to creating new independent dealers from businesses that are already established in the lawn & garden market. To be considered for a dealer opportunity, please fax a copy of your business license, tax ID, and your company letterhead to (660) 747-8650, "Re: Dealer Application". We will review the information and do a dealer search for your region for already-established Swisher retailers.

NOTE : ATV dealers must acquire our products through one of our two ATV distributors : Tucker Rocky (1-800-347-1010) or Super4ce Products (1-651-330-2038).

How can I become a service center?

We're always looking for a qualified service center to perform repair and warranty work on our units. To apply, please fax a copy of your business license, tax ID, and your company letterhead to (660) 747-3160, "Attn : Warranty Administration". Please also include any qualifications, such as Briggs & Stratton authorization.

Service & Maintenance

How can I tell the Recommended Oil level?

Always fill your oil to the "FULL" mark on the dipstick, being careful not to overfill.

What type of Gasoline should I use?

You should always use clean, fresh, lead-free gasoline. Never mix oil with gas in 4-cycle engines and do not use gasoline containing alcohol.

What type of oil should I use?

Our mowers' engines use 30W-HD (high detergent) engine oil.

Do I have to grease the bearings?

Our blade and wheel bearings are pre-greased and sealed so they are easily maintained.

What should I do when working under the deck?

Remember to remove spark plug or wire from engine when servicing or working under the deck. When tipping, empty the fuel tank, remove paper air cleaner, if so equipped, and keep engine spark plug or muffler side up.

What kind of steps should I take to maintain my Swisher?

By changing your oil frequently, cleaning or replacing the air filter or paper air filter cartridges if mower lacks power, and checking your spark plugs every season will keep your Swisher running smoothly and efficiently. All wheel bearings must be greased on the inside; blade bearings are pre-greased and sealed.Remember to always refer to the owners manual before attempting any repair or maintenance procedures.

How do I check/refill the fluid in my Zero-Turn Rider's transaxles?

The transaxles installed are not designed for maintenance operation by the end consumer. They are fully sealed units and should not require any maintenance. If you are experiencing difficulty with a transaxle, please contact us and we'll get you to the proper service center!

How should I clean this deck? Can I pressure wash it?

PLEASE do not use pressurized water on our units, whether by pressure washing or a garden hose. There's a good chance that seals can be ruptured from the pressurized water, particularly in the transaxles on Zero-Turn Riders (this is not covered under the manufacturer's warranty!). Apart from brushing debris from the machine, air cleaning is both effective and save for our units.

General Troubleshooting

Why is this engine so hard to start?

The number one reason for a hard-to-start engine is choking. Though most manuals will advise you to place the engine at full choke, this may actually be flooding the engine instead. A proper fuel/air mixture is required, and engaging choke prevents this from happening. Unless the weather is cold, we always advise that choke be disabled. For engines that to not have a choke lever, it is built-in with the throttle, and can be disabled by placed the throttle at the half-position. Our engines will generally start in three attempts!

Why does the engine jerk the cord back in?

This is the compression stroke of the engine. It happens on every recoil start engine, however most of the time it doesn't cause trouble. The compression stroke only jerks the cord back when the rope is not pulled very hard. With age or shoulder difficulty it is not as easy to perform the full pull on the rope that the engine needs. There is an easy way to overcome this - take the cord and pull it SLOWLY until it hits resistance. This gets the compression stroke out of the way. You can now give it a full pull without concern for the cord jerking back in!

The engine is bogging down and dying, like it's suffocating.

This could possibly be the choke as well. Be sure that it's disabled following the steps in the previous answer. Tall, wet, or thick grass, or any combination of those factors, puts strain on the mower. The wetter or thicker the grass is, the higher the likelihood that it will build up under the deck, causing the bog-down. The solution is to simply take it slow and allow the machine to "digest" the material it is cutting, or to raise the mower to the maximum height setting and cut slowly, then go back over the area again on a lower setting.

My mower's belt seems to wear out quickly.

Belts can be tricky to diagnose, but when they shred it is almost always due to friction, for a couple of reasons:

The belt is rubbing against a component other than a pulley. The inside of the belt must only be touching the blade pulley, engine pulley, and transaxle pulleys (if applicable). The outside should only touch the tension pulleys. Belt guides must always go around the belt and never be pressing against it, and the same is true for any bolts or other metal components under there. The friction will burn that belt up quickly as the belt is being pulled through the system very rapidly! Also, if you have the deck set low on Zero-Turn Riders, and the belt must be on an incline to go from the engine pulley to the deck, it may be possible that the belt is hitting the edges of the first blade pulley it reaches. With the decks we always recommending having the front lower so it leans into the cut and the sharp edges of the blades cut into the grass rather than the broader centers. By leaning the front forward by as much as a 1/4", the first blade pulley the belt runs into is now angled to allow the belt easier entry, and reduces the change of the belt hitting those edges.
The material being cut may be too thick or tall for the current mowing speed. In general the mower and engine can handle the thick stuff just fine - it's not a matter of power, in other words, as these engines can be hard to stop with grass. However, the engine is pulling on that belt to spin the blades/power the transaxle (depending on which belt is shredding, but most likely it's the blade belt as it sees more action). The blades, on the other hand, are trying to spin at spin rapidly to cut but are meeting the resistance of the grass. This results in a constant "tug-o-war" between the engine and the resistance, and the belt is in the middle. One way to significantly cut down on this resistance is to slow the mower's traveling speed down. With easy grass it's fine to drive at the full 5 mph, but with higher and thicker grass the mower must be given time to "digest" the massive amounts of grass coming under the deck. Doing this is always a good way to prolong the life of a belt.

I just replaced one of the springs and it broke almost immediately!

By far the most common reason for a spring, such as a tension spring or a return spring, to break is that the bolt holding it in place is tightened down too far. The springs must be able to pivot. When they bolt is too tight, the spring is held in place and it will snap at the loop/hook every time. Just loosen the bolt or nut enough to let the spring freely rotate and it should last a good, long while!

Zero-Turn Riding Mowers

What kind of warranty do your Zero-Turn Riders have?

All of our mowers carry a 2 year factory defect warranty from the day of purchase. The engines also carry a 2 year warranty and are covered through Briggs & Stratton.

How can I service the blades?

The deck on all of our Zero-Turn Riders can be removed from the carraige. Once this is done, it becomes much easier to work on the blades, deck, bearings, or the belts. No need to raise the mower!

How do I check/refill the fluid in my Zero-Turn Rider's transaxles?

How should I clean this deck? Can I pressure wash it?

Trailmowers

What is the advantage of owning a Swisher Trailmower?

Swisher trailmowers are designed to dramatically reduce your mowing time. They attach easily to your lawn tractor or ATV and provide an even, manicured cut to meadows and the largest mowing areas. If you are spending too much time on your riding mower let Swisher cut your mowing time in half. Just offset our trailmower hitch and double your cutting swath.

Is the height adjust compatible with my towing vehicle?

Yes, our easy turning height adjustment handles allow for a wide range of cutting height. This means you can set your trailmower to the exact height of your riding mower.

What size cutting decks are offered?

Our rugged cutting decks are built with 1/8" steel for strength and durability. Sizes include 44" and 60".

What are the differences between the 44" and 60" Trailmowers?

Cutting Swath is the most obvious difference in these two mowers, but what else? The Swisher 60" Trailmower has a side discharge floating deck VS. a rear discharge fixed deck on the 44" Trailmower. The 60" trailmower hangs from a heavy duty four wheeled frame which allows the deck to float and gain a slightly higher cutting height. The 44" trailmower is supplied with two wheels that make getting in and out of tight spaces a breeze. Both trailmowers have multiple blade drivers: The 60" features a three-blade finish cut system, whereas the 44" has a twin blade finish cut system. Both units feature a number of engine options.

How easy is it to start a trailmower?

The Swisher 60" trailmower comes stocked with electric start. This makes it as easy as turning a key when starting your mower. The Swisher 44" trailmower has an electric start model in addition to the standard recoil start models. Recoil start machines generally take one or two pulls when starting.

Do electric start models come with a battery?

Batteries are hazardous freight and so we do not add them on during production. Trailmowers use a standard U1R Lawn & Garden battery, which can be found at most lawn & garden supply stores.

What size towing vehicle will I need to pull my trailmower?

You can use almost any size ATV to pull a Swisher trailmower. If you are going to pull your trailmower with a lawn tractor, Swisher recommends a 16hp tractor if you are planning to use both mowing decks. All trailmowers are manufactured with ball bearing wheels to insure easy towing. Swisher does not recommend towing with any other vehicles other than: Garden Tractors, Lawn Tractors, and ATVs, or the Swisher Z-MAX.

Will this trailmower scalp my lawn?

Swisher trailmowers feature an anti-scalp roller system that provides a professional finish cut look without scalping. Swisher also provides a unique bumper roller system so you can mow close to obstacles without damaging your trailmower.

Can I mow brush and tall weeds with my trailmower?

These decks are built for finish cut use to maintain a manicured lawn. Swisher manufactures rugged-cut models for tall weeds and brush. If you are looking to knock down the tough stuff check out the Swisher Trailcutter or the Predator. Brush is no obstacle for these two machines.

What is an articulating hitch?

Swisher's unique articulating hitch allows you to set your trailmower in virtually any position. This means that you can mow with two mowing decks at the same, offset your deck to reach places your garden tractor or ATV cannot go, or mow in tandem with multiple trailmowers (requires end-user modification).

What is the minimum and maximum cutting height on the trailmower?

The cutting height on the Swisher 44" Trailmower ranges from 1 1/2" to 4 1/2". The 60" model ranges from 2 1/2" to 5 1/2". These cutting heights are approximate and may vary slightly depending on the lawn.

Trailcutters

What is the advantage of owning a Swisher Trailcutter?

Swisher trailcutters can clear the most rugged, overgrown areas with ease. Trailcutters are similar to trailmowers, but are designed to tackle the toughest brush and tall grass.

What size material can I cut with my trailcutter?

The Swisher trailcutter is designed to cut brush up to 1 1/2" in diameter. For tall brush, if you can drive over it with your ATV this trailcutter will cut it.

What kind of blade system is on the trailcutter?

This machine has a blade system much like a traditional brush cutter. Equipped with heavy duty, hardened steel swing blades this unit is sure to devastate the heaviest brush and weeds. The break-away blade system allows the blades to bounce away from objects that are too solid for the mower (such as rocks) to avoid damage to the bearings and shaft.

How easy is it to start a trailcutter?

The RT-44 recoil start machine and usually takes one or two pulls when starting. An electric start model is also available.

What kind of towing vehicle should I use to pull the trailcutter?

Swisher recommends the use of an ATV or 16hp lawn tractor with this unit. Almost any ATV will pull this unit, however, it is always safe to check with your ATV or lawn tractor dealer on the towing specifications.

Can I offset the trailcutter from my towing vehicle?

Yes, this unit has a universal articulating hitch and can easily be offset from left to right. This hitch also features a remote engagement blade brake with lockout system allowing blade engagement from your towing vehicle.

What is the minimum and maximum cutting height on the Trailcutter?

The cutting height on the Swisher Trailcutter ranges from 2" to 7".

What is the maximum cutting grade or slope that I can mow with the trailcutter?

The maximum grade or slope that is recommended on most engines is 15 degrees. Please check with the engine manufacturer if you have additional questions.

The Predator

How does the Predator compare to a typical steel-bladed walk-behind mower?

There is no comparison. The Predator is a brush mower much like the Trailcutter. It has the power and the deck to cut thick, tall, and tough material. Although its performance is similar to that of a tow behind brush cutter its expense is not. The Swisher Predator is far more feasible for the property owner with just a few areas that need to be cleaned up. The Predator's compact size makes it easy to maneuver in and out of tight spaces.

How large of material can I cut?

The Swisher Predator is powerful enough to cut most 1 1/2" diameter brush.

What kind of Blade is on the Predator?

The Predator is equipped with one hardened steel 24" blade.

Is the Predator self-propelled or do I have to push it?

This unit has a four-speed transmission with reverse and a unique neutral lock out system. This allows easy maneuverability with a limited amount of work. Super traction tires make it a snap to mow in awkward places where other machines dare not go.

Can I use the self-propeller while I'm not mowing?

Yes, Swisher's ergonomically designed handle has separate controls for blade engagement and ground motion. This makes it easy to move to and from your mowing area

String Trimmers

What is the advantage of the Swisher String Trimmer over a hand-held trimmer?

Swisher Trimmers have as much as three to four times the horse power as most hand held trimmers. This means that tall weeds and grass are no match with the power of the Swisher Trimmer. Whereas hand-helds may inevitably bog down, the Swisher trimmer is a labor and time saving alternative to the large hand-held trimmer. The Swisher Trimmer rolls easily over the roughest terrain cutting everything from waist-high weeds to your average lawn. The Swisher Trim-Max quickly converts to a lawn edger for the professional grooming that your lawn deserves.

What size trimmer line does the Swisher String Trimmer use?

All Swisher String Trimmers are supplied with a .155" diameter cutting string. This Heavy Duty cord is larger than most hand-held line. This means larger weeds and taller grass are no match for these machines.

Where do I get replacement trimmer line?

Most customers find that it is worth buying Swisher replacement line from their Swisher dealer. You may also order your trimmer line directly from Swisher Products by calling our customer service department at 1-800-222-8183, option 3.

Part Number:
P3618 : 36 Pack of 18" line

Does the Swisher String Trimmer have grease fittings that need to be lubricated?

No, there are no parts that need to be manually lubricated. All Swisher bearings are sealed, even the ball bearing wheels. With other brands, if grease fittings are not lubed frequently the machine will burn up the bearings.

Do I need to mix the oil and gas?

No, all Swisher Trimmers are 4 cycle engines that have a separate oil fill. No mixing is required.

Is the Swisher Trimmer easy to start?

Starting the electric start deluxe models are as easy as turning the key. The standard recoil start models come complete with a primer bulb and usually start on the first or second pull.

Will my Swisher Trimmer be equivalent to my bladed mower for lawn mowing?

No, the Swisher Trimmer is a string mower that leaves a rough-cut finish. This unit will not mulch like a bladed mower. For most customers, this allows an average cut without clumps in wet or tall grass applications.

Does the Swisher Trimmer come with blades or other attachments?

No, Safety is top priority at Swisher Products. We feel that using exposed blades and other attachments can cause serious injury to the operator.

How difficult is it to change my trimmer line?

The Swisher Trimmer Disc makes it a snap to change the trimmer line. No tools are needed and no complicated knots to tie, so anyone can do it.

Where is the oil drain? How do I change the oil?

The oil drain is on the bottom of the engine, though it is difficult to see. The oil can be changed in two ways :

You can remove the components, such as the bottom plate and the engine pulley, to gain access to the oil drain.

The machine can be tipped over so that the oil comes out the oil fill hole.

Lawn Vac

Can the Lawn Vac be used on left or rear discharge decks?

The Lawn Vac's design only allows for right-side discharge mowers. We do not produce a modification to accomodate other decks as doing so adversely affects the suction power of the vacuum.

Is a longer hose available?

The hose of the Lawn Vac is 7 feet long. We do not offer or recommend a long hose be used as again the suction power of the vacuum will be affected.

What materials can the Lawn Vac pick up?

The unit is capable of picking up lightweight material from your yard such as leaves and grass. Wet leaves and grass stand a good chance of plugging up the hose as that material is heavy, compacted, and dense.

ATV/UTV Accessories

Will the Universal Mounting Kit work on my ATV?

The Universal Mounting Kit's nature allows it to adapt to virtually every utility ATV on the market. As long as it fits within the Fit Criteria, the kit should perform admirably!

What type of winch is needed for your attachments?

We recommend using at least a 1700 lb winch with a mechanical brake. Dynamic brakes tend to let heavy loads, such as what the Dump Bucket and Pallet Lifter will carry, to drop slowly. Mechanical brakes will hold them in the air more effectively.

Can the Manual Lift raise the Dump Bucket or Pallet Lifter?

The Manual Lift is only designed to raise the Plow Blade off of the ground high enough to allow you to travel into a driveway, or other ground-level obstacle, or to stop plowing. It will not lift the Dump Bucket or the Pallet Lifter attachments.

Will the UTV Accessory Mount work on my UTV?

This mount will work on any UTV vehicle with a 2" x 2" receiver in the front. If you UTV does not come with one of these standard, we have some receiver hitches that might work on your unit, or you can find one from the manufacturer or an aftermarket retailer.

Can the Universal Mounting Kit fit on my UTV?

UTVs are much wider than ATVs, and many times much longer, so the kit is simply not able to fit on them. The UTV Accessory Mount takes the place of the Universal Mounting Kit on UTVs. All of the Universal Mounting Kit's accessories are available to the UTV Accessory Mount!

Log Splitters

What is the warranty on my log splitter?

Your log splitter has a limited two-year warranty handled by Swisher Mower & Machine Co. Inc. The engine warranty is also two years handled by the engine manufacture. If you have an engine related issue please contact Briggs and Stratton at 1-800-233-3723 to find a local service shop. Both the valve and the cylinder have a 1 year warranty.

How much and what kind of hydraulic fluid should be used in my log splitter?

Fill your log splitter hydraulic fluid reservoir approximately 3" below the reservoir tank fill hole. The owner's manual will have the appropriate filling recommendations within it. Always use Dextron I, II, or III transmission fluid in our units.

How difficult is it to start my log splitter in cold weather?

The Cold Weather Clutch enables the engine to be started without having to pull through cold, thickened hydraulic fluid. Simply pull the Clutch handle out and slide into the locked position. This allows the log splitter to start easier in cold weather.

What is the largest sized log I can split?

The largest (maximum) length of any logs should be 24". When preparing logs, cut ends as square as possible. Note: Large diameter logs may need to be cycled more taking small pie shaped sections around the outside of the log.

Can I leave the log splitter attached to my towing vehicle when splitting?

No, Swisher recommends that you disconnect your log splitter from your towing vehicle, block the wheels, and move the stabilizer leg into the locked position before splitting. Leaving your log splitter attached to the towing vehicle may risk damaging the splitter, vehicle, and/or yourself.

How difficult is it to service my log splitter?

Swisher makes it easy and inexpensive to service your log splitter with the cold weather clutch belt. It is much easier and more cost effective to replace a V belt versus replacing a pump or connector. Swisher uses a standard V belt that is sold directly from Swisher or through your local Swisher dealer. Changing your engine oil is also made easier with Swisher's quick oil drain plug found on most Swisher log splitter models. Remember to always disconnect the spark plug before performing any maintenance or making adjustments.

Why does my log splitter leak hydraulic fluid out of the reservoir cap?

The cap is vented to allow pressure equalization with the outside air. Fluid leaking out of the cap is most likely caused by an overfill of hydraulic fluid. Hydraulic fluid will expand as your log splitter heats up.

Can I tow my log splitter on major highways and roads?

Many of our models can be towed - units equipt with a ball hitch are road-worthy. Please be sure to check all federal, state, and local towing vehicle requirements before towing your log splitter on any public road. If a "Statement of Origin" is required in your state, see your local dealer to receive one. Please reference your log splitter owners manual to find more information about towing specifications.

How fast can I tow my log splitter?

Maximum speed of 45mph is recommended. When pulling at speeds over 45mph you are at risk of damaging your log splitter, towing vehicle, yourself, and others. Log splitters do not have built in suspension and may bounce in rough road conditions or when being towed at excessive speeds.

Quadivator

What is the advantage of owning a Quadivator?

The Quadivator turns your ATV into a versatile piece of farm machinery. Weather it is farm chores or small acreage lawn and garden jobs, this unit is sure to cut your time in half. Everything from planting a garden, plowing a food plots for wildlife, or building a barbwire fence is no object for the Quadivator. You will be amazed with the amount of time you save when you experience the Quadivator at your farm or ranch.

Will the Quadivator cut through my undisturbed soil?

Yes, the Quadivator is made to break through the toughest ground. Equipped with seven shanks and shovels, this unit is ready to make short work of tough ground.

How much horsepower will I need to pull the Quadivator?

Swisher recommends at least a 16HP garden tractor to pull the Quadivator. However, it is always in your best interest to check the towing specifications on your towing vehicle before pulling this unit.

How big of an ATV will I need to pull the Quadivator?

You will need a minimum of 250CC ATV and 300CC ATVs are preferred. Again, always check the towing specifications on your bike before pulling any piece of equipment.

How long does the Quadivator take to hook up to my towing vehicle?

It only takes a few minutes to hookup the Quadivator to your towing vehicle. Swisher makes hookups easy with quick release hitch pins.

How deep will the Quadivator plow?

The Quadivator will plow up to 4 inches deep.

How fast can I travel while pulling the Quadivator?

Swisher urges operators not to exceed 5mph while towing the Quadivator. This allows the machine to work correctly and consistently, increasing the life of the machine.

Will the Shanks bend?

No, these heavy-duty shanks are made of spring steel. This allows flexibility and durability while plowing.

What is the Quadivators plow width ?

The Quadivator plows a 4-foot swath.

Big Mow/Ride King

Do you still produce this model?

Production on the 3-wheel riders stopped back in 2001. The short block on the engines we used in these mowers was discontinued by Briggs & Stratton. With these engines no longer available we were unable to find another suitable motor to fit the frame and fit under the hood. A new design was necessary, and we now manufacture the 4-wheel Zero Turn Riders you see today!

Do you plan on making them again?

At this time we do not have any plans to reproduce this product.

Do any dealer still have this mower?

Ride Kings and Big Mows can still be found from individual sellers. Online outlets such as eBay may be the best place to begin a search for one of these mowers!