Have just replaced battery, which turns engine over strongly but will not start. Had it 5 years and always started first go until new battery today. It is 10hp Briggs and Stratton, petrlol feeds ok but seems to be no spark. Any ideas?

BobH, April 2010

I have a spark it turns over but won't fire up.
Had to take it apart due to a puddle of oil on top of the cutting deck. Found out it was the crank seal which has been replaced along with the sump gasket now can't get it to start

Barry Lewis, July 2015

Hi , just brought one of these back to life after standing for several years... Pete is correct , there is a microswitch under the seat, , in the gear box (has to be in neautral) , behind the brake/clutch pedal(must be fully depressed. If you lift the seat and disconnect the black connector block , the way it is designed it will automatically bypass the switch hence putting you in a position to trouble shot each ne individually. The other problem you may encounter if the mower has been stood outside is the your spark is weak due to rust on the flywheeel. This is where the coil picks up the spark. You will need to take the cover off the top of the engine 4xnuts and some wiggling ..then sand the side of the flywheel and remove the coil and ensure all the surfaces that contact the flywheel are clean ..sanded once again... then replace the coil with a 3mm gap(cereal box is a good spacer 4 this) to the flywheel..replacement of cover is reversal of taking off.. You will be amazd how wel your mower runs after this...gOOD Luck

Spud, May 2010

Thanks Peter,
I didn't find a micro switch for the grass box but anyway I gave up and had the mower collected for repair - I wait to see what they found.

BobH, April 2010

There are several micro switches on a hayter. One operates when sitting on the seat. Another when the grass box is located and another when engaging the blade drive (there could be others). If any do not release - the mower won't start for safety reasons. The chances are that one or more has become corroded or just stuck over the winter and need to be released. I imagine it is probably to do with one of these. Hope this may help.Pete

Peter Wright, April 2010