Lawn Tractor

I purchased a used Honda lawn tractor and completely rebuilt it from the ground up after discovering major mechanical issues. This project required full disassembly, diagnosing and repairing the brake system, restoring key components, and reassembling the machine step by step. Along the way, I strengthened my problem-solving skills and gained hands-on experience in mechanical repair, wiring, and small engine systems.

This project is still in progress, and I’ll be updating this page with new photos and details as I complete the final steps.

MY THINKING

When I bought the lawn tractor, I knew it ran, but the parking brake didn’t work and there were plenty of other issues. At first, I thought I could fix it without taking much apart, but the more I dug in, the more I realized I needed to completely tear it down. Once it was apart, I decided I might as well go all the way and rebuild it piece by piece.

My goal wasn’t just to get it running again but to restore it so it was better than when I got it. I cleaned and repaired every part, replaced what was too far gone, and made sure everything was put back together the right way. There were a lot of challenges, like having to figure out how to custom fit brake pads and deal with rusted bearings, but I liked having to problem-solve. It taught me a lot about how machines are built and how to keep pushing forward even when the solution isn’t obvious.

ABOUT

I bought this Honda lawn tractor knowing it ran, but it had more than a few issues. The biggest problem was the parking brake. It didn’t work at all, and since it is connected directly to the transmission, I knew it wasn’t going to be a quick fix.

At first I tried to reach the brake from the side, hoping to save time, but the drum was completely sealed and looked like it hadn’t been touched in years. That left me with one option: take out the entire transmission. I didn’t realize how involved this would be. To even get to it, I had to remove the steering wheel and almost everything in the front half of the tractor.

Once it was apart, I decided to go all in and restore the tractor instead of just fixing the brake. Using the service manual as my guide, I worked through each system carefully. I rebuilt the brake assembly, replaced worn bearings, repaired rust damage, corrected messy wiring, and refreshed all fluids and filters. Some repairs took extra creativity. The brake pads were worn down to bare metal, so I had them custom relined and then sanded them to fit properly. Removing the wheel bearings was another challenge because they were seized in place, and I had to weld a tool just to get them off.

Now the tractor is almost fully reassembled. All that’s left is finishing the wiring and reinstalling the seat before I can test drive it. This project taught me how to think through complex problems, stay organized, and keep going when things did not go as planned. It also gave me hands-on experience with small engine mechanics and full machine restorations.

TOOLS:

Variety of common mechanical tools

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