RY401015US Ryobi Lawn Mower - Overview

Hello Ralph, thank you for the question. Start by checking the telescoping handle. When turning the mower, you naturally apply twisting force to the handle and if it is not fully locked into position the internal safety circuit breaks and disables the self-propel motor entirely. Fully collapse the handle, clean any dirt or grit from the rails, and extend it back out until it clicks firmly into place with both adjustment knobs fully tightened. Next, slowly depress the self-propel lever with the mower powered off and listen for a distinct click from inside the handlebar. If you do not hear a click every time or only hear it when pressing very firmly the handle switch bracket has shifted or the switch is failing and not being consistently triggered by the lever. Also, remove the rear wheels and clean out any packed grass clippings or debris from around the axle gears and wheel teeth. When turning, the rear wheels spin independently and debris packed into the drive gears can leave them stuck in the disengaged position when you try to move forward again. A dry silicone lubricant on the gear mechanism after cleaning will help it snap back and forth freely. We hope this is what you were looking for!

Hello Howard, thank you for getting in touch. Check for a deck jam first. Remove the battery and start key, tilt the mower on its side, and look for heavy grass buildup, sticks, or twine wrapped around the blade. A jam triggers the safety sensors instantly and cuts power to the blade motor while leaving the drive wheels running. Clear any debris, reinstall the battery, and test the blades before assuming anything is broken. If the deck is clear, the blade motor likely overheated. Mowing thick, tall, or wet grass puts heavy load on the cutting motor and the built-in thermal overload protector shuts the blades off to prevent damage, while still allowing the drive wheels to function normally. Let the mower sit in a shaded area for 10 to 15 minutes to cool down completely, then restart and engage the blades. If they run normally, thermal overload was your answer. If the blades still won't engage after cooling, check the safety bail, the handle lever you pull back to run the blades. Make sure it's fully engaging and not loose or sticking. We hope this helps.