With over a century of experience in the industry, Simplicity Motors Corp is now considered one of the most formidable names in the landscaping industry. They have an extensive catalog of high-quality lawnmowers to choose from, and most of them are priced quite reasonably.
Even if you’ve never heard of the brand, there’s a good chance that you have heard of their flagship lawn tractor – the Broadmoor. The main goal of the Broadmoor is to deliver high-end performance at a moderate price tag.
Needless to say, this product became extremely popular over the years. But despite its popularity, I have heard a lot of complaints regarding the Simplicity Broadmoor lawnmower. Issues like engine shutdown, poor transmission, etc., appear to be a common experience for many users.
So, I decided to address these problems once and for all. In this article, I will talk about some of the issues that you may find in your Simplicity Broadmoor and help you figure out how to fix them. So, without further ado, let’s jump in.
5 Common Issues with the Simplicity Broadmoor and How to Fix Them
Now before I get to the issues, there’s one thing that I want to clarify – if you don’t take care of your lawnmower and don’t service it from time to time, it will start showing some performance issues.
It doesn’t matter whether it’s the Simplicity Broadmoor or some high-end model by John Deere. Poor maintenance will eventually lead to poor performance, and the Simplicity Broadmoor is no exception.
So, if you are the type who tosses his mower in the garage the moment he’s done with it, then these issues should not come as a surprise. Thankfully though, most of them are fixable.
In this section, I will talk about the different problems that come up in the Simplicity Broadmoor lawnmowers and give you a couple of tips to troubleshoot them.
1. Engine Suddenly Stopping
One of the most common complaints people have about the Simplicity Broadmoor is that the engine shuts down at the most inopportune moments. And it’s understandable how that can be frustrating. If the engine suddenly turns off after a couple of hours of mowing, it never feels good.
About 90 percent of the time, this indicates an overheating issue. You see, the Briggs and Stratton engine comes with an automatic shut-off feature designed to protect the engine if it overheats. So, there’s a good chance that this is what’s happening here.
Overheating an engine typically means there’s a lack of coolant to regulate the engine temperature. If the motor-driven fan inside the engine shuts down because of an electrical issue, this can cause the internal temperature of the engine to skyrocket.
So that’s where you need to check first. You need to open up the hood and inspect the cooling fins, the engine oil level, and the wirings around the fins. If the fans seem damaged, then replace them. Also, make sure the engine oil is fresh, and top it off if the level is too low.
Sometimes, overheating can occur because of a filthy radiator or air filter. So make sure you clean off all the gunk from the filter before you put things back in place. This should fix the overheating issue in your engine and allow your mower to run uninterrupted.
2. Trouble Starting the Lawnmower
Another common issue that can appear in a Simplicity Broadmoor is that the mower might refuse to start. And even when it does start, it performs extremely poorly. Now, this is a weird problem because this mower is designed to start up the moment you engage the electric starter.
Now, while it might seem like an engine issue at first, you may notice that the engine runs fine, but the drive wheels don’t engage, and you can’t move the mower. And if it does, it eventually comes to a standstill. This can indicate a couple of different problems, but thankfully, all of them are fixable.
The first thing you should check is the fuel line. If there’s a leak in the line, then this can cause inefficient fuel transfer, which will, in turn, cause this problem to appear. You should also check the condition of the fuel and make sure it’s fresh and of the right weight.
In the event that it doesn’t fix your issue, you need to inspect the electric starter. As your mower gets older, it’s natural for the electrical starter to wear down. If it looks damaged, changing the PTO should fix your problem.
3. Excessive Vibration and Noise
In some instances, people complain that their Simplicity Broadmoor vibrates uncomfortably when they ride it. This is a pretty common problem, especially if you have been using the machine regularly for a while. Typically, this problem only comes up if the pulley drive belt has slipped or is damaged.
The fix is a simple one – you need to inspect the drive belt. In case the belt has slipped from its position, you only need to reposition it. While you’re at it, make sure you tighten the tension. This will prevent slippage in the future.
However, if the drive belt is worn and damaged beyond repair, you need to replace it. These are not exactly expensive, so replacing them shouldn’t be too worrying.
4. Sticky Transmission
Another issue that has caused many users a lot of frustration is the sticky transmission system in their Broadmoor. The problem goes something like this – your engine starts up perfectly, and you can mow the lawn without any hassle.
But as you keep mowing, the speed of the mower starts slowing down. Eventually, the mower stalls completely, and the pedals do not let you go forward or backward. And to make matters worse, the engine keeps running.
Now, this issue typically means that the transmission filters are clogged. Clogged filters can put a lot of stress on the fuel pump, which can, in turn, mess with the transfer of hydraulic fluid. So, you need to first clean out the filters and remove any blockages.
Sometimes this can also happen because of a slipped transmission drive belt. So, check the belt, too, while you’re at it. If the belt is the cause of the problem replacing it should put everything back in order.
5. Step Cuts
If you suddenly notice step cuts with the lawnmower, this means the deck is not level. The Simplicity Broadmoor, when everything is fine, offers a smooth and even cutting experience. However, if the deck is unbalanced, the cut quality will also become uneven.
To fix the issue, simply readjust the height of the deck. Also, make sure the blades in the mower are sharpened, and the tires are filled evenly. Sometimes, uneven tire pressure can cause your Broadmoor to make step cuts. And if the blades in your mower are chipped, make sure you replace them with compatible blades.
Frequently Asked Questions
Now that you have a clearer idea of the issues that you might be facing let me take some time to address a couple of questions people commonly ask me about the lawnmower.
This list of questions will help you get a better idea about the mower which should help you decide if you are planning to buy one for yourself later on.
1. What Are The Main Features Of Simplicity Broadmoor?
The manufacturers got a lot of things right with the Broadmoor. Features like a free-floating mower deck, power steering, high-quality Briggs & Stratton engines, etc., are the major highlights of the Simplicity Broadmoor. But its best part perhaps is the extremely reasonable price that it asks.
2. Is The Simplicity Broadmoor Lawnmower Worth The Money?
The Simplicity Broadmoor is considered by many to be the best bang for your buck lawn tractor available in the market. It comes with a robust set of features along with a wide-cutting deck, making it a great pickup for any homeowner who wants to keep their lawn trimmed and looking pretty.
Final Thoughts
The Broadmoor by Simplicity is a fine piece of garden equipment. And if you are fortunate enough to have one in your home, do yourself a favor and take care of it. This would help keep all of the issues that I talked about to a minimum.
Ideally, you want to open up and clean your mower once every month to make sure everything is clean and working as it should. You also need to take it to a professional garage every six months or so for a thorough check-up.
If you manage to do that, I’m sure you will have little to worry about in terms of its durability. I hope my article on Simplicity Broadmoor problems could help resolve any issues you might be having with your lawnmower. Good luck!