Countax and Westwood garden tractors are a step above standard ride-ons — powered grass collectors, PTO blade systems, and hydrostatic drive on most models. Paul services dozens across Glossop, Stockport, Hyde and the surrounding hills every season. The engines are usually reliable; the complexity lives in the collector belts, hydrostatic transmission, and electrical PTO clutch.
This guide covers petrol Countax and Westwood garden tractors only.
1. Powered Collector Not Picking Up (The Most Common Countax/Westwood Fault)
The whole point of these machines is the powered collector. When the fan belt slips or snaps, grass drops straight through and the machine feels useless.
Symptoms: - Grass not entering the collector box - Squealing from the rear of the machine - Visible fraying on the collector drive belt - Fan spins slowly even at full engine speed
Fix: Replace the collector drive belt, check tensioner pulley bearings, inspect the fan for damage or blockage. Paul keeps common Countax and Westwood belt sizes at the Hyde workshop.
Paul's tip: "Westwood T1800 from a customer near Hadfield — collector belt had glazed and was slipping. Looked fine until you opened the bonnet. New belt and tension check — collector worked like new. Always check the collector belt at the start of every season."
2. Hydrostatic Transmission Losing Drive
Hydrostatic Countax C60/C80 and Westwood V-series tractors lose drive on slopes when fluid is low, degraded, or air is trapped in the system.
Symptoms: - Creeps on flat ground but stops on inclines - Jerky forward and reverse - Whining from the transmission area - Worked fine last autumn, sluggish in spring
DIY check: Verify fluid level per the manual (some models need the engine running with wheels raised). Top up only with the correct spec fluid — wrong oil destroys hydrostatic pumps.
When to call Paul: Fluid change, air purge, and drive belt inspection on the hydrostatic circuit are workshop jobs on most UK garden tractors.
3. Blade Engagement PTO Clutch Wear
Electromagnetic PTO clutches engage the cutting deck. When the clutch plate wears or the air gap is wrong, blades slip, squeal, or fail to spin at full speed.
Symptoms: - Blades slow to engage when you pull the PTO switch - Squealing when blades engage - Engine bogs when cutting thick grass despite sharp blades - Intermittent engagement
Fix: Replace or adjust the PTO clutch, check wiring and safety switches, verify the deck belt is not slipping independently.
4. Deck Belt, Spindles and Cutting Quality
Separate from the collector — the deck has its own belt and spindle bearings. Worn spindles cause vibration, scalping, and striped lawns on large estates.
Symptoms: - Rhythmic vibration with blades engaged - One corner of the lawn cut lower than the rest - Grinding noise from under the deck
Fix: Sharpen and balance blades, replace worn spindle bearings, tension the deck belt. Paul services cutting decks on Countax and Westwood tractors from the Hyde workshop with collection across Greater Manchester.
5. Winter Storage Fuel and Electrical Gremlins
Garden tractors sit for months. Stale fuel gums carbs on Briggs and Kawasaki engines alike. Older Westwood and Countax models develop wiring loom corrosion in damp sheds.
Symptoms: - Won't start after storage - Intermittent electrical faults — lights flicker, safety switches trigger randomly - Engine surges or hunts
Fix: Drain fuel system, carb clean or rebuild, trace and repair corroded connections. See Paul's ride-on won't start guide for the full starting diagnosis.
Model Notes from the Workshop
Countax C60 / C80: Kawasaki and Honda engines with reliable power — collector belt and hydrostatic fluid are the usual jobs.
Countax A25-50HE: Twin-cylinder with powered collector fan belt that slips when glazed. Ignition coil failures show up after five to six seasons.
Westwood T1600 / T1800: Briggs engines — fuel problems after winter and collector belt wear dominate.
Westwood V20/50 / V25/50: Kawasaki V-twins — oil weep from rocker cover gaskets and hydrostatic sluggishness on hilly gardens around Glossop and the High Peak.
Real Workshop Stories
A Countax C80 owner in Stockport lost drive halfway through mowing a sloped lawn. Hydrostatic fluid was two years overdue for change and the drive belt had glazed. Paul flushed the system, replaced the belt, and adjusted the deck — customer finished the lawn same afternoon.
A Westwood V25/50 from Denton would start but the collector would not pick up. Collector fan belt had snapped silently — Paul fitted a new belt and checked the tensioner pulley bearings while the machine was in.
When to Call Paul
Countax and Westwood tractors are worth repairing — they are premium machines that hold their value. Paul offers workshop repair with collection, and mobile visits for starting and belt faults where access allows.
Cash or bank transfer. Receipts/invoices available on request.
Related guides: Ride-on won't start · Ride-on servicing what's included · Why on-site repair for ride-ons
Book Paul: 07342 239878 or WhatsApp with Countax or Westwood model from the chassis plate.
