Clutch
 

I had that issue. The culprit was the clutch

Answer is Post 4 and 13

Yamaha power loss
 

I own a 2017 Yamaha Quiet Tech, and when the engine was under load, it dropped power significantly. The cause was a clogged exhaust port where the spark arrester was located. Sound-deadening material was clogging the port. While I had the bottom tray off, I cleared the clog and pitched the spark arrester. This is a DIY project that is not too hard if you have a garage jack to raise the cart to get more work space.

I am glad that was said about NOT removing the SPARK arrestor. I was thinking the same thing. I started imagining a spark from the golf cart hitting a pile of leaves near a car parked in a driveway. So, I imagine the RIGHT that thing to do would be to clean out the spark arrestor and then PUT IT BACK. Or buy a new one.

Takes 5 minutes to pull it off- super simple.

:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

What about all the older carts lawn equipment that don’t have spark arrestors? Were all the fires?

Going up the bridge going lug engine down at low rpm, the clutches are going to be in low speed condition due to low rpm and no centrifugal force to throw clutches in higher speed ratio. So, yes the cart can not accelerate on steep incline cause the engine can’t rev up enough to get clutches out of high torque condition, due to engine does have enough HP/torque to turn clutches at higher RPM for the clutches to change gear ratio.

It you stop on very step incline the belt going to squeal (slip) till the clutches kick in. It you do this often it will wear belt out prematurely.

It could very well be that the requirement for spark arresters is older than the older carts and lawn equipment - they might all be equipped with spark arresters.

A lot of things have to line up just right for a spark to be produced. Even more for that spark to start a fire. Even more for that fire to cause any significant damage. Around here the odds are very, very low. On the other hand, the fires out west have been devastating and any extra measure that can be taken to reduce the risk even more is worth it.

In certain industries for sure but not wide spread for residential use until few years ago.

My 2012 GC has none and never had spark arrestor, my older equipment like generators, lawn mowers, didn’t have them, but my chainsaws did. Agree very very low with amount rain we get here. Now in desert/ dry climate and forest industry probabilities are much higher. But lightning IMO causes most of those fires.