I used to work as a greenskeeper during college summers in Webster, NY.
We had a 2wd, rear steer Steiner for mowing the slopes.
It had a loose wire somewheres, where it would just die, then restart no problem.
One morning I was mowing a STEEP bank off the front of a tee, that dropped right into the pond. Only way was mow straight down, raise the deck to get weight on the front drive wheels, then back straight up. Worked great....Until the motor cut out.
No power, no hydrostatic, NO BRAKES!!! Kersplash, right into the pond.
I'd like to say I gallantly went down with my ship, but as soon as the water reached my knees, I was out of the seat, onto the engine cover and jumped onto the bank.
After I shot a nasty look at the golfers who were on the ground laughing, I walked back to the shop for help. Of course The Owner is the only one around. "Ed, gimme a hand with the loader, I gotta fish the Steiner out of the pond." Which hole, he asks. 14tee. No @#$$, That is the same place I dunked it last year! At least I was in good company.
Turns out a loose ground would only come loose after 45ー, killing the engine.
Pulled it out, cleaned off the seaweed, drained the fuel, greased everything, and it ran fine.
Always liked seeing where it would go.
Keith in SC