Lawn Tractor: Won't Drive or Self Propel
If your lawn tractor will not rotate, you should follow our repair and symptom guide to identify your problem. This is a relatively common symptom and some of the parts that are commonly checked are the pulley, belt, blades, and mandrel. Our repair information is a general guide to help you, but for more specific repair information related to your model, check your owner’s manual.
Belts
The drive belt transfers power from the engine crankshaft pulley to the transmission pulley. Over time these belts will wear and stretch, and occasionally can become weather- or heat-cracked. Any of these signs can cause this symptom and the belt will need to be replaced. This is because a stretched belt can slip over the pulleys, which will not allow it to drive the machine. When this happens, the belt can heat up and begin to smoke. To replace the belt, first lower the deck to its lowest setting and remove the belt guard by the drive pulley. Then, remove the belt from the pulley, and remove the pins that support the deck at the rear, as well as the front deck attachment point. Remove the pin that secures the PTO cable, then pull back on the cable and remove the spring. Now you can slide the deck out from...
The drive belt transfers power from the engine crankshaft pulley to the transmission pulley. Over time these belts will wear and stretch, and occasionally can become weather- or heat-cracked. Any of these signs can cause this symptom and the belt will need to be replaced. This is because a stretched belt can slip over the pulleys, which will not allow it to drive the machine. When this happens, the belt can heat up and begin to smoke. To replace the belt, first lower the deck to its lowest setting and remove the belt guard by the drive pulley. Then, remove the belt from the pulley, and remove the pins that support the deck at the rear, as well as the front deck attachment point. Remove the pin that secures the PTO cable, then pull back on the cable and remove the spring. Now you can slide the deck out from under the mower. Remove the battery under the seat, and press the clutch down to release tension on the belt. With the clutch pressed down, reach in, and pull the drive belt off the transmission pulley. With the tractor on its side or up on jack stands, remove the belt around all the pulleys (you may want to take a picture or draw a map of the belt routing at this point, but there may also be a belt routing sticker on the machine). At this point you can install the new belt. Make sure the belt is inside all guards, then re-install the battery and mower deck.
Read More
Find your Belts here
Pulleys
The transmission pulley transfers power from the drive belt into the transmission. If the pulley is making a grinding noise, it needs to be replaced as this indicates that the spindle is just spinning on the inside of the pulley. To complete this repair, jack up the tractor and take the wheels off by pulling out the pins or removing the bolts (this will vary depending on models). In some models, you may have to remove the battery under the seat to reach the pulley instead of removing the wheels. Next, set the parking brake to take the tension off the belt, and remove the belt from the pulley. Using snap-ring pliers, remove the snap ring, and remove the old pulley. Replace it with a new pulley, reinstall the snap ring, re-attach the belt, and re-install tires and key stock.
The transmission pulley transfers power from the drive belt into the transmission. If the pulley is making a grinding noise, it needs to be replaced as this indicates that the spindle is just spinning on the inside of the pulley. To complete this repair, jack up the tractor and take the wheels off by pulling out the pins or removing the bolts (this will vary depending on models). In some models, you may have to remove the battery under the seat to reach the pulley instead of removing the wheels. Next, set the parking brake to take the tension off the belt, and remove the belt from the pulley. Using snap-ring pliers, remove the snap ring, and remove the old pulley. Replace it with a new pulley, reinstall the snap ring, re-attach the belt, and re-install tires and key stock.
Find your Pulleys here
Springs
The spring keeps tension on the idler pulley, which stops the belt from slipping. Over time it can become weak and lose its tension, and this can cause the belt to slip. Springs can also break from corrosion as well. To replace the spring, start by removing the mower deck (follow the instructions under “Belt”). Once the deck is removed, set the parking brake to release tension on the belt. Locate the spring on the idler pulley, remove the old spring, and replace it with a new one. Finally, release the parking brake and re-install the mower deck.
The spring keeps tension on the idler pulley, which stops the belt from slipping. Over time it can become weak and lose its tension, and this can cause the belt to slip. Springs can also break from corrosion as well. To replace the spring, start by removing the mower deck (follow the instructions under “Belt”). Once the deck is removed, set the parking brake to release tension on the belt. Locate the spring on the idler pulley, remove the old spring, and replace it with a new one. Finally, release the parking brake and re-install the mower deck.
Find your Springs here
