There's no turning back now

[RatLabGuy]

I have a crappy old Simplicity riding mower that has lost reverse.
It's a basic single-pedal style Hydro 14 with the shift lever on the console.
It worked ok, and then didn't. Wen I slide the lever forward, it engages ok and goes. Slid into reverse, the stick slides OK, but nothing happens.
As far as I can tell, this thing has a sealed gearbox in the differential. Had my son move it through the slider, and it does move the linkage. Any ideas where to start?
... I've never drained or changed any trans or diff oil, can't even find a way to get to it. The manual only says "early models" have oil with a fill tube, but this one dosn't have that.

 

[drkelly]

I'm pretty sure the vast majority of them are not serviceable.

 

[a_kelley]

X2 on remove and replace, whether it's the whole mower or just the rear end.

 

[rockcity]

Sit on mower. Put in gear. Have son push. Cut grass. Drink beer.

 

[RatLabGuy]

Is it likely a problem in the sealed transmission? I have no idea where to start with this.

 

[a_kelley]

Yes it's an internal issue . The hydrostatic transmissions are not serviceable. Even if you did tear it down and determine the failure point, replacement parts are not available. For that matter, same goes for geared transmissions in modern mowers. Old lawn tractors, sure, but not anything made after the 60-70s. And then I bet it's nearly impossible to find stuff for obsolete equipment.

 

[1-tonmudder]

Yes it's an internal issue . The hydrostatic transmissions are not serviceable. Even if you did tear it down and determine the failure point, replacement parts are not available. For that matter, same goes for geared transmissions in modern mowers. Old lawn tractors, sure, but not anything made after the 60-70s. And then I bet it's nearly impossible to find stuff for obsolete equipment.

My JD is the same way.Trans is $1200,about three times what the 6yo mower is worth.

 

[RatLabGuy]

So what I'm hearing is - recycle or sell it for $50, time to shop for a replacement...

Well I was wanting to upgrade to something nicer this year anyway, just hoping to get one last season out of it. Of course, last October I just put new mulching blades on it. Doh.

 

[a_kelley]

You could always only mow forward.

 

[RatLabGuy]

You could always only mow forward.

That's how I finished he front lawn when this crept up in the middle of it.
But the back has a whole lot of obstacles to work around, some with awkward hills, so this could land me in some sticky situations.

My backup (pun intended) plan, per @rockcity, is to have my son on hand ready to run up and push it backwards whenever needed

 

[BigGreenMonster]

You could always only mow forward.

Yup... Just plan your route carefully. Think of it as a game

 

[Lizooki]

I spent 2 years on a riding mower only being able to right ..... so it's doable ...... but a pain in the butt.

 

[maulcruiser]

There are only two major manufacturers used for mower transmissions: Hydro-gear and Tuff Torq. They sell parts far cheaper than the mower manufacturer, and the units are serviceable for someone that wants to put in a little effort. That said, it's up to you to determine if it's cost-effective to repair it.

 

[a_kelley]

There are only two major manufacturers used for mower transmissions: Hydro-gear and Tuff Torq. They sell parts far cheaper than the mower manufacturer, and the units are serviceable for someone that wants to put in a little effort. That said, it's up to you to determine if it's cost-effective to repair it.

this is news to me... What kind of lead time? Parts break down available? Diagnostic procedures? I mean, it's really just a hyd pump and hyd motor.. usually one of the two are variable displacement (or hyd proportionally valved with a bypass for excess pressure).. you've caught my interest.. there's a Dixie chopper (2004) for sale for 1800, if parts are available, it may be worth flipping, but at $1800 asking, I don't think there's margin enough, considering both hydro drives have the same high hours on them. As is, where is, 5 inches, 5 seconds.

 

[RatLabGuy]

Well I got 2/3 of the front lawn done, no reverse... that's an interesting challenge for sure.
Then ran over an old rope w/ a carabineer on it leftover form an old tire swing, hiding in the high grass... wrapped around the blades with a quickness, lol. Doh!
Had to finish w/ the ol' Honda push mower, didn't have daylight to fix it.
The good news is, that wasn't so absolutely terrible. I'm pretty sure now that my son could just do it ;-)

More back to the point though - I did learn that there's no real "slow forward" either. If the stick isn't about 1/3 of the way up the Forward column, it won't go at all.
So something is definitely slipping.