Question: How Do Belt Drive Lawn Tractor Transmissions Work?

How does a riding lawnmower transmission work?

Lawn mowers with hydrostatic transmissions allow you to mow through a wide range of speeds, instead of operating with preset gear speeds. Hydrostatic lawn mower transmissions combine a hydraulic pump with a hydraulic motor to power the machine.

How does a lawn mower belt work?

Pulley Work Lawnmower Pulley. When the engine fires and turns the engine shaft, it in turn causes the pulleys that hold the drive belt to turn. The first pulley causes the drive belt to move and the movement of the drive belt causes the second pulley to turn.

What does the drive belt do on a riding mower?

The ground drive belt connects the engine crankshaft to the transaxle pulley to drive the rear wheels. If the belt breaks, the lawn tractor won’t move. If the belt is worn, the lawn tractor moves sluggishly because the belt slips on the pulley.

Why does my hydrostatic transmission won’t move?

Entraining. By far, the most common reason for hydrostatic transmission failure is old hydraulic fluid. John Deere states that “Operating outside of the recommended oil air temperature range may cause premature hydrostatic transmission failure.” Oil must be changed when its anti-foam additive decays.

How much does it cost to replace a hydrostatic transmission?

Additionally, how much does it cost to replace a hydrostatic transmission? Transmissions are the next highest repair for riding lawn mowers. If you have a hydrostatic transmission built in the past 15 years you can expect to pay somewhere in the area of $200 for a new transmission.

What is the difference between automatic and hydrostatic transmission?

An automatic transmission performs much like the transmission in a car — you control speed with the gas pedal. A hydrostatic transmission works like an automatic transmission, but uses fluid rather than belts to transfer power from the engine to the wheels.

Why does my belt keep slipping off my lawn mower?

The drive belt may come off a riding mower because it is damaged or loose. When loose, the belt may slip, resulting in friction that, if it creates enough heat, can lead to a fire in the mower’s engine.

How do I know if my lawn mower belt is bad?

These signs show when a mower belt could experience failure and needs replacement as soon as possible:

1. The belt has s​​​ide wall damage. Mower belt edges should be smooth and even throughout the entire length of the belt.
2. The belt has a glazed or bu​rned sidewall.
3. The belt is​​ cracked.

Can a lawn mower belt stretch?

Yes, lawnmower belts can stretch. When it stretches more than it should, it can result in the drive belts lose grip on the pulley system. When that happens, the efficiency of mowers takes a dip.

How do you adjust the drive belt on a riding lawn mower?

How to Tighten a Riding Lawnmower Belt

1. Turn off the engine of your lawnmower and disconnect the spark plug wire as well.
2. Locate the main frame tube on your lawnmower.
3. Locate the belt, also known as the drive belt, inside the deck of your lawnmower.
4. Tighten the belt of your lawnmower by shortening the location of the main frame inside the clamps.

How do you tighten the drive belt on a Craftsman riding lawn mower?

Push the belt keepers on the transaxle pulley down and slide the belt over the transaxle pulley. Pull the slack from the back of the tractor (transaxle pulley) and slide the belt on to the stationary and clutch idlers. This will increase the tension in the belt and hold it in place.

How do you troubleshoot a hydrostatic transmission?

Troubleshooting Hydrostatic Drives If the system is overheating, check the oil level in the tank, inspect the heat exchanger, check the inline pressure filters, inspect the crossport relief valves, and check the pump and motor case drains for excessive bypassing.

Do hydrostatic transmissions wear out?

Not performing routine maintenance. The hydro has relief valves, so you cant work it past its designed intent, but you certainly can damage them if you try, just like a gear transmission. You can stress it by being rough with it, but really, these last every bit as long as gear transmissions.

How do you purge air from a hydrostatic transmission?

After the engine is running, move throttle control to slow position. With motion control levers in neutral (N) position, slowly disengage clutch/brake pedal. Step 4-Move motion control levers to full forward position and hold for five (5) seconds. Move levers to full reverse position and hold for five (5) seconds.