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Anybody able to help? I’ve got a John Deere ride on mower (x155r) recently put it up on axle stands to have inner tubes fitted in tyres, after a couple of weeks fitted said wheels lowered it to deck, started engine, great, no drive to wheels. If I engage or disengage parking brake still no drive. Have tried neutral override push bar, no difference. Am able to move manually but does not engage drive. Does anyone know if it’s something a moronic mechanic can tackle or does it mean I’ve got to donate a couple of hundred euros to the local workshop coffee fund. Thanks Kelvin
Mr.Wheeler - Didn’t you have problems getting it up on jack stands by yourself ? I have. Bloody belt fell off the pulley ! Mower decks are designed to follow the terrain, so it freely moves up-and-down. Most big mowers can drop down 100mm. A saggy old belt will simply fall off at that point. The lift apparatus at the shop, brings wheels & deck up at the same time. Next time, lock the deck in its highest position. Lift it to the stands, then SLOWLY let the deck down. Careful,,, it is heavy, and it will bite you. Now you can install those new belts. If it is a serious problem, like the xmission, you must remove the deck to gain access. Once its out, you have just saved MANY EUROS of hard-labour. We cannot delve into transaxle-repair discussions within this small box, but you see how we can assist. Keep us in touch.
Remove the mower deck. Get a flashlight, lie down beside the mower and look up at the drive belt. Follow it from the clutch pulley back through the tension pulleys, and finally around the drive pulley over the transmission. Make sure the belt isn’t damaged or broken, and that it is routed properly. The tension pulleys are plastic on many mowers. One of those could be broken and the belt hasn’t enough tension to turn the transmission drive pulley. I had a similar problem and found a broken plastic tension pulley, and replaced it without jacking up the mower. If the belt needs replacement, it is a bit more difficult. Online videos will show how to accomplish that task.
