MTD - No Forward

[RobS]

So we got a freebie MTD with no forward and I told my younger son that if we (mostly he) fixed it, he could pocket the proceeds. It has a transaxle but only forward/reverse inside. Speed variation is by a variable pulley system outside the transaxle.

We got it to move forward by holding the linkage but as soon as you release it it stops moving and gives a "click, clicking" sound. We took out the transaxle and opened it up. No obvious wear though there was some slight rounding on one side of the sliding dog between two bevel gears. I can't really tell what's out of position/worn with it opened up but again, nothing stands out.

Google pulls plenty of similar examples but no one finished the story with success. I don't mind putting a few new parts in it but not a whole new transaxle. It's got to be something in the bevel gears, sliding dog and/or shifter fork.

Anyone have useful experiences to share? I'd like to turn this into a positive experience for my son!

Thanks ahead of time...

 

[Capricious]

So we got a freebie MTD with no forward and I told my younger son that if we (mostly he) fixed it, he could pocket the proceeds. It has a transaxle but only forward/reverse inside. Speed variation is by a variable pulley system outside the transaxle.

We got it to move forward by holding the linkage but as soon as you release it it stops moving and gives a "click, clicking" sound. We took out the transaxle and opened it up. No obvious wear though there was some slight rounding on one side of the sliding dog between two bevel gears. I can't really tell what's out of position/worn with it opened up but again, nothing stands out.

Google pulls plenty of similar examples but no one finished the story with success. I don't mind putting a few new parts in it but not a whole new transaxle. It's got to be something in the bevel gears, sliding dog and/or shifter fork.

Anyone have useful experiences to share? I'd like to turn this into a positive experience for my son!

Thanks ahead of time...

I have one of these, but have not had the transaxle apart. I understand that it is similar to an outboard motor lower unit (which I have had apart). The clutch dog ears are probably worn too much:

".. some slight rounding on one side of the sliding dog..."

Doesn't take much.

You can find a few transaxle rebuild videos on utube. Doesn't look too difficult.



EDITED TO ADD; I got mine free as well, Had to put about $180.00 in parts along with a few hours of work into it. So far, I have mowed 1.5 acres (3) times successfully with it. (The first time I tried mowing, the right front wheel fell off.)