3204 goin slow

[jnovak01]

I have a 3204 and have noticed that it can go about 60% as fast as it earlier in the year. Motor is strong and I checked the linkage between the forward/reverse pedal and adjusted it so it barely moves forward at idle.
when you depress the forward pedal it does go forward, but only at about 60%. I don't think it happened all at once, but even my wife noticed it as well, and I only let her on the Cub once or twice a year.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Bob_Bainbridge]

Does it go faster backward? You have to balance the linkage adjustment - i.e. more forward speed means less backward speed. I have my 3235 adjusted so it just creeps backward, giving me the most forward speed I can get. It's still slower than my old 1450.

Bob B.

 

[jnovak01]

Thanks for the tip, I will try that.
I actually had it so it would just go forward.
When I first bought it the dealer had it adjusted to where it would just go forward a little bit. Cub made it easy to adjust this withe the screw accessible thru the right wheel well.

Do you think chaning the fluid and filter would help?

 

[Bob_Bainbridge]

Thanks for the tip, I will try that.
I actually had it so it would just go forward.
When I first bought it the dealer had it adjusted to where it would just go forward a little bit. Cub made it easy to adjust this withe the screw accessible thru the right wheel well.

Do you think chaning the fluid and filter would help?

I wouldn't think so.

Bob B.

 

[jnovak01]

I adjusted the mechanism so that it barely goes backward. The tractor goes at the same speed...about 60% as fast as it really should. I am thinking that perhaps it is the drive pump. Don't want to guess on these things, so I am just trying to check the obvious things. Checked the wheels, motor rpm - I don't have a tach, but the bagger is filling up well. Also the oil levels on both the enigne and the tranny are good.

For now I will keep looking, but no smoking guns as of yet.

 

[CCinCT]

It could be the transmission fluid. If your transmission is like the 2500's, then break-in releases a lot of residue that changes the viscosity of the fluid. A filter change would be a quick and cheap way to check.

 

[OhioGuy]

This is a long shot but easy to test. I think the 3204 has a hydro release on the back of the rear end. This can get disengaged partially, the tractor I experieced that on was so slow in reverse it became unusable. The manual explains how to engage and disengage it, I think there is even a diagram next to the control.

Curt