MFL
Gold Member
Morning guys,
I'm trying to get my Murray Select 23hp hydrostatic riding mower to run again, and I've run into a situation I can't understand. I removed the rear wheels to get to the safety switches which I thought might be bad and causing the motor not to start (I had started a thread asking for suggestions why I only got a click when I turned the key in the ignition). Anyway, when I took the wheels off the back, I found out that the axle spindles rotated in opposite directions. If I turn one spindle clockwise, the other spindle turns counter-clockwise. The spindles turn smoothly without any binding or grinding and there is no play on either side.
As with most hydro riding tractors, there is a mechanical lever that can be engaged to allow the rear wheels to turn freely if you need to move the mower without starting it. I hadn't used this in ages, and now find that it no longer works. In either the engaged or disengaged position, I can't move the mower backward or forward. I assume this is because one spindle wants to turn in one direction and the other wants to turn in the opposite direction. Seems like both spindles should turn in the same direction or one should be free spinning while the other does the work.
So is the tranny fried? This was not an expensive mower when I bought it five years ago, and I can't see paying to replace or rebuild a tranny if thats what I need to do.
Of course this may be completely normal for this machine?!?. I know next to nothing about small engine/tranny repair so I'm just wandering in the dark here.
All input would be greatly appreciated.
I'm trying to get my Murray Select 23hp hydrostatic riding mower to run again, and I've run into a situation I can't understand. I removed the rear wheels to get to the safety switches which I thought might be bad and causing the motor not to start (I had started a thread asking for suggestions why I only got a click when I turned the key in the ignition). Anyway, when I took the wheels off the back, I found out that the axle spindles rotated in opposite directions. If I turn one spindle clockwise, the other spindle turns counter-clockwise. The spindles turn smoothly without any binding or grinding and there is no play on either side.
As with most hydro riding tractors, there is a mechanical lever that can be engaged to allow the rear wheels to turn freely if you need to move the mower without starting it. I hadn't used this in ages, and now find that it no longer works. In either the engaged or disengaged position, I can't move the mower backward or forward. I assume this is because one spindle wants to turn in one direction and the other wants to turn in the opposite direction. Seems like both spindles should turn in the same direction or one should be free spinning while the other does the work.
So is the tranny fried? This was not an expensive mower when I bought it five years ago, and I can't see paying to replace or rebuild a tranny if thats what I need to do.
Of course this may be completely normal for this machine?!?. I know next to nothing about small engine/tranny repair so I'm just wandering in the dark here.
All input would be greatly appreciated.
