K46 transaxle problem YHT2246 lawn tractor

KEEPBALINTX · Aug 5, 2014

Drove the lawn tractor about 40 feet, stopped and put it in park, left engine running while I filled the tires. Got back on, stepped on the brake to release the park lock, stepped on forward pedal tractor won't move forward (or reverse), makes a horrible groaning sound like the belt is slipping over a stuck pulley.

Shut it down, pulled the transmission bypass lever and can hardly push the tractor. Transaxle won't disengage and wheels turn in opposite directions when I force it forward or backward.

The brake rod moves freely and is still attached to the transaxle with spring intact. Sound to me like it's fried big time. Would appreciate any input.
Thanks

Jeff

Gem99ultra · Aug 6, 2014

I find that on my GHT just stepping on the brake pedal doesn't usually actually release the parking brake. Yeah, the brake pedal does come back up - but the parking brake is still actually engaged. I have to step back on the brake pedal good and hard, then side-step the pedal to make the parking brake release. Otherwise - I get the same results that you're seeing, i.e. no power to the wheels.

I unfortunately ran into this dilemma while mowing at the bottom of a boxed in area on a steep hill. Had to use my tractor to drag the mower out, then load the mower by hand onto my trailer and took it all the way back to town to the dealer, only to be informed that there wasn't anything seriously wrong with the mower. The dealer released the parking brake as I described in the above paragraph and I was on my way back home - totally embarrassed.

Hopefully you'll find that your problem is a simple.

Spindifferent · Aug 6, 2014

Sounds like it is related to the parking brake.

Does it matter if the PTO is engaged or not?

General troubleshooting info:

https://www.tufftorqservices.com/En...eshooting/Diagnostic_Flowchart_EN_23DEC08.pdf

Dan Bollinger · Aug 6, 2014

Gem99ultra, What do you mean by "side-step the pedal?"

Gem99ultra · Aug 6, 2014

Dan Bollinger said:
Gem99ultra, What do you mean by "side-step the pedal?"

Press the brake pedal down hard and quickly slide your foot off of it. Let the pedal slam back up with purpose.

KEEPBALINTX · Aug 7, 2014

Figured it out. The rod from the pedal bar to the transmission was getting hung up on the frame, back near the tranny. So the transmission was engaged but the brake wasn't released, hence the groaning sounds. I need to adjust the tension so it won't sag down and get hung.