Transmission problem on LT180

Mike Buckley · Mar 24, 2014

I need some advice. I have a JDLT180 lawn tractor with a Tuff Torq automatic hydrostatic transmission. Recently while taking off the rear tire and putting a new one on I had to move it and I pulled out the free-wheeling lever. I started the engine and let it run for a while due to the cold---forgetting to push the free-wheeling lever back in. Now, my tractor won't move. Of course then I checked the manual and saw the big warning about not starting the tractor with the lever pulled out.

Is my tranny cooked or is it reparable? Thanks for any advice.

I should add that when I have the free wheel lever pushed all the way in I can still push the tractor by hand. So it's like the lever isn't engaging inside the transaxle.

Yellowfever440 · Mar 24, 2014

Usually when you push the brake in it re engages the free wheel lever. So I would push the brake down as far as you can with out break or bending anything then try it again

BATTY54 · Mar 25, 2014

Are you sure the axel key is in there? They can sometimes fall out while replacing the wheel on the axel and it will act the same as you describe.

Mike Buckley · Mar 25, 2014

Thanks for both responses! I'll check both after work today.

Mike Buckley · Mar 26, 2014

Thanks BATTY54. I'm embarrassed but grateful. I think I left the axle keys in the rims when new tires were put on the rims at the shop and I don't have them. Stupid!!! A few bucks for the keys is way better than a transmission repair, though. At least some stupid mistakes are cheap and easy to fix!