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I have some older model yardman mowers that I thought I'd fix up and sell. None of them are running yet. But I noticed when I was loading them into the trailer, that when I try to push them, one wheel turns one way, and the other tries to turn the opposite way.
The release lever that sticks up from the center is in the right position. On another, the lever stick out the back. Anyways, regardless of their position, in or out, the wheels still spin the opposite direction.

I'm guessing, that because all 4 of them, have the same problem, that either I'm not doing something right. Or this is a common problem.

I can't move them into the shop, or anywhere for that matter, until I solve this.

This isn't the actual picture. But it's almost identical to this.

the brake disk may be stuck if they have been sitting up for some time

NorthBama said:

the brake disk may be stuck if they have been sitting up for some time

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That's what I was thinking at first. But when I jacked the rear end up, and turned on of the wheels, the other turned the opposite way. So, it can't be the brakes, because they turn freely. Just in opposite directions.

hrdman2luv said:

That's what I was thinking at first. But when I jacked the rear end up, and turned on of the wheels, the other turned the opposite way. So, it can't be the brakes, because they turn freely. Just in opposite directions.

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Incorrect, that's not how it works. The brake rotor drops out of the picture with both rear wheels up.

This is how perfectly good tractors are purchased at auction for about 15 -25 bucks. Both wheels slide so the differential must be locked up. Usually not so but the brake is stuck.

SeniorCitizen said:

Incorrect, that's not how it works. The brake rotor drops out of the picture with both rear wheels up.

This is how perfectly good tractors are purchased at auction for about 15 -25 bucks. Both wheels slide so the differential must be locked up. Usually not so but the brake is stuck.

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I guess I'm not following you. If the diffs were all locked up, then they wouldn't turn at all, would they? All of these, turn freely. Just in opposite directions (when they're off the ground).

I pull the release lever out. The clutch/brake peddle isn't pressed. And still one tire spins one way. And the other one spins the other way.
If you're saying they're locked together, then there must be something in there, that's not releasing, when I push the release lever.
I'll make a video of it later and post it.

I didn't say differentials are locked together. Yours is a standard differential and is not locked together. "Detroit Lockers" are locked together but not yours.

The differential is working just fine and doing what is designed to do. The differential sit inside the ring and pinion which isn't turning. This means that the problem lies in the transmission or brake system. So I agree with NorthBama check the brakes first.

Don't know what transmission you have but look under the right back wheel for a brake disk with a 1/2 nut loosen off on brake nut so disk can spin freely

May as well get puckered up to spend some time in this area if the spline / key / rotor bore, is rusted to the shaft. The rotor must slide on the shaft with very little pressure or it ain't gonna work right.

NorthBama said:

Don't know what transmission you have but look under the right back wheel for a brake disk with a 1/2 nut loosen off on brake nut so disk can spin freely

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These pics ..may help to see... what Bama is referring to ... ( I hope )

.. ...

yours may be different...???

Your right on Boo that nut is adjustable. Loosen it and brake disk should spin. You the Man thanks for the pictures

With such detailed pics provided by Boobala I'm sure that some day the OP will understand. On the other hand I believe he is somewhat hard headed so don't hold your breath.

You folks have an enjoyable future on the LawnMowerForum. I just won't be here to occupy your time with worthless information. I don't have that kind of time to waste.

This forum needs a thank you button.

Sorry if I seemed hard headed about this. I just don't know what the heck I'm going about somethings. This being one of them.

Special thanks for the pictures. When I get all these tires aired up (or tubed), I'll hopefully be able to free these up and get them moved where they need to be. We got almost a weeks worth of rain coming in, starting at noon. Dang it.

If you jack both drive tires of an automobile up off the ground, and you don't have a limited slip differential, if turn one wheel the other side will turn the opposite direction. They work that way to allow one wheel to turn slower than the other when turning. Otherwise one wheel would have spin in order to turn a corner

ILENGINE said:

If you jack both drive tires of an automobile up off the ground, and you don't have a limited slip differential, if turn one wheel the other side will turn the opposite direction. They work that way to allow one wheel to turn slower than the other when turning. Otherwise one wheel would have spin in order to turn a corner

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That's exactly the way my Tecumseh-Peerless works ...

And Senior ...What the hell are YOU gettin the " rosy-red " about ..?? So EVERYBODY jumps in to offer their 2 cents... I would rather have a bunch of info. than a single item which may OR may not fit the circumstance at hand . We value YOUR input as much as the next guy. It appears to ME .... I stated ME !! you want an ATTA-Boy or the GOLD star for your submission ..?? Personally I'm not a glory-seeker ... I feel for the guy with a problem ...because WE ALL have a problem of some type ... one way or another.

I don't know all the answers or solutions to the questions posed on this site. I offer what I know through my own experience or from
a trusted source... I take HUNDREDS of pictures... of things I work on.. IF... I think I have a picture that shows a better perspective of something being discussed in a thread ... I put it up there... just as I did here... I an NOT trying to " out-shine " anyone I just want to help if I can .... Quit bein a " Grumpy Ol Man " ....:biggrin: ..:laughing:

If both wheels turn then it's not the brake. Never heard if you lift the wheels off the ground the the brake releases

Sent from my iPhone using LMF

Carscw said:

If both wheels turn then it's not the brake. Never heard if you lift the wheels off the ground the the brake releases

Sent from my iPhone using LMF

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This doesn't work like a car that the brakes are on the wheels. The brake is made into the transmission. As I said earlier the wheels spin because you are spinning the differential gears and not the ring and pinion gears. I guess the best way to explain this put your car in park or in gear and rise the drive wheels, if you have a standard differential you will find that both drive wheels will spin in different directions if the brake isn't holding one wheel.

reynoldston said:

This doesn't work like a car that the brakes are on the wheels. The brake is made into the transmission. As I said earlier the wheels spin because you are spinning the differential gears and not the ring and pinion gears. I guess the best way to explain this put your car in park or in gear and rise the drive wheels, if you have a standard differential you will find that both drive wheels will spin in different directions if the brake isn't holding one wheel.

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I think I'm understanding what your saying. I'm about to try the earlier advise about loosening the half inch nut on a couple and see what happens.

hrdman2luv said:

I think I'm understanding what your saying. I'm about to try the earlier advise about loosening the half inch nut on a couple and see what happens.

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Get it up in the air and have a look.
You will see the brake is working on the layshaft not the driving axel.
This locks the transmission, same way as a tailshaft brake works on a truck or the P position on an auto box.
The diff has 3 shafts, an engine shaft, and 2 axel shafts.
If you lock the engine shaft the wheels have to turn in opposite directions which is how the P position works on your car and why you should chock the wheels when jacking uo.
Try it if you have an Auto box in your car.
jack it up and you will fine the wheels turn is opposite directions when you try to turn one.

That's a very good way of describing it. I remember now. One of my customers brokeep a transmission. I put another used in it. But tore that one down to see what broke.

That's it. No more yard machine mowers.