craftsman riding mower suddenly goes into neutural while mowing

[jash]

My craftsman riding mower has an automatic hydrostratic transmisssion and mows fine, but has started suddenly going into neutral and will freewheel until I reach a flat spot in the yard. Then if I push the level all the way forward it will go, but will not go into reverse and still freewheels on a grade. Then all of a sudden it will work fine again. We have replaced the drive belt, check the fluid in the transmission, remove the rear wheels to check the key.

 

[Selluwud]

My craftsman riding mower has an automatic hydrostratic transmisssion and mows fine, but has started suddenly going into neutral and will freewheel until I reach a flat spot in the yard. Then if I push the level all the way forward it will go, but will not go into reverse and still freewheels on a grade. Then all of a sudden it will work fine again. We have replaced the drive belt, check the fluid in the transmission, remove the rear wheels to check the key.

Have you purged the transmission as directed in the manual for 1st time use?

 

[BlazNT]

It would be nice if we knew what mower you have. Craftsman does not make a mower but many others do for them. Please list your model number from under the seat. Not the name on the side of the mower.