HD ZT transaxle

[Hammermechanicman]

FYI, the mower is powered whether with the transaxles engaged or not engaged. The engage/disengage lever does nothin. ie. won't freewheel

When you say powered do you mean the wheels are locked or if you move the operator levers with the engine running the wheels turn? I think gravely used the hydro gear zt2800 in that series of mowers. The bypass lever is on the top of the hydro unit. Be sure the bypass levers are all the way in the bypass position and that the internal brake is released. Some of the larger hydro units are still hard to freewheel when bypassed.

 

[bullet bob]

OK. Just went out & looked. The easily accessible lever which is suppose to engage/release the transaxle IS hoked up to the next linkage, which in turn pivots a 'bolt' that drops straight down into the tranny. And when I say powered, I mean it's as though I've never moved the levers. I am in 'engage' mode constantly. I found this out when I changed tranny oil & filter. Went to purge the system with trannys disengaged and the wheels still turned. Later, I found out I could ride with them engaged or not. No difference. It's as if there is no need for a lever there.
I'm 67 yo and know my way around the shop. This gravely was bought from a gentleman who would never try to work on something himself. Problem? He had the dealership pick it up, so I don't think it's anything he could get into. And it's happening with BOTH trannys. Help guys!

 

[bullet bob]

Stumped 'ya didn't I

 

[bullet bob]

OK. Got it figured out. Took it to the dealer....apparently when you pull out the lever and it stops, there's an ADDITIONAL amount to go. Pulled really hard after I thought it had gone out all the way. Nope. Still an additional inch to go. Zip-zap, it's freewheelin'. Sorry to have muddied the waters guys.

 

[ILENGINE]

Don't feel bad, you didn't know and there are a lot of people that would of done the same thing. Kind of like the guy that calls me up and says the chain on his chainsaw doesn't turn. And I ask them to make sure the chain brake hasn't been bumped and engaged. Nope tried that and still doesn't work. customer comes by the shop and grab the saw pull the chain brake back and it clicks and then hand it back to the customer.

 

[Hammermechanicman]

Or the people who bring the saw in with the chain on backwards or the mower with the blade on upside down. Or the people who bring in equipment out of gas and say it won't start.

 

[tbzep]

It's just a little 1/8" or so additional pull after you get to that notch so it's easy to miss it, especially if you've got stuck and buried it up to the levers. ?

 

[ILENGINE]

Or the people who bring the saw in with the chain on backwards or the mower with the blade on upside down. Or the people who bring in equipment out of gas and say it won't start.

I've had all three in the last 6 months.

 

[Hammermechanicman]

I've had all three in the last 6 months.

Fist bump bro.

 

[Hammermechanicman]

Had a guy last year complain his JD zero turn was running bad after i worked on it. Long story short he is a "green" warrior. Whatever the hell he put in tbe fuel tank wasn't gasoline. Would barely burn when you put a flame to it. He would not tell me what is was. Swore it was pump gas. BS it was.