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I own a one year old Poulan riding mower Model#PO18542LT and originally transmission wouldn't go into reverse. Now can't find neutral. I have tried to adjust the selection lever as described in the owners manual but this hasn't worked. I can move the selector manually using a pry bar but can't seem to find the neutral position. HELP!:frown:

Hey there - WELCOME to LMF! :smile:

I moved your thread to the General Mower Discussion Forum.

is it a 6sp or auto?......does it make noises when you try to shift?...is your warranty good...if it is they wont want you messing with it.....tell us what you find:smile:

reddragon said:

is it a 6sp or auto?......does it make noises when you try to shift?...is your warranty good...if it is they wont want you messing with it.....tell us what you find:smile:

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It doesn't make any noises, no gears grinding, no rubbing sounds anything out of the ordinary. It is a 6 speed. The warranty expired 2 weeks before this happened. Yeah 2 weeks before, so no warranty.:frown: Anyway I have been able to gently force it into another gear. The selector arm is not bent, and I have no neutral. I got it into reverse, but once I move it out of reverse it will not go back into reverse without gentle persuasion. As matter of fact once I up shift I can not down shift using the selector with out it be extremely difficult. The mower was bought new 1 year and 1 1/2 months ago from local Poulan dealer. The number I have is PO18542LT.

if you can take the back hitch cover off....its only 4 bolts..9/16 i think...you will see the tranny and linkage..make sure the lever on the tranny is moving when you shift.....whats your transmission maker and number#??...i fear its an internal thing... but lets check everything first!:wink:

reddragon said:

if you can take the back hitch cover off....its only 4 bolts..9/16 i think...you will see the tranny and linkage..make sure the lever on the tranny is moving when you shift.....whats your transmission maker and number#??...i fear its an internal thing... but lets check everything first!:wink:

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It is a Peerless transmission, found these numbers hopefuully they tell us something, "011613-0549", and H m5 2065452"

The lever on the tranny is moving when shifting, Finally got it out of one gear but it'll up shift. Found reverse and neutral should be one click up. Well guess what I go one click up and it's 1st gear. Is it time now to bring out the 8 pound sledge hammer? :wink:

when you find neutral...try to put shift lever back to original spot....i hate to say it but..it sounds like something broke off inside and is jamming the gears...or the shift forks are bent...got any pictures?

I was actually wondering that from the start if something hadn't cam loose inside. I didnt hear any clanging, gears moaning, so hopefully it won't be a costly repair. Does any one know where I can get an "exploded view" of the parts in this Peerless tranny? Or where I can locate parts for it? I'll try repair myself first then go for lawn repair shop if that doesn't work out.

i looked up your tranny numbers and couldnt find anything...is there any others?

I think you have a peerles 206-545 trans. If it is the exploded link is below.

http://www.odref.com/peerless/206-SERIES/206-206-545C.PDF

Check with mower salvage yards. I installed a good used one in a JD180 ,paid 150 for it.

ACCORDING TO THAT DIAGRAM..IT LOOKS LIKE YOURS TAKES GEAR OIL...IF THATS TRUE ..DRAIN IT AND SEE IF ANYTHING IS IN THE OIL FIRST..THEN WE CAN GO FROM THERE:smile:

reddragon said:

ACCORDING TO THAT DIAGRAM..IT LOOKS LIKE YOURS TAKES GEAR OIL...IF THATS TRUE ..DRAIN IT AND SEE IF ANYTHING IS IN THE OIL FIRST..THEN WE CAN GO FROM THERE:smile:

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Got it handled on the oil change. It'll be this coming Tuesday before I can do it :frown: It's always something. I will diffidently be getting back to you. I also would like to say Thank you for helping me out. I really appreciate it.

one last thing we haven't touched on ..is the belt....if your clutch pulley arm isnt moving all the way..it could cause this...put clutch in and set park....check to see if you can turn the trans pulley without the belt holding it...[ you should jack up the rear so the tires are off the ground and its in neutral ] try this before the oil..:thumbsup:.............heres a picture of the trans pulley with hitch plate removed

reddragon said:

one last thing we haven't touched on ..is the belt....if your clutch pulley arm isnt moving all the way..it could cause this...put clutch in and set park....check to see if you can turn the trans pulley without the belt holding it...[ you should jack up the rear so the tires are off the ground and its in neutral ] try this before the oil..:thumbsup:.............heres a picture of the trans pulley with hitch plate removed

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Got it. I am hoping this is just something loose that I can tighten down. The wife is a tad upset because the lawn now has become The Hay Field. I keep reminding her the old push mower is on 21 inches wide.:laughing: Just kidding I borrowed the neighbors, he uses a commercial grade 72 inch monster. Again Thank you very much for all your help.:smile:

Something definately is bent or clogging the gears. forcing it could cause more damage if it's something inside the tranny. I heard it from someone that the lower end husqvanas had bad gear trannys, and I'm pretty sure Husqvana makes poulans and craftsmans now.
I would suggest looking on poulans site for a transmition diagram, and if you can't find it there you may be able to find something on craftsmans website.

yoyoboy96 said:

Something definately is bent or clogging the gears. forcing it could cause more damage if it's something inside the tranny. I heard it from someone that the lower end husqvanas had bad gear trannys, and I'm pretty sure Husqvana makes poulans and craftsmans now.
I would suggest looking on poulans site for a transmition diagram, and if you can't find it there you may be able to find something on craftsmans website.

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I want to thank you for your help with helping me solve the riddle of my mower staying gear..Thank you
Now to date this is what I have been up to. I've been over at the Sears Parts web site and they some great parts lists, exploded view and everything. However I never did find my tranny. Found some close but not exactly what I wanted. I didn't know about Husqvana making the tranny's for Poulan's. I finally got the gears unstuck but it will only shift going up into them. Diffidently no down shifting unless one comes to a complete stop and gets the pry bar out and rocks the mower back and forth.

Husqvarna makes Craftsman and Poulan now......in my experience ....the chain breaks on reverse problems....give us the tranny numbers and well see what we can do....many lawn repair shops will sale a used tranny for $100:thumbsup: ................i think this is it.......http://www.searspartsdirect.com/par...or-accessory-Parts/Model-206545C/0796/1510000........one thing you can do from the outside is check the pulley...with the belt loose.... try and move the pulley side to side and front to back and check for slop.....it should only move up and down about a 1/16th of an inch..anything more and you have trouble.........also..if this is your tranny...it doesnt have a chain....but has oil...which can be changed and thats another option

Somehow I found reverse and neutral and when I did, I tightened all the bolts up. Gave it a test run and lost both reverse and neutral again. The pulley is tight and slop in it. It doesn't use a chain so now I'm heading out to try changing the oil. I'm willing to try a few more things to get it running as before, however I can envision myself buying a good used transmission and slapping it on there. If for no other reason then reduction of my frustration. :confused2: I'll let you know how things go.

p.s. A friend suggested I get a transmission out of the salvage yard for $15.00. He mentioned that if only lasts one season that it would be worth it. Then I can repair the original transmission while the mower is running like it should. :smile:

a used one will work and then you get the old one apart on the bench at your leisure...there are probably several models that will fit.....i would take your old one out when you got o get a new used for comparison.....the main things are axle mount holes....the front bracket holes...the brake lever and the shift linkage......good luck!....tell us how it goes:smile: