Murray RM50 Issue…

Bat135

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Hi
I have a problem with my Murray RM50 ride on mower.
The serial number and model is included in attached pics.
The issue is its drives very slowly in forward and reverse. If at all. And sometimes it’s juddery… inching forwards. It is intermittently worse and sometimes better.
I have made sure the manual push lever has been rotated into drive and also checked for stuck brake…
It seems to change a little when I pull the manual push to drive mode lever spring that mounts to a twist like metal rotating switch on the transmission. This allows you to push the mower freely when not in use.

What can I check exactly and how?

Could it be a combination of faulty transmission switch/to push mode and throttle? Because if I manually increase throttle by putting tension in the throttle spring it seems to jump forward faster??

I have attached pics of model number and the spring switch mechanism on the trans axle. And the lever that attaches to this spring mechanism in the other side of mower.
Any ideas would be appreciated. I am lost.
 

Bat135

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Here are pictures
 

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Rivets

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When was the last time you replaced the drive belt, #1742461YP. If it has been more than 3 years I would start there. When doing so make sure that the idler pulley is in good condition and the doer arm is moving freely.
 

Bat135

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Hi, not certain about drive belt. Would this cause the mower to not move?
I can see a fan type thing above the transaxle drive that spins slowly then stops then spins again… could this be the drive belt slipping?

also, what is the doer arm?

before I buy a drive belt can I test or eliminate things by visually checking whilst running? How can I test if it’s the drive belt before replacing it?
 

Bat135

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Hi, not certain about drive belt. Would this cause the mower to not move?
I can see a fan type thing above the transaxle drive that spins slowly then stops then spins again… could this be the drive belt slipping?

also, what is the doer arm?

before I buy a drive belt can I test or eliminate things by visually checking whilst running? How can I test if it’s the drive belt before replacing it?
Or how do I test transmission…. Or manual push lever operation? I think it disconnects drive so you can push it freely onto trailer ect…

because the brake is ok it can only be the transmission, belt or that manual push lever.

as it goes it reverse, neural and forward fine… just judders slowly backwards or forwards depending on what gear it’s in.
 

Rivets

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You are overthinking this. You came here looking for help. The first thing the techs here would recommend is checking and replacing the drive belt, checking the idler arm and idler pulley. The arm and pulley keep the belt tight for smooth operation. You will have to remove the deck to access these parts. If the belt is worn you will get the shuttering you described. Can‘t be of much more help until the parts I recommended are all in good condition.
 

Bat135

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Ok. I will try and get a belt this week. It looks like it is ok is why I am questioning it.
It is spinning and looks in good condition as do the pulleys.
 

Rivets

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Just like humans, just because they may look good doesn’t mean they are good.
 

Bat135

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Ha…
Very true.

It does look ok.

will try and view it running to see if it’s slipping but think it’s the manual push operation/transmission switch or gears.
 

Bat135

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Will get the belt and post the end results as it might help others….
 
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