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Good evening to all- I usually figure things out ok, but am pulling my hair out with a self propelled Troybilt 21" mower. When the lever is pulled back to engage the transmission, it seems to have plenty of "grab", but no go with the wheels. I removed the transmission and it will engage the driveshaft when I squeeze it (like pulling the handle). Installed a new belt and put all back together. If you squeeze the handle super hard and raise the rear end of the mower up, the wheels will begin to move. It is behaving like you need to be able to pull the handle further, however I don't believe that is the case as there is plenty of play for it to tighten up the belt. Is there something in the transmission that could be worn out? Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance

Sounds like either something is worn out internally, or broken. Parts may or may not be available to repair the transmission. MTD has several push mower drive units that they will show a parts breakdown for the tranny, but don't offer replacement parts.

ILENGINE said:

Sounds like either something is worn out internally, or broken. Parts may or may not be available to repair the transmission. MTD has several push mower drive units that they will show a parts breakdown for the tranny, but don't offer replacement parts.

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Good Morning to everyone. I am now to the point where I really need help or advice on what to do with this wonderful Troybilt mower. Guess I should have just taken my lumps and moved on when I found this mower wouldn't work after I bought it. Now I am in so deep on this mower, that I almost could have bought a new one. Any help sure would be appreciated. Here is the status: Ordered a new transmission from Troybilt. Now, it does go forward, but you have to squeeze the lever so hard that you think you might break it, and after 20 min end up with blisters on your hands. The tension is set as far as it can go on "tighten". The other issue is that even if the mower is not running, to pull it "backwards" almost takes two men and a boy. It is the same when it is running. The fact that it is so hard to pull it backwards, makes it basically useless for anyone other than Hercules. Not sure why, but it seems that to make the wheels go "backwards", you are making the transmission also turn backwards??? Essentially, this freaking mower has all new parts; i.e. new transmission and new drive belt. The rest of the moving parts are in very good condition and yet, it just doesn't work worth a darn. I bought this mower at an auction and was trying to fix it up for my son. Now I have a super nice looking mower that I paid $90 for, a brand new belt and various parts at $48 and now a new transmission at $130. Not counting the countless hours of cleaning, painting, putting together, taking apart and putting together again. (never worked on something that was such an engineering disaster to disassemble and reassemble).

Anyway, if anyone can offer assistance, that would be wonderful. If we can't get this freaking mower to work right, anyone know someone who might be interested in the parts? Engine runs very well and I don't think it has many hours on it since there is so little wear on the tires etc. All gears are in excellent condition, obviously a brand new transmission and drive belt. This engine is the one with electric start which works very well except the battery is pretty weak. With a fresh charge on the battery, the thing starts like a champ with the key. Thanks in advance! Jim B

I was at about the same with my TroyBilt mower. I have found out the transmission does turn backwards and your " Tension " should start at the minimum and try it from there. There is also a tension spring that pulls the transmission back when you release the drive lever. Mine attaches to the belt gaurd when its put together. Also check the transmission engagement lever on the transmission. Mine is made of plastic, and mine cracked, which when the drive engagement lever is squeezed , it engages the transmission. Hope this helps.