Smart track quit working after 4 to hrs of use

[tee3]

I bought HRR2168VKA Honda Smart Drive. Only had it since10/13/12. I have a small lawn but lots of leaves and it worked fine the first 4 or 5 times in use. This past week after about 15 minutes of use it just quit moving. I called the local honda warranty dealer and they said it would be a bout three weeks before he could look at it. Anyone had a tranny problem with this model? Thanks in advance, TEES

 

[Briana]

Welcome to LawnMowerForum!

I moved your thread to the Honda forum. :smile:

 

[robert@honda]

I bought HRR2168VKA Honda Smart Drive. Only had it since10/13/12. I have a small lawn but lots of leaves and it worked fine the first 4 or 5 times in use. This past week after about 15 minutes of use it just quit moving. I called the local honda warranty dealer and they said it would be a bout three weeks before he could look at it. Anyone had a tranny problem with this model? Thanks in advance, TEES

On your specific Honda mower, there is a constant-tension belt that runs between the engine and a pulley on top of the transmission. When you turn the SmartDrive control, it pulls a cable that gradually engages a clutch inside the transmission, increasing the power to the rear wheels.

So the belt may have slipped off, (unlikely it actually broke), the cable may have come loose at either end (or just way out of adjustment) and lastly, there may be an internal fault in the transmission itself. All of these are generally covered under the 3-year warranty, but it is a very busy time for a lot of lawn & garden dealers. You may wish to call around and maybe find another Honda dealer who could look at it sooner.

If you'd prefer to DIY, I can post a few pages from the Shop Manual that show some troubleshooting and repair diagrams...let me know.

 

[tee3]

On your specific Honda mower, there is a constant-tension belt that runs between the engine and a pulley on top of the transmission. When you turn the SmartDrive control, it pulls a cable that gradually engages a clutch inside the transmission, increasing the power to the rear wheels.

So the belt may have slipped off, (unlikely it actually broke), the cable may have come loose at either end (or just way out of adjustment) and lastly, there may be an internal fault in the transmission itself. All of these are generally covered under the 3-year warranty, but it is a very busy time for a lot of lawn & garden dealers. You may wish to call around and maybe find another Honda dealer who could look at it sooner.

If you'd prefer to DIY, I can post a few pages from the Shop Manual that show some troubleshooting and repair diagrams...let me know.

The diagrams would be appreciated. I checked the belt when it stopped. When you push down on the smart track handle there is not enough pressure to get the transmission to kick in. I could not see any adjustment but the diagram might show some. I have a 28 year old sears garden tractor that works about the same way as this mower.(never had a problem other than replacing the belt a couple of times) Thanks in advance, BEE3

 

[robert@honda]

The diagrams would be appreciated.

Here you are; to anyone else looking, these are JUST for HRR2168VKA; please confirm the "8" is on the data plate of your mower. Any other number (0-7) or 9 uses different procedures.

 

[tee3]

Here you are; to anyone else looking, these are JUST for HRR2168VKA; please confirm the "8" is on the data plate of your mower. Any other number (0-7) or 9 uses different procedures.

View attachment 13717 View attachment 13718 View attachment 13719 View attachment 13720 View attachment 13721

Thanks a bunch, TEE3

 

[dannyjr321]

I have a HRR2168VKA and will not roll backwards and when you try to engage the smart drive you can see the wheels try to move and stop it moves maybe a quarter of an inch and then just sits there. I have taken the wheels off there is nothing in the gears. Any suggestions?

 

[tee3]

I have a HRR2168VKA and will not roll backwards and when you try to engage the smart drive you can see the wheels try to move and stop it moves maybe a quarter of an inch and then just sits there. I have taken the wheels off there is nothing in the gears. Any suggestions?

I think honda needs to fix this problem before it sells these mowers. When you take it to a dealer to correct the problem and they know what's wrong with it without looking at the mower then you know lots of them have the same problem. Sorry but the warranty does not cover these adjustments. Shame on you honda.. tee3

 

[robert@honda]

I think honda needs to fix this problem before it sells these mowers. When you take it to a dealer to correct the problem and they know what's wrong with it without looking at the mower then you know lots of them have the same problem. Sorry but the warranty does not cover these adjustments. Shame on you honda.. tee3

If you have a disagreement with a Honda dealer about what is or isn't covered by Honda's warranty, Honda Customer Relations Group is there to help. Have the serial number and details of the work/dealer involved, and give 'em a call: 770-497-6400.

 

[tee3]

If you have a disagreement with a Honda dealer about what is or isn't covered by Honda's warranty, Honda Customer Relations Group is there to help. Have the serial number and details of the work/dealer involved, and give 'em a call: 770-497-6400.

I read the owners manual and I have no disagreement with the dealer that fixed it. The dealer that fixed my mower has had many owners with the same problem as mine. I think they have been called before. Have a great day, tee3