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Hello all,
I recently acquired a SX85. My first John Deere. I was told the transmission was bad, but I'm not going to be able to check until I replace the belt that was stuck between two pullys. I have removed the transmission, and spinning the wheel on top, one of the axles is spinning, the other side is not. Is this normal?
Also, I've attempted a google search for an owners manual, but have been unsuccessful in finding a link to download one.
Any help is appreciated!
Kevin
after another attempt at a owners manual I found this out about the transmission: mechanical variable transmission with infinite forward and reverse gears.

try spinning one of the axles.... on my srx75 which is similar to yours, when you spin one axle one way, the other axle should spin the opposite way.

Appreciate the reply Scrubcadet10. That's what mine is doing also. Does that mean there isn't anything wrong with it? One of the belts above the transmission with the double pulley on the right side was so jammed in between the pullys I had a heck of a time getting it out..Used a screw driver and pried it out. Wonder how it got in there?

on mine the main drive wheel is the back right wheel (if sitting in the seat) ... and the wheels should spin in opposite directions when you turn one by hand. I believe your trans is in useable condition.
Most likely the belt jumped off the pulley while in use... sometimes they jam in the weirdest spots.l

Got the belt i need to replace. No manual as to how to do it. Will wing it. If all else fails I'll have to buy the repair manual for $39.00, but hoping I can figure it out. Any re-install tips might be hard to pass along, but....

These transmissions have a differential in them. That is why the axles rotate opposite directions when you spin one side at a time. The belt guides are a bit tricky to adjust because they tend to move as you're tightening the bolt. Make sure to check the position of the guide once you get the bolt tight. It will tear or shred a belt really quick. With engine off, the best way to set the guides is to hook a bungie cord to the variator pedal and engage the deck. That way the belts are tight and you can set the guides.

Will1988 said:

Will1988 said:

These transmissions have a differential in them. That is why the axles rotate opposite directions when you spin one side at a time. The belt guides are a bit tricky to adjust because they tend to move as you're tightening the bolt. Make sure to check the position of the guide once you get the bolt tight. It will tear or shred a belt really quick. With engine off, the best way to set the guides is to hook a bungie cord to the variator pedal and engage the deck. That way the belts are tight and you can set the guides.

Click to expand...

Appreciate the
These transmissions have a differential in them. That is why the axles rotate opposite directions when you spin one side at a time. The belt guides are a bit tricky to adjust because they tend to move

Click to expand...

Will1988 said:

These transmissions have a differential in them. That is why the axles rotate opposite directions when you spin one side at a time. The belt guides are a bit tricky to adjust because they tend to move as you're tightening the bolt. Make sure to check the position of the guide once you get the bolt tight. It will tear or shred a belt really quick. With engine off, the best way to set the guides is to hook a bungie cord to the variator pedal and engage the deck. That way the belts are tight and you can set the guides.

Click to expand...

Appropriate the response. The belt I pulled out was a mess. I’ve tried putting the trans back in, but I can’t figure out the 1,2,3. Since I’m pretty sure the trans is good, I’ll buy the JD maintenance CD for $40. And hopefully it will have the re-install steps. Will pay close attention to setting the guides!

Posted the response from my phone. Why the dbl quote??

runandrise said:

Appropriate the response. The belt I pulled out was a mess. I’ve tried putting the trans back in, but I can’t figure out the 1,2,3. Since I’m pretty sure the trans is good, I’ll buy the JD maintenance CD for $40. And hopefully it will have the re-install steps. Will pay close attention to setting the guides!

Click to expand...

IF that is the offical JD technical manual , you will not be dissapointed. and wll be on here next week telling others how to fix their mowers.
If it was one oof those 20 JD manuals on a CD off evil pay don't be surprised if all you get is a badly scanned copy of the owners manual

Appreciate all the responses guys. if the website has a little picture of the John Deere Tractor in the web address, wouldn't you think that's legit?

This is what the Aust site looks like
JD manuals
The important thing is the .deere. after www

I usually trust sites that are HTTP or HTTPS encrypted... I also use the DuckDuckGo browser and if it thinks the site is malicious, it will warn you.

Good evening! I have successfully reinstalled the belts on my XS85, at least how I believe they go…based on some belt diagrams I’ve seen.
however, I have other problems. There must be a loose connection with the battery somewhere. I have 12.85 volts and my ignition is “sporadic”. When it turns over it starts very quickly, otherwise nothing.
So I got it to start, but no movement. Left pedal down. Gear lever full forward, nothing.
I’m heading out of town for a few weeks so the mower is under the deck and covered with plastic until I get back…
Recapping, Transmission turned opposite when I twisted on axle. Only one
Side spun when I rotated the top wheel.
many thoughts always appreciated. It will be
A few weeks before I can report back..
Thanks for all the help!

Good evening! I see I’m almost a year from my last post. The tractor feel back to the bottom of the list, as other “things“ took priority…glad to be back putzing around with the rider. At this point I’m assembled, but I have no spark. Can I please get a few things to check in regards to spark? I have an in-line spark tester that I tested first on my chainsaw…
Thanks much!
Kevin

Well I’m happy to report that I got the SX85 running. It was a little lazy of me to ask the next step…what I was really saying was “ would you come over and fix this for me?”
I decided I would take the flywheel cover off. After getting it off, I discovered a mouse nest underneath. It had chewed on a few wires, but not down to the conductor. I taped it all up. But what I noticed right away was how rusty the flywheel was. I have read several times from fellow users that the rust doesn’t make any difference. I like it clean and remove all doubt, so I used a grinder with a wire wheel and cleaned up the part that runs around the coil.
The coil was very covered in oil/dirt paste, so I took it off and cleaned it all up too. I think this was probably my biggest problem because with the rust and oil/ dirt mix, I don’t think there was much of a gap.
So reassembled to test, used my spark tester and it fired right up…
Off to my next issue which is it won’t move forward or backward. I’m wondering if the belt is making contact with the top pulley….
Any direction appreciated . you can come to Bolingbrook and help too. Lol

Well I’m embarrassed to admit this, but their might be other guys out here as “challenged” as me. I’ve had a few other rider lawnmowers, this is my first John Deere. It was given to me by a friend who works at a lawn repair and it was a trade in with the diagnosis of “blown” tranny by the owner. He want a new one. NONE of the other riders had a “GAS” pedal…I couldn’t move my rider because I wasn’t giving it gas! My engine throttle was controlled by the left hand adjuster. All my other mowers were controlled by my letting out the clutch? (Although maybe I was mistaken there too?)
I admit this hoping I have helped someone else out. No kidding.
The happy end of the story is from no spark, no start, I now have a running SX85 in very good condition cosmetically speaking…no rust at all! And I will enjoy cutting my grass. This winter I will clean up all the oil that’s on it and the engine, and maybe even buy new front tires! Woohoo!