I have an old Craftsman riding mower with an automatic transmission. What happens is, it'll run great at full speed for about 15-20 minutes, but then the speed would gradually begin to decrease. Up until it's running at walking speed. I can try to set it back into high gear but it just won't stay there. And the more I try, the slower it runs. Up until the point where it stops moving completely. When this happens, none of the gears work. But if I were to shut it off for about 10 minutes or so, and then fire it back up in high gear, it'll start working again but for a shorter time. I'm not really sure what to make of this. Has anyone elase experienced this problem?
Time for new belts
It would be real helpful if you posted the craftsman numbers from the tag under the seat
There were a lot of old Craftsman mowers, made by near a dozen different companies with even more transmissions.
Time for new belts
It would be real helpful if you posted the craftsman numbers from the tag under the seat
There were a lot of old Craftsman mowers, made by near a dozen different companies with even more transmissions.
If you’ve replaced the belts then I would check two things. First, the next time it happens stop the unit and check the belt tension, belt should still be tight if the tensioner arm is doing its job. If the belt is tight I’m leaning toward worn pulleys, any one or combination of all three, idler, tranny or stack. With a twenty year old unit they could definitely cause this problem
#11
StarTech
Yes Hydro Gear units uses 20W50 motor oil. Note following shows the 310-0510 but the 322-0510 procedure is the same.
We changed out the oil this moring and can not get the tires to move. Is it possible there is air trapped in the unit and is there a procedure for getting air out of the unit?
#13
StarTech
Note: You may need oil during the purging procedure as noted in step two.
I checked the air filter (Part #496894) for the first time in years and found that it was gunked up. I've had a few of these old riding mowers over the years but this was the first time I checked the air filter. Someone at Ace Hardware mentioned that maybe the motor is overheating. And that's why it slows down and stops moving. This filter is in horrible shape. No wonder the motor can't breathe. I don't know for sure if this is the cause but I want to try and clean it as best I can. What should I use to clean this with? I've already placed an Amazon order online for a new filter and should have it in a few days.
Well you can clean some with an air cannon and special dry cleaning solvent
We get this done with the skid steer because its filters are over $ 100 and they need cleaning almost daily in very dusty conditions
Down side is it cost $ 40 a hit
These air filters are throw aways .
Well you can clean some with an air cannon and special dry cleaning solvent
We get this done with the skid steer because its filters are over $ 100 and they need cleaning almost daily in very dusty conditions
Down side is it cost $ 40 a hit
These air filters are throw aways .
I have something like an air cannon and a bottle of parts cleaner that drys fast. Dunno if this combination will work but I will try to clean it tomorrow.
-----Edit-----
Tried to clean it out today (9/18/2022) and cut the yard afterwards. To be honest, I don't think the cleaning did much as that stuff is like a muck of sorts. I noticed that while I was cutting the yard, it lasted about 5-8 minutes longer than usual. I am interested to see how much longer it'll last with a brand-new air filter.
