Riding mower Toro 74374 wheels will not turn. Drive belt to transmissions moving ok. Mower is on jack stands. Engine runs fine, blades engage fine. L wheel turns very slowly. R no. Can turn by hand.

usually if the pins are pulled out that is the freewheel position. push them in to drive. if the trans locks in drive and it is hard to push it should be ready to mow. unless the drive belt is stretched or broken or a linkage is out of adjustment or broken.

How to Troubleshoot Riding Lawnmower Problems When it is time to mow the lawn, and the old, faithful lawnmower just doesn't want to get the job done, you may need to do some maintenance or repair on the machine. Here are some steps to guide you in troubleshooting a few common problems.

Steps 1.Check the basic mower functions to determine where you need to look to diagnose the problem you are having with your mower. Here are the basic parts of a typical mower:

• Engine
• Belts and pulleys
• Mower deck
• Wheels and axle assemblies
• Blades
• Transmission/drive system
• Safety system

2. Check each part of the mower to make sure it is working. First, you must make sure the engine is running. This should be obvious, and no other part of the machine will work if the engine won't start. Here is a checklist to get started diagnosing engine problems.

1. Check the crankcase lubricant (motor oil). Many modern engines have an oil sensor that shuts off the engine if the oil level is too low for it to operate safely.
2. Check the fuel. You may want to check the fuel pump, filter, and fuel lines for leaks or blockages.
3. Check the air filter. Dirty air filters rob the engine's performance, and if the filter is sufficiently stopped up, it will not allow it to crank.
4. Check the carburetor. Make sure all linkages and attachment bolts/screws are tight.
5. Check the starting system if the mower is equipped with electric start. This includes the battery, battery cables, solenoid switch, ignition switch, starter motor, and neutral switch if equipped.

3. Check the drive belt system if the mower doesn't move or the blades will not rotate when they are engaged. This can be done by lowering the mower deck and removing any debris that obstructs your view. Here are some things you will be looking for:

• The main drive belts should go from a pulley on the bottom of the engine to the mower deck drive pulley and to the transmission/transaxle. These should be tight when they are engaged, and loose when the clutch is depressed (transmission drive belt), and when the mower is disengaged (mower deck drive belt). Obvious things to look for are damaged or broken belts, or loose pulleys.

1. Check wiring to the electric mower drive clutch if the machine is equipped with one.
2. Check linkages that operate the belt idler pulleys and transmission shifter.

4. Check the lubricant in the transaxle when the mower is serviced. The bearings and gears in lawnmower transaxles will quickly become damaged if they do not receive sufficient lubrication.

5. Check the tires and axles if the mower seems underpowered or the steering doesn't seem to be operating properly. Front wheels often have grease fittings that extend the life of the wheel bearings or bushings, and when these are worn excessively, steering will operate well.

6. Keep your mower's blades sharp and balanced. This not only provides a better cut, but also decreases wear and tear on the machine. Here are things to look for to spot problems with the blades.

• Uneven or ragged cutting is often a sign of worn, dull, or bent blades.
• Vibration underneath the mower deck can indicate blades which are out of balance (or damaged spindles on the blade carriers) and should be repaired promptly.

How to Troubleshoot Riding Lawnmower Problems
another source that might help is:

Lawn Mower Repair Help

WelcomeLawnmower Man FREE Lawn Mower andSmall Engine Repair Help

Lift left hand foot pedal to full extent with top of foot may find that it is not engaging idle pulley, may be time for a new drive belt

I would lower the deck to the lowes setting and look between the frame and the deck toward rear wheels and check the drive belt it sounds like it is slipping or busted.

The transmission drive belt is a separate one from the blade belt. The clutch pedal when released puts tension on the transmission drive belt so it tightens up and drives the gearbox pulley by way of a large spring. Make sure the spring is ok. The belts don't last forever and probably needs replacing looking at the age of the machine. That is a fun job as it is right up under the machine and runs from the engine pulley right back to the top of the transmission. You have to drop the deck right off and I usually find a tree with a large branch and haul the front up with a rope or winch so the mower is vertical. Makes it easier to work on. Drain petrol first though. Hope this helps otherwise get a mower shop to do it for you if you feel it's to much of a task. Good luck.

Check the hydraulic fluid level first. Have you had the fluid and filter changed? Jack the rear tires up and support it with jack stands. Start the mower and run the wheels forward and backwards for about five times each. This will bleed any air that may be in the lines. Lower the mower and try it again. If it doesn't work, look at the condition of the pump belt. Is it slipping? Is it glazed looking on the side of the belts? If all looks good, then you will have to have the pumps volume tested at a local shop. This requires specialized tools to perform a flow test. If they fail the volume flow test, then they will have to be replaced.

could be engine timing not right

For removing/replacing the deck belt, the general method is:

1. turn off engine, remove key and set parking brake
2. disengage blade by putting blade engage lever into off (disengaged) position
3. lower the cutting deck to the lowest position (closest to the ground)
4. relieve the belt tension (depending on the model, use a 3/8 inch ratchet set to tighten in the square hole of the idler bracket)
5. remove and replace the belt

NOTE: it's not necessary to completely remove the cutting deck.

Useful diagrams for removing the cutting deck, http://216.213.143.2/ProAuthor/ManProc.cfm?ManualID=425&ProcID=14794

For deck belt diagrams, http://216.213.143.2/ProAuthor/ManProc.cfm?ManualID=425&ProcID=14796

If the transmission drive belt needs to be replaced, several components must be removed and special tools (i.e. air/impact wrench) used in order to change the tractor's transmission drive belt. See an Authorized Toro Service Dealer to have your drive belt replaced.

Is the belt in place that drives the blades?
Is the belt at the correct tension?
With the mower engine off.....try to turn each pulley the belt drives and on the mower deck with the mower in up position and or down....do they turn a little......this is to check for a seized bearing on one of the pulleys also look under the deck for something stuck........ jamming a blade.
Also check for the mower belt safety system (which stops the blades quickly when disengaging them) that may be stuck in stop mode.
With the mower engine running.....have some one engage the blades while you look under at the belt system....is the engine driving the belt.....is the belt driving the blades.
DO NOT TOUCH ANYTHING......MOVING OR STOPPED while the engine is trying to drive the blades.

Engine OFF, raise drive wheels and check if transmission is locked