When i put mower in reverse it moves very slow an when in neutral mower still moves forward have to pull lever back beyond neutral position to find neutral is there an adjustment on transmission

Maintanance - How to purge Hydraulic drive system Published 01/13/2010 11:56 AM ' Updated 06/02/2015 02:52 PM
How do I purge the hydraulic system?
Hydrostatic transmissions use oil, under pressure, to provide movement for the tractor. The fluid is pressurized with a pump inside the transmission. If any air is in the fluid, the pump will try to pressurize air. This condition is known as cavitation, and is detrimental to the pump since it allows the pump top operate dry. When the pump cavitates it is not pressurizing any fluid, so the transmission is not able to provide the movement needed.
If your mower is new, or has been stored for a long period (longer than 2 months) the transmission needs to be purged before use. Also, if you experience loss of drive, or slower response, then the transmission should be purged first.
The following procedure will remove trapped air inside the transmission(s).

IMPORTANT: SHOULD YOUR TRANSMISSION REQUIRE REMOVAL FOR SERVICE OR REPLACEMENT, IT SHOULD BE PURGED AFTER REINSTALLATION BEFORE OPERATING THE TRACTOR.
Step 1- Place the rear of the mower safely onto jackstands on a level surface with engine off and parking brake set.

Step 2- Disengage transmission by placing freewheel control, located at the back of the frame, in the freewheeling position.

2a- Mowers with seperate pumps and wheel motors the freewheel is activated by turnign the bypass valves, one on each pump, two full turns.
The oil resevoir needs to be filled to the specifications listed in the owners manual before starting the purge procedure.
Step 3- Sitting in the operators seat(riders), start engine. After the engine is running, move throttle control to slow position. With motion control levers in neutral (N) position, slowly disengage clutch/brake pedal.
Step 4-Move motion control levers to full forward position and hold for five (5) seconds. Move levers to full reverse position and hold for five (5) seconds. Repeat this procedure three (3) times.

NOTE: During this procedure there may be some movement of the drive wheels, but they are not under load. The air is being removed from hydraulic drive system.

Step 5-Move motion control levers to neutral (N) position. Shutoff engine and set parking brake. Check and add oil as needed for units with an oil resevoir.

Step 6-Engage transmission by placing freewheel control into driving position, or by closing the bypass valves on the pumps.
Step 7-Sitting in the operators seat, start engine. After the engine is running, move throttle control to full speed. With motion control levers in neutral (N) position, slowly disengage clutch/brake pedal.

Step 8-Slowly move motion control levers forward, after the tractor moves approximately five (5) feet, slowly move motion control levers to reverse position.
After the mower moves approximately five (5) feet return the motion control levers to the neutral (N) position. Repeat this procedure with the motion control levers three (3) times.

Step 9-Your mower is now purged and now ready for normal operation.For further information or assistance, we recommend contacting your lo

check transmission drive belt underneath tractor.

Your drive belt might be off or broken (upper one) not the belt that controls the blades. There's a rod at the rear of the mower that also controls the trans-axle, if it's pulled out, the transmission is disengaged. To purge air out of the system, you pull the rod out, keep it in the out position with a pin and move the motion lever to go forward and return it to neutral several times, then do the same thing to the reverse direction. Then release the rod and return it to the very most inner position. GOOD LUCK, hope it's not a bad transaxle.

Check your drive belt that it has not slipped off.. also check your drive lever on the right side (speeds, neutral, and reverse). The mower uses this lever to angle the motor against the belt to move it..

It is most likely the belt or the angle misaligned if the engine is turning...

when you took off the bag did you pull the lever that allows you to push it around the one that puts the hydro drive in neutral its on the back a couple inches away from the eyelet you can tow with it should be released forward

You didn't specify a brand or type but it sounds like a hydrostatic drive model and if so, it is 1 of 4 likely things

Drive belt from engine to transaxle slipping badly (replace the belt)
FWD-REV pedal linkage faulty
Transaxle is broken or has fluid issues (not user fixable)
by-pass rod (neutral lever/rod) is pulled out a bit. (push it in fully!)

Check the adjustment from the lever to the transaxle, if the linkage is ok the transaxle may be suffering from age and has leaking internal seals.

You need to adjust the linkage so that it goes forward only when it is in FORWARD then reverse will work

If you have different levers for direction and speed, try starting mower, with transmission in neutral, move the speed lever to fastest speed and back to brake position, then put in forward and move speed selector to any position, this should work.

On my hydrostatic there is an adjustment on the forward/back lever which can be made to run all reverse or all forward. Normal setting gives both of course. Look at that adjustment. Maybe something let go.