Brand new riding lawnmower, stop on hill, set park break, ready to go foward and when I push foward pedal and release break mower free whells backward. has 1 hr. on it. purged the trans. per instructions still no good. can't get through on 1-800 help line . took one back already because I thought the trans was bad this is doing the same thing.

Hi and welcome to FixYa, I am Kelly
I will be referencing this manual:
http://www.northerntool.com/downloads/manuals/15117.pdf
From the manual above:

TO TRANSPORT (See Figs. 3 and 12)

When pushing or towing your tractor, be sure to disengage

transmission by placing freewheel control in free wheeling

position. Free wheel control is located at the rear drawbar

of tractor.

• Raise attachment lift to highest position with at tach ment

lift control.

• Pull freewheel control out and down into the slot and

release so it is held in the disengaged position.

• Do not push or tow tractor at more than two (2)

MPH.

• To reengage transmission, reverse above procedure.

NOTE: To protect hood from damage when transporting

your tractor on a truck or a trailer, be sure hood is closed

and secured to tractor. Use an appropriate means of tying
hood to tractor (rope, cord, etc.).

It is very important to make sure the Freewheeling rod is in the drive position. It may appear in drive but since your having problems your going to have to visually inspect the rod. It may need adjustment.



This is from the service manual:

HYDRO TRANSAXLES - LT REPLACEMENT 3 WHAT YOU SHOULD CHECK BEFORE YOU REPLACE THE TRANSAXLE

Symptom: Tractor has loss of drive. No forward / reverse motion.

1. Check to see that the freeweel control is "DISENGAGED" position.

2. Make sure the motion drive belt is not worn , damaged or broken.

3. Vehicle should be on level ground before performing adjustments.

4. Verify that square axle key are installed in each wheel hub.

5. Was air trapped in hydro transaxle during shipment? (PURGE TRANSAXLE.)

6. Adjust the neutral position. Make sure shift lever linkage is tight.

7. Does hydro transaxle have enough oil ? Check oil level and add if needed..
8. Check the parking brake setting.

This should be the service manual for your Hydro-gear transaxle:
http://www.hydro-gear.com/Service-Manuals/310-0510%20BLN-51260_P2.pdf

See page 20 item 25of the pdf file for the actual location of the bypass actuator. I believe the position of this actuation rod is causing your problem. Make sure it is in the DRIVE position.

Thanks for choosing FixYa,
Kelly

Sorry to hear about your problem...you aren't the only one having it. Sounds like a hydrostatic problem or a pulley freewheeling on a shaft somewhere. If you bought your tractor at Sears they might could help you---the husky and are the craftsman are the same. Husky uses a little better engine is all. Hope this helps.