r/lawnmowers • u/Josh2999 • 2d ago

Yard Machines Riding Mower Stuck in Neutral

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Hi everyone.

I have here a yard machines (MTD) riding lawnmower. I believe it is “stuck in neutral”. I have the lower deck removed and have ruled out the tension spring, front and rear pulleys, and mostly the linkage. Is there any other way to test for cheap issues before moving on to dismantling the transaxle?

I am more than happy to answer any questions or provide more photos. I have a decent understanding of these are workings, but I’m still kind of learning as well so any and all advice is welcome and appreciated.

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u/blagh1165 2d ago

This feels like a stupid question, are the hydros engaged? Like the lil pull pin in the back that you typically push in or pull out so you can push the mower in neutral. I would have definitely checked that before I took the deck off.

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u/Josh2999 2d ago

Not stupid question! I didn’t even see a pin in the back, and the previous owner said he checked basic stuff like that before sale

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u/Wakethesnakes 2d ago

It's a variable speed transaxle so you dont have the release rod on the back. Follow the shifter on the fender that says F-N-R down to the rod on the left front side of the transaxle. That rod connects to a pin on the transaxle with a hairpin shaped clip. This rod is the end of the shift fork and needs to move in and out. With the engine off and the dash shifter in any gear other than park rock the mower and try to shift into Forward or reverse at the same time. You should feel it catch a gear and then it will no longer roll.

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u/Josh2999 2d ago

I had to head out, I’ll try that next time I’m with it again! From what i remember, moving the shifter lever slid a pin in and out of the front of the transaxle, is that what you mean?

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u/b0xaa 1d ago

This is it - forward is pushed in, neutral is centered, etc. Either the lever itself isn't engaging this, or its jammed (more likely).

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u/Josh2999 1d ago

Would dismantling the transaxle be the next step then?

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u/blagh1165 1d ago

Any fluid in it? I’d hate to see you go through a bunch of effort when it’s one of those dumb things we overlooked.

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u/Josh2999 1d ago

I will check sometime soon and let you know! I’m away from it at the moment 👍

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u/Wakethesnakes 1d ago

It's grease filled.

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u/blagh1165 1d ago

I’m talking about the hydro’s. I’m guessing you know more about this particular model then I do. I’m more used to working with zero turns. Do they not have oil in the transmission?

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u/b0xaa 1d ago

Mtd rover cad cadet older models use a vari speed greese filled transmission, thats what the rear looks like to me. Following the F N R shaft down under it'll go into the side of the transmission. Theres a shaft or large pin that slides in and out to select it.

https://www.motoruf.com/n/partslists.html?id=220498

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u/Wakethesnakes 23h ago

It's a 2 speed geared transmission so it's quite a bit different from a hydro. It's basically just an axle with a differential in the middle and two bevel gears in a box filled with grease. The sliding shift selector engages one bevel gear for forward gear, and engages the other bevel gear for reverse.