MTD Tradesman

[rjt1234]

Hey Folks,
I have a 1996 MTD Tradesman GT 18.5H 46" Lawn Garden tractor.
It slows down to a stop at various times (the forward motion not the engine). The blades seem to not slow down. Almost as if someone is putting on the brakes or pushing in a clutch.
It is manual transmission. Following the manual I did the section entitled "Speed Control Adjustments", which has you adjust the front and rear speed control linkages. Did
not seem to have any effect.
What should I look into next?
Thanx in advance.
RJ

[bgsengine]

Hey Folks,
I have a 1996 MTD Tradesman GT 18.5H 46" Lawn Garden tractor.
It slows down to a stop at various times (the forward motion not the engine). The blades seem to not slow down. Almost as if someone is putting on the brakes or pushing in a clutch.
It is manual transmission. Following the manual I did the section entitled "Speed Control Adjustments", which has you adjust the front and rear speed control linkages. Did
not seem to have any effect.
What should I look into next?
Thanx in advance.
RJ

I'd start with factory new O.E.M. belts - replaced as a set - likely have worn belts - and then while replacing them make sure the pivot bushings and sheave bearings get checked for wear and looseness. That'd probably be the place to start.

[bobodu]

MTDs are notorious for needing the OEM length belts. Even 1/8 of an inch causes issues.

[StarTech]

That one usually gets everyone that want to go the low cost way and when I first started working I had a lot problems and returns because of this.
And even OEM specs belts can cause trouble on that variable speed system.

I have had to increase the 5/8 x 41-1/2 variable speed to transmission to the 5/8 x 42 to remove some of whine from the transmission on some models but got watch that overall clearance. Aftermarket belts just don't seem to have clearance needed to slip on the pulleys when they suppose to. Belt height issues here along with belt stiffness.

Even with these belt problems I still prefer the variable speed over the hydrostatic drive version; just a personal preference.

[rjt1234]

Seems to be a consensus, change the belts. Mower deck belts I have changed multiple times. Front drive belt once ( I think) rear drive belt is original. So off to the part store to get MTD belts. I will post once I have finished. Thanx for the help folks.

[38racing]

I just got a freebie from a friend. It would not move and the son concluded the vari-drive bearings were done. Long weekend and long grass so they went to homedepot and bought a JD. When I get it home I checked the vari-drive. It had no play on the shaft. I removed it anyway and centre sheave was moving fine. At some point 1 needle from the bearing fell out so I concluded I should replace them. At this point I am stumped at getting them out. Internal bearing slide hammer setup is pricey here in Canada. So I took a unit off an old parts mower. Had to spend some dremel time taking rust off the sheave faces. I get it installed and do the adjustment. Both rods needed moved a fair amount. PO told me it had new belts but don't know if they did the adjustment. I cut for about 30 minutes before it would just slow up. I could see the vari pulley stopping. Kicking the pedal might get it going for a bit. Seem to be mainly from 3 down (my cutting speed). So I went through the adjustment again. First rod got changed 1 turn. Second rod did not want to come off. It required several turns. Reverse I think of the first time. Tried it again but it would still slip and stop. So I decide to pull vari-drive to recheck centre sheave, and I check the belt numbers. Not MTD, just 5ls. Front is 53 and rear is 49. Manual calls for 754-0280 53" on front and 754-0370 48.5" on rear. and MTD is now showing front belt for these series as 754-0280a 53.17". So I am going to recheck the pulley while I await delivery of MTD numbered belts. Any suggestions for getting the needle bearings out of the old vari pulley?
edit: noticed a couple places saying the 0370 is 47.5 " ???? and one showing the 280a as 52.13?

[KE4AVB]

Not MTD, just 5ls. Front is 53 and rear is 49. Manual calls for 754-0280 53" on front and 48.5" on rear. and MTD is now showing front belt for these series as 754-0280a 53.17". So I am going to recheck the pulley while I await delivery of MTD numbered belts. Any suggestions for getting the needle bearings out of the old vari pulley?
edit: noticed a couple places saying the 0370 is 47.5 " ???? and one showing the 280a as 52.13?

With them being the 5LS belt that would be your problem. The reason is that the after market are 5/8" (.625) and the MTD 754-0280 is .700 wide and the 754-0370 is .715" wide. With this sizing the after market belts would need to be shorter as they fit lower in the pulleys. My after market belt supplier replacement for the 280(a) is 5/8 x 52.25 and the 754-0370 is 5/8 x 47-1/2. On the rear belt I sometimes go with a 5/8 x 48" after market to cut down on the whine and gain a little extra speed. Just got to watch the clearance of the idler pulley as it can rub on the frame or transmission pulley.

[KE4AVB]

As for the needle bearing removal you might be able to use a long rod as a punch and punch the bearing housing out. Sometimes works and other times don't. You might also try one those twist bolt extractors since you need to replace the bearing either way. Just thoughts as I do have one those extractors from HF, haven't try it on them yet as I haven't had any bad ones try this on yet.

Edit> I check my extractor set and the smallest adapter will fir inside a 7/16" ID hole and if remember correctly those bearing your have are at least 1/2" ID. Another trick is a homemade puller base on the Briggs valve seat puller where heavy washer that cut off on opposite sides so they can slide through the center hole of the bearing while loosely fitting on a long bolt. Then a sleeve that will allow the bearing to slip into it is placed over the bolt along another heavy washer and nut. Then you simply tighten the nut (hoping the bolt doesn't turn too) to pull the bearing out.

[38racing]

Not MTD, just 5ls. Front is 53 and rear is 49. Manual calls for 754-0280 53" on front and 48.5" on rear. and MTD is now showing front belt for these series as 754-0280a 53.17". So I am going to recheck the pulley while I await delivery of MTD numbered belts. Any suggestions for getting the needle bearings out of the old vari pulley?
edit: noticed a couple places saying the 0370 is 47.5 " ???? and one showing the 280a as 52.13?

With them being the 5LS belt that would be your problem. The reason is that the after market are 5/8" (.625) and the MTD 754-0280 is .700 wide and the 754-0370 is .715" wide. With this sizing the after market belts would need to be shorter as they fit lower in the pulleys. My after market belt supplier replacement for the 280(a) is 5/8 x 52.25 and the 754-0370 is 5/8 x 47-1/2. On the rear belt I sometimes go with a 5/8 x 48" after market to cut down on the whine and gain a little extra speed. Just got to watch the clearance of the idler pulley as it can rub on the frame or transmission pulley.

Interesting that your aftermarket are showing the shorter lengths too but I assume they work.

[KE4AVB]

38, they do. Your got remember your pulley are v shaped and narrower belts will ride lower in the groove making the needed overall circumference smaller. Think of this way by using narrower belt you effectively changing the pulleys to a smaller diameter which is the that variable stack pulley operates to change speed currently.. The same thing would happen if your were to replace 1/2 belts with 5/8 belts. In that case you would end up needing loner belts and belt retainers would need to be moved out to allow more clearance.

BTW those particular MTD belts are basically a 23/32 wide belt which makes them nearly 3/32 wider than those after market belts. I don't remember the pitch of the MTD right now but does matter in some cases too. On some equipment even the height of the belt comes in play.