MTD Yardman Hydrostatic transmission

[Billy Walsh]

please help, I have a 2yr old riding mower,ran fine last season,started 1st try this season,wheels are locked,brake is off ,when i let clutch out in gear just groans,Hydro release lever to push,wont activate wheels either,I jacked it up and the wheels freely turn,put it down and if i have to push it it just slides,wheels locked ,with or without lever in or out,blades not activated, thanks

[dirtybernie]

I'm not very familiar with that trans but did you leave the brake on while it was parked? i'm wondering if the pads are rusted to the brake disc.

[USN_ED]

That tranny locks (brakes) independent of the wheels. As Bernie suggested, check very carefully to ensure that your brake is fully releasing before doing anything drastic prior to pulling the tranny etc.

[jon_boy]

You might try to "Purge" it...

To purge, you put the tranny into "freewheel" mode, start the engine and move the trans lever into forward then reverse, slowly, about 5 or 6 times. Then take it out of freewheel mode and do the same thing. (With the rear wheels off the ground.) Check the fluid level again. Repeat as necessary.

Hopefully this helps.