[nick4030]

Hey guys, my 73 110 has been working perfectly until a couple of weeks ago. The variator all of a sudden stopped working, so I thought "well ill use it without and fix it in the fall." Well the other day I was driving it to my in laws for them to use, and I took off down the road and the variator worked perfectly, for about a block. Then the tractor slowed way way down without me touching anything. It was still driving fine, just like if the variator were all the way back, so they used it and brought it back. The next day I was mowing my lawn with it, and the variator was all they way back, in 3rd gear just mowing when all of a sudden, it just stopped. Completely stopped. I pushed the button and slid the variator just a little bit and it took off like it was in 4th and variator all the way forward. I immediately pulled it all the way back after almost being thrown off of it, and the tractor stopped. Again in 3rd gear full throttle and dead stopped. Whats going on with this thing?

 

[HeyYou]

Center sheave is binding on the hub, and your belts could probably stand replacement.

Been there, done that. Have a read thru my "JD 216 randomly slows down" thread. Pretty much the same issue as you are having. Simply cleaning/lubing the center sheave solved my issues. (already had new belts on it.)

 

[lt230s]

Could be one or a couple of things...
Belts could be worn. When's the last time belts were changed?
Variator might need adjustment.
Slide rod might be gummed up and won't allow sheaves to slide freely.
Do you have a service manual? There is procedure in there for adjustment and for changing the belts. Also, if you replace belts, only use JD belts.

 

[nick4030]

The belts are brand new, guess I'll look into lubricating the sheave

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[lt230s]

The belts are brand new, guess I'll look into lubricating the sheave

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Since the belts are new, you should also adjust variator if you haven't done that when you replaced the belts.
When cleaning & lubricating sheave, use dry graphite as oil/grease will allow dirt & grime to collect on it.

 

[nick4030]

Well it sat all winter, and now I have it out getting ready to go for the year. I adjusted the variator per the manual, and it was in the right place already, so I pulled the variator out, and it was frozen. After messing with it and lubing it I had it free'd up good, and reinstalled. Worked great all that day. The next morning I got on and all gears work good, with the correct speeds, but the variator wont move at all. I can move the handle anywhere, but no change in speed. At least it isnt stopping itself anymore. Think maybe its frozen again?

 

[jar19800]

subscribed! i have a 216 which has sat out a while and i expect to have variator issues.

 

[littletractorguy]

Are you stuck in "Slow", Nick? And the handle just goes back and forth loosely? If so, one thing I'd suggest checking is the extension spring under the tractor that keeps tension on the clutch/brake/variator... The mechanism looks pretty similar to that on my RF 110, and when my extension spring let go last month, that was the result. Since you were just under there working on it, I know that its not likely the spring has failed (and if you were anywhere within earshot if it DID fail, you'd KNOW! It was a pretty impressive noise!), but its an easy thing to check, and a cheap fix...

 

[nick4030]

Yes it's stuck in slow. My 110 has separate brake clutch, but I'm assuming it still had something like that? I'll look into that next, as well as make sure it didn't freeze again

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[deereboy55]

There are two bolts on the side of the pedestal,,one for adjusting the variator ,,,the other is the bolt the variator pivots on. If the pivot bolt is too tight or there is rust growing and binding the pivot bolt , the variator it will not work properly,,,, found out when reassembling my freshly painted tractor and tightened all the bolts real tight,,variator wouldn't move at all ,until loosening the pivot bolt.

 

[nick4030]

I'm check that too, thanks!

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[nick4030]

Ok it's been a while. I have pulled the variator and it's spinning freely. Adjusted per manual and still doesn't work. The tractor doesn't stop at all anymore, it works in all gears, the variator just doesn't do anything. Feels like it's not even hooked up. Belts were new last year

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[jar19800]

is this spring gootenstrong???
mine broke and man it acted weird till i figured it out.

there are also springs that tug the clutch varator assy. and, are you sure you were given correct belts?

 

[biker3777]

You positive you loosened the right bolt on the right to adjust the variator.the front one.

 

[nick4030]

I'll have to look at the spring. And I adjusted the 3/4" head bolt and adjusted as the manual said..

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[biker3777]

There should be 2 bolts on the right side,on holds the variator and one is for adjusting the variator,when you adjusted it and cranked the motor over did the clutch pedal move toward the rear? You might put the tractor on jacks and verify the drive pulley on the back is moving,if it is there must be something going on inside the tranny.If you get it on blocks and with the motor running you can move the variator and see what goes on withe the wheels.

 

[HeyYou]

There are two of them in there, one I think is the pivot, the other actually does the adjusting.

Also, make sure the center sheave on the variator moves freely. Mine was just a bit sticky, and made it exhibit some truly bizarre behavior.

 

[nick4030]

Maybe not, anyone know what they look like on the tractors with a separate clutch and brake?

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[nick4030]

The spring I mean. I thought it was there, but now I don't think so. If it connects directly to the variator, it's not there

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[HeyYou]

No spring on the variator arm itself. Both belts are under spring tension though.