How to clean a variator on a RS800 transmission V3

Riding Tractor getting stuck in reverse or forward motion. Check the to see if there is debris around the spring and transmission. Common known issue with easy repair.

[@pierces2885]

Thanks for posting. This problem has been driving me nuts for months on my Poulan and I’ve been cutting my grass by hitting the brake then the Excelerator pedal in whichever direction it was stuck on, back-and-forth brake, and Excelerator brake and Excelerator until it would finally switch from forward to reverse. It was a constant battle. I researched it several times and couldn’t find anything conclusive to fix the problem until I stumbled across your video today. I was literally finally going to stop being lazy and load the mower on my truck and take it to a repair shop. I would’ve been out a couple hundred dollars if not for this video. I simply took out the battery and battery box and took my shop vac and vacuumed all around the transmission, belts and axle. I got every loose little piece of crud out of there without even taking off anything other than the battery box, and the mower works great again like it’s brand new. Easy fix thanks to this video!!!

[@donnabush7192]

My customer came by with his Poulan Pro tractor with the exact same transmission, the pedal kept getting stuck into motion when engaged forward to reverse. removed battery, and tray. cleaned out the entire back end, took me 12 minutes to complete process, with air-compressor ready, blowing the cvt system including the shaft inside, used special lube onto shaft so it can slide up and down better after blowing with air-tool. put it all together, as instructed on video, it worked with traction pedals set back into neutral, after pressing, forward without it sticking into motion anymore. Thank you!!!

[@TDK39]

For those having mower with gas tank in the way of variator, before going through pain of disassembly, give the area a good blast with leaf blower or compressed air while having someone cycle the variator by depressing the forward and reverse pedals (with mower off). I had this exact problem, tried this approach first, and mower is running like a champ again. Definitely worth a shot. Good luck!

[@mddleman]

Thanks, would like to not have to take off the variator so will give this a try first.

[@davidstill754]

Thank you very much for posting this. Up until you posted this I had no idea what was under that pulley. Now that I've watched your video, I have this same mower operating like it should. Thanks again !

[@gtrdave]

Thank you for this video! My Craftsman/Husqvarna is barely a year old and this problem started earlier this season. Man, was I ticked off, thinking that my brand new mower was already broken. Low and behold, after watching this video I went out and disassembled the variator and found a chunk of a stick lodged in the assembly. I removed it, reassembled it and it works perfectly again!

[@johnstaub359]

I thought by blowing out the area with a blower I was doing myself well before any issues... now I have this exact issue. Thank you for showing the real way to clean the area. I tried the pm without removal and had no issues till I blew it out lol Now I can remove and clean correctly. Great video. Thanks again!

[@eded9742]

Thanks for posting this, it works great only takes 10 -15 minutes. My tractor is around 7 years old and this is the second time I've had to do this repair, seems like a bad product design, again great post fixed my tractor right up !!!!!!!

[@garyphillips4655]

WOW! This fixed my problem. Thing drives like it's brand new again :) Lawnmower shop said my transmission was shot, $600 to repair or would give me $50 for a trade in if I bought a new mower from them. So glad I ran into this video. Only spent a few bucks on loctite and about a half hour of time. Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

[@hpeterson10579]

Gary Phillips I’m tempted to take mine in to see that they say and I know this is what the issue is

[@VoodooCrab]

I have a shop telling me the exact same thing! They have had it for a month telling me they are waiting on a price for the transmission to see if "it was worth fixing". I'm going to go pick it up tomorrow.

[@talltom1129]

Now you know not to do business with those thieves, too!

[@keithfryklund5111]

Thank you for posting this! This is exactly what I had to do to get my mower running correctly again.

[@markziglinski1419]

Excellent video!! This was the problem I was having with my Poulan Pro and was able to fix the issue following the video instructions. Saved me $$$ the repair shop would have charged for this easy fix.👍👍

[@dogdog1960]

Worked like a CHARM! Repair places were clueless. Shifts great now, zero creep. I'm gonna cut a hole in sheet metal so I can spray water in there after each use.

[@jimmymullins4997]

Outstand exactly what mine was doing. Took apart, cleaned reassembled, and works as advertised. Thanks Subscribed

[@tomrymarz5541]

Had the exact problem which resulted in my three-year warranty needlessly replaced the transmission TWICE. Once I cleaned out the debris and stopped using the mulching attchment the mower works perfectly. New Husqvarna mower include a debris kit upgrade that helps reduce the debris collection. The kit is not perfect.

[@hpeterson10579]

Literally wrecked my first lawn mower because it didn’t disengage... I’m not that mechanical but I think I can do this! Thanks for the step by step video! This is exactly what my mower started doing today. I will let you know how it turns out

[@davidebelt4324]

Worked great, thanks for the video.Tractor transmission is back to normal. I have a Craftsman t-3000, a real PIA as you have to remove rear seat, fender and footrest to access the area. I am hoping some strategic blasting of high pressure air from the rear chassis may work. Took a few hours to remove/replace all the parts to get at it. Gas tank is under rear seat complicating things.

[@lonnieking4911]

I have same issue. No easy access to transmission like in this video

[@RedsoxPats34]

Tried this on my Poulan now it’s back to normal. Thanks!

[@michaelmull2408]

Very helpful. The only video I could find that matches the problems I have with mine.

[@rdberk]

Great video. Saved my day. Thanks so very much.

[@michaelmull2408]

I didn’t think it would fix my problem, but it did. Just a little dirt and leafs.

[@mcdsdaddy]

Thanks for showing the solution to the exact issue that I'm having with my Ariens tractor. I will do this right away!! Thanks for the video!!

[@grantthompson8985]

Extremely helpful! Fixed the sticky pedal on my 19hp Ariens 936083.

[@jamesbomer9738]

Worked perfectly for me...and saved me $$$ on a service call. Thanks!

[@kurtlaemmel9609]

Thank you so much for making this video!! My Husky was acting the same way as the one in the first part of the video. I did the clean out as described and now it works like new! Dissapointed in Husky for such a poor design, mine is only two years old.

[@rogergoodwin5533]

Ok solved my shifting problem. Thanks

[@mddleman]

Thank you for the video! This makes me feel good about buying a used Craftsman T2300 that has this sticking pedals.

[@jasoncook5613]

This could be the a class action lawsuit waiting to happen. Sticking in gear could get someone hurt bad or worse.

[@1956fordss]

You're correct, very dangerous on my 37 degree front yard. When this stuck, it ran the tractor into my garage door which folded like an accordion. Over $700 damage. Really surprised me as I've had the mower since 2012; no problems except the leaking trans seals.

[@sarlaccbreath7701]

Mine just stared doing exactly this- thanks for posting!

[@Autobotsunited]

Awesome video. Thank you for making this.

[@jsbrown51]

Worked perfectly! Much thanks for posting this.

[@cma01tester17]

My Poulan Pro was having an Issue were it was hard to shift from forward to reverse. I had to play with the pedal back and forth until it engaged. I took it apart as explained in the video and clean it good. It was all dirty and filled with grass clipping. After I cleaned it, it worked as it was new.

[@MoviemanPQ]

OMG THANK YOU! Fixed my YTA22V46!

[@thomasmask1389]

Fixed the problem. Thanks!

[@VoodooCrab]

The 'repair' shop said I had a bad transmission. I did this and it's as good as new. $900 vs. an hour of my time. I can't believe they tried to rip me off like that. Haven't they ever heard of the internet?

[@mddleman]

lol, it's a blessing and a curse, eh?! The wonderful people posting on KZbin have saved me hundreds of dollars in repairs.

[@benjurqunov]

Mine has fueltank in the way. I can remove the seat & fender support for some access but its not a 1/2 hr job. Its a big PITA to access the top of gearbox. I’m swapping out to hydrostatic.

[@jason2800]

Awesome, fixed the problem. Thanks!

[@jmikronis7376]

I’ll be trying this!

[@TheJruppe]

Sawed our the gas tank and mounted an aluminum tank on the back. How I blow out the trans after every use and it runs great.

[@Karl-ej6rs]

How do you remove the front pulley in order to remove the front case cover? I cant get it to slide off and I dont know what happens if I loosen the nut on the shaft.

[@smojovi]

What do we do if the Variator does not open/close smoothly?

[@williamshoup8236]

I just bought a 2015 Craftsman with the same rs800 transmission for 300 needs gt37401 belt

[@gregtarasinski5516]

Good video but.... I don't use loctite It's only plastic n loctite might damage threads on removal

[@browniebaby81]

I have this problem as well but how do i move the gas tank out of the way?

[@JourneyOnLife]

Thank you : )

[@jeepinspence]

If that DOESN'T fix the problem so one replace the variator or transmission?

[@MrCanton80]

Any body know why my go real slow on reverse?

[@lonnieking4911]

My tractor has the battery in the front..no opening under seat to reach transmission. How would I reach transmission another way? Plz help

[@terryplummer6892]

My battery isn't under the seat. The gas tank is under the seat and under the fenders & body unit. I see no way to get to the top of the transmission without dropping the transmission. I will check with General Transmission and see if they give any ideas. I have blown the debris out of the top of the transmission area with compressed air, but it is very hard to get to.

[@bluewaterconstructionservi9645]

I have a rs800 in a yta24v48 and it has lost all power, and even stops, on slight inclines. Any ideas?

[@anagennao]

Ever get your Husqvarna riding mower issue resolved?

[@raybrandt8125]

I wish someone would explain how reverse works mine will not reverse up a little grade at all ,put a new transmission belt on still not much reverse

[@georgestrickland9278]

could have been a dependable trans if the 2 variators weren't made so cheaply

[@lonnieking4911]

My problem is the gas tank is under seat...now what do I do..

[@stevegriffithsny]

I have the same problem with the gas tank. Did you find a way to get around this?

[@nisw1918]

If they know it has this problem why not fix it at the factory with a cover or something .