Self propelled drive wheels locked up

Here we show how to remove the drive wheels when they are stuck and won't let go. Don't try to hammer or pry them off, they will come off unharmed if you do it right.
This is part 2 of 3 for this mower, the engine now runs great and we are moving over to the drive issues. The drive wheels are "Stuck as he!!" LOL
On a front drive mower, it's the same routine, just easier to get to the wheels :-)

[@jemrecycling]

Was afraid the motor had locked up but this was the issue. Worked like a charm. Short, consise and to the point video. Thanks!

[@GuysPlayingWithTools]

Thanks! I do my best to limit videos to one problem, even if the machine has 2 or 3. I feel it makes them more useful that way.

[@PainterD54]

I would grease the gears and shafts before putting things back together. That little bit of oil is not going to last long. Things need lubrication to last.

[@GuysPlayingWithTools]

The wheel turns with the axle on a riding mower, so a little anti-seize is enough for most cases. It's all about being able to get the wheel off later. If it lives outside all year, I would use the same anti-seize and do exactly what you suggested, pile on the grease, and hope it helps years later when it needs tires. 👍

[@guyeakin9479]

I tune up mowers. I had a 1st last month. a honda drive wheel was stuck, got wheel off & spindle from inside was stuck. I made a tool& heated up with a torch. Took a minute, but in slid off. cleaned & lubed. works great now.

[@GuysPlayingWithTools]

Sweet! You should have made a video, I would have watched. You might have had a trick I haven't tried yet.

[@guyeakin9479]

@@GuysPlayingWithTools There is 1 video I found that showed me how. I watch repairs for fun. I've seen a few of yours. I would have liked to make one too. old retired Guy. See ya.

[@GuysPlayingWithTools]

All you need is a phone, a tripod and a little time. After a few vids you will know what else you want for your particular style. It's not expensive to get started. You might be the next Spielberg of youtube 😁

[@guyeakin9479]

@@GuysPlayingWithTools Thanks, my son thought that was pretty funny. That honda was a challenge, I had done a tune up on it a month ago, lucked out & fixed it. I try to stay with tune ups only, but you know how it goes. see ya.

[@GuysPlayingWithTools]

That's what I said on my first video. I had one good idea about using an edger as a stump grinder and it turned into the hobby from... heck? 🤣

[@haneyoakie14]

Nice job Bill.

[@GuysPlayingWithTools]

Thanks, it's nice to get something that isn't a carb now and then.

[@haneyoakie14]

@@GuysPlayingWithTools I’m looking up Craftsman fwd wheels locked videos. I have a neighbors mower that has problems. The bearings are shot, replaced those, but it doesn’t seem to ratchet backwards. Maybe it’s not supposed to. It is the pin / drive gear type, not the spring ratchet type. Might be a gearbox problem too. I got new wheels and bearings installed, if it needs a gearbox, I might have a scrap mower with a good transmission. I appreciate your content Sir!

[@GuysPlayingWithTools]

If the wheels hang up when going backwards, it's the gears that drive the wheels. They are supposed to spin free when going back. Pull them and clean or replace them, and you will be good to go. I see this a lot.

[@haneyoakie14]

@@GuysPlayingWithTools do they spin free backwards by turning the whole shaft? Is the freewheeling mechanism in the gearbox? Because the gear sits on the pin through the axle on this type, there is no ratchet mechanism at the wheel end.

[@GuysPlayingWithTools]

@@haneyoakie14 Hi Tom. It's *normally* freewheeling at the gear, the gearbox is just a ring gear and a pinion gear coming down from the drive pulley. There are a lot of designs but that is most common(by a mile). I am trying to picture it, if you don't mind, email me a pic [e-mail] and I will give you a call. 🙂

[@PaulHenreid]

Do you ever use a dry graphic lubricant on the gears?

[@GuysPlayingWithTools]

@PaulHenreid On some designs, I will use dry on the inside of the gear because they are prone to hanging up. I never use it between the gear and the wheel. The wheels are designed to be noble, they fail to avoid damageto the metal drive gear.

[@majorpayne5289]

👍

[@otorinolaringologija1490]

Where i can buy two wheels with 70 teeth?

[@GuysPlayingWithTools]

Amazon. You can usually match up the model number of your mower and find the right sized wheels pretty easily, even for older ones. 🙂