troy bilt mower won't go up hill in low speed

this mower used to work fine right after I put both new drive belts on the for some reason it started to not go up hill in the low settings on the dash speed selector,, after some tinkering and adjusting it worked fine.

[@Aboveitbro]

Same mower same problem thank you sir please make more of anything you can

[@alpha1656]

Nice fix. How do you adjust the engagement rod? Thank you for your help and advice.

[@phillipweeks634]

How do you adjust brake rod? I see that it has threads on the rod but do you have to take it off?

[@MissouriOldTimer]

it's been quite a while but I feel sure that just one end needs to be unhooked.

[@dash1645]

👌🏾

[@falconbrother2339]

That's exactly the video I needed. Not for the same reason but, I lost the transmission tensioner pulley spring. I could see in your video exactly where it is and what I need to buy. Thanks!

[@MissouriOldTimer]

the guy did come and look at the mower, but I told him that it wasn't quite right so I suggested he wait till I have it the way it is supposed to be.

[@philliphall5198]

It’s common to have to keep them adjusted all the time it seems But I still like the MTD units best and low cost to operate

[@TheKevin540]

Mine just started doing the same thing, Troy, bilt pony. May start by changing the belt

[@lyerlyman]

I have a 2005 pony that is doing the same thing. I changed the belts and now it will only go in 7th gear. Will you please post the part numbers for those drive belt or the actual size of the belts. The ones I used were 5/8" wide. I will greatly appreciate it.

[@jasonreynolds9737]

Did you figure it out mine is doing the same thing won't businesses in high gear

[@shadwell749]

My pony just started.

[@ChickenHues]

Good job finding the problem and fixing the mower! The new owners will definitely thank you for that!

[@MissouriOldTimer]

yeah, these things can be contrary at times,

[@badwolfcustomairbrushingde1432]

You can rebuild it better stronger faster

[@marknye51.thefixitguy]

good video. question. ? have you got any idea , or anyone, on how to remove the variable speed rod ? the Ferrell and the threads are shot. I don't have a rethread tool so i'm going to have to order a new rod but not sure how to remove the old one . any help would be appreciated thank you

[@MissouriOldTimer]

it has been a while so I have no idea, I guess just look it over and see how it looks to be the easiest way to do it.

[@billgateskilledmyuncle23]

You can also remove the bolts holding the engine to the frame and slide the engine back towards the seat to get that belt around the pulley. That's the way that I did it. The engine doesn't move enough to damage anything related to fuel or exhaust connected to it.

[@philliphall5198]

I never tryed that but think I will Thank You

[@muhammad8970]

Time for a new tractor

[@eddylee587]

Thx for the video. I'm chasing the same issue on my 2002 MTD. Changed belts and only drives on level ground. Thinking it is a clutch issue. Now I see it needs an adjustment! Thanks for the info. I'll make this adjustment and post results!👍

[@jasonreynolds9737]

I have same problem it won't move in lower gears I changed the belts and checked the variable speed pulley still won't move in lower gears any suggestions it's like the belts Are to wide or something

[@markharris4260]

If you put a slightly too long belt on or the belt wears some then simply adjust the engagement rod so the belt will be tighter and it will pull in low gear

[@danthemanoth]

i gave you a thumbs up that is exactly what mine was doing, pull in high gear slip bad in low, thankyou

[@markharris4260]

@@danthemanoth you're welcome

[@426superbee4]

These belt get wet and wear them out, or heat stretched

[@Damselfly54315]

I have a question, my Troy-bilt was having a hard time climbing hills last year, but now won't climb,it doesn't seem to be transmission, I dont think because reverse works good,runs good on flat ground, and I'm not too mechanically inclined,but need to know WHAT to check...replaced belts and some bolts last year, its stayed well maintained so I'm at a loss a family member says transmission but I'm not sure I can agree, need an unbiased opinion

[@MissouriOldTimer]

I couldn't say for sure but one thing you might check is if the variable pulley is moving up and down freely, that's what controls the speed and movement. That is if it's just like the one I was working on in this video.

[@marvinhicks4477]

Question for ya…..I’ve changed both belts ,and now when starting up it moves on its own without touching throttle pedal….any suggestions

[@MissouriOldTimer]

the only thing I can think of if you are sure the belts are the right ones is maybe the variable pulley is stuck that's the one where both belts share sometimes the center gets gummed up or rusted and can't move up or down so the tractor doesn't work right. One other thing could that the rod that connects to that pulley assembly might have come out of adjustment. that's about all I can think of that would cause that.

[@onelove6848]

I've been havin the same problem so I'm gonna see if I adjust that rod if it will work for me thank you.

[@RustyGlovebox]

It just needed some attention , it was feeling neglected...ha ha, Nice job getting it going .

[@MissouriOldTimer]

lol if it keeps this kind of stuff, it's gonna get some very unwanted attention.

[@anthonyking4387]

Thanks alot!

[@SteveAZ711]

Have you ever used some automotive belt dressing on those mower belts? Not sure, but it may give them a bit more grab.

[@MissouriOldTimer]

I am starting to think I ordered the wrong belt,

[@SteveAZ711]

If it has a centrifugal clutch then the width of the belt would make a huge difference. I once had a centrifugal clutch on a Tote Gote that was hanging up a bit at lower rpms and slipping, just a couple of thoughts.

[@MissouriOldTimer]

this isn't a centrifugal clutch, it has a variable speed pulley that moves up and down according to how far the shift lever is moved up or down,

[@TheShadeTreeFixitMan]

Good fix, Vernon. I had a similar problem with a Simplicity mower recently, but it was the belt adjustment on the mower deck.

[@MissouriOldTimer]

I might have celebrated my success a little too early, now it seems it's not quite right now,,

[@jankotze1959]

Good you find that problem, I had a 18hp MTD that mess with me, I never managed to get the links set correctly, after many moons I found out that on that machines it is mandatory that the two covers on the outside blade pulleys must be on, mine was gone,

[@MissouriOldTimer]

yours must have been the deck belt, ??

[@jankotze1959]

Yes

[@DriveShaftDrew]

IM SURE YOU WILL HAVE IT FIGURED OUT QUICK GOOD JOB BUDDY THUMBS UP AND SHARED

[@MissouriOldTimer]

thank you, I'll preserver lol,

[@Aluelk]

super like my friend have a happy weekend

[@americangarage5356]

Troy bilt brand overall sucks, never buy from the brand it’s very unreliable, craftsman is way better and we had ours for 8 years and it still runs like new

[@MissouriOldTimer]

yeah,a lot of the cheaper riders are made by MTD,

[@lyerlyman]

@@MissouriOldTimer MTD now owns Craftsman. Check out LOwes

[@hillbillypeakgarage6797]

if iam not wrong them mtd trans axels like that ware out and they slip bad.. hard to explain how they work inside the trans but when they get some hours on them the dogs that drive the beval gear start slipping when going up hill or pulling something my mtd did that so i have a feling this will do that at some point

[@MissouriOldTimer]

I thought at first it was the transaxle but I was able to look down through an opening and the belt that drives the differential wasn't turning,

[@hillbillypeakgarage6797]

at least it was the belt and not the trans

[@MissouriOldTimer]

the transaxle is pretty grungy, and I do have another one or two, I might change it anyway.

[@michaelkaylor4779]

My Troy bilt is slipping going up hill in high gear but goes just fine in low gear. Does anyone know what the issue may be ? Thanks in advance

[@MissouriOldTimer]

does it have strictly belt drive or does it have that little fiber kind of pulley thing that goes into a groove that makes it pull? it's been a long time since I worked on one of those I'd think it either a belt or that other fiber thing.

[@michaelkaylor4779]

I would have to check that out. I had it worked on last year and was fine for a couple weeks of mowing. But after that it started to slowly go up hills then not go up at all I high gear. It sounds like the belt is slipping. It goes fine in low though

[@MissouriOldTimer]

@@michaelkaylor4779 oh, it's a mower, I wasn't paying attention I guess, I think it was the belt on my mower the tiller is the troybilt that has the fiber pulley thing, the mowers don't.

[@icanters6030370]

thanks notice mine was doing the same works great on flat but uphill it would hardly to not a all move need too adjust mine are change belt i'll adjust first later

[@MissouriOldTimer]

I put new belts on this one but I am starting to wonder if that long one was the right one,,, it is still not totally right even after adjusting it.

[@michaelkaylor4779]

Mine is slipping going up hill in high gear but low gear it goes just fine. Does anyone know What would cause that ? TIA

[@PappysCorner]

Good to see you found the problem and have it fixed, good video my friend.

[@MissouriOldTimer]

sometimes even simple things can be perplexing.

[@cyclopsgarage9417]

Glad you figured it out, and never hurts to clean up some stuff

[@MissouriOldTimer]

and this transaxle was plenty dirty.

[@FarmallFanatic]

Troy built makes good stuff ✔

[@MissouriOldTimer]

but like so many others it's made by MTD anymore,, same as craftsman, poulan and many others,

[@FarmallFanatic]

MissouriOldTimer yep, different color

[@johnhightower8737]

You are the man Missouri ! Keep the vids coming.

[@MissouriOldTimer]

lol, well I don't know about that,,lol

[@fixrite11]

Thanks for the solution to a troublesome problem. Keep em coming and thanks for sharing.

[@MissouriOldTimer]

I though it was fixed but I tried it later and it seems like it's still not quite right,

[@fixrite11]

maybe it just needs to be a little tighter??

[@MissouriOldTimer]

yeah, I'll probably tinker with it again tomorrow,

[@alssmallengines]

Great fix!

[@MissouriOldTimer]

it's still not quite right yet.

[@psalva2302]

was it the new belts that fixed it or the adjustments lol

[@MissouriOldTimer]

I inadvertently ordered the wrong belts so after getting the correct ones , it worked fine,

[@kramnull8962]

@@MissouriOldTimer Yeah, MTD has changed their website I noticed the other week. They have made it really hard to find parts for any particular mower. Even though all I use MTD for is to get the part number, then use Ebay to buy the parts... By the way, one way to tell if your Parking brake is sticking, is if when you put the gear leaver into Neutral and the wheels are still locked out from going forwards or backwards... It should freewheel in the N position. I didn't know that and drove my 2005 TB for years that way. I blew the tranny a couple years ago, I suspect from having the load always on it. It didn't lug or anything all those years. It is good to use anti seize on the moving parts of the brake.

[@MissouriOldTimer]

@@kramnull8962 I use "partstree.com" or " Ereplacement parts"

[@rnjohnston61]

@@MissouriOldTimer I have a yard man 7 speed shift on the go. Put new belts on, both drive and the upper belt on variable speed pulley. The drive belt is the same one that came off of it but seems to be way too long.. will not pull in low gears, but shift up and it takes of like a jack rabbit. What did I do WRONG? Thanks

[@MissouriOldTimer]

@@rnjohnston61 If you are sure the belts are a direct replacement then It would seem to me that either that variable speed pulley is not moving because of being stuck or rusted, or maybe the spring is not strong enough, but I doubt that would be the case, , I'd make sure the pulley is free to move. it's the center part that should be movable. other than that, as long as your petal moves freely, I don't know what could be wrong.

[@txsviking]

Good catch and before the owner came to get it.

[@MissouriOldTimer]

lol it took long enough for me to finely figure it out,