off topic Craftsman Lawn Tractor

[dolinick]

I just bought a used riding lawn mower. It runs but is stuck in 4th gear. The guy said last fall the last time he used it it wouldn't come out of 4th gear. Anyway, he put some gas in it and drove it out to my truck and helped me load it. It's got a new solenoid and new metal flywheel and a good battery. a 13.5 horsepower brigs and stratton engine. I don't know if the transaxle can be fixed or what's wrong with it. I think I could replace the transaxle if I needed to. But I'm thinking if it will keep going in 4th gear I could use it like it is. I mainly just need to mow my driveway and an acre more or less around my cabin. Hopefully I can keep the grass short so jake will stay away.

Anyway it's a Sears Craftsman model 917.256501 and apparently a 1996 model. Anyway, I gave him $185 for it.

[Mancar1]

If it looks decent and runs ok. That is a good deal. On the stuck in 4th. If you are lucky it may be an adjustment or a binding, or loose shift rod. 4th sounds like a ok mow speed since that should be a 6sd. The Mower I use at the cemetery has 6 forward speeds and I mow in the 4th one.
Also the mower could have the wrong drive belt. That would make it not shift right. Sometimes if you try to shift while rocking the mower back and forth it may shift. It also could be a worn shift key in the transaxle. If you haven't already you may try spraying lube on the shift rod where it enters the trans.
Happy mowing. Hope ya figure it out.

[dolinick]

Thanks! It's my first riding mower. I haven't done anything with it yet. I just got it home today.

[ford4x4fun]

My lawnmowers have been a lot more expensive to take care of. They need fed three times a day, and every year they keep begging me for new shoes. I should have went your route!

Sounds like you got a good deal to me, on my in-laws farm I always ran in 4th gear as long as you keep it trimmed you wouldn't need a lower gear! Tight areas where you would need to hit reverse will not be pleasant if you have to get off and push the mower backwards.

[OldRedFord]

Just wait till you get a zero turn.

[Mancar1]

At home I use veg. killer and landscaping rock., ect. on the tight spots. That way I don't need anything but the rider to mow. Also use the killer, (No pun intended. After reading this I had to edit it.), at the cemetery around grave stones and trees. Saves me time and the district $$. Hope you get those gears fixed. Makes it easier.

[Ranchero50]

Transaxles usually rust or gall... Take some measurements and hit up the local junkyards or mower guys on CL. Many diferent ones will fit.

Jamie

[dolinick]

I made a short test run in the alley today. Ran over a big rock and the blade drive belt snapped. I decided to get both belts because the main drive belt looked pretty old as well. Then I got the new belt installed and noticed gas dripping under the carburetor. The float gasket and washer seal seem to be worn out so I think that's where the leak is coming from. I only live about 4 miles from a Sears and Sears Parts store. They are supposed to have the float gasket in stock but not sure about the washer seal that goes on the bolt under the float.

[70_F100]

The transaxle probably has one speed, like my MTD.

Additional gearing is achieved by a variable-speed pulley. As you move the gear lever, the pulley either widens or narrows, which changes the drive ratio.

Just make sure the pulleys all operate as they are supposed to, and you should have all gears again.

[Mancar1]

Those big rocks will do it to a mower every time. I hit 1 or 2 in my time.