Bspauld

Member
I asked a while ago about my 420 freewheeling. Going down a hill it will freewheel and when you pull the lever back to keep it from going to fast, then you get to the bottom and it stops. I checked all the linkage, changed the filter and oil, and another thing, why do they tell you on some tractors to run the engine at top rpm to kick in the electric clutch while others say run at a idle to kick it in? Thanks for reading
 
Wondering if the freewheeling could have something to do with the belt slipping. If it has a spring loaded idler, the idler is designed to take up the slack on the loose side of the belt when the engine is driving the hydro.

But, if the hydro is trying to out spin the engine, as in going down hill, then the slack side of the belt becomes the tight side and pushes the idler away leaving the belt loose enough to slip, letting the hydro pulley spin faster than the engine.

Just a theory, but a tighter spring on the idler could be a solution.

About the electric clutch... I would never engage one at full engine speed! That just can't be good for anything. I've had some that required some throttle to keep from killing the engine, but once you learn the machine, you'll know just how low you can go and still get the mower going, then bring it up to speed.
 
You got it Steve. I gave pretty much the same advice a few back. Old belts that have a polished surface can also do this. .Now first thing is you do not want to be in heavy grass when you throw the clutch switch.
I have two neighbors with John Deere lawn/ garden tractors. They BOTH run the engines full tilt and when they throw that clutch switch they sqweeeeeeeeeeeel like big rig truck brakes. What gets me.......they are both auto mechanics!
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I didnt see a belt on the tractor, The only belt is on the mower deck itself, it has a PTO shaft. The engine speed does not change at all, It acts like a valve is stuck maybe? It has no resistance at all. It completely freewheels. I agree on throwing the PTO clutch in while running a lot of RPMS, but on the 425 the manual says to. A neighbor lady does that with her snowblower and it makes a lot of squealing and a bang.Thanks for the replys
 

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