1964 JD 110 clutch/variator problems

Hi all, I?ve been having issues with my 1964 JD 110. When I first got the lawnmower the variator never wanted to work right. If I pushed it towards the front it slowed or would do nothing. So I have just replaced all the belts on it with new JD belts. I also replaced the big spring coming from the variator. I have an original book on it so this week we have spent checking everything and adjusting it. We adjusted the brake, clutch and variator according to the paperwork. I know before I got it the rear was taken out. To get the belt in adjustment I did have to slide the transmission back. Then we adjusted the linkage and brakes again. Since the serial number is before 40000 we adjusted it so that the measurement between the clutch brake arm and bottom of the foot rest were at 1/2?. The first time I tried it. The gears were grinding and didn?t want to go in gear. So thinking some stuff was a little wore out we adjust the clutch brake arm to 3/4?. We checked everything again. This time it went into gear no problem. I played with it for a few minutes. It went through all the gears and the variator actually worked. It picked up speed and slowed down. So I took it around the yard. It was doing good. So I tried to go up a hill. After that it was like something messed up again. It would go in gear but let off the clutch did nothing. The variator did nothing then. I don?t understand how it was working so good one minute and completely worse than before the next. Any help, suggestions please. Thanks!

Look up a website named Weekend Freedom Machines.Com. There's detailed instructions of what wears out and causes Variator problems. Your OEM Deere belts are a must have part of the repair. Seems like there's a sealed bearing that gets bad or something.

There is an excellant video on Youtube on adjusting the variator. The bushing in the floating disk could also be worn causing your problems. Might try a little wd40 on that floating bushing and see if that helps.

Even when new it wasn't a perfect "linear" system like a hydro machine..

If you've installed OEM belts and adjusted it as detailed in the manual and are still having issues, likely (as the other poster said) the center sheave section in the variator is either sticking, or it's bushing is worn out/sloppy.

Thanks for all the help. So it looks like my step will be to investigate the variator to make the sheave is working properly and see if it needs a new bushing if they are still available from John Deere.