Help - we are having a problem with the riding mower - Signature 2000 (Ward's) 14.5 hp, 7 speed automatic, Briggs & Stratton engine. When we got the mower out it didn't want to go forward & the 2 drive belts appeared loose so we replaced them. After replacing the mower still did not want to go, but belts were turning. Anyhow, we tipped the mower on its side and DSO did something & there was a big clunk and clutch/brake pedal is now about 6" closer to the back of the mower, but mower will now move when you play with the pedal. What did we do & how do we fix it? DSO is sure new belts are in original position.

-- Debbie in IL (debbie@fli-soft.com), April 22, 2002

Answers

sounds like the clutch wasnt in the proper place,, if things are working now,, then, there isnt anything to fix (anymore)

-- Stan (sopal@net-pert.com), April 22, 2002.

Is the clutch rod still in place?

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), April 22, 2002.

What did you do? You bought that mower. 30 y ago I messed with mowers with that design. Just one problem after another. My present one is a Deere; 3 cylinder diesel, shaft drive, locking dif, four wheel steering; makes life easier. Of course, I need to mow 10 acres. The rest of the stuff needs to be bush-hogged. Do that with the 650. ;<))),

Best Wishes,,,,,

Z

-- Z1X4Y7 (Z1X4Y7@aol.com), April 22, 2002.

If the pully on the transaxel is turning and the transmission is in gear I would look for a sheared woodruf key on the shaft. I do not understand how you can have an automatic transmission that is equiped with a clutch, they are not compatable.

-- mitch hearn (moopups@citlink.net), April 22, 2002.

Thanks for the answers! I don't know why it has a clutch/brake (same pedal) and is an automatic. You need to depress the clutch to start the mower, yet it is not necessary to use it when shifting while the mower is going, but if you do the transmission disengages when it is totally depressed & the mower brakes when partially depressed. It is not fixed, and yes - we have had one problem after another. Even the shop gave up on it last year & this is only its 4th season! What does a woodruf key look like?? Also, the pedal appeared to be in the proper position when we first put it back together, it was not til the clunk that it moved back.

-- Debbie in IL (debbie@fli-soft.com), April 23, 2002.

If it is automatic it is not a clutch. It is a hydrostatic valve and I would say the linkage needs lubricating. My Wheel Horse did the same thing when I got it out this year. I pushed the brake down to start it and it stuck down. A little oil in the right spot did the trick.

-- Mel Kelly (melkelly@webtv.net), April 23, 2002.

OK, thanks - I will have DSO look for these things. This pedal, whatever it is, does not seem to be sticking at all - it goes up & down fine, but is up about 6" higher than it was. If we push it down partially the mower will move, but not very well. If we don't push it down it doesn't move at all. Now we are supposed to get 2 more days of rain and the grass is already way too long!

-- Debbie in IL (debbie@fli-soft.com), April 23, 2002.

The clutch is, (my guess), for the blade, and not the transmission,,like most riding mowers, they have a blade clutch, (most of us knew what you were talking about)

-- Stan (sopal@net-pert.com), April 24, 2002.

Stan,

Stan,

I don't think the pedal has anything to do with the blade - this pedal must be depressed to start the mower and to get it out of park, & I think also to shift into reverse. It doesn't need to be depressed to change forward gears(1 thru 7) and the blade speed etc does not seem affected when it is depressed. It is also used to brake when operating the mower. (Glad you guys know what I'm talking about - wish I knew enough about mower to be clearer.)

-- Debbie in IL (debbie@fli-soft.com), April 25, 2002.