Specifications
67
Hard Shifting Transaxles and
Drive Belts
Often hard shifting is blamed on an internal problem in
the transaxle.
To determine if the problem is transaxle or equipment
related make these simple checks.
1. Turn the unit off so that all power is removed to the
transaxle.
2. With the unit off move the shift lever through the
shift gate. Movement of the lever should have only
slight resistance. The shifting effort should be equal
when the engine is off and when running. If the
unit is difficult to shift the problem would be internal
and the transaxle would need to be removed and
repaired.
3. If the unit shifts with ease, check the following areas
that would be equipment related. Check to see if
the belt is releasing from the pulley on the engine
and transmission / transaxle, it may require that the
belt guides be repositioned. The distance required
from the pulley to the guide is typically 1/16" to
3/16" (1.6 mm - 4.8 mm), always check the O.E.M.
specs.
4. Check to see if the pulley is damaged and may not
be releasing the belt.
5. Make sure that the belt is the correct belt in case
the customer has replaced it with a non original,
possibly more aggressive belt.
6. Check the brake/clutch pedal to make sure that
when the pedal is depressed that the idler pulley
is releasing the belt tension before it applies the
brake. If this does not happen the unit will still be
under a load and be impossible to shift.
7. The final area to check would be for damaged or
binding shift linkage.
Hard shifting with the engine off could be caused
by:
1. Shift linkage out of adjustment.
2. Corrosion in the transaxle or transmission.
3. Damaged shift keys, gears, or shifter brake shaft.
4. Belt guides missing or improperly adjusted. (See
equipment manufacturer specs.)
For proper declutching to occur, it is very important that
the engine belt guide be set at a predetermined gap
(set by the manufacturer) and away from the belt with
the belt engaged.
With clutch disengaged, it is very important that the belt
blossoms away from the engine pulley. Belt must stop
turning before transaxle shifting can occur.
1/16" to 3/16"
(1.6 mm - 4.8 mm)
THIS DIMENSION
VARIES FROM EACH
MANUFACTURER
126
127
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