Troy Bilt 700 Series - Stuck in Gear

Zodiac7

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Joined
Jul 14, 2013
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Hi all,
I have a 700 series TB tractor w/ 18.5 hp B&S engine. (part# 13AJ609G766)

I believe that my transmission is locked in gear and will not start.

Symptoms:
-I can push it and it will roll fwd/back easily about 6" then meet a hard stop - seems like normal gear or belt play before meeting resistance.
-With a fully charged battery, the starter will kick on when keyed, but will only give a solid thunk as though unable to turn what it is encountering.

It has been running well and shifting normally until the last time we used it. My wife stalled it out trying to cut too short on some tall grass. It then would not start and could not roll it. I went out and fiddled with it is... working all controls to see if I could get it to unlock. Eventually it did, though I have no idea which thing it was that popped it free. It ran fine the rest of the day, even restarting a couple times after breaks.

We parked it and left it in neutral. The other day, when I went to start it, the starter kicks like it is trying to start, but will not turn anything over. Tried jumping it, but battery has good charge and no change when jumped. I went under and found the linkage where the shift lever (Forward-Neutral-Reverse only) attaches to the transmission/transaxle at the rear of the tractor. I can manipulate the shift mechanism with about 3/4" of travel and tried starting in all positions, but wheels remain locked and will not start.

Any clues folks?

Thanks!

Kale
 

Zodiac7

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Joined
Jul 14, 2013
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If anyone else ever runs into this problem, I tore my mower down to see what I could find.

It ended up being the attachment where the parking break line connects (by a spring) to the transaxle in the rear.

There is a shift lever back there that locks the transmission in gear. It gets stuck and would not come out of locked position. I tapped it with a screwdriver and it popped free. I went ahead and cleaned/lubricated it to help prevent it happening again.

You do not need to tear it down to find it. Just reach under and move the brake pedal until you can find where it is connecting to underneath.

KP
 

geneagray

Forum Newbie
Joined
Mar 15, 2019
Threads
1
Messages
4
Hi all,
I have a 700 series TB tractor w/ 18.5 hp B&S engine. (part# 13AJ609G766)

I believe that my transmission is locked in gear and will not start.

Symptoms:
-I can push it and it will roll fwd/back easily about 6" then meet a hard stop - seems like normal gear or belt play before meeting resistance.
-With a fully charged battery, the starter will kick on when keyed, but will only give a solid thunk as though unable to turn what it is encountering.

It has been running well and shifting normally until the last time we used it. My wife stalled it out trying to cut too short on some tall grass. It then would not start and could not roll it. I went out and fiddled with it is... working all controls to see if I could get it to unlock. Eventually it did, though I have no idea which thing it was that popped it free. It ran fine the rest of the day, even restarting a couple times after breaks.

We parked it and left it in neutral. The other day, when I went to start it, the starter kicks like it is trying to start, but will not turn anything over. Tried jumping it, but battery has good charge and no change when jumped. I went under and found the linkage where the shift lever (Forward-Neutral-Reverse only) attaches to the transmission/transaxle at the rear of the tractor. I can manipulate the shift mechanism with about 3/4" of travel and tried starting in all positions, but wheels remain locked and will not start.

Any clues folks?

Thanks!

Kale

I have the same problem. Does anyone have a more complete answer?
Gene
 

bertsmobile1

Lawn Royalty
Joined
Nov 29, 2014
Threads
64
Messages
24,647
lawnmower brakes work on the layshaft so lock the diff
Lift the rear end
If one wheel can turn forward & the other wheel turns backwards in the air and you can not move it wheels on the ground then your brake is locked on.
Take off the rear right wheel and you will see it in front of you.
Undo the single bolt each side of the caliper & remove the caliper.
Be careful as the brake pad & the shim behind the pad will fall out.
You will see 2 pins that the lever pushes to work the brake.
Pull them out and clean the rust off them, replace with some dry lithium chassis grease applied.
Do not touch the mmiddle bolt on the caliper at the base of the lever, that is for adjusting the brake.
 
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