I have read several different posts on this problem, and found one solution, that is relatively easy. I have the Craftman 42” deck with a. Hydrostatic transmission. I feel like my mower has lost approximately 25% of its speed in the last year or so. Another site recommended checking out the brake connection underneath the unit. This can be done easily. Simply press the brake with your hand as you are looking through the engine cabinet to follow the brake assembly. On the far side of the unit, the brake assembly pivots in a way that if there is a build up of grass clippings and/or dirt. The brake mechanism cannot extend out fully. As a result, the speed of the mower is impeded. Sure enough, this area was filled with clippings that were preventing the full release of the brake pedal. I used a small rod to reach the area and clean out the debris. The mower immediately returned to it’s old speed and climbed small hills like a champ. Total repair time: 3 minutes. Hope your solution is as easy!
To drill tempered metal you must remove the temper from the area you intend to drill. Its called spot anealling. If you have an oxy acetalyne torch then get the area you want to drill to cherry red. Let it cool on its own time then drill like butter. If you need to then retemper it just just gets it up again and drop it into water.
...... Well done Mate. I did a similar mod to my 'Yard King by Murray'. Reverse was half speed. Don't know if it was by design or a stuff up (really annoying though). Mine was a 'dog leg' bend in the connecting rod limiting reverse speed.
I FOUND THAT CLEANING THE DEBRIS FROM UNDER THE SAFTEY ARM ON THE BRAKE PEDAL MY MOWER RUNS FAST.THIS ARM ACTUATES THE SAFETY SWITCH ON THE CLUTCH BRAKE ASSEMBLE.
I had one that the oil in the transaxle had leaked out over time. Replacing the oil pepped it right up. Of course they design the thing so that you have to remove the transaxle just to get to the oil plug.
I'm starting to believe these tiny little hydrostatic transmissions on small lawn tractors are more trouble than they're worth. the DLS3500 series also had models with geared transmissions. How often have you seen those in for repairs? I'll bet it's probably less often than the hydrostatic models.
interesting. could it be assembly error. I see a bolt hole on the right with nothing attached. could that plate be backwards? nice work around. I have a few vidoes of auto chokes assembled incorrectly on push mowers.
I'm just seeing this post. I have the same make and model and same symptom. I found out it was a little sliding thing-a-ma-jig on the left side of the engine above the oil filter. Looks like a paperclip. When I put throttle in rabbit (fast) mode, the paperclip shaped thingy doesn't slide due to dust and dirt. Sprayed w/WD40 and voila! I have a problem, my mower cuts better in reverse than forward. Blades have been replaced. Yes, I do turn the switch to reverse. Just a grandma trying to learn.
Bob , how can I contact you? I have a question about another craftsman tractor transmission problem I'm having with the same symptoms. Lmk. Thanks. Jeremy. Bethlehem pa.
Mine is slow in reverse. If I push hard on the lever it goes a bit faster. I wonder if maybe there is a bit of randomness at the factory on positioning the plate.
I got one ,it slow , Craftsman 247.288851 model . I did this and and changed the front pullys . they same as Troy Built , I had one in yard they was just smaller than other ones . diffrent belt it was about 1 inch shorter , but i speed about 3 mph and little more Horse Power in deck . I mean 1 mph that joke
Why would you want a lawn mower to go faster that doesn't make no sense anytime you speed something up it going to wear and tear on the motor rear end and it will cut better
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I have read several different posts on this problem, and found one solution, that is relatively easy. I have the Craftman 42” deck with a. Hydrostatic transmission. I feel like my mower has lost approximately 25% of its speed in the last year or so. Another site recommended checking out the brake connection underneath the unit. This can be done easily. Simply press the brake with your hand as you are looking through the engine cabinet to follow the brake assembly. On the far side of the unit, the brake assembly pivots in a way that if there is a build up of grass clippings and/or dirt. The brake mechanism cannot extend out fully. As a result, the speed of the mower is impeded.
Sure enough, this area was filled with clippings that were preventing the full release of the brake pedal. I used a small rod to reach the area and clean out the debris. The mower immediately returned to it’s old speed and climbed small hills like a champ.
Total repair time: 3 minutes. Hope your solution is as easy!
To drill tempered metal you must remove the temper from the area you intend to drill. Its called spot anealling. If you have an oxy acetalyne torch then get the area you want to drill to cherry red. Let it cool on its own time then drill like butter. If you need to then retemper it just just gets it up again and drop it into water.
Mine was very slow and wouldn't even make it up a slight incline. It turned out to be almost a quart low on hydraulic fluid. Runs like a champ now.
...... Well done Mate. I did a similar mod to my 'Yard King by Murray'. Reverse was half speed. Don't know if it was by design or a stuff up (really annoying though). Mine was a 'dog leg' bend in the connecting rod limiting reverse speed.
Thanks for sharing doesn't make since why they would limit it to go so slow. LOL Hope everyone is doing well Bob. Have a great week!!!
I FOUND THAT CLEANING THE DEBRIS FROM UNDER THE SAFTEY ARM ON THE BRAKE PEDAL MY MOWER RUNS FAST.THIS ARM ACTUATES THE SAFETY SWITCH ON THE CLUTCH BRAKE ASSEMBLE.
I had one that the oil in the transaxle had leaked out over time. Replacing the oil pepped it right up. Of course they design the thing so that you have to remove the transaxle just to get to the oil plug.
all this constraction looks like fuckedUP-- u cant rich anything, u cant check anything,, like made for one time use till its die
I'm starting to believe these tiny little hydrostatic transmissions on small lawn tractors are more trouble than they're worth. the DLS3500 series also had models with geared transmissions. How often have you seen those in for repairs? I'll bet it's probably less often than the hydrostatic models.
Fantastic solution to a stupid problem. Great video.
Another great job - thanks!
interesting. could it be assembly error. I see a bolt hole on the right with nothing attached. could that plate be backwards? nice work around. I have a few vidoes of auto chokes assembled incorrectly on push mowers.
..... I wonder if that plate is on a spline, and was incorrectly attached. (pre or post manufacture).
Thank you
Bob" I've got one that sometimes has the same problem. Looks like this is a common problem on these craftsmans.
I'm just seeing this post. I have the same make and model and same symptom. I found out it was a little sliding thing-a-ma-jig on the left side of the engine above the oil filter. Looks like a paperclip. When I put throttle in rabbit (fast) mode, the paperclip shaped thingy doesn't slide due to dust and dirt. Sprayed w/WD40 and voila!
I have a problem, my mower cuts better in reverse than forward. Blades have been replaced. Yes, I do turn the switch to reverse. Just a grandma trying to learn.
It's the linkage attached to the turtle and rabbit lever (throttle) on the left hood area.
Great tip Keep them coming 👍
kool thanks bob ... †
Bob , how can I contact you? I have a question about another craftsman tractor transmission problem I'm having with the same symptoms. Lmk. Thanks. Jeremy. Bethlehem pa.
Great videos
Mine is slow in reverse. If I push hard on the lever it goes a bit faster.
I wonder if maybe there is a bit of randomness at the factory on positioning the plate.
same problem dude, almost aint moving
Not pretty but it works! Nice job.
I got one ,it slow , Craftsman 247.288851 model . I did this and and changed the front pullys . they same as Troy Built , I had one in yard they was just smaller than other ones . diffrent belt it was about 1 inch shorter , but i speed about 3 mph and little more Horse Power in deck . I mean 1 mph that joke
Next time show us how you did that though
Why would you want a lawn mower to go faster that doesn't make no sense anytime you speed something up it going to wear and tear on the motor rear end and it will cut better
Top speed should be about 5.5 mph. Any modification above that is not factory.
mine is not moving backward almost dead,, and doesnt pull up heal or trailer...