[faithie999]

I just purchased a used LT155. it looks to have been kept in top condition. I the seller and I both drove it for a few feet forward and reverse before we made the deal. then I drove it onto my trailer and everything seemed normal.

an hour later, when unloading it from the trailer at home, it hardly moved in reverse. I made sure that the "neutral" rod in the rear was properly engaged. when the tractor was on the ground, I stepped on the forward pedal and it made a "metallic growling" noise but moved at proper speed. again when stepping on the reverse pedal, it moved very slowly, and when I took my foot off the reverse pedal the tractor continued to creep in reverse until I stepped on the forward pedal. my old LT155 which I used for 25 years before it died a horrible death yesterday would stop immediately when I let off either the forward or reverse pedal.

what/where should I start looking for the problem? unfortunately I don't have the service manual.

thanks

Ken

 

[denverguy]

First thing I would check is the drive pulley on top of the transmission - they are known to lose their splines and slip...and make a horrible metallic noise.

 

[faithie999]

I removed one of the rear wheels to access the drive belt and inspected the drive belt pulley on the transmission. it was firmly attached to the drive shaft. while I had the rear end jacked up, I put the drive belt back onto the pulley and ran in both forward and reverse. there was no unusual noise. so I replaced the wheel and tried it out. it ran in forward and reverse with only the normal noise. whatever gremlin crept in has been chased out.

 

[denverguy]

I just reread your original post. It's possible that your new tractor has a failing damper on the transmission which can cause erratic return to neutral of the pedals and subsequent erratic stopping behavior. My GX345 stayed engaged moving forward while parking in the garage and I nearly damaged my car when the damper failed.

It wouldn't however cause the metallic growling sound that you heard. Might want to grab the damper/shock off your dead LT155 if not too late.

Hopefully, you are correct about the gremlin being gone however in my experience it's likely foreshadowing.

Best