Hydrostatic Run Away Downhill

[tej]

I mowed last Saturday and found my new Sovereign tends to run away for a while after turning down hill. Is this typical of a hydrostatic transmission?? With my old B-1 & 3 speed trans I would throttle back some when turning down hill to gain some control (but this dropped the blade speed). Is there a similar technique with a hydro that works without losing blade speed. Twenty some years of habits are hard to break but it seems like the Sovereign is harder to control and a lot more tippy (as in it wants to turn over easier). Any suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks, Roy

[dlcentral]

Really,,,, around here all you could 'mow' is mud! Check to see that the speed control linkage isn't a bit loose,as it doesn't take much, to allow erratic control while going downhill AND turning.Check this spring type linkage just behind the bev gear box for tightness.Happy Mowing! dlc

[FiremanRon]

What I do, is move the hydro control to a slower speed as I start down the hill. The speed control is really more of a presure regulating valve, than a speed control. The hydrostatic control develops a pressure reletive to the amount of load. So, when you start downhill, there is not as much load, so you speed up. The same happens in reverse when you start up a hill. This isn't as noticable on a standard transmission, since the engine stays at a pretty contant speed, due to the governer and the flywheel effect of the mower. Where were you mowing? I was plowing snow on the 12th!

[JeffG]

It could be as simple as just a loss of traction when turning to go down the hill. You may need some better rear tires and/or wheel weights. The beauty of hydrostat. is that you should be able to move as fast or slow as you want while maintaining constant engine (and mower) speed.

[Sandy_Lake_Imp]

I'm in Morristown, Tennessee (30 miles NE of Knoxville). I'll check the spring linkage. It isn't loss of traction. Using the hydrostatic lever speed control lever is probably the best option but that darned thing sure is sensitive. It's hard to make a consistent speed change without detents to select a desired speed. Thanks to all, Roy