transmission problems?

[simplicity707]

Hi, I just recently bought a Broadmoor 728 to mow the place where I work. The guy wanted $50.00 for it, and he said it had a newer 8HP in it. When I brought over to work, I noticed that it didn't want to shift into 3rd gear, but it did and the tires didn't move so I thought it was OK. It's a little shaky shifing into 1st and Reverse. When I fired it up, I shifted in 3rd let off the clutch slowly and the transmission grinds and acts like it wants to come out of 3rd, if I stop holding the lever. It goes fine in 1st, 2nd, and Reverse, but seems sliggish in 2nd. The question is, do I have a serious problem or something that can be fixed? Also, the head is leaking oil, so a new gasket is in store. I was gonna blow snow with it as I bought a 32" blower earlier in the summer, but I wanna know if I should keep using it if 3rd don't really work. I'd appreciate any help. Thanks, David

[D-17_Dave]

David, 50 bucks ain't bad for most any running tracor. But If you've got trans trouble I wouldn't make this a work horse to depend on till I checked it out first. I can't tell you much about the tran. except you shouldn't have much problem finding a complete replacement. As for the head gasket leaking oil, it shouldn't. If it is the engine most likely passing oil and more worn than you were lead to believe. Just a gasket probably won't be all you need. As I said, hat isn't much to spend on a whole tractor but check it all out and see what all it needs objectively before relying on it for a primary. A little time now will save you a lot of headake later.

[mowerman1193]

I agree with Dave...I wouldn't depend on it until it is fixed or replaced..I also wouldn't run it much until you get it fixed either because it could be putting metal shavings into the oil ect..Most parts are still avalible but if you have to replace very many it can get costly...

[Al]

Hi, I would suspect that one of the needle bearings is bad and one of the shafts may be damaged. I wouldn't run it any more than I absolutely had to. The grindings will get in the other bearings and ruin them and the shafts also. I would replace ALL of the needle bearings if one is bad. They are pretty cheap and you will head off a lot of trouble in the future. Al Eden

[Mick14]

The oil coming out of the head gasket may be just a clogged breather or carbon deposits keeping the valves from seating,sometimes it can be a simple thing.

[simplicity707]

Could it very well be that the gear that drives 3rd has chipped teeth or very worn? I appreciate the replies so far. I'm gonna get the head gasket repaired this week so I can at least move it around and run the engine. I figured the starter generator and the deck was worth 50 bucks, but I could be wrong. Thanks, David