720 questions,finally getting some time to tinker

[JamesK 0]

OK so I bought the 720 as ya know. It also came with the 720 tractor and implaments parts book, and the service manual. I have looked at the 720 specs here on the sight and found it has a sunstrand hydrostatic drive. When unloading the tractor from the trailer I noticed that it freewheeled down off the trailer. The tractor was in neutral and so was the hydro control lever. Questions about this are as follows. A- should the tractor freewheel like this with gear and hydro selectors in these positions? B- Is there a relief valve/pin and where is it located to freewheel tractor? C- should the tractor actually be able to freewheel like this? I thought that the hydro would not let the tractor freewheel. Now dont forget this tractor has sat for a while. Could it be possible that the system lost pressure from sitting ? The starter has to be pulled, it kicks out but the shaft is unsupported. It appears the front nosecone/snout of the housing is missing. If anyone has a pic. of their starter I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks in advance, James K. PS. I looked on simplicity's web site all they have is the parts manual for the tractor too. Well it converts over to the powermax unit.

[Ronald Hribar 91]

You should have a shift lever under seat on left side, this allows you to shift in one of 3 ranges, I think it has a neutral position also.You also have a clutch that disengages hydro static. Cost me $950 to rebuild pump/motor.

[JP 0]

Congrats! Getting it off the trailer is a start! LOL Now for the 'test'.... A yes B no c Yes I'm sure someone will let me know how I did. LOL It probably did lose pressure from sitting. The Pmax's unlike their 'Sovereign' cousins don't only use the trans to apply power to the wheels. On the Sovereigns, they're always in gear. That's the reason for the hydraulic release. On the 'big ones' the power goes through a multiple speed (gear) trans & there's the common to get to all the gears, neutral. The starter sounds like it wasn't aligned properly. Either someone replaced the selenoid & didn't check the throw or didn't check the mesh with the flywheel. JP PS Yup! isn't this a GREAT SITE! 8-)

[D-17_Dave 12]

Not much need to elaborate on what JP said. Just before you get into secound gueseing the tractor, fix what you know is wrong and get to useing it, then go from there. Most stuff will be resonably self explainitory.

[KVANDY12 0]

Jame wish I had your problem, no I wish I had a 720 to work on. Good luck you'll figure it all out.

[JamesK 0]

Ok so did some fartin around with the starter today. The shaft the spurgear rides on moves about 1/4 inch. I am sure this is NOT good, I took a snapshot of the starter end from the oil filter opening.

Now the starters in the parts manuals shows it to have a nosecone over the shaft. Does anyone know if theirs is like the one pictured or has the nosecone? While messiin around the other day this guy stopped bye. Took picture from about 6ft away.

Now hopefully the pics come out. James K.

[D-17_Dave 12]

James, the starter is definately supposed to have a nose on it. That's what the end of the stator rides on. It would seem that it's broken off. Check the belly of the tractor or under the engine space for the part. Someone may have removed it already and decided the tractor wasn't worth the effort to repair. Most broken starter noses like this result in a bad bendix or tooth on the flywheel. This wedges or jams the starter and something has to give. Normally the nose of starter breakes off. I would pull the engine, look for debris in and under the air shroud, look for missing or damaged teeth on the flywheel, and see if there is anything on the starter wourth salvageing. The ring gear on the flywheel is replaceable. I have een NOS flywheel on e-bay for a little over 50 bucks I think.

[nighteye 0]

James, It takes a lot of bucks to work on these tractors, Nice to see you have them walking right up to you, lol, Ken

[JamesK 0]

Wait till Ya see the pics of the 8PT that comes by during the rutt.