Runaway Sunstar

[ikipp 0]

Ok-so I'm riding down a not to steep hill and sudenly my tractor decides to go into free wheeling at an increasing rate of speed. I love trees, but not when I'm headed into them at to fast a speed. I almost tip the tractor when I turn parrell to the slope in order to decrease the speed. Slam on brakes and luckily come to a full stop. Check the high low gear at my left knee. Seems to by set in gear. Push gear lever again. Lever doesn't move but after a few seconds I can resume going forward with the control. All fluids seem right up to level. What happened to my sunstar. Anybody had this problem before.

[ambler 0]

I think you need to read the manuals. Slopes are a major factor related to loss-of-control and tip-over accidents, which can result in severe injury death. All slopes require extra caution. If you cannot back up the slope or if you feel uneasy on it, do not mow it, DO Refer to page 13 for recommendations for wheel weights or counterweights to improve stability. Mow up and down slopes, not across. Remove obstacles such as rocks, tree limbs, etc. Watch for holes, ruts, or bumps. Uneven terrain could overturn the machine. Tall grass can hide obstacles. Use slow speed. ~choose low gear so that you don't have to stop or shift while on the slope. Use extra care with grass catchers or other attachments. These can change the stability of the machine. Keep all movement on the slopes slow and gradual. Do not make sudden changes in speed or direction. Avoid starting or stopping on a slope. If tires lose traction, disengage the blades and proceed slowly straight down the slope. DO NOT Do not turn on slopes unless necessary, and then, turn slow and gradually downhill, if possible. Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches, or embankments. The mower could suddenly turn over if a wheel is over the edge of cliff or ditch, or if an edge caves in. Do not mow on wet grass. Reduced traction could cause sliding. Do not try to stabilize the machine by putting your foot on the ground. Do not use grass catcher on steep slopes.

[PhanDad 3,769]

Doesn't sound like Ira was doing anything dangerous, but has some type of mechanical issue with the tranny or hi/lo. Most all of us have to travel up and down hills and if the tractor starts freewheeling there aren't allot of options available to avoid a crash. I'm not familiar with the SunStars so I can't offer any constructive suggestions. I would have suspected low fluid level based on my experience with Sovereign type tractors, but the fluid level was OK. Hopefully someone can provide a solution to Ira's problem. I sure would be nervous using the tractor on a slope without knowing why it happened.

[ambler 0]

I believe Ira has 20hp with 2 speed rear axel and what happened was that it poppoed out into neutral. Hopefully he just didn't have it all the way engaged. Mine has never done that yet!! And I go up some steep trails in the woods. I'm glad he rode it out without injury.

[albj93 4]

quote:

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And I go up some steep trails in the woods.

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I'd say more like cliff's:D Andy

[ikipp 0]

Hi men, First I thought tractor poped out of low gear. But when I checked the gear lever it felt like it was fully engaged. At first I was just free wheeling for a bit. After that I was able to resume forward motion with the control. Still don't know what caused the problem. I'm gonna check it out more thorougly. Thanks for the comments.