Full steam --- Reverse

[TommyK]

My new-to-me 5212.5 Hydro needs some direction. I can move forward at mowing speeds, but no faster. Backwards she goes like a bat out of H. I suspect something is hooked up back'ards. I'm new to repairing hydrostatic drives, but have a basic understanding about how hydro pumps and motors work. Where do I start? It moves ahead fast enough to mow, but I may want to take the SimpleCity to the gas station for a pop some time, and slow and low, just ain't fast enough.

[MPH]

Sounds to me like your linkage is out of adjustment.

[TommyK]

Is it possible to get the belt on backwards? I planned to tear into it on Saturday, by my missus, just appropriated that part of my weekend. :( I'm really looking forward to tearing into this one. :D

[dlkelley713]

I had the same problem with mine when I got it. The linkage was set wrong when the 'neutral adjustment' was made. So as the linkage turned the cam, full forward was never reached. Hope this helps, Dan

[Chuck_Woolery]

Yes the belt can be installed wrong, but it would impair proper function of the tractor. It would allow for some minor use, but would eventually wear out from rubbing on stuff. Check the owners manual for proper orientation. Has the hydro been removed and opened up recently? If so you have the motor housing installed 180º out. It's the part with the two drain holes in it top and bottom. Remove the hydro, take it apart, rotate the motor housing 180º , put it all back together, and put it back in. You can get the hydro out of the tractor with the rest of the gear reduction still intact. Just unbolt the fan on the hydro pulley (7/16" deep well socket through the frame hole), undo the belt, undo the control linkage, and then it's four bolts to remove the hydro (9/16" socket with a short extension). Two of which hold the belt guard in place, the two in the back are best reached from the back of the tractor. You can leave the expansion tank on if you'd like, but it makes it more of a bear to remove the hydro. I usually unbolt the control shaft from the hydro (tapered shaft), drain all the fluids, then remove the expansion tank on top. The expansion tank is reverse threads and I believe it might take a metric socket to undo (there's a cast in plastic hex head in the bottom of the tank). You can try the adjustment of the control linkage, but I thought the only thing you could adjust is neutral position and the tension on the lever, didn't know there was a cam in there.