[vincent82]

Hi everyone, I'm stuck and need some help! Just purchased a house a few months back and now poor without a mower. Well a co-worker offered their Simplicity (1692354) 14hp riding mower if I could get it working. Don't think it has seen much work in the 10+ years of ownership. The past owner somehow got the back tires locked up and now won't roll. My Dad and I tried pulling the release lever in the rear and it still wants to stay locked up. The lever seems to be pulled back like it would be in the unlocked position. We pulled it out of my neighbors shed with my Dad's Ford tractor but we don't wan't to drag it up the hill with locked rear wheels and rip up their yard. The diagram in the manual doesn't really show much on how the release lever works in the transaxle. Wondering if anyone has had the same problem? Seems to be in the unlocked released position but still locked up. Thanks for all the help, Vincent

 

[Ev1]

Is it safe to assume that the parking brake is not engaged?

 

[vincent82]

Not engaged. I have looked the last 4+ hours online for anything similar to our situation without any luck. I don't understand what's locking them up. The release lever is stuck in the release position but doesn't find neutral. The diagram doesn't go into depth about the lever. Just shows where it can be found. Can't find a diagram what shows the whole components of the lever.

 

[Naldo]

I have a Simplicity Landlord that appeared to have a locked transaxle. Tried to tow it and it just wouldn't budge. Brake not engaged. Jacked up rear end and was able to turn one of the wheels by hand and the other wheel turned in the opposite direction. Couldn't get the transxale out of this mode. Finally decided to see if I could get the tractor to run under it own power. While the tractor rear wheels were still jacked up, I jump started the engine with the clutch engaged and the transmission in 3rd gear. Engine turned over and both wheels turned in the same direction. What's going on?
Lowered the rear-end and the tractor could now be rolled forward. Seems that just having all the drive parts engaged for a short while cleared the transaxle opposing direction condition.

 

[Mark / Ohio]

.. Jacked up rear end and was able to turn one of the wheels by hand and the other wheel turned in the opposite direction. ...

That is normal operation with the wheels off the ground and when spinning one at a time by hand. If it is a hydro transmission there should be a bypass valve (lever or knob) that will allow you to push it without the engine running. Otherwise the wheels will lock on them. If a gear drive and in neutral and still locked would be either a clutch or brake linkage issue or an internal problem in the transaxle.