Riding mower question.

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May 7, 2010 | 10:50 AM

donjamer

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From: MA

Riding mower question.

I just got a new to me riding mower..

It is a Sabre by John Deere 1538..

I don't have a manual so I figured I would ask here..

The problem is that this is a Hydrostatic drive and when the motor is off you can't push it easily.. It will move forward, but not reverse...

The question:

Is there a way to disengage the tranny to make it move easily??

It is in Neutral, but still feels like it is engaged.

If your out in a field and run out of gas your screwed

May 7, 2010 | 04:34 PM

bens99f350

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From: Oakland, OR

I don't have a JD, but on my unit there's a pin on the back you pull out and lock into place that disengages the trans.... maybe yours has something similar

May 7, 2010 | 08:00 PM

donjamer

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From: MA

Thanks Ben...

I will have to look for that..

May 7, 2010 | 10:24 PM

ford2go

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From: Frequently frozen MN

I will second the fact that there should be some sort of a little lever to disengage the drive.

Also
1. NOT recommended to move it without disengaging.
2. On my new Cub Cadet, it's not recommended to move it very far even after disengaging. Don't know how common that is.

You might check out mytractorforum.com -- they're like the fte of tractors. They have numerous sections to discuss pretty much any small to mid size tractor. JD is well represented.

May 7, 2010 | 10:33 PM

fordtruckman

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From: Kzoo

My JD has a little bar around where you would hook up a trailer and you pull it out which disengages the tranny.

May 8, 2010 | 12:00 AM

Ford_Six

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From: The Big, Oregon

The last JD I dealt with had a lever under the seat, but it was a big box store JD.

May 8, 2010 | 06:58 AM

ckal704

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From: Lancaster County PA

Ditto what the others have said. It'll have a hydro dump valve somewhere. Can vary from a "pull-out" type of rod in the rear frame above/around the trailer hitch to a lever/**** under the seat of just between the legs in front of the seat to a hidden lever up under the fender. Some older JDs kind of hid the dump valve. Most newer tractors have them in more visible places.
I am not directly familiar with this model, but all hydros, as far as I know, have release valves on them somewhere as every manufacturer recognizes that from time to time they must be moved under other than their own power.