MTD Yardman Autodrive Lawn Mowers
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No ignition power – I just started my yardman ingaged the mower went 4 meters and it died 1st time ever. Battery has good power but nothing no lights. Amps gauge does not flicker or move at all. Is there a fuse . Show details
Wider Belt the solution – I don't know what year my MTD Yardman is, thinking 2006 but unsure. Anyway, was given this by a mate who upgraded. It needed a service and belt replacement which cost (NZD) $500ish so it actually wasn't free.... Anyway, 2 hours after this service it went through the new belt, when I say went through the belt twisted and slipped out of the rear… Read more
pulley wheel. Another trip to the Mower repairer, another new belt and another $350 later. This time it lasted until I went over the first cabbage tree leaf and, yep belt twisted and came off again. Thats when I saw the review Belts Breaking Solution on this site by Steven and thought that was exactly the issue I had - ie the belt to me looked to 'thin' and weedy for the pulley wheels. I took a chance and cut the v-belt off to measure it correctly - the old belt was 2725mm (105"ish) in length , but only 7mm thick. The belt was therefore not grabbing the edges of the pulley wheel but only tensioning at the centre of the wheel itself. As soon as a cabbage tree leaf ([Word Removed] things anyway) or similar got pulled through the wheel, this would cause the belt to twist and eventually (sooner rather than later it seems) twist off the wheel. What convinced me the belt was too thin was that there is a little rod positioned by the front pulley wheel which is meant to stop the belt flying off but this skinny belt had worked its way through this. I found a replacement belt locally for $90 which is an A105s Super11 Carlisle Vee Belt, 2725mm in length and 14mm wide. I hadn't replaced a belt before but thank goodness the layout diagram was still visible on the top of the deck. The deck dropped off nicely after releasing the two pins and I was able to feed the new belt through after loosening the top bolts of the flywheels. Anyway, to cut a long story short I deliberately ran over half a dozen cabbage tree leaves and the Yardman spat them out and kept running. Needless to say I am really happy and saved many dollars already. Thanks again Steven for the solution.
MTD 16/42 REVIEW – As per most other reviews the problem is in replacing the cutter deck belts, every 2 years or so. They last long if you cut with a higher deck setting. I will try the kevlar belts recommended by a previous reviewer.The Kohler engine is great, the transmission is good. Easy to operate, steering is good, maybe a bit heavy. Show details
Great... when it actually works – I spend more time under this turd than I do cutting grass. When it works it's a great mower. Turns tight, has good power, and is super easy to operate, but the amount of down time this thing has had is astonishing. Yeah it's 22 years old, has 500+ hours on it and wasn't in the greatest shape when I bought it last year but I've spent a lot of time… Read more
correcting all that. Biggest flaw: this tractor has 4 belts... yes... 4. 2 for the transaxle and 2 for the deck. There are a lot of moving parts that need constant attention and it destroys belts at will. And the cast aluminum upper transaxle housing is fragile as toilet paper. Enough badmouthing it though, I love mine when it works properly because it is super easy to use, but if you're gonna buy one find a parts-tractor and when you buy belts, buy two of everything because you're gonna need it. Not to mention you'll want tools, time, patience, parts, and money in your bank account.
Worst ride on I have ever owned – Breaks or drops belts constantly, sometimes within 10 minutes of refitting. Belt replacement is a long and difficult job - even when you have done it many, many times. On a positive side it looks nice and starts first time every time but unless you want to spend hours replacing belts DON'T BUY THIS MOWER !! Show details
Don’t Bother – Bought my 50 inch 8 years ago. I am a diesel fitter so luckily I do my own service and maintenance. First indication of problems was the the main drive belt ran out of adjustment. To replace this it was a major job. Easy to drop the deck, but to access the belt was unbelievable. I can see why mechanic bills are so expensive. While I had it… Read more
stripped, I noticed noisy deck idler pulley bearings and blade idlers. Can’t replace the bearings as they are sealed. Hint. You can split the deck idler pulley by drilling the rivets, and fit new bearings and use bolts to rejoin the two halves. The Transmission is also sealed, can’t be serviced, and it leaks oil. No fill or drain plugs!! Blades were badly worn(plastic I think) and I don’t cut rocks, just an acre of low grass with gentle slope. On my second drive belt now. There isn’t enough adjustment supplied and the belt has to turn tight corners and run on the backside on an idler pulley, hence the belt cracks badly. Get a Kevlar drive belt, mtd belt is poly. The deck drive belt is amazingly original, can’t believe it. Transmission drive belt is also original, because it doesn’t have to bend backwards. I am deeply concerned about the Black oil leaking from the transmission brake linkage with no way to fill it. Stay tuned. It turns out the transmission is grease filled and since the housing has no seals or gasket, the grease melts and consequently mixes with fine metal, turns black and leaks out the brake shaft onto the brake pads. Real handy. The Kohler 23 hp is solid, but thirsty. Keep valve clearance a .004” is critical though. Someone above had the right idea, leave it out front with the key in the ignition.
Nightmare – OMG .. spent double the price over the last 8 years!! What a lemon and that's being nice only used on flat ground not heavy use just around house!! Walked out today after i just paid for another 400 buck service 1 month ago and it's thrown a belt again. Just parked it up the front gate with key's in and hope someone takes it. Show details
Belts breaking solution – I have the MTD Yardman Autodrive Lawn Mower 42'cut 16hp 2005 model since 2007. My belts kept breaking so looked closer at 'Why'. I believe the cutting belt size that are recommended by the manufacturer and dealers are undersized and too narrow for the pulleys, hence overheating and breaking under load. An easy income of selling replacement belts… Read more
by the Dealer outlets?
I replaced the manufacturers recommended belt size with the 'Gates Blade runner' belt code # 6492BR size = 17mm x 2785 or 21/52 x 109-5/8". These are Kevlar belts designed for commercial lawn mowers and cost around AU$45 from a commercial/trade 'V' belt/bearing stockist. These belts will last for ages, like mine now has 60+ hours of cutting dense Aussie grasses and sticks. Same theory should apply to your drive belt. I have nothing to gain from the above information apart from more cash in my pocket!
Cheers guys,
Steven
Yardman throwing belts – Does anyone know what pulleys need to be raised and what not to stop yardman throwing belts? I have 2007 16hp Kohler twin spindle 42" cutter. Think belt twisting as it goes around pulleys then heating up and snapping or throwing belt. No good yardman mower is suppose to mower. Cheers people
Biggest heap of junk I have ever paid good money for – From day one the MTD 42 inch cut auto 2011 mower continually broke drive belts at $40.00 each it was not funny.Had it back to the dealer endless times and finally just before the warranty expired MTD admitted that there was a design fault.After some repaires it again broke belts and I started buying them in twos.Since them the solenoid has… Read more
failed,the lift arms broke into 2 pieces at different times,the deck protector came off and bent both blades.The Kohler twin 20hp motor is great the only thing that is on this mower.
Best Mower – I've had my yardman for the past 10 yrs over both rugged terain and on slopes . It has been the best mower I've ever had. Hope it last another 10 yrs at least.
Belt eating machine – My yardman has blown 3 belts in 3 mows I ended taking it to a farm machinery mechanic who had to lift the pulleys up as they were out of aligment this was after I spent $400 on service.....
Piece of rubbish – Biggest piece of rubbish throws belts all the time would never buy another one ever again This is even after spending over $700.00 on a service and getting everything checked and replaced
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MTD Yardman 10 years old – I love my MTD Yardman. I mow my 3 acre block regularly and get fantastic results. Would I buy a new one, YEP. Even though it is 10 years old it is still running well. Yes it has been maintained regularly, but that is required to keep any mower working well. Its simply trrfick I love red because they go faster.
When quality improvement is not imporvement – I had a wonderful old red MTD for 12 years, solid as. Switched to a new MTD Yardman and after three years twice the blade spindles have vibrated and tore from the mowing deck which appears to made of some thin alloy, the plastic body of the machine has broken from its mounts and I go through belts way two often and all in all wish I had kept my… Read more
old red MTD that was rock solid!! Disappointing new machine, The new MTD Yardman should be named MTD Lawnman, as it really is only cable of cutting soft, green garden lawns...certainly not a yard. Comfortable to ride and easy and safe to use Alloy mowing deck is not robust and not up to the concept of using in a yard! The body of the machine should not be plastic!
Neither of my yardmans had alloy decks, they are steel and quite heavy steel at that.
Am on my 2nd 42" twin cylinder Yardman and think they are good value! – I mow about 3 acres on undulating grass which frequently has debris from gum trees. I have occasionally replaced belts and did have a problem with the clutch assembly on my most recent machine which was replaced under warranty. I also buy the blades from Alloy and Stainless because I find these far superior to the blades supplied by MTD. I also… Read more
have a catcher which works well when the grass is not too thick and not too wet. Powers through thick grass, nice finish, removing the deck is quick and easy, Catcher is difficult to fit to the deck.
MTD Made To Disintegrate – What a piece of crap. Bought new, owned for nearly 3 years. Continuously replaced deck and drive belts, as they kept burning out. Muffler shield broke. Muffler bolts vibrated out. Shift linkage broke. Both deck mounts tore away. Other bits bent and fell off the deck. Deck bearings issues. When the trans exploded and jammed that was the… Read more
last straw.
The only good part was the Kohler 20hp engine, it overwhelmed the machine.
Sold it and bought a real ride-on (John Deere) 3 series, which is built like a truck by comparison. Engine, ease of use Made in china, poor dealership knowledge and service
Hey mate, I am a mechanic on out door power equipment/light automobiles. MTD yardmans have issues… Read more (+2 replies)
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Found the fuse and changed it and away it went .it's now going great