1990 YARD-MAN

[454cid]

To get your blades to stop when you disengage, there are supposed to be two small brake pads about an inch square, mounted on thin flat metal bars that actually contact the blade pulleys, when you raise the deck. Not much to them, and usually wear out pretty quick.

I've got a 90/91 Craftsman that my grandfather bought new. I got it running again last year and found that at least one brake lost the friction material. After some digging I found a part number and the very few I found were VERY expensive..... something stupid like $60 each, maybe. I have not done anything about it. The deck sure does squeek with the metal on metal when I disengage the blades.

The pads on my mower aren't square..... they're wider/longer than they are tall.

 

[454cid]

this is my 1990 Yard man I bought about a year ago. It runs pretty good....most of the time. When I bought it the owner told me I have to let it run for about 5 minutes before I use it otherwise the engine dies and everytime I start it I have to pull the choke out regardless of how long I'm using it or temper. About 6 months later I figured out why. One day I started it and noticed blue smoke came out the exhaust. So it probably going to need an engine at some point. Other than that and the grille which I broke when I kinda bumped a sign in my yard. Didn't notice it till I ran it over and destroyed it. Damn brittle plastic. Also the belt tensioner is worn. Blades rotate even when "disengaged"

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I see you've got the shoot off, like I do. Mine was removed for a bagger, but I'd likely keep it off any way. At a previous job, I was in charge of lawn care for our facilty and had issues with clumping grass. One day I was watching a pro crew mow nearby. They were cutting some really tall stuff and I noticed they had no shoot on the deck. I took the shoot off the deck of the JD rider at work and my problem was solved!

 

[VIKING_MECHANIC]

I see you've got the shoot off, like I do. Mine was removed for a bagger, but I'd likely keep it off any way. At a previous job, I was in charge of lawn care for our facilty and had issues with clumping grass. One day I was watching a pro crew mow nearby. They were cutting some really tall stuff and I noticed they had no shoot on the deck. I took the shoot of the deck of JD rider at work and my problem was solved!

That shoot wasn't on when I bought it. I don't know if there was a bag attached at one point or if it got ripped off by something. All I know, don't stick your feet under it with the engine running!

 

[R422b]

That shoot wasn't on when I bought it. I don't know if there was a bag attached at one point or if it got ripped off by something. All I know, don't stick your feet under it with the engine running!

It might have the wrong belt if the blades are spinning constantly.

Talking about GMT400s using Tapatalk

 

[VIKING_MECHANIC]

It might have the wrong belt if the blades are spinning constantly.

Talking about GMT400s using Tapatalk

That's a possibility. I haven't really checked it yet. Been kinda busy with other projects lately....

 

[HotWheelsBurban]

Yes those rear chutes get clogged up easily, especially if the grass is very wet. I remember that from my Dad's riding mower ( I think it was a Murray, we got it at Woolco if that tells y'all anything! But it ran for a long time, with him fixing on it from time to time). My brother and I would say Dad was "being Hank Hill" when he was mowing the yard and lots. He looked just like him, with the white T shirt and glasses. And just like Hank, the yard was his baby! I finally gave up doing the weed wacking because I could never do it to his standards. Oh how I tried....then it was like, fine you do it!

 

[Stumpy]

MTD mowers don't disengage their blades like most other riders. Instead of having a tension pulley, that moves when you work a lever. The deck on a MTD moves forward, as it's being raised, which takes tension off the belt. That's why they put brakes on them, because the belt never gets slack enough to really disengage.

 

[thegawd]

I bought 1 belt that I measured and picked out myself.... it was way too loose and the deck wouldnt hardly run. I went to a dealer and had him give me the real kevlar one and it was so damn tight in could hardly get it on. and like you said the stumpy the deck dosent really stop running.... because I need to replace the brakes! this is part of the reason I wouldnt let my kids cut the lawn with it, that and just about every safety feature has been removed or bypassed. i guess i should replace those brakes!

Al

MTD mowers don't disengage their blades like most other riders. Instead of having a tension pulley, that moves when you work a lever. The deck on a MTD moves forward, as it's being raised, which takes tension off the belt. That's why they put brakes on them, because the belt never gets slack enough to really disengage.

 

[thegawd]

what type hydraulic fluid do these thing use in the diff? atf? regular tractor type hydraulic fluid? any idea ho much goes in? slow or sluggish reverse..... does this mean low fluid? I should be ashamed..... Ive never checked the fluid but I should have enough regular atf or hydraulic fluid to do a fluid change.

Al

 

[Erik the Awful]

@Stumpy, out of curiosity, what would cause the fuel pump on the carburetor not to pump? I rebuilt the carb on my spare mower and the passages are clean. The diaphragms are new. If I dribble fuel into the carb it runs fine, but as soon as the fuel runs out it dies.

I love that motor I'm looking for one right now to rebuild for my lawn mower because I don't really like the new Intech motors.

Note that I said "spare mower". PM me and I'll make you a deal.

what type hydraulic fluid do these thing use in the diff?

It's not a hydrostatic drive, but I haven't opened one to see what's inside.