1st Gear Only for 410S Uphill Climb

Hello,

I sure hope there is someone here who can help me figure out the issue I'm having.

Arguably I have a very steep lawn.  I mean like 40% steep (maybe more in spots).  So I figure I have an unusual circumstance.  Still, my 416S used to be able to get up it in no worse than second, maybe even third in spots.  However, the transmission (I think) went out some time back, so I picked up a 410S.

The 410S used to be able to get up the hill in second gear.  But increasingly, not so much.

In failing to make it up the hill, the engine does not bog down or otherwise demonstrate to me any diminishment of power.  The tires do not slip on the lawn.  There is no belt-squealing, a smell of overheated belts (or anything) or anything out of the ordinary.

I replaced the lower-front (idler) pulley of the belt system (for the longer, 53" belt), due to having the former pulley allowing the belt to settle in at a quite deep level (in my opinion).  This second pulley (from the 416S) allows the belt to sit much higher, but all of that has not brought about any improvement.  I purchased a new V-belt (the longer one (53") number 2029350); again, no change.

My guess is that the issue is the 34" V-belt called the "Forward Drive Belt."  (Part # 2029348.)

I'd just like the opinions of others who are more knowledgeable than I.

Thanks for your assistance!




Edited by KHEab - 30 Apr 2019 at 1:50pm

Well, whatever I end up doing, I'm going to go through the "Operation" section of the manual and look at fluid quality/level, mechanical adjustments and whatnot.  Figuring that she's is over 40 years old, she probably needs someone to pay attention to those finer details.

Oil won't make a difference with the problem you have,  Transmission is all gears inside. Nothing to slip. only slippage would be  external stuff even if key way in bevel gear box or gears in it striped off or gears in axle differential would have noise.

Hello Jack.
I have a 410S and a 416S. Both tractors have belly mowers. I experienced the exact same problem with grass cutting on steep slopes. I used to be able to cut it in 3rd gear with the 410S. It finally got so bad that 1st gear would not work. It frustrated me to no end. I consulted dealers (AC & Simplicity), other 400 series owners, The Forum. No help from anyone worked. A friend, Tractor Chucky, had once worked at the local A C dealer. He had been involved in garden tractor pulling and is a certified mechanic. Chuck came down to my shop with his collection of garden tractor repair manuals. I had done everything from adjustments, alignments, some new parts, and nothing corrected the problem.
   Open the driven clutch assy. Behind the grease cap there is a large nut. It has to be torqued properly (not more- not less than spec). We torqued both the 410 and 416. What a difference. I am 'back in the saddle' (seat). 3rd gear on the steep slopes again. Thanks to Chuck and his complete A C library.
   Jack, please report if this helps. We also enjoy pictures of your A C equipment.

   Ross D.