1811 Won't move

[J-Mech]

Hey guys need help. I was mowing today and the 1811 just stopped dead in it's tracks. I have no idea what is wrong. I didn't move it because I was scared to tear it up. I don't even know where to begin. I'm just all distraught over this. Can anyone tell me what happened and how to fix it? I'm pretty good with tools but I just don't know anything about garden tractors. I own a hammer, cresent wrench and a pair of pliers. I have a few wrenches from Wal-Mart too. I just can't be without my main machine! It's supposed to rain here for the next few days and my yard needs mowed. Do you guys think I blew up the hydro? It's really old and has a lot of hours on it. Can I get parts to fix it? Is it going to be expensive? Can anyone come help me?? I knew just what to do when I quit. I finished picking up my stuff and came straight to the computer to make a post before even looking at the tractor. I figure the guys at OCC can tell me what happened and how to fix it.


AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[olds45512]

Did you check the fuse for the PTO?

[darkminion_17]

Did you check the air in the tires?

[john hall]

Uh-oh, you done broke it and didn't get the grass cut. Boy are you ever going to hear about this one.

[sir_lancealot]

I think you need to check to make sure the hydro linkages are moving properly. Easiest way to check it out is to cut some sort of hole in the tunnel cover so you can see down in there. If you don't have anything like a sawz-all, go get a round, metal hole saw at your local tool place. If you want to save a few bucks, hunt around everywhere you can online to find the cheapest one. You'll probably have the tool in-hand in 5-7 business days.

[Rescue11]

Ok, first of all, we need pictures. How is anybody supposed to help you if we don't have pictures? Second of all do you have gas in the tank? Gas is rather important.

By the way have you checked your fuel to oil ratio? When you pull the dipstick there should be at least 25% gas in the oil pan at all times. This ensures proper combustion from the lower end of the engine to help push the Piston back up after the "Power Stroke".

Third of all is there a spark plug anywhere near the machine? If not I suggest you find one and throw it hard as you can at the muffler. It's kind of a long shot, but if you do manage to strike the muffler with a spark plug it will cause a chain reaction most of the time ending up in a backfire but will make the engine run. Fourthly did you check to make sure there is indeed an engine underneath the hood?

Now that the engine is running, it is time to check the drive line. Is there one? If not we will need pictures. Typically there is a shaft sticking out the front of the engine which should have a pulley mounted on it going to a black thing on the side of the engine this creates electricity. It has nothing to do with your drive line.

Just about all Simplicity garden tractors have a belt going from the engine to a component of some sort somewhere on the machine. Find this component and completely disassemble it. Once disassembled you should see a ball bearing.

With the information you have provided it's highly suspect that your machine has not been greased in quite some time. There are several YouTube videos showing you how to do this. The best advice I can give you is to take a ball bat and hit yourself over the head repeatedly until the machine is completely greased.

We will need pictures of all of this. I suggest that you post them on an expired Photobucket account

Let us know how it comes out

[J-Mech]

Originally Posted by olds45512

Did you check the fuse for the PTO?

I did not... I thought that just affected the lights? Will it also make it not move?

Originally Posted by darkminion_17

Didja check the air in the tars?

My tires are fluid filled. Do I still need to put some air in them? I have one of those little hand held pumps to air up a basketball. Will that work?

Originally Posted by john hall

Uh-oh, you done broke it and didn't get the grass cut. Boy are you ever going to hear about this one.

I know. I never going to live this down!

[J-Mech]

Originally Posted by sir_lancealot

I think you need to check to make sure the hydro linkages are moving properly. Easiest way to check it out is to cut some sort of hole in the tunnel cover so you can see down in there. If you don't have anything like a sawz-all, go get a round, metal hole saw at your local tool place. If you want to save a few bucks, hunt around everywhere you can online to find the cheapest one. You'll probably have the tool in-hand in 5-7 business days.

I have an air chisel. I've used it to take the tops out of 55 gallon drums before. I'll just use it like a can opener to make a hole. I'm afraid if I order a hole saw online, it won't look like the pic in the ad and I'll get the wrong one. I'm not very good at reading descriptions.

Originally Posted by Rescue11

Ok, first of all, we need pictures. How is anybody supposed to help you if we don't have pictures? Second of all do you have gas in the tank? Gas is rather important.

By the way have you checked your fuel to oil ratio? When you pull the dipstick there should be at least 25% gas in the oil pan at all times. This ensures proper combustion from the lower end of the engine to help push the Piston back up after the "Power Stroke".

Third of all is there a spark plug anywhere near the machine? If not I suggest you find one and throw it hard as you can at the muffler. It's kind of a long shot, but if you do manage to strike the muffler with a spark plug it will cause a chain reaction most of the time ending up in a backfire but will make the engine run. Fourthly did you check to make sure there is indeed an engine underneath the hood?

Now that the engine is running, it is time to check the drive line. Is there one? If not we will need pictures. Typically there is a shaft sticking out the front of the engine which should have a pulley mounted on it going to a black thing on the side of the engine this creates electricity. It has nothing to do with your drive line.

Just about all Simplicity garden tractors have a belt going from the engine to a component of some sort somewhere on the machine. Find this component and completely disassemble it. Once disassembled you should see a ball bearing.

With the information you have provided it's highly suspect that your machine has not been greased in quite some time. There are several YouTube videos showing you how to do this. The best advice I can give you is to take a ball bat and hit yourself over the head repeatedly until the machine is completely greased.

We will need pictures of all of this. I suggest that you post them on an expired Photobucket account

Let us know how it comes out

Oh my..... will all that take a long time? It seems really complex. I hate to say this, but you have me more worried now than I was before! I better go out right now and start checking things over. To be honest, I've never opened the hood. I'm not even sure whether there is an engine under the hood or not!

[DieselDoctor]

What do the guys on the JD forum say? I know you've probably asked them about your Cub first. Don't forget to ask your old uncle Al, the one that used to work for a farmer back in the '30s. He'll know whats wrong!

[PaulS]

I think the nut that holds the wheel is a bit loose. Lol