Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Honda H2013 Faulty Hydrostatic Drive, fluid control valve, input shaft

Question
Hello John,
I have a problem with a Honda garden tractor model H2013. We purchased this for our club without realizing it was faulty. The engine starts & runs, the pulley turns the input shaft at the top of the transmission. When you try & engage forward or reverse there is a grinding noise & the belt starts to drag & smoke. Also you can turn the wheels off the ground & they counter rotate with the diff but it won't move on the ground. The transmission is marked model VE3000. I've gone as far as removing the transmission. It was full of clean oil & the reservoir was about half full. Also if you remove the drive belt you still cannot move the tractor without dollying the rear end. It seems like something is seized inside, brake locked on ?

Answer
Hello Dave:

>>Did you Inspect the Pulleys and Idlers for Bad Bearing or for Being Locked Upp and Not Turning?
>>From your Description the Transaxle Sounds like it is Operating Properly. A Hydro Transaxle Operated Unit Cannot be MOVED by Simply Pushing them. The Hydro Transaxle MUST HAVE a Hydro RELEASE in Order to Allow the Fluid to Bypass the Fluid Control Valve for the Wheels to Move. The Counter Rotation of the Wheels as you Described is Correct for this Model Transaxle.
>>When Does the Gringing Noise Occur? When you Release the Clutch or when Putting the Transaxle in Motion?
>>If the Grinding is Occurring when you Move the Motion Lever into Forward or Reverse, then there is an Internal Transaxle Problem. If the Grinding is Occurring when you Release the Clutch to Engage the Transaxle, then Most Likely the Problem is in the Drive Systems Pulleys.
>>Please, Do Not Hesitate, If you Hit a Snag, if I Missed Something or this Does Not Correct the Problem, I am Here if You Require More Assistance. Hope this Helps. Let me Know What Happens, Please. May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Thanks.

Good Luck

Respectfully

John

>>PS: I am Allowed to Answer 10 Questions a Day. If you See I am Maxxed Out, then Try Submitting your Question at or Just After 8pm EST (US). My New Day Starts then. Comments and Ratings are Greatly Appreciated. Thanks.

Respectfully

John