Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): 20HP Sears Lawn Tractor Transmission, hydrostat, tractor model

Question
I have a Sears Lawn Tractor, model 917.272140,  that is about 4 years old.  I am having a problem that is best described as the transmission slipping.  It started when reverse seemed to be noticeably slower.  They have an adjustment procedure to realign the shift lever with the transmission but it doesn't seem to do much.  Now the mower barely moves in reverse and does not go very fast in forward.  The transmission is "maintenance free" so there is no way to check fluid level.  Any thoughts please?  Thank you.

Bob

Answer
If the belt is good and you have adjusted the shift lever then there isn't much else you can do with those maintence free hydrostat transmissions.

Have you checked any other message boards for other adjustments?  Most of the maintenance free units are remove and replace units.

Let me know about the belt.
Eric