Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Troy Bilt lawn tractor, troy bilt lawn tractor, slide pins

Question
I have a two-year-old Troy Bilt garden tractor model number LTX 1842.  How do you adjust the brakes on it?  When you park on the slightest incline it rolls.  Also when you try to stop sometimes---it doesn't.  Thanks for your help!


Bill L

Answer
Is the tractor a manual transmission or a hydrostat (automatic)?

If it's a manual, look under the mower and find the transmission.  You should see a metal disc which is connected to the clutch/brake link rod.  There is a nut, or two nuts that you can adjust.  If there are 2 nuts then one of the nuts acts as a locking nut.  You will have to use to wrenches to hole the inner nut and the another wrench to loosen the outer locking nut.  Then you can turn the inner nut in to tighten the brake.

Many times on the older mowers the slide pins that activate the brake rust.  The rust prevents the pins from moving and therefore the brake does not work right.  You can take off the entire assembly, remove the pins and clean them with a wire brush or sandpaper.  Re-assemble and adjust brake.  I generall set the parking brake and then adjust the brake until the mower will not roll.

Let me know what you find.
Eric