Westwood T1200 stuck in neutral after replacing rear tre

[Mattyp]

Hi. I’ve been running an old Lawnmaster 1200 ( rebadged Westwood 1200) for over 10 years. I replaced the inner tube on the rear right as it had got a puncture. I replaced the tyre but now the mower is stuck in neutral. The drive belt is fine, everything is as it was when I removed the tyre but now the gears simply do not engage. I’ve had a look around on other forums but can’t find a solution. Can anyone shed any light?

 

[Tony1989]

I would say you have lost the key way when you had wheel off and the axle is spinning inside the wheel

 

[Dave W]

Just a thought. Does the wheel slide on a shaft with a key? Did the key drop out?

 

[Oscar]

No idea if this is same as yours but on my 1600 at the back between rear wheels is a lever you pull out or push in which allows you to push the machine with no engine ie puts transmission into neuntral . Maybe by jacking up machine you have knocked this lever in/ out ?? I know I did by mistake when I jacked mine up and it would not drive after . PS this is a hydro transmission.

 

[Dave W]

I would say you have lost the key way when you had wheel off and the axle is spinning inside the wheel

Great minds!

It's often easy to over complicate these things. You've changed the wheel. Nothing else. Unlikely to be something inside the box

 

[Tony1989]

I have seen it loads of times!!

 

[Mattyp]

Thanks for replying guys. I’ll have to check the workshop floor for any key, funny I don’t remember seeing one but you’re right in that the wheel freewheels on the axle. Surely the rear wheel the other side would be turning?

 

[Tony1989]

No it would be spinning through the diff

 

[thesilentone]

Thanks for replying guys. I’ll have to check the workshop floor for any key, funny I don’t remember seeing one but you’re right in that the wheel freewheels on the axle. Surely the rear wheel the other side would be turning?

Yes, you have lost the key.

Remove the wheel again, and you will see the keyway in the shaft and wheel hub. If it's lost forever, then you need to make a new one from key-steel. They are about one and a quarter inch's long.

 

[Mattyp]

You were absolutely right! In my haste to get the wheel off and fix the puncture I obviously didn’t see it come away with the wheel! Thanks a lot guys! Amazing such a tiny piece of steel stops the thing in its tracks! The key was the key