Buggy transaxle doesn't like to shift out of gear

[strantor]

I have an American Landmaster Bulldog 300, equipped with Dana/Schafer H12-FNR transaxle. The forward and reverse are a function of the transaxle. The transaxle does want to shift out of forward or reverse, into neutral, if any torque is on it. I can shift into neutral just fine if I am coasting, but if I come to a complete stop while in gear, it wants to stay in gear.

Is that normal?

Between the transaxle and engine is a CVT, and most CVTs from my understanding, have a bearing in the drive pulley for the belt to rest on at idle. If this CVT had that, it would not be a problem. But it doesn't. At idle, the belt rests on the spinning shaft of the drive pulley. I can make the belt very loose and the problem goes away, but then I sacrifice top speed because that much slack results in the driven pulley not fully opening.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Is the idle operating to spec? So the clutch fully disengages?

 

[strantor]

Is the idle operating to spec? So the clutch fully disengages?

Yes, clutch fully disengages. Above idle, the belt is riding against pulley plates at its sides. At idle, the belt is riding against the spinning shaft only, but that is still enough to turn the belt and keep enough torque on the transaxle so that it won't shift to neutral.