mf1428v freewheeling downhill

GaryS · Apr 28, 2011

Just started my first grass cut of the year and had a terrifying experience. I have steep hills and use a Woods rear finish mower. I started down a steep hill only to find the tractor freewheeling. I was able to slow it but it scared the daylights out of me.

I tried it again on a less steep hill and it started gaining speed again even after I took my foot off the pedal. Using the brake stopped it but it's never done that before.

Has this happend to anyone before? Is this something I can fix? I use the brush hog on even steeper hills and I'm concerned this is going to mean a big repair.

gary

boggen · Apr 29, 2011

drop it into lowest gear, and let the engine compression itself keep the tractor slowed down. at least that is what i do.

if i am in a high gear, it can get rather frighting, or when i push the clutch in.

i always and i do mean always change to lower gear well before i hit a steep hill. were i can push the clutch in, and stop completely with ease. before going down a steep hill.

trying to change gears going down a hill = bigger chance of not being able to pop the gear back in. and at same time gaining a lot of extra speed.

ya, it may seem like a turtle going down a hill in lowest gear possible. but once you hit a hole or something happens, having that slow speed keeps that heart from jumping a few beats.

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if you mow backwards up the hill. can be safer. this way the engine and lower gear is trying to climb the hill.

GaryS · May 1, 2011

I've used the tractor here many time before and didn't have this issue.

Yesterday I drained & replaced the hydro oil and the oil in the front axel. I then tested it again.

It acts like it's in two wheel drive going down a hill. The back tires stop spinning but the fronts continue to roll.

On a Hydro, is there a difference between pulling power and stopping power? The front tires seem to be able to pull the tractor but not to stop.

It's raining now and I need to be 100% certain that it's really really in 4wd but I''m 99.99% sure it is.