toro self propelled mower

[stl]

My father gave me Toro mower model number 20016 push mower. It starts easy and runs good, but the self propel option is not working. These mowers are quite cumbersome with out the self propel. I sure would like to get it working. Anyone ever work on these mowers? Maybe someone could give me an idea where to start. I found an exploded diagram on the Toro web site, but really don't know where to begin.

 

[Millerman]

Re: toro self propelled mower

My father gave me Toro mower model number 20016 push mower. It starts easy and runs good, but the self propel option is not working. These mowers are quite cumbersome with out the self propel. I sure would like to get it working. Anyone ever work on these mowers? Maybe someone could give me an idea where to start. I found an exploded diagram on the Toro web site, but really don't know where to begin.

I have the same mower. There is a belt that runs from the center drive shaft to the front wheels. I have had two problems with it. One the belt broke and two grass gor built up on the front pully so the belt would not turn the wheel. Easy fix for both cases. Hope this helps

Cheers

Dan

 

[stl]

Re: toro self propelled mower

Thanks, I was hoping it was a belt issue or something simple. I see no belt. How do you access the pulley? Do you get to it from underneath or does that plastic shroud on top pop off somehow?

 

[arboldt]

Re: toro self propelled mower

I had the same issue with my mower earlier this year (not a Toro).

Stop and think... there's some mechanism that transfers engine power to the drive wheels. Usually that's a belt under the mower deck with some type of cover over it to protect it. There's usually a hand lever you squeeze to engage the self-propel drive - that lever pulls a cable. At the other end of that cable is usually an idler pulley that tightens the drive belt around the drive shaft and transfers that power to a small transmission that poers the drive wheels.

Belts do stretch, and the inner surface can get glazed from slight friction over the years.

All that said...

1) If you don't have the owners' manual, get one. If your dad doesn't have the manaul, you should be able to find one online, or at worst, buy one from a Toro dealer. The manual should give you specific instructions on how to do this.
2) Set the mower up on blocks or something. DISCONNECT THE SPARK PLUG WIRE! Take off the mower blade and clean everything you can.
3) Remove the belt guard(s) and clean everything you can.
4) Take some digital photos so you know for sure how everything was routed for when you go to reassemble.
5) Remove the drive belt and replace it. Clean everything you possible can.
6) Check the cable tension and idler pulley to make sure it engages. You may need to replace some springs. BTW - cables stretch, too. There's usually an wheel to adjust cable tension, or if it's all the way, you may need to replace the cable.
7) Reassemble. Be absolutely positive everything is back the way it was. Test the levers etc. It should work.
8) If it doesn't work, then further diagnosis is necessary. Possibilities at this point:
a) failed transmission (from the drive belt to drive shaft)
b) failed cogs within the drive wheels. As the drive shaft turns, there's usually a cog / lever that turns and presses against star-like teeth connected to the actual wheel. Again, photo, clean, re-grease, and reassemble. If you see something loose or broken, replace it.

HTH
Al

 

[joed]

Re: toro self propelled mower

Plastic cover on top covers the belt. Two maybe three screws and you can remove cover. Remove the blade as I don't think there is enough clearance to get belt on otherwise.
Check oil level in gear box. Small plastic screw on front of box is for oil. Also gease wheels.

 

[stl]

Re: toro self propelled mower

I got a chance to look tonight. The belt was intact and did engage the pulley. I took apart the transmission. Seems to be a rack and pinion affair. Looks like the pinion was badly worn. i could not tell for sure but I would imagine the gear that it mates with is worn as well. Looks like most places sell only the transmission assembly and not parts for the transmission. The assembly is like 60 bucks ouch. Do you think the tranny is serviceable? or do you just replace the whole unit? Do they make service manuals for this type of thing? Or does anybody know of any good web sites that might be helpful. Thanks

 

[joed]

Re: toro self propelled mower

I have repaired a transmision by using parts from another transmission I had from a old machine that was scrapped. Dealer would only sell me the whole transmission. I think it was the pinion and ring gear I had to change do to lack of oil in the gear case.

 

[arboldt]

Re: toro self propelled mower

The last few years I've gotten parts from outdoordistributors.com

They seemed to be reasonable.

 

[Knot Waiting]

Re: toro self propelled mower

Replacing the pinion is a really easy job. Most dealers only sell the entire trans assembly because very few people fix their own mowers at this level. There are alot of places on the net that will sell individual parts. Also Lawnboy is the same mower so most parts can be interchanged.

Heres what you need: Go to the parts look up, get your model up, and click Transmission
http://www.milacalawn.com/parts.asp

 

[eurolarva]

Re: toro self propelled mower

This is a really good site for small engine repair click Here If that transmission is the only problem do it. My self propelled mulcher bagger mower started giving me grief and to replace it was at least 300 bucks.

 

[stl]

Re: toro self propelled mower

Thanks guys those are just the sites I was looking for

 

[pgittins]

Re: toro self propelled mower

I have this type Toro mower. I replaced the belt and can turn the front wheels by cranking on the gear spindle but the belt will not spin the pulley. I am really stumped here. The transmission rocks back enough to engage the belt and seems like it should be working. It is like there is not enough belt tension but I cant force the cable to put any more than is already there. I would really appreciate a suggestion. Thanks

 

[joed]

Re: toro self propelled mower

There should be a spring hooked to the front of the transmission mower frame pulling down and putting tension on the belt.

 

[pgittins]

Re: toro self propelled mower

After posting last night and thinking about this a bit more I began to wonder if it is possible the drive shaft pulley is not spinning. It is the one piece I can not easily inspect and certainly not while the mower is operating. I think the only way to inspect it is to pull the mower blade and see if the pulley is turning or if I can turn it by hand. I will most likely try this tonight after I remove the spark plug to prevent an accident with my hands in there.

I am pretty sure the cam at the Transmission gear box side is being engaged and I can see it shifting position when I engage the lever. I also tried tinkering with the tension of the cable but nothing I did made any difference.

Thanks for responding.

 

[stl]

Re: toro self propelled mower

I replaced the transmission assembly this morning. Everything works fine now. Pretty simple job. I found a used transmission on Ebay for 30 bucks including shipping. I tried to get Toro to send me one for free, as I read numerous post about how problematic these transmissions are. They are made in Mexico and are just poorly made. They told me no way. I would have to take it to an authorized dealer to diagnose the problem. I am not going to pay someone to diagnose a problem, when I already know what the problem is. This mechanism is so simple a monkey could re assemble it. I told the lady at Toro I was going to stand in the lawn and Garden section at Home Depot on Saturday and stop everybody from buying a Toro. She just laughed. That part probably costs Toro less than 20 bucks to make. I think they could have sent me one just o keep a happy customer. Anyway this was a fun project, and now I have a working mower for 30 dollars.

 

[cpesarchick]

Re: toro self propelled mower

How did you take off the gear behind the tire? It seems like I have to take that off to remove the transmission assembly.

 

[joed]

Re: toro self propelled mower

How did you take off the gear behind the tire? It seems like I have to take that off to remove the transmission assembly.

On my machine (old) there is acotter pin through it. On the newer machines I think they screw on. Will be a reverse thread on at least one end of the shaft. Rightly loosey lefty tighty.

 

[stl]

Re: toro self propelled mower

That gear is held on there by an E clamp. The transmission comes out in two pieces. There were four bolt on the under side of the tranny. I took them out, then the pully and housing assembly comes off the top. This is the part tha holds the pinion gear. I then took off the wheel height adjusters, and the axle with the gear on drops right out.