Speed Control Lever Problem?

[Oklahoma Chuck]

I have a 147 Hydro. The speed control lever won't remain in any position. To drive the tractor one must keep a hand on the control and a foot on the brake, adjusting the speed using a combination of both. If anyone has had experience with this problem or knows of a remedy I would appreciate the help!

[wdeturck]

I'm not into Hydro's but it sounds like your centering mechanism is really messed up. When you hit the brake(hydro drivers don't use the brakes but use reverse) it tries to put the shift in neutral. You really need the manual to set it up after you take care of the other problems develop. I think you should post that question on the http://ihregistry.com/discus/messages/2 ... 1114308757
The hydros don't go bad but you have to get that linkage and components in good shape.

[Dave Hull]

There is a spring on positioned between a bracket and a plate. It has a couple washer like items on each end of the spring which is held in position inside the plate and bracket. The corners of the bracket wear and the spring loses function. Can be repared. Instructions for repair and cub cadet forum in FAQS section.

Dave

[Calvin]

Hi Chuck, mine did the same thing what a pain, I tightened up the squeeze nut under the center panel you have to take off the center sheet metal. But after a few times of this tightning it gets wore and loose again. You can only tighten it a few times until the thing that squeezes it gets mashed.
Calvin WV

[Ritter107]

Your linkage is all screwed up. That's the problem you have, not friction adjustment or anything like that. There are 2 linkages on a Cub Cadet... one that leads from the brake to the transmission... so when u step on the pedal the tranny kicks into neutral, and one from the SR lever to the hydro.... These are part of your problem. First you must ensure that you do not have any hydro creep going on. Here's how to fix this:

1: Jack up the left rear wheel of the tractor. The on the transmission, Loosen the 2 bolts that hold the Triangular slotted plate to the pump on the hydro. Loosen just enough to let the whole deal slide to the bottom of its adjustment. Lightly snug the bolts enough so that you can move it by tapping.

2) Start the tractor and run at about half throttle... crawl underneath it... and be very very careful under there.... No long sleaved shirts for this. Once underneath take a punch and hammer and tap the mount for that linkage upward until the tire stops moving. Then tighten the bolts (or as I do... just bottom for now until u know you've gotten it... the top one is a real bitch to get to on a 147... I have a 107, same basic machine).

3) Now that the wheel has stopped moving, shut off tractor, and set the parking brake. The linkage that goes from the brake pedal back to the triangular plate on the hydro needs to be set so that when u step on the brakes the hydro goes into neutral. What I do here is set the brake... move the linkage (turn either way) to where I think will be neutral and then start the tractor and see if I found it. Yes... it's a bit unscientific, and it's a chase, but it works... and it's easier to say that than get in depth on which direction to turn it... you'll figure it out. You simply want the brake pedal to pull the hydro plates to the neutral position. I.E... forward into that slot on the Tri plate, and in turn stopping the wheels from any movement. Although.. if the linkage is old and worn... you may get close... but not spot on. That'll have to do.

4) Now that you have the hydro creep fixed and the neutral position found while the brake pedal you must adjust the SR lever to acknowledge true neutral. To do this you must find the threaded linkage with the two ball joints that goes from the bottom of the SR lever to the bottom of the triangular plate on the hydro. Set the parking brake so the tranny is in neutral. Next, pray to whatever God you wish... or better yet, every one that you can think of that the linkage isn't frozen due to rusting(it costs nearly 70 bucks). Go inside... get a shot of Jack... pray some more... and loosen the jamb nut and twist it.

If you're lucky and it is free the linkage will either lengthen or shorten depending on the direction turned. If you're unlucky you'll have to remove it(words can't describe how much of a pain this will be) and attempt to free it up without twisting it off. Remember... it has a right hand thread on one end, and left hand on the other... so be careful when freeing it. Reinstall when done.

The trick here is since the hydro creep has been fixed and the brake pedal linkage adjusted so that it pulls the hydro into neutral to stop you want the SR lever to also go to neutral when the brake pedal is stepped on. That is what turning the threaded rod between the SR lever and the triangular plate does. It adjusts the SR lever to show true neutral and speed selection.

Once this has been done, and all bolts tightened back up fire it up and give it a try. You should be able to step on the brake and come to a dead stop or close to... depending on how bad your linkages were worn in the first place. You should also be able to pull the SR lever into neutral and easily come to a dead stop. If not... start with #1 and try it all again. Don't get discouraged... it's a pain in the but to do... especially on a NF. I have a 107... and it's just a 147 with a smaller engine... space is tight under there. You'll soon figure out exactly how everything works under there and it will become easier to understand what I’m saying, and how to adjust the linkage. Hope this helps everyone who has a hydro creep, or linkage related problem. Cheers.

[Ritter107]

Now that i looked at his post again... i got the problem. Oh well... i gave a heck of a lesson in tunign a hydro at least

[R Bedell]

Okie Chuck:

The problem with your 147 is, that the hydro linkage is loose. The Hydro Lever has to have friction (or resistance) to keep it in the position you set it. There is an adjustment for this. This procedure is explained in the 147 Service Manual on pages 2-41 throu 2-44. I could send you some information if I had an Email address.

[Leadfoot]

Oklahoma Chuck: -Please e-mail R Bedell-, so he can send you THE CORRECT WAY to easily adjust/fix the problem you are having with your 147. Mr. Bedell has a large Cub Cadet information library!

I had a 147, and had to adjust the tension on the hydro handle....it's not difficult at all, BUT without the proper terminology, and the very useful 'pictures' in the manual, it can be a intimidating/confusing procedure.

Once you get your 147 patched up this time, I would suggest visiting your local Cub Cadet dealer, or http://www.binderbooks.com/ and getting a full set of manuals for your 147...(Operators Manual, Service Manual, and Parts Manual if you don't already have them) ...it makes owning and working on a Cub Cadet a lot more enjoyable

Plus, check out http://www.ihcubcadet.com/, and it's various pages ( http://www.ihcubcadet.com/cgi-bin/forum/discus.cgi ) for good SOLID advice, and a wealth of knowledge and insight about the great IH Cub Cadets!

[Ritter107]

Sorry, i read this as the linkages being really out of whack, not as the friction adjsut ment needing work.

[Leadfoot]

Sorry, i read this as the linkages being really out of whack, not as the friction adjsut ment needing work.

Keep in mind Oklahoma Chuck said this "The speed control lever won't remain in any position."

If the 'linkages are really out of whack', they would have had to fall off/be broken. More times than not, all that is needed is simple adjustments, or possibly a few minor parts. The procedures are explained and illustrated nicely in the manuals.

Ritter: To see what R Bedell and I are talking about, pull the battery out of your 107....looking at the shaft that is connected to the hydro speed handle, follow it 'down', until you see a nut on the shaft....that nut sets the friction on the hydro handle. Too much friction, and you can't move the handle, too little and the handle flops around, and/or it won't maintain a constant speed....even on level ground.

[Ritter107]

Yes, you two are entirely correct. I basically scanned over the post, got another idea in my head and boom... wrote my other post. I now know what the problem was. That was my bad there. I think it was one of those speaking before I thought deals. Anyways, no problem, cheers mate.