How To Fix a Riding LawnMower That Will Not Move or Drive

Why won't my mower move? Repair it for free with this easy solution. Solve this common issue when your ride on lawnmower will not drive or move anymore. It's not always the drive belt or transmission. Sometimes it is a very simple solution!

Can't get your riding mower to go forward or backwards, here's the fix.

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Learn how to properly fix or repair your own outdoor power equipment if it won’t start, bogs out, won’t rev up, chain or blade is dull and doesn’t cut good, needs sharpened, or simply just runs poorly.

Simple and basic, do it yourself (DIY) tutorials to help you with your broken lawn and garden equipment.

I do my best to teach you how I easily diagnose problems the fastest, quickest and most efficient way.

Whether it be a handheld, two stroke, two cycle engine like chainsaws, weed eaters, string trimmers, grass trimmers, line trimmers, hedge trimmers, strimmers, brush cutters, leaf blowers, or four stroke, four cycle units like lawn mowers, pressure washers, generators, ride on mowers that need parts installed or replaced, I’m your guy.

I’ve been a small engine mechanic for many years so my videos are loaded with tips and tricks that I have learned and want to pass on to you. I want Steve’s Small Engine Saloon to SAVE YOU TIME, FRUSTRATION AND MOST IMPORTANT, MONEY!

Disclosure: This YouTube video is provided for informational purposes only. Steve is a qualified small engine mechanic and is working in an open and fully ventilated shop for the purpose of making this video. Small engines should be operated outside in fully ventilated areas only and it is important that you wear the appropriate safety gear. If you choose to try one of the suggestions made in this video, you do so at your own risk. Please ensure that you take all proper safety measures before attempting any project.

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[Stangchild]

OMG!!! This happened an hour ago to me! JD L110 that I bought new in 2004, 571 hours on it. Changed my tire, put it back on and no movement. Thought it was for sure transmission related and was ready after 20 years to give it away. Jumped on YouTube and you were the 1st and last vid I watched! Walked into the driveway, found the pin and now I'm driving! Thanks so much Steve!!

[jond.bumpus]

You, sir, are a gift to mankind. I went through every single stage and step of mechanical grief you described so perfectly - shouted multiple choice phrases - only to have this be *exactly* what happened. Took two minutes to remedy and now I'm back to mowing.

Bless you, sir. Keep up the excellent work and cheers!

[rixter]

WOW, this is exactly what happened. Found my square key stock in the grass where I removed the wheel. Grass mowed and many beers down the hatch. Thanks a million Steve!

[valeriejohnson]

You saved me a trip to the shop. Mind blown. So relieved.

[wrk]

Many thanks! This was the *exact* issue I had, as I just removed the wheel to adjust the brakes. Went back in the yard, found the key and was working within minutes! You saved me a lot of time and money, sir! Cheers to you!

[geraldhatley]

Steve - You are the MAN!!! I just did that exactly with my X300 John Deere Rider. I had a flat and took it off to have the tire repaired. When I put it back on, I noticed the tire would spin freely on the axle and thought that was odd but went ahead with the install. Lo and behold, when I cranked the mower, it would not move. I loaded the mower on my trailer to take it to the dealer since I was convinced the transaxle had failed over the winter with no use. Then the smartest thing I did all day was look at this Youtube and it described my situation and my fix EXACTLY!!!. Just as you predicted, when I looked at the ground where I had removed the tire, I found the locking key. I took off the plastic wheel hub, C CLip and washer and inserted the key and I am GOOD TO GO!!! Thanks STEVE. You saved me.

[richrevill]

My new "go to" place for useful information!
Struggling to identify the problem for 2 days and then my wife spends 5 minutes Googling and ... bam, there you go!
Thanks Steve and you've earned the 98.8% positive ratings. Your videos are enjoyable, informative, solve real problems and include beer!
Raising a cold one to you right now. Cheers!

[Karen-ceve]

OMG! I'm 64 years old. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I put new wheels on old .hurray ride mower. Everything put back on. Then would not go forward. Just paid 300.00 to fix a bunch of stuff on it. So very disappointed that it would not go. Other videos wanted me to take ton of stuff off too check. I saw your video and thought What is a keyway. Low and behold that was the prob. Had no idea that was evan a thing. AND, looked and it was right where I took the tire off. In the dirt and grass. A miracle I even found it! Thanks!!!

[dadsprojects]

This was actually the issue I had. Everything in this video just played out in my garage about an hour ago...including the kicking and yelling at the lawnmower. Thanks for the video!!!

[heartwoodfarm]

Steve you're the man! Like others this played out just the way you describe. Just spent $200 + on TLC for my Husqvarna, including mounting 4 new tires tonight. Jumped on cranked it up and won't move. Found your video, walked straight out into the yard and picked up the right rear key out of of the dirt. Slid it in and it took off! Didn't realize the right was the positive drive side and the left is just following along. The left tire slid on so easy, and I thought I got lucky when the right one did too, but It was because I had knocked the key out.

[waynedavies]

I just watched your video, went back to my lawnmower and found the 'key' right where I took the tire off. Popped it back in and away I went. Yer a freakin' I am now a subscriber and fan. Appreciate your sense of humour and the shout outs. Very cool. Now to buy some merch with the money I saved NOT taking my mower to a shop.

[petdemrabbits]

I picked up a free riding mower last week. The guy said it wouldn't go forward or reverse. I noticed right away that he had put a new tire on it. Turns out the axle is splined and he put a wheel on with a round hub. I bought the original wheel and tire from him for $25 put it on and that was the problem. I then sold the mower for $450. Thank you for this video!

[qlszoqr]

This just saved me! I had a lot of anti seize grease and I didn't see the key fell out. Just watched your video and couldn't help but go back down to the garage at night, find the key and fix it. All is good now. After 2 blown John Deere tires that I fixed this was the last issue I needed. So thank you for the help!

[brianmcneil]

Worked like a charm for our Husqvarna. I changed the flat tire before season started and didn’t notice the key stock and I lost it. Any hardware store Carrie’s the 3/16 key stock! Replaced it and now mower is runnin like a caddy! Awesome video

[dianekeene]

You are now my go to man!! For repair info! Thank you! I couldn't find key and up in the mountains we don't go in to town much ! So I wanted to rule this out before replacing drive belt...sure enough! I used grinder on Allen wrench and made one fit tight like a glove !! Mowed the hell out of lawn just lacking a 🍻!! I'm a happy 61 yr old female!!! Thanks!

[gj]

Steve you're the Man! I never noticed the key when I puled the wheel to fix a flat. You saved me big $$ when I bought $4 key stock instead of having to pay to pick up my mower, fix it and then return it. Thanks so much.

[adamnye]

You are a legend! 3 of your videos helped me fix the key missing after I fixed a tire. Fixed my deck not engaging. Now to find out why when it go into reverse with the pro on it wants to stall out! Again thank you so much!

Update: it was the reverse safety switch on the dash board. Working like a top!

[leslong]

As soon as you said something about fixing a flat I started looking for the key! Found it, installed it and back in business. Thanks for saving me a lot of unnecessary work.

[timrobinson]

Awesome! You nailed it, dude. I was ready to take the whole blamed thing apart, watched a dozen videos about transmission problems, but it was a stupid little key that fell out when my bro took the wheel off for repair. Thanks, man.

[JenniferRoque-rw]

Steve, once again you saved the day at my house!! I heard the beating of the riding mower, and thought the night was doomed! This video saved the day, literally 😊. We love your content!