149 hydromatic won't roll

[cashmorey]

Hi new to the site! I have a 149 hydromatic that wont start and i cant seem to get it to roll so i can put it on the trailer is there a lever that i can pull to get it to roll? Probably an easy problem but i need some help thanks all

[J-Mech]

The proper term is hydrostatic. Hydromatic was the first General Motors automatic transmission.

Does this tractor have dual disc brakes? If not, it is likely that the park brake is stuck. If this is the case, you won't be able to get it to roll easily. If it has the dual disc brakes, then check to see if they are releasing.

If not dual disc, then get you a large helper, one of you pick up one side of the rear of the tractor, the other one push. The wheel on the ground will roll, the one in the air will roll backwards.

Once you get it in the shop, let us know and someone can walk you through getting the brake unstuck.

[R Bedell]

First, welcome to OCC...........

On the RH side of the Tunnel Cover, you should see a lever like this.


Lifting up the lever will release the pressure on the Check/Relief Valves and allow you to push the tractor.

[cashmorey]

Thanks y'all. Sorry, I had a brain freeze on the hydro part, lol. It does have disc brakes. I also saw the lever and I pulled it up last time i was out there, and wouldn't roll. I will try what y'all suggested and see if that works. As soon as I get it home, I will have lots more questions. haha

[donnelly.me]

As long as the brakes aren't stuck, and if pulling the release lever doesn't work pull the tunnel cover and inspect the lever. The tab that pushes the release valves on the lever could be gone. Someone with the better terminology can chime in but there are two valves (fwd/rev) that have little buttons popping up. Push them down by hand and it should roll for you. Mark

[J-Mech]

You don't say how long it's been since this unit ran, but if it has been a long time, it won't have any oil in the hydro pump, and the valves not being pushed won't matter. On a lot of older machines, the valves are stuck anyway. The way I suggested to load it is pretty safe in that it won't damage anything, and likely the quickest way to move it to a more suitable place to work on it.

[cashmorey]

Thank you mark!! And it ran great a year ago. I bought it two years ago from original owner Just was having problems with it running it would start and run till it got hot. Then it wouldn't run until it cooled down. Last year I got a new coil for it, not sure if it was the right one. The Cub Cadet shop here in town has been no help on parts. So, I got one from the auto parts store. I'm bringing it home tomorrow, and gonna rebuild it.

[ol'George]

All good suggestions
If it were me, I'd rock it a bit while looking to see if the pads are stuck, if not, take the tunnel cover off and see if the "flapper" or "tongue" is depressing the release buttons.
They are known to break off and you have to use some effort after it contacts them as it pushes down on the spring loaded buttons.
Best to remove the 4 screws on the tunnel cover and have a look-see,
You're going to take it off @ home anyway while checking things.
Enjoy your new toy!
oh and put them little screws in yer pocket they disappear easily.

[cashmorey]

Thank you!!

[bkw3614]

The proper term is hydrostatic. Hydromatic was the first General Motors automatic transmission.

As long as we are talking about proper terms here, the correct term for the first, and many following, series General Motors automatic transmissions is Hydramatic, not Hydromatic.