Riding Lawnmower Won't Move in Neutral? (Possible Causes & Fixes)

Part of the reason why having a riding lawnmower is so beneficial is that you can cut your grass in half the time it would take with a push model. However, because these machines are relatively complex, they can experience a wider array of issues. One problem you may encounter is that the mower will not move while in neutral. If that happens, it can be tough to maneuver the machine, whether you’re trying to store it or roll it to a new spot.

The most common reasons why a riding mower won’t move in neutral are a seized brake pad or a faulty drive belt. In some cases, the wheels on your machine may also get stuck in place, meaning that they won’t spin freely. You will have to identify the problem and either fix it yourself or get a repair tech to come to your house.

Because these repairs are relatively complicated, we will outline the steps necessary to get your lawnmower back up and running.

One of the most significant problems with using a riding lawnmower is that you have to work hard to keep it clean. Unfortunately, most owners don’t take care of their machines as well as they should, so dirt and grass can collect on virtually every surface. When that happens, water will get onto various metal parts, which can cause them to rust.

Your lawnmower’s brake pads may seize up after continuous use if you aren’t paying attention to them. When that happens, it can be really tough to move the machine in neutral. Fortunately, since riding lawnmowers are much smaller than a car, it is much easier to remove the old pad and replace it with a new one.

If you have ever changed a lawnmower tire before, this step should be easy. Place a hydraulic jack underneath the machine so that the wheel will move freely. Be careful to place the jack on the chassis itself, not on any component that could get damaged.

Lawnmower tires are held in place with a dust cap and a front pin, rather than hex bolts. You will have to remove these pieces to pull the wheel off. It helps to use needlenose pliers for the pin. When removing the tire, keep in mind that there is a small square key that sits on the axle. This key locks the tire in place. It will likely fall out when you’re working, so be sure to keep it with the other pieces.

Before doing anything, be sure to lift the machine on a hydraulic jack. This will allow you to work more freely, and it will ensure that you can pull the wheel off easily.

Hopefully, all it will take is some penetrating oil to loosen the tire so that it will slip off. You will need to spray the oil on both sides of the wheel and let it sit for about 20 or 30 minutes. You may have to do this a couple of times for it to work. In extreme cases, you might have to let the oil sit for a couple of hours.

Using a rubber mallet to loosen the wheel can help, but you don’t want to hit it too hard, If you do, then you might wind up breaking the axle, which will create a whole new set of problems.

If the oil doesn’t seem to be doing anything, you might have to heat the metal rim. Since metal expands when hot, doing this should give you enough space between the rim and the axle so that you can pull the tire off. An acetylene torch will be ideal for this since it will deliver even heat to the surface of the rim. If you don’t have a torch, we recommend taking the mower to a repair shop so that they can get it done.

You can find out more about how to unstick a lawnmower wheel here.

Related Questions

What if my mower won’t move in drive or reverse?

If you recently changed the tire, you are likely missing the metal key that attaches the wheel to the axle. Find this key and reinsert it and that should fix the problem. Otherwise, the problem is likely the drive belt.

My mower moves when the engine is on. Does it have to move in neutral?

Although you might not need the mower to move in neutral, its inability to do so is likely a symptom of a more serious problem. So, the sooner you can address it, the less likely that you’ll have a more expensive repair later on.