9 Reasons Your Lawn Mower Won’t Move or Go Forward

It can be discouraging when your lawn mower stops moving and you don’t know what to do. You checked your air filter, fuel level, and engine oil, but chances are, that isn’t your problem because your engine still runs.

I’ve seen many lawn mowers stop moving because of something as simple as a drive belt falling off, however it can be more complicated than this.

A hydrostatic lawn mower may not move because of a bad drive belt; bad tensioner pulley; broken tensioner spring; old or low hydraulic fluid; hot hydraulic fluid; air in the hydraulic system; or the drive release handles being in the “released” position.

I’ll share with you items to check in your hydraulic system along with some non-hydraulic system-related items that can also prevent your lawn mower from moving.

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Follow all safety instructions provided in your equipment operator’s manual prior to diagnosing, repairing, or operating.Consult a professional if you don’t have the skills, or knowledge or are not in the condition to perform the repair safely.

Reasons Your Hydrostatic Mower Won’t Move or Go Forward

Drive Release Handle Not in Operating Position

Hydrostatic mowers have a drive release so the mower can free roll. This is especially helpful when your mower has stopped working and you need to push the zero turn onto a trailer.

In order to be able to move the mower forward, you must have these drive release handles in the “operating” position.

The drive release can be in the form of a lever, push/pull button, or knob. Refer to your owner’s manual for the type of handle you have on your mower and where to locate it.

Missing Key in Axle

If you have recently changed your tire on a riding lawn mower, you may have missed a small key that fell out of the axle. This key appears to be a small narrow bar and must be installed in order for the wheel to move.

Not every mower has a key in the axle, but if yours does and it isn’t replaced, the mower won’t move.

Drive or Pump Belt is Worn, Loose or Broken

Check your drive belt to make sure it hasn’t fallen off and is positioned correctly on the pulleys. If the belt appears worn, cracked, or broken, you must replace the belt.

Bad Tensioner Pulley

Tensioner Pulleys are often made from hard plastic with a bearing in the center. The pulley can break or the bearing can fail. Check your pulley and replace it if necessary. Keep the tensioner arm greased so it has some movement and does not seize up.

Missing Idler Arm Spring

The idler spring places tension on the drive belt. Replace the spring if it is broken or has fallen out of your mower and is now missing.

Low Hydraulic Fluid Level

A consistent hydraulic oil change at the intervals recommended by your manufacturer must be completed to keep your lawn mower transmission system running at its best.

Running the transmission with old or low hydraulic oil can cause your lawn mower not to move or seem very weak while running.

Again, change your hydraulic oil and filter(s) at the recommended intervals. Don’t forget many manufacturers have a “break-in” period when you are changing your hydro oil a little sooner for the initial oil change.

When your hydraulic oil is low, add more hydro oil until the fluid level reaches the full level when your hydraulic oil is cool. It’s also a good idea to check for hydraulic fluid leaks.

Note: some entry-level zero turns will have “non-serviceable” transmissions which mean the hydraulic systems are sealed and you are not able to change your hydraulic fluid. If you are having hydraulic issues, bring your mower into your servicing mower dealership for assistance.

Hot Hydraulic Fluid

When you operate your lawn mower with bad hydraulic fluid or low fluid, the oil is not able to efficiently lubricate the hydraulic system causing increased friction and overheating of the hydraulic fluid. Hot hydraulic fluid can also result in more extensive damage.

I highly recommend taking your lawn mower into your local repair dealership if you experience leaking from your hydraulic pump or your mower runs fine when it is cold, but stops running when it gets hot.

Air in the Hydraulic System

After changing hydraulic fluid, you must bleed all of the air out of the system. Air in the system can prevent your mower from moving.

Air can be removed from the system in most lawn mowers by raising the rear drive tires off of the ground and allowing them to spin forward and backward until you don’t hear excessive noise while the wheels move at normal speeds.

It is important to refer to your operator’s manual for correct procedures to remove air from your model lawn mower’s hydraulic system. Procedures not only can change from manufacturer to manufacturer but also from model to model.

For example, my article on Changing Hydraulic Fluid in your Exmark Zero Turn shows slightly different instructions for two different models.

Non-Hydraulic Related Items that Can Keep Your Mower from Moving Forward

If you don’t find the fault of your moving problems in your hydraulic system, you can check other items that can prevent the fuel and air required to run your engine. Definitely check out these items if your engine starts to sputter or shuts off so you are no longer able to drive.

• Battery and Charging System
• Plugged Fuel Filter and Fuel Lines
• Plugged Air Filter
• Dirty Carburetor

To read more about items that can result in your mower stopping while mowing and how to fix them read my article “Reason Your Mower Stopped While Mowing”.