Hi: I'm a bit late, here but I wanted to comment on this. I have a Yardman mower which I think is made by MTD. Anyway, I have the 17 hp Briggs engine with a 42 inch mower deck. The unit is about 6 or 7 years old and I just broke the drive belt for the first time. And, just like you, I found the pulley right below the engine is frozen tight on the engine shaft. I drilled out the key and used PB Blaster and penetrating oil but that didn't help. I finally had to resort to using a heavy duty reciprocating saw with a metal cutting blade to saw thru the pulley, vertically. Of course, this destroyed the pulley. But it finally did come off the shaft. I have a new pulley supposedly being sent by UPS. Curiously, unlike what the instructions in the owner's manual said, I did NOT find a washer separating the pulley from the PTO clutch when I removed the clutch. I DID order a washer from the supplier along with the new pulley and slot key.

With the spark plug wire disconnected and holding in the engagement hand lever, could you turn the belt pulley with your hand? Did it turn the impeller at the same time? Did the impeller and auger both turn?

Thanks Ewalk. Is what you're suggesting to address the auger not moving? Because there is more going on, now. The electric starter worked, but there's a new twist: when I put it in gear or try to engage the auger, it stalls. Do you think the friction disc, etc., could cause this? Geesh. I looked at the parts diagram and at the starter, trying to find dogs, and I'm wondering if part of it broke off and the dogs ran away. It's either that or the parts diagram is of a different starter than what I've got on there. Can you tell, looking at the photo, if something is missing? With the recent development with it stalling, I'm feeling in over my head now, regarding getting the thing to work, unless anyone wants to try giving me pep talk about it not being so hard. The trick is, there's about 100 yards of snow, four feet high, between the machine and the road, where a vehicle could access it. I've spent about five hours with my shovel, since yesterday, thinking relatively unkind thoughts about this machine, which I liked pretty well until this year. (And I did replace the oil this past summer, and I think the spark plug last year.) Is this just normal periodic maintenance, or is it reaching the end of its useful life? --Jonathan

I can't believe what I am hearing about the MTD Hydo trans. I have a ranch in Montana. I cut a 3 acres every 2 weeks (11 times a year) It has so many hills I have to ride my 42" cut yard machine side saddle most of the time. I have rolled it 3 times in 14 years of use! I am installing a new (pivot bar) (front Axle) now because 14 years of use has reamed out the axle shafts. (this is a pressed metal pivot bar. Not cast iron. That being said. I have way over 800 hours on the engine (B&S 17.5 hp) and the MTD Hydrostatic tranny. NEITHER HAVE GIVEN ME ANY TROUBLE (AT ALL). I have never changed the oil in the tranny (factory says it's a sealed unit) and I believe them. I have used 3 MTD tractors on my years in the last 40 years! I have sold all of them for 1/2 of what I paid for them. (I did have one B&S engine throw a rod at 250 hrs. Cost $357 in 1993 to get a new long block and 5 hrs to change the motor. My neighbor bought a $4000 JD the same time I bought this mower in 2002. It lasted 3 years and the Kaw. motor blew. He went to JD and they said. That was a really bad motor. We don't replace them and have no other motor to put on your mower. AND we no longer support the trans. on your JD. So he sold it for $600 for parts and was out $3600! (By the way JD said it was really a bad mower they shouldn't have built. But they would be glad to sell him a good one this time. (no discounts mind you!) Ha ha. My little old $1200 (with bags) in 2002 MTD is still running today. So if it runs like a Deere I'd run to the nearest MTD dealer and get a good mower. One with a Hydrostatic trans. that will last I think forever. But I can guarantee you it will last 800 hard hours of use! With no maintenance at all! (Sealed unit) remember. I truly think the MTD lawn tractors are the best value for the dollar of anything I have ever purchased in the past 40 years! Other than my MTD weed eater, but that is another story! You who are look between that auto CVT and the Hydro. GO WITH THE HYDRO. (SEALED UNIT) You will not be sorry! From a 40 year user of MDTS!