Well, looks like I'll have to post a follow-up myself. (I must be treading where no member has trod before.) In order to get the "shoulder type stud" ( item 112 in parts picture) I had to remove the shift selector bell crank from the shift shaft going into the tranny. The bell crank has a set screw holding it in place. Got the set screw out and discovered that this bell crank was also held in place by 14 years of rust as well. I tried all the usual tricks like heel bars and punches but it just did not want to move. Finally, I just centered a 7/16" fine thread nut (center of nut concentric with center of shift shaft) on the bell crank and arc welded the nut to the bell crank. Working quickly to take advantage of the heat from welding, I inserted a 7/16" fine thread bolt into the nut and ran it in against the end of the shift shaft. I kept on tightening the bolt and thus "pulled" the bell crank off of the shift shaft. No damage to shift shaft or bell crank. Since there is nothing close for the nut to interfere with, I'm gonna leave it where I welded it (might need it again sometime). OK! I took the shoulder stud and the one remaining bell washer (it's friction washer was gone so I still don't have a clue what it was made of) and went to Lowe's. In their bins in the hardware aisle. I found a 4-pak (at $1.50) of nylon washers that matched the O.D. of the bell washer. They also had an assortment pak of compression springs (at $3.58) and appeared that at least 2 of the springs might work. The other washers and 5/16" lock nut I had in my collection of spare stuff. I put everything back together (with Never-seize on the shift shaft). Now the selector lever seems like it will stay where put. I'll post further after the drive belt arrives and I can spin the wheels again. I suspect that the "creep" I observed earlier could have been due to the selector lever being free to react to vibration and harmonics causing it to "jiggle" the shift shaft enough to feed a slight amount of fluid to the tranny working parts. We'll see in a day or so. I took pics but I won't post the unless someone wants to see them.

Sounds like you are well on your way. If nylons gets too slippery with use you might try a nylon washer and a leather washer (you can make this).

Have fun.

Thanks WHOC. I am having fun. The suggestion of a leather washer is a good one. If the nylons turn out to be too "friction free", I'll first try a leather washer in the lower position. That one can be accessed without pulling the bell crank. I have several old leather belts in the closet that need a new job. If I need to put one on top of the scissors mtg. bracket as well, it will be no problem getting the bell crank off now.

Now hear this! (oops, I forgot we don't have audio) Now READ this! Got the new hydro drive belt on late yesterday and can now report the following:-) Still up on jack stands for testing. 1. When you operate the transmission selector lever to the maximum speed position in either direction, it still tries to head back toward neutral......but it does not go far toward neutral. Just a little bit toward neutral. So I still have some tweaking to do with the scissors friction washers and their compression spring calibration (WHOC, I have already picked a belt from the closet) 2. With forward or reverse selected and the wheels turning, when you step on the brake pedal, the transmission selector lever returns to neutral and when you let up on the pedal after that...........the wheels remain stationary (indicating IMO that the transmission has been placed into the true neutral position). So.....we are crossing items off the list a bit at a time. I guess I can really address that non-inflatable tire now. (after I finish up with the friction washers R&D)

Great news. Get that tire fixed and try it!

That bit of slippage might not matter much if at all.

I assume you have changed the engine oil and tranny fluid.

Should be able to get some mowing in before you get back to the fixn!

Keep having fun :)

OK ! I cut a leather washer from an old decrepit (and too small for me now) belt from the closet. I installed it as the bottom friction washer. I also put a little bit stronger spring in place while I had it opened up. Now the transmission selector lever stays where you put it, even in max fwd or max rev. It is not difficult to move the lever either, just pretty snug. When you step on the brake pedal it pushes the selector back to neutral. I got the tire repaired. Now, I hope you guys can tell me some intimate details about the maintenance on this here tranny. Who makes it? What kind of oil do I need to run in it? What are the chances of finding a service manual on this transmission? I'll reiterate the model # of this tractor. It is 144U836H190, don't ask for a serial # because that portion of the cheep White decal is completely faded out.

Sorrry, can't help you there.

Glad to here the new washer is working. Hopefully it will last.

Some use Dextron (easy to tell cause it is reddish ) and some use 30 weight. There may be other types too.

You might post a picture of the tranny as maybe someone will recognize it.

Good luck

Thanks WHOC. I'll get some pics and start a new thread since we're stepping to a different focal point now. Might be a day or so as I have to pause and handle some scheduled tasks today.