mountfield sp470 self propelling lawn mower no longer self propells and cable does not seem to be slack. is there a belt that could have fallen off to make it stop propelling?

carol jo england, April 2008

My mower had a similar problem. Turn mower on its side with petrol tank lower, and air filter uppermost (to avoid air filter being flooded with oil). Remove cutting blade (fixing bolt has normal l/h thread), then remove screws holding plastic cover, to reveal drive belt to rear wheels - may have broken or just jumped off pulleys at either end(replacement belt costs about £7). Refit belt, cover and blade.

Martin Lofthouse, Somerset, England, July 2008

I lifted the mower backwards so that the handle was on the floor and the back end of the mower body was on a garden table.
Remove the 14mm bolt that holds on the blade & remove the blade.
Remove the black plastic cover and underneith you will find the belt, replace the belt, cover and blade.
Job done.

Roy Clark, July 2008

I have the same problem. I took the black cover off that hides the self-propelling mechanism and the cable had become detached from the lever. Only problem is I can't figure out how it's supposed to go. There seems to be too much length in the cable!

Nick, May 2008

There is a belt that goes from the engine to the rear axle - it may have split - or when you pull the drive cable there is a lever on the back axle mechanism that puts it into gear. From this distance it could be either problem but the belt is the most likely one. The belts are usually hidden under a cover beneath the cutter deck - but engines don't like to be tipped upside down because the oil goes where it shouldn't.

John, April 2008