I have a Noma model signature 1340, 12.5 HP riding tractor. i am not sure of the age. last time we used it to cut grass, it worked great. we parked it in the shed. went to use again and it starts and runs fine but won't move forward or back. it has a hydrostatic transaxle. fluid level is good and the belt is not slipping, in fact when you rev the engine and set the transmission lever to full speed (forward or reverse) and start to let the clutch out, you can hear the engine speed bog down. even if you set the "push - drive" lever to push, it does not release the transaxle. it's like the thing is gear bound. i raised the back end of the tractor and i can turn the wheels (they turn in opposite directions) but if you hold one wheel stationary, the other will not turn. what is the problem? can it be fixed? approximate cost to repair or replace?

I can't seem to paste my notes I have written on this. So I will do this again. Basically the things that can cause this are the filter and fluid, since the fluid is full and I assume clean, then I would suggest a new filter to make sure the pressures are correct to move the tractor. I would also like you to make sure the idler spring tension good and that the spring on the idler pully is not broken. If all seems good and after changing the filter it still will not move , then I would suspect a broken drive pin in the pump. These shear off occasianally and the pump needs removed to be rebuilt. the wheels are turning like they should so I hope to rule out an issue with the gears. As far as repair cost, that varies from dealer to dealer but I would expect a charge between $100.00 and $200.00 for parts and labor on the pump rebuild. A new transaxle runs around $500.00 before labor costs I can't seem to paste my notes I have written on this. So I will do this again. Basically the things that can cause this are the filter and fluid, since the fluid is full and I assume clean, then I would suggest a new filter to make sure the pressures are correct to move the tractor. I would also like you to make sure the idler spring tension good and that the spring on the idler pully is not broken. If all seems good and after changing the filter it still will not move , then I would suspect a broken drive pin in the pump. These shear off occasianally and the pump needs removed to be rebuilt. the wheels are turning like they should so I hope to rule out an issue with the gears. As far as repair cost, that varies from dealer to dealer but I would expect a charge between $100.00 and $200.00 for parts and labor on the pump rebuild. A new transaxle runs around $500.00 before labor costs

Do you know who the manufacture for the trans axle is. There should be a plate on the trans asxle that tells the manufacture, I assume it is Hydro Gearr but I can't be certain Do you know who the manufacture for the trans axle is. There should be a plate on the trans asxle that tells the manufacture, I assume it is Hydro Gearr but I can't be certain