Yardman snowblower will not shift properly

Start by replacing the cable.

https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&rlz=1C1CHBD_en-GBGB719GB719&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=Hard+to+shift+gears+on+mtd+snowblower
try this link

Hi Amanda

This sounds very much to me like a linkage problem. I think your best bet would be to take it to your mechanic for him/her to have a look at it and fix it properly.

Hope this helps.
-Steve

theres a safety switch to keep you from mowing in reverse
to bypass follow shift lever down you will see two yellow wires un plug those. it will now mow in reverse

adjust the cable easy to do , get the manual or just look good at it ,

Your owner's manual should tell and show you.

check the linkage rods for binding

my 7 hp tecumseh yardman snowblower wont shift into gear worked fine but shifted hard (20 below) then wouldn't shift at all (loose) I noticed a rod that goes through the area where it shifts is loose (not connected) what is this rod. thanks for your help.

ok....ummm...lol...(What we are going to do is check the "THROW".of the "shifting lever" ( the FWD*NEUTRAL*REVERSE LEVER(handle)).....""Look at your linkage"" ...if it is a solid rod that connects the "shifting lever" with the transmission (make it go thingy), often times down near the transmission (where the rod goes to from the "shifting lever"))there is a short slotted bar that rocks back and forth on a "pinion" (rocking thing) .... look where the long rod (from the lever) connects to the short "rocking" arm (from transmission)and see if it has slipped...this will sometimes show by a shiny spot where the rod used to be fastened...simply loosen lock-nut and reposition where it used to be..then re-tighten....(we are trying to increase how far the short rod moves when you change gears from Forward to Reverse)......on some models this same rocking motion is adjusted up on top by where the "shift lever" is..look on the under-side of the "shift lever"..(which is attached to a "mounting" plate that connects to the handles together) that is mounted on a "pinion" bracket ) and sometimes there is a slot under side of the shift lever ...here there could also be a shiny spot where the rod used to be attached..reposition where it used to be..or move until sufficient "THROW" is acheived to shift gears from forward to reverse......""IF"" it is a "housed cable" that attaches the "shift lever" to the "transmission"..then there may be a broken or loose "bracket"..or a "return spring" on the bottom that has come loose or fallen off...If these options dont help..then it may be the "engage"..or "clutch " that has issues...a little deeper problem... (if you print this answer and read it "while" looking at snowblower and touch the parts that i physically desribe when they are mentioned it will be much less confusing...mechanicking is difficult to explain...kind of a hands on thing...) hope this helps a little..let me know if i can further assist..if I have at all... and ..all machines are different..lol...so the parts that i explained may not even be present...so much for uniformity!!!...lol...thanks for listening...Todd

check your fluid level..(transmission), nothing will work if the fluid is too low....if that's ok, then the linkages might be off alignment, also there is a vacuum controlled valve that is mounted outside the transmission casing on the transmission that controls your shifting as well....(modulator valve) if the vauum is missing, this will also give you trouble....you might have a broken or clogged vacuum line, a bad modulator valve..etc...., but first check your fluid level...that's most likely causing your problem
good luck
silvio