Ok fellas, I'm having an "issue" with my Suburban and need some expert input. (Issue might be a strong word but I digress)
After the transmission is all warmed up after say, plowing for a while, if I let it sit idling in neutral for a few minutes and go to put it back in gear I have to sit with the clutch depressed for a LONG time to let the gears coast to a stop so it won't grind going back in gear. If I stop and go from one gear to another keeping the clutch depressed the whole time it doesn't do it. Based on that I'm thinking belt tension might be a very small part of the issue but really doubt it's the primary cause. It's adjusted to spec right now, I can loosen it up further but then the clutch pedal is WAY out before it engages and that barely helps. I want to get this straightened out asap before I risk tearing up the gears...
So, here's my ideas that I want input on (numbered in order of how I'd like to try things) and I'd certainly welcome any additional ideas...
1: Thicker oil in the trans? I changed it when I got the tractor and I'm running 30 weight as specified by the owner's manual (which seemed very thin to me). Can I try 50 weight or even 80/90 like most transaxles run without damage?
2: Belt guides... All of the factory guides appear to be in place, I've cross checked the owner's manual and parts list several times but perhaps I could fabricate something to keep the belt in more of an oval shape?
3: Some sort of clutch brake that stops the input shaft/pulley when the clutch is depressed... Haven't given this one much thought yet as it would probably be overly complex to engineer and build but it's an idea.
Let the brain drizzling begin!