How to Stop Wheelies

I occasionally enjoy to do some wheelies in a safe location, but there are just some places that I’d rather not risk falling off my tractor and having it run away to plow through a building...

That being said, my LT2000 build wants to wheelie every time I let out the clutch. Doesn’t matter how slowly and carefully I do it, clutch lets out about 75%, and then bam. Belt engages. There’s just no middle ground.

Any suggestions?

The Mountain Murray does the same thing. Not as hard, but could be better. I normally let the clutch out in 1st or 2nd gear so I don't stall it. Are you letting it out in a lower gear?

Also, I'd start a build thread for your LT2000. You could ask all your questions there and show it off at the same time.

I generally let out in the highest gear and give it gas to compensate. But sometimes in wet conditions/on a hill it will smoke the belt, so I have to drop to lower gear. In my case, the lower gear you let out in, the worse it wants to wheelie.

As for the build thread, I wish I would’ve found this site sooner. I’m kinda done building it for the most part, just trying to tie up a couple loose ends that have me stumped and fix things as they break.

Thanks

Do you have engine belt guides?

Yes I do.

Is your clutch and brake still one pedal?

Yep. Nothing has been changed except a 3in transaxle pulley and 87in belt to match.

Disconnect the brake from the clutch pedal and I bet it’ll work great. My little brothers tractor did the same thing. The brake is adjusted in such a way that the belt is engaging before the brake has disengaged, so it’s preloading everything and once that brake releases man it’s goin hard

That makes sense... I will definitely try that tomorrow.

Well, sorry I’m late updating but I tried to look at what was happening with brake while the clutch was being let out, it looks like the brake is fully disengaged before the clutch lets out, so I don’t think that’s the problem. I think I’m just gonna deal with it for now, since this mower is mostly complete and functional. My other project needs more attention.

I also have a front wheel that has fallen off twice now while driving... Not fun.

Sounds to me like a belt or pulley issue. Worn pulley, cheap belt, belt tension and pulley alignment can all cause a belt to grab or pinch. Also proper belt guide placement is a must for smooth clutching.

It has a Tractor Supply kevlar belt, which could use a replacement not gonna lie. Rear pulley is new (swapped to 3”), everything else stock, keeps good tension, no worn pulleys.

Are you using matching belt/pulleys? I had grabbing problems when I’ve used a/b pulleys with a “A” belt. Seems like the “A” belts ride too deep in the a/b pulleys and cause unwanted grab.

I’m actually not sure, I never paid attention to it. I wouldn’t doubt that this is the case.

Most of the tractor supply steel pulleys are a/b. I run a/b on the motor but the transaxle I’ll use the A type. I would run the A type on motor also if I could find one at a decent price. Anyway just a thought...can’t think of another reason for it to act like that. Keep us posted.

Maybe your clutch travels to fast relative to pedal travel? Like too fast of a ratio. Like is there any slippage at all, or is it just a snap? It shouldn't be a snap. Even Snapper friction drive transmissions with no clutching don't give a hard snap.

Best way to stop wheelies besides that is to have as light of a back rack as possible. You don't want any weight behind the rear axle if you can help it. 10 or 15lbs can cause a lot of wheelies.

Big front bumpers help stop wheelies too lol. Even better, make a big PTO winch and put it up there on your bumper.