My craftsman tractor will only mow for about 10-15 minutes then won't move.the transmission oil is okay and it is hydroststic driven

sounds like transmission had one go out on mewhile mowing just stopped check transmission for breaks.

Did it leak oil & seize up

Can you turn it over by hand

Is a belt or bearing preventing the motor
from turning?

did the belt let go?is it a auto trans and the lever on the rear is pulled out that allows you to push it?

Hi, did this happen when you went to use it or while mowing? Also will the lever go in but the mower won't move or won't the lever go in either gear at all? Regards Phil.

Hi there,
My name is Dane and I'm going to help you as best I can. You didn't give me your model number so I don't know what you have for sure, but I can direct you somewhat. First I want you to reconsider the belt. It can look fine but if it's stretched or worn slick, that mower ain't gonna go anywhere. Normally, these hydrostatic transmissions have belt driven hydraulic pumps attached to the transmission which is normally a closed unit that Craftsman really don't want you messing with. Some of them have dipsticks and oil filters, some don't. If yours has a dipstick and filter, maybe you should consider changing the oil. Any hydraulic fluid will loose viscosity after years of service and maybe that's what has happened here.
If the mower just didn't go one day when you got on it, I don't think the transmission itself is your problem. Normally they start slipping over a few mowing days. I would check all of your transmission controls. Your foot pedal and shifter if it has one. Check the linkages all the way from the pedal or shifter to whatever it moves or rotates on the transmission, and make sure it has full travel there. Many times it will be a simple pin has came loose somewhere. I wish you luck and hope you find a simple problem. Don't forget to double check that belt!!!!! Thank you!! Dane

If the engine is running normally and your drive belt is fine then the input to the transmission is OK you just have no power output from the transmission. Usually those transmissions give you some signs of failure such as won't go up inclines or the top speed is a bit low. What I would do is first check the linkage from the forward/reverse lever to make sure it is moving a corresponding shaft on the transmission itself. If that is good then I would check the fluid level on the transmission itself. This could well require removing it from the tractor. Often the brake pedal is connected to a small disc on the transmission. While you are checking the shifter input to the transmission, you may want to follow the brake pedal rod back and see if anything is broken or disconnected.

you mght check to see if the belt has jumped off

If this is a manual transmission, check the drive belt from the engine back to the transmission. With the clutch pedal up (engaged) there should be no slack in the belt.

If it is a hydrostatic drive, check the drive belt and make sure it is tight. Check the transmission fluid level and make sure it is full. Refer to your owners manual as it will describe the fluid check proceedure.
Good luck, let me know.
Regards,

the branch probably got cought in the belt that runs the rearend it may have caused it to come off check the drive belt

If you don't have an oil spot under the transmission in your parking spot you probably don't have a leak. It is far more likely that the idler pulley is frozen. Is is on a spring loaded lever toward the front of the tractor, made of plastic, and if your take belt tension off it, it should spin freely. If it is bad, you can easily get a new one from sears.com.