Self-propelled doesn't work

There should be 3 pulleys one on the motor on top of the blade, one on the axle for the wheels and one that goes to your cable to engage that pully and tighten the belt, take the cover off that hides the axle and pull your handle for the self propell and see if its tighting, some mowers have a little adjuster to tighten the cable on the self propell handle or even on the cable itself, did you make sure to run the belt between the guides over the blade, let me know what you find so we can further help

i would guess that the belt is'nt tight enough when engaged. when you press the drive bar on the handle it should make the belt really tight if not it will need replaced. sometimes the gears in the wheels will mess up. there are videos on you tube that describe that and also the belt.

Drive belt Ok?

the cable needs tension to engage the belt tensioner

put belt dressing on the belt

I believe your problem to be with belt adjustment. Your engage cable is apparently working because there is tension. Check end of engage cable where it attaches to tighten belt, check to see if belt is broken or close to being broken, or so worn down there is no grip left. You may need to replace belt or just adjust belt. I hope this will ease your up hill struggles.

There are really two reasons why the self-propelled wouldn't work. It could either be the belts on the vacuum cleaner are stretched or broken. The belts on this model control both the self-propelled transmission, as well as the brush roller. Here's a video that shows you how to inspect the roller brush and belts to make sure that they are installed properly and working. Try this repair first, as this is the easier one to fix.


The other problem if the belts are installed properly that would cause the self-propelled wouldn't work would be the self-propelled actuator arm. There is a cable that starts at the handle of the vacuum, and runs all the way down to the floor head of the vacuum that controls the transmission. As you pull backwards on the handle of the vacuum, the cable pulls this actuator arm backwards, which then turns the wheels backwards, and when you push forward it turns the wheels forward.

The problem with the way it's designed however, is that if you pick up the vacuum cleaner by the handle of the machine rather then using the carrying handle on the back of the vacuum, it causes too much tension on the actuator arm, and will cause the cable to rip right out of the arm.

This is a VERY common problem on this model. To check and see if this part is broken on your vacuum, step on the handle release pedal so that the handle is in the vacuuming position, push the pedal a second time so the machine lays flat on the floor.

Now if you look right behind the height adjustment switch, and the rug / floor switch where the floor part meets the upright part, you should see a cable that connects into the actuator arm. Pull up and down on the handle and look for movement. Is the cable loose with only a nut attached to it, or is it resting in the actuator arm?

Here's a very helpful link that shows you exactly how to replace the actuator arm:
How to Replace the Actuator Arm on Hoover Self-Propelled Windtunnel

If this didn't help you, and the problem is still happening, please just use the add a comment form here on Fixya and let me know that you're still having problems. I'd be honored to go through and do some more advanced diagnosing with you.


I hope this we helpful to you. If you did find this helpful, please be so kind and leave feedback for me. This is why repair professionals like myself continue to come back and give free repair advice, to get the recognition of a job well done.

Thanks so much,

Chris Jones
GoVacuum.com

It may just be a matter of adjusting the cable. Sometimes they dont get them adjusted just right from the factory,heres what you do. Locate the plastic shroud in front of the push mower that covers the drive unit.Determine which screwdriver or torx bit is needed to remove shroud and remove it. After removal you will see a pulley with belt around it, as you pull the handle back to engage self propel you should see the pulley move into the belt to put tension on the belt. You can do this with it running to see if enough tension is being put on the belt,if not, locate the cable end where the small bracket holds the cable in place. Loosen the cable bracket and move cable until you have correct tension again,hope this helps.