FORWARD AND REVERSE GEAR SELECTION BACKWARD

You did not install the belt correctly, try again!

You've obviously performed the v belt replacement bass-ackwards. Recheck the belt routing scheme in your manual.

I have seen a number of domestic rotavators but haven't yet seen one with a reverse gear. You didn't make it clear in your description whether yours has a reverse gear and that is all that is working or whether it usually only moves forward but is moving backwards?

While it is theoretically possible for a 2-stroke engine to run backwards, your engine is a 4-stroke that is incapable of running backwards and so it would seem the gear selector is stuck if it has one or someone has carried out repair work and made a mistake or something else is broken.

The only thing that comes to mind is some of the older designs used an over-long drive belt that crossed in the middle like a figure eight in order to reverse the driven pulley and replaced the belt with one that seemed the right size would cause the machine to run backwards.

More information needed, perhaps...

Most automatic transmissions have a separate belt for reverse and all forward gears, The reverse belt is commonly lighter duty that the forward belt (some Chryslers were affected so much it was advised to not shift into reverse until the engine had warmed up and the automatic choke idled down) Thus your car would be in "reverse" but with no motion getting to the gears.

Double check belts. I'd guess the forward reverse gear lever connections are backwards.

Your differential is upside down. Ford model T's had the same problem. It was possible to mount the rear axle upside down which made the car go forward in reverse and backward in forward gears.

Outdoor Power Equipment Parts Use the Part Finder Tool from MTD the rear pulley has two belts and one movable pulley. continuously variable. ref #63. the lower belt is for the cutting deck? the smaller belt under the seat is it tight?

Tranny is busted. You won't be able to drive this for very long before other drive issues come up.

Try lubing the linkage where it shifts from forward and to reverse the linkage is most likely freezing up or has snow or ice build up causing it not to shift, My thought is your shoving it hard enough that it finally engages when you get the snow or ice to break off.

Ok, I see it's and MTD product. Did you replace both belts? The front belt is #954-0280 and the rear belt is # 954-0370. What I would suggest is remove the cover plate between your legs. You'll have to remove the shift knob and two screws. Start the engine, put the gearshift in nuetral and let out on the clutch pedal and observe what's happening. Everything will be working the same as if you were in gear. You should be able to see if there is a problem with one of the belts or the vari-speed pulley. Put the speed selector in 7th (or 6th) gear and push the clutch down then back up, and watch what going on. That's the best I can do without seeing it myself. Hope this helps.