The gear won't rise if a) there is a problem with the drive itself or b) the polarity is reversed.

The gear should turn counter-clockwise.

Thanks, this is an old 1997 poulan weedeater that sat for years outside. fixed the gear problem. Now carb needs replaced it is beyond cleaning. It will start with starting fluid It's and old walbro only number on it is 42. part of the engine number on is gone. I can't find which briggs engine it has so I can get a new carb. Any help with that would be great. Thanks again.

Thanks for your reply. Numbers under seat. HD12538, type 1256-E1, code 970822ze. No fuel pump. Thank you again.

A good guess is 799727. I put in a 287777-1256-E1 The reference online showed a 289707 engine, but that doesn't exist with that type. The important thing is that you have a 28" engine with a gravity feed carb. Should you wish to find a cheaper service carb, use those perimeters.

I'm thinking since the referance number shows 289707 engine that someone replaced the carb with the one on it and it is the wrong carb. Do you think I should go with the 289707 engine in choosing the carb and any other parts I might need? You have been such a great help to a 70 year old woman that does everything herself. Thank you.

Do know if it had run well before with that carb on it perchance? 799728 is a fairly popular carb on the 289707 with an E1 at the end of the type number. I don't really know how critical it is as long as you have the right sized gravity feed carb. From a replacement standpoint, it shouldn't matter if you install a Nikki or a Walbro. You can find aftermarket carbs really cheap should you wish to go that route. They can be rather sketchy.

I took a chance on the 799729 which I was told would work. As long as I can get it to run even badly I am good because I don't know if the tranny drive train is good, so before I spend a lot of money on a carb I need to see if it will move and cut grass. Thanks for all the help.

Up date I got the new carb. Started it up. It ran wide open. shut it down. checked the lever on top for both butterflies they move freely. The governor link rod out of the engine barly (not even 100th inch) moves when throttle control lever is moved to lowest position. Choke lever works. When I replaced the carb the spring that runs along the linkage broke at the end so I bent it to be able to conect it. Could that be the problem needing a new spring? thanks you have been a great help.

The little spring that is on the link would not have that effect. The link should move freely and be in the wide open position when not running. The normal throttle shaft has just one hole for the link to fit into. If the governor arm had been loosened, then a static governor adjustment should be done. Loosen the shaft clamp, gently turn the shaft to the wide open position ensuring that the throttle plate is wide open- then tighten the clamp. The governor spring itself is behind the control plate and runs to the arm as well.

thanks I got it working yesterday sprayed it real good with carb cleaner then wd40.

I started on the rear end after it sitting for God knows how many years, the shifter wouln not move, the springs, bolts, connectors, cross rod all very rusted. I sprayed it all down wd40 let it set a while then put a big vise grip pliers on the cross rod while I yanked down on the shifter while I pushed on the rod it gave, then I kept going back and forth from forward to reverse until it was fairly easy. Started her up (had the wheels off the ground) put it in forward wheels turned in both directions. So now it's on to the deck. I'm wondering if I can swap the pulley spindles and bearing out of a troy bilt deck to this poulan both are 42 in.

Well, the Poulans that I see are made by Husqvarna and are built different

I agree. Was hoping tho. This is another poor sleep night so I'm doing more reseach. I sparyed every thing with wd40 to loosen the bolts up, waiting on day light to start taking it a part. Pulleys seem to spin pretty good but are very rusted. I watched a video on removing rust from cast iron using vineger it's sopose to loosen the rust to make it easier to get off, worth a shot. Might have to get new pulleys.

I would scuff off what you can and leave the rest. If you are trying to remove bolts from aluminum spindles you will likely break at least some of the bolts off.

I'm leaving the spindles on. I was amazed the shafts turned pretty good. The pulleys are pretty rusted so far I used a wire brush then soaked them in vinegar. They got a few rust bumps in the groves I'm going to sand them down for now. If they wear out the belt then I'll replace them. Tomorrow I'm putting the deck back on. The blades need replacing but I'm going to make sure It is going to work before I buy blades. Wish me luck. Thanks for all your help.

Didn't mess with the deck today. Another problem with the carb. If I try to put the throttle lever to lower speed instead of it slowing down it speeds up. It's like the lever is reversed up is slow and down is fast. Any ideas? thanks.