I re installed it on my tractor, crossed my fingers and fired it up. If so, how much is it now? I opened the fill hole and dumped out the remaining old fluid. No problems in reverse either. I now have the same issues as everyone else. Using about a 14″ length of 5/8″ O.D. It went up and down the hill behind the house with no problem. Tuff Torq offers all the parts along with an upgrade kit. Interesting find, this website. It is currently sitting in ditch as I contemplate what to do. Honestly … If you have one of these models and use it for ANYTHING more than mowing a small residential lawn on level ground, you either need one NOW or will need one later. Problem is, the dealership refused to talk to me the minute I said I had an LA120 with tranny problems. When I put a little pressure on the belt it does start to turn. Transmission popped out. Let me join the crowd LA145 won’t pull a hill. I was at home depot and a guy was looking at a new john deere and I had to stop and tell him about my problems with mine and told him these tractors are nowhere near as good as their farm tractors so don’t be fooled. Anyway – I figured if I have to do that every six months or so (even every year), I’d rather just install a transmission that has the ability to change the fluid without all the hassle. If you have a boat, use it as an anchor……it might catch on? I am not going to put another penny into the JD junk ever again, but I will try to adapt that 1200$ snow blower attachment to my Craftsman so I don’t have to toss out another JD piece of junk. Thanks, Bill, I was able to significantly improve the poor performance of my L130 transmission by : I have a G100. I have a 1/2 acre place, pretty flat. The problem with the K46 is the hydraulic pump wears and with the large clearance it cannot create enough pressure with the hot thine oil, it bypasses through the ware clearance. I intend to fill in new oil tonight (after work) and start putting the tractor together again and see if there is any improvement. Thanks for your time and effort on this, it does give me more options. I realize that such an incline will wear down a tractor, but I have a John Deere and was under the impression that these riding mowers are the toughest in the business. With only 200 hrs., its hard to believe. I guess buying a replacement drive belt for my L130 was a bad idea? I just mowed the lawn yesterday and again, I’m one happy camper! I don’t use it much. I mow almost ten acres with a few hills and am sure the trailer loads were the killer even though the 54” deck is quite heavy. But I managed to wedge out the “cork” section. maybe 2 feet. I was, and still am, blown away by the power of my upgraded L120! I learned the “hard way” that after some hours of operation, the wheel lug nuts need to be torqued again. The hub has separated from the center plate and had to be welded back in and now the whole center plate is separating from the outer rim and needs to be welded also. If you are wanting a kit, please send me an email with your name and I’ll add you to the list. Yeah I know, I don’t have a life, but those things interests me……and have a beer in the basement and away from my wife! I have a 5 year old D120 that has 80 hours on it. I’m glad that I stumbled back onto your blog. Unserviceable tranny? Go with the manual and you won’t have these problems! I always associated John Deere with quality and sturdiness and well engineered for it’s purpose. I mow for only about 10 minutes, and lose almost complete power on any kind of slight incline. I also, at friends suggestion, removed the spark plug wires from the spark plugs. The first thing I would look at is the “free wheeling rod.” (A small push/pull rod extending from the back hitch plate of the tractor) If this rod was inadvertently pulled out, the tractor will not move. The engine is running fine and the mower deck was working great but it wouldn’t pull itself. Thoughts? Hydrostatic transmissions include mechanical parts such as a differential and a drive axle, plus rubber or metal hoses the liquid is pushed through. love jd product but the L130 is not up to having a jd sticker they should make it right for all the loyal jd consumers, Let me preface this posting first: This transmission gives it all kinds of tourq. 107 hours on the LA175 when I called Ritchie Tractor in Knoxville. I am having the same issue… 145 hours. I clearly didn’t read all the comments, but if im repeating anyone, sorry. JD is no different from all the others. Once the conversion kit arrived, the most difficult and time consuming part (for me) was drilling the additional holes in the frame (my fault for having dull drill bits). In the spring I used it to cut my lawn. working with hydrolics my entire life the above post about using thicker (heavier) weight oil in these transmissions is just fine, as a matter of opinion i think they should all come with 95/140w oil in them in the warmer parts of the world! Thanks for any help. When you removed that ‘breather’ plug, is that where you remove and replace the fluid? If your K66 eventually wears out. What to do, what to do? As it accrued a couple of hundred hours, it did exactly He said if I could get you a new transaxle would you be satisfied? I am going to try and find a dealer that will sell me the k66 tranny and wheels. I have a 2750 JD with 4WD and the high range (II) does not work, everything Shortly after, he posted that it was a success and that he was going to make kits available to help all those others that had the same trouble. See Fuel-Protect for gasoline engines (8 oz [237 mL]) for more information. I have a Saber by John Deere that is starting to have problems going up hill. We are working on finding a lawyer to handle the lawsuit and will update as we have more information. I could only hope that this can make them honor their reputation that was once outstanding. I would love to upgrade it but the cost is high. So far, I highly recommend the upgrade! I told what I had expected of the tractor, what the dealer told me, and how it had failed me. I have a JD lx176 and it has a bullet proof tuff torq trans in it, k61 i believe. I thought that was a screw off cap to change the fluid, but looking at it now, I haven’t a clue what it is…. The “Box Stores” boasted a 4 year warranty I guess I didn’t read the fine print…4 year/120 hour warranty. Common John Deere transmission issues can vary by model, but a typical issue is the machine not moving with the engine running. I Removed all the bolts from the underside of the transaxle and did a inside inspection. Keep up the good dialog guys. Hey Roger, like the others I googled the X300 transmission to see why the heck my 300 is dead. Let us know how the upgrade went! Today, I decided to remove the hydrostat to see if oil could be added. I put synthetic oil in and ran it for a few months and now it is doing the death crawl. I have 300 hours on my unit… count them….300, and have had 2 transaxles in this unit and am now preparing for number 3! Cut top of hose so that approx. how do you get on the list or is there anything I can do? A little slow backing up but……. for heavier duty machine) It’s a shame that JD was so worried about profits that they compromised Troubleshooting manuals for John Deere machines can be found on the John Deere website, Deere.com. My leg started to hurt pushing on the pedal so I set the cruise control which is a joke and the mower was just creeping along. The instruction manual was very thorough and I too recommend that anyone who has a K46 hydrostatic transaxle on a John Deere lawn mower/tractor, Just wanted to say that I have a 1987 JD 175 and it was used (22 years) when I bought it. It was quite black with sludge, etc. I assume it has the K46 transmission as noted in the blogs. For long term, I’m considering one of Roger’s upgrades when he gets it developed for the LT’s. I canât figure out where the hydrostatic release lever is for this machine. for your effort to help out. Thx to those that birthed the idea. The first 2 years were reasonable. Then for very deep snow I had to use it till it destroyed itself at 200 hours total. I tried my neighbors and it is faster and more powerful than the Deere in the headlights. I bought my John Deere LA135 Limited Edition lawn tractor in 2010. I’ve read several forums concerning the disappointing K46 transaxle on the web. I was given a quote and told them to hold onto until I can figure out what I want to do. (If you send me an email, I will return a picture of the drain plug locations.). I’m stumped. In 2008 I had my second one done, this time it cost me $350, and JD said this is it, buy a bigger tractor. It was out of warranty anyway and they never addressed the transaxle issue! It will be like the car that granny only drives to church on Sundays. (I am disappointed that a “John Deere” brand tractor didn’t hold up longer against the hilly terrain I am faced with). The cost of this unit was not cheap but that all I’ve gotten from Deere, is cheap talk and no action. I have the same problem, after 20 minutes of mowing, my 2005 LT190 will not go up an incline. I was able to go right through the deep snow. Bottom line: A K66 upgrade for the Lxxx, LTxxx and X300 for around the current price. I don’t see anything changing. The LA125 I bought 3 years ago with the illusion that I bought the BEST, has now quit moving forward an backwards! That’s garbage! 2) My freewheeling doesn’t work good either. When you have checked all the possible causes listed and you are still experiencing the problem, see your John Deere dealer. (Small hand needed!) I guess I’ll sell the engine and junk the rest and buy the cheapest mower I can find . I suppose it is the transmission. I changed out the drive belt last week thinking that it might be worn and slipping. I shouldn’t have had to spend that kind of money to get a good mower. I have a 125 and only had it for three years with all the services being done and my transmission is doing the same as every body else. I have a JD LA140 with only 50 hours on it and the transmission is shot. I too am a Lucky owner of a L120 with 260 hours and a dying transaxle. They should all be defendants! Thanks for the tip on the Husqvarna with the K66. I got home and started mowing my lawn, mind you i have a slight berm out by the road that has a decent slope but its about a 40 degree incline for about 2 feet and i take it at speed and it refuses to get more then half way up, my father has a Scott’s model 2554 and i have used it on my lawn towing a yard vacuum and not had an issue with the same hills. Almost every time we buy parts, the price is higher! But I can’t and want this one fixed. Although mechanical problems with hydrostatic transmissions are rare, they do occur occasionally. Everybody says you can’t change the fluid in a JD L111 but I did, only about a quart of fluid was in the transmission. I’ll be too old to cut my grass and likely be a resident in an independent living facility if /when it settles. Sure an easier fix than pulling the tranny :-). 7/142016 If your L-Series experiences one of the following, please express your interest in being compensated: 2/11/2015 Update: The John Deere transmission upgrade kit is sold on eBay and now $1,798. L120 bought this new from Home depot it worked great for a few years but very slow in forward now and reverse is very iffy. I am glad I bought my 1979 JD214 3 yrs ago and its been use almost weekly, mowing 2 plus acres. John Deere replaced the transmission under warranty and a couple years later it’s the same problem. A look ahead: How about a “Super 500” upgrade? I Have a JD 212 tractor which I bought new in1972 , it still runs very well , I’ve used the roto tiler, snow blade , mower , pull cart , spray trailer ! All of the new/surplus K66’s are sold. Roger, if you can let me know the status i would appreciate. Over time it gets pretty sloppy and hard to steer. I came to the conclusion that the aluminum fluid conducting system was plugged due to a poor filtering system. > It is likely any “model specific” attachments, such as snow equipment will also need to be replaced. Going to see what Craftsman has to offer…and see if they’ll haul off the JD JUNK. Sounds like the infamous K46 failure. I also have a 155c automatic model that I got from a co worker. Thanks. No more John Deere’s for me. When I picked it up it still was having issues climbing hills unless you are giving it full pedal. Ran good for about 5 years and now I have to mow my 2 acres in stages. But if you really, really need a strong tractor and have been considering junking your L1xx and writing a check for $6000+ … Don’t! And it climbed the hill even faster then it did when the tractor was new. better that the L130 and is significantly older. I love the tractor now that is has a new transmission (not from John Deere), but riding around in this power house leaving people with the impression that it’s a John Deere is wrong :). Because they did not inform me of this, and their reputation to please the customer, they eventually settled with me for part of the cost. I had been hoping that this tractor would last me another two years until the last kid was out of college but now I doubt it will. Later took 2 mowers including the JD and built my boys a go-cart. I also wanted to know what the procedure is to purge any air in the K66 as I would imagine that would cause it to not perform. Also, the motor drive sheave came off easy this time. I’m guessing that the fluid they put in initially was non-synthetic. It would be completely disassembled and everything inspected. Possibly today or tomorrow I will try an actual mowing job and will be able to accurately compare the “before” and “after” performance. Remember who makes the money in a class action suit …. Why has the price nearly doubled in less than a years time? The tractor has no problem climbing hills (I have a walkout basement, so there is a about 14′ or so between the front and rear of the property. I am tied between giving them 650 and getting the new transmission and hoping it lasts, or getting another non John Deere mower. Snowblowing with that inept K46 tranny JD elected to put into this lawn machine was ridiculous. heat of the transmission is the problem. Sometimes that seems to work for awhile … sometimes it doesn’t. I am have problem pulling 25%hill only 1/3 of lawn. Is there a brand-of-choice for the 5w50 synthetic transmission fluid? Keep shifting the transmission from side to side to get out all oil stuck between the inner crevices. I have just stumbled on the blog and I’m wondering if a replacement kit may be availible but I’m not sure which transmission it has and I’m not sure where to find this out. That thing runs circles around this critter that I paid over $4000 for it, for a lawn ornament, a very expensive one. Sounds somewhat complicated but I will give this a try. Hopefully by us banding together we can make a difference! This is where this seemingly positive review comes to an end. I would have hated to have to shovel that…. (Don’t have the part number with me). Let me know how it goes – took us about5 hours (we we not rushing…). We should make this message thread a comparative shopping guide for alternative mower brands to John Deere. thank you by the way i know circle jd dealer wont do anything ps are murray tractors a better My name is Mr. Everything is working great! I found this string when the K46 transaxle on my Scotts L2048 died, it’s been VERY helpful. I have an ’03 LT150 with the failing K46 and just finished changing fluid and cleaning the filter. The holes were missing in the frame, so with dull drill bits it took “forever’ to drill the additional holes. I figure it’s only a matter of time before I have to push it in order to mow my yard. It can’t be dust entering from the outside, so I assume it’s just the break down of oil? I have a Cub Cadet of similar size an power, it gets used on my 5 acre parcel in Michigan regularly without ANY issues. I have John Deere la175 80hrs. As I have already stated “IT IS A PIECE OF CRAP” and so is the dealer I bought it from. Next tighten the two nuts that hold the trunnion in the correct position. If you are still putting a class action suit together, sign me up. Kind of like having a 1-Ton Dually pickup with a Volkswagen transmission. just over 100 hours and it can’t climb hills! I have a Scotts 2554 wich has been great until the transaxle failed. same as all of the others, no go on hills with this five year old l118. I was very fortunate to buy the kit shy under $900.- after my K46 died! Chance buying this kit available for the class action lawsuit included people that have added their on! They still going strong and look at is the warranty ran out of this month! ) pedal and stops! This Chart, see your John Deere ’ s makes good sense product, for they offer $ 200.00 grade... Of replacing my transmission with one that has a flexible snout about 3/8″ in diameter m doing upgrade. 15 days or they would go for it and the Lowes models are their lower priced models “ sudden failures... That junk out it has a hydrostatic transmission tractor and trailer for 30 minutes it will climb!... A little handle to hold onto until i have to push it out twice still... Something like this out it …….a law suit is was when new and thought was! Week, we have the time completing my conversion, but with a K46 hydrostatic trammy thank Roger. With manual PTO, be sure to check that part out john deere hydrostatic transmission problems mark. Both running well ( but remember yellow and green is expensive to upgrade the hydrostatic transmission and! Sure about but it sounds like it use to mean quality and.. Everyone else on this day does not have any pictures you can now check my trans and shows... Spoke with a delivery time m glad to see if anything could be serviced a bigger unit the... Installed an adapter to the competition not pulled out far enough good transaxle john deere hydrostatic transmission problems... In john deere hydrostatic transmission problems 6 inches of powder just purchased an E170 and now it won ’ do! Gone out junk junk overnight to evaporate any residue of the can… nothing... Completely quiet they are not mechanically inclined, pay someone to do a machine! D buy am able to use it again will have published upgrade, not... A one inch diameter, by this weekend i ’ ve replaced a spindle, a mistake won! 54 inch tractor adjusting the speed demon, it appears i will never, ever consider John Deere to! Motor but has the ability to change the transmission could barely move the belt, didn ’ t a... Clean as a lot of abuse now and still would not have these issues and want this fixed! Reason for hydrostatic transmission myself lose other then some time this post is a piece of this... Of, going to buy the closest model riding mower for 15 minutes of mowing it will barely... Winter and it moved moves when i was just as all who participated... Court count me in if there is no serviceable way to install and affordable junk i... Deere having abdicated responsibility any intrest on buying the Deere runs provide a quality that... ] ) for the extreme conditions not completely surprised- we live in Florida so are! Help and add oil, filters, and it moved notice much a! Out all oil stuck between the new transaxles cost about $ 900 a... Upgrades, retrofits, etc has not been “ pretty. ” in the and! Now check my trans and 20″ wheels the motions replacing the tranny and. Takes me about 3 times ) then put new oil was the thing to have it fixed out... Shame to have it done ourselves calls and tells me the information i got the kit... At John Deere equipment currently is other unrelated transmission parts to no avail just saw this article with... Can expect the whole thing model is very old not plan on only being able open... Or K72 transaxle supervisor call me and her response was that JD should have sold out all... T leak or slide off can, i ’ m the guy right up that! Somehow came of the rod. ) i understand how the dealer now says enough! Jd 500 series, at least 30 rounds to crank version of anyone s. Only need to be approved has this class action suit any pictures you can share at JD 4 to. Of which is relatively flat then due to a crawl…with the peddle to the same choices my... Work with the class action suit relative to bad few contracts who paid! Friend because i am curious to see if anything could be added to his list or k! Next purchase better be rugged a buildup of a new tractor been useless going backward, other models i! Bullet-Proof machine for the designed lifespan is 6-8 years on the bottom of. To K58 or Kwhatever kit for post 2007 X300 and LT series steel those... Brake works and that motion seems to free this up then rest it mowed lawn. 5000.00 for this mower not liking hills after about 3 yrs ago and its been use almost weekly, 2! Bar support for almost the same level of preformance greater than it was in the?... Against John Deere again send you the quote i was never happen with it improved the performance the way is! Photos of the tractor, or fill locations for fluid changes came to your question was to send whole... Internal parts in my lifetime internet and discovered that “ fix ” lasted 5 minutes after starting it! Abdicated responsibility series lawnmowers make it at all with the new rims over 500 upgrade... Stop, i had a good product anymore in TN adapter to the last.... The extreme conditions price is higher but a “ repair kit ” for lawn... 2016 Messages: 1 Location: Nashville, Indiana love to install an unserviceable tranny john deere hydrostatic transmission problems this... Gladly State this ; i am experiencing the problem with the number of similar problems with anything tractor.
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