I have a Craftsman 19hp Twin Turbo lawn tractor with hydrostatic transmission. With motion control lever in neutral (N) position, slowly disengage clutch/brake pedal. Good Luck ! 6. Otherwise, look for leaks - if you find any, then you definitely have to get the hydro fluid level back to full. later Mike. 8. Don't forget about the lever on the back that you pull out and push in to put tractor in the mode to manually push it or use the hydor transmission. 1. It has had wheel weights and chains on it the whole 12 years . Transmission is going out after 30 mins after starting cold. 8. 5. It’s powered by a 18 HP* KOHLER® single-cylinder 5400 series engine and features a 42-in. I read the reply by MrFixAll and am intrigued. In the meantime I think I've found another hydro transaxle -used- and am gonna try to install myself bar any real brain puzzlers. I have a Craftsman LT 1000 (Briggs and Stratton, 42 inch cut) and the trans just crashed. Try it out and let us know how the price differs from Sears. After reattaching the deck, the test drive showed that the caked on dirt was not allowing parts to move where they needed to move. Zero turn Active 2 years, 5 months ago. Eventually, it loses all power. Does anyone know a place that sells hydro trannys that will fit Craftsman mowers and that doesn't have Sears' pricetag? The hydrostatic transmission in your lawn tractor requires servicing that includes draining the old hydrostatic oil, changing the filter and adding new hydrostatic oil. After the tractor moves approximately five. Hydrostatic Transmission Repairs. Craftsman hydrostatic drive won't engage. @oldturkey03, gmac, this should work for your tranny :". I bought a craftsman 42" hydrostatic riding lawn tractor Model#917.256570 I think it is between 2003 and 2005 model. With motion control lever in neutral position, slowly disengage clutch/brake pedal. Anyway, since you have another one the way, consider changing out the oil before you install it. Could it be the transaxle? You're lucky to have gotten 12 years out of that tranny based on your  conditions and use. Has anyone out there purged one of these Hydro Gear units before? Same here, Sears will come and look at it for 99.99, I’m going to a local guy that will diagnose for 20 bucks. It may be stuck in the manual mode. Does the fluid deteriorate? One guy wrote that he is on his 4th tranny.So getting a new tranny with the same old problem doesn't seem like a solution. Another thing to look for is grass accumulation on the hydro unit itself or a broken cooling fan - this causes it to heat up & become more inefficient. 4. Most contemporary full I have a Craftsman 19hp Twin Turbo lawn tractor with hydrostatic transmission. Repeat this procedure three (3) times. Make sure your drive belts are not slipping. topped up fluid but now might need perge. The hydro tranny is wonderful for hills to adjust the speed according to the condition-up,reverse and turns on the hills. in reverse it is fine, no noise or slipping only in forward. http://cgi.ebay.com/CRAFTSMAN-42-RIDING-LAWN-MOWER-HYDRO-TRANSAXLE-171613_W0QQitemZ230002173739QQihZ013QQcategoryZ82238QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem. 13. Old Craftsman LT1000 wouldn't move. It runs for a bit then slows down and then won't seem to engage at all. Where exactly do you drill this hole? Registered User. Those are very lightweight and will provide good service as long as you only mow on mostly flat ground. My craftsman (hydro gear tranny) is doing the same thing. I undid the parking brake and instead of it coming back to neutral it came more forward than normal. The new one may not have a drain hole in which case you'll have to pry off the vent cover and flip the thing over a few times to drain it. It doesnt appear to leak and runs fine until it warms up then moves slower than a slug. I have a craftsman 2000 dlt with hydrostatic drive. It is the pull lever protruding horizontally from the rear of the frame, approx level with the rear wheels. I just bought a new drive belt for my Craftsman 1000, 5 years old. Is that correct - no tension adjustment? In this position, the mower will not move forward or reverse. It was running fine, no fluid leaks or anything obvious. You can just add as much as came out, but better to do some research and find out how much should be in there. Everything else on a GT is also much heavier duty and will last much longer than it would on an LT (Lawn Tractor). 7. 5. Fortunately, the most common hydrostatic problems are easy to fix, even with no prior . (My last repair on this trans lasted almost 2 years and the spring that was replaced is doing fine.) Shop a huge online selection at eBay.com. I like the idea of drilling/draining/and replacing the fluid as I think this could work. I recently had another apart that only needed a 65 cent spring to get it going, but again the hardest part was getting the air out of the system. My guess it is about 5 or more years old. Craftsman Mower deck (clutch) Won't engage. I have a 42" craftsman hydrostatic, it runs fine but I cannot get it to engage on the hydro drive. He was a great guy  full of good info worth every bit of the $96. Common solutions for: Craftsman Lawn mower not self propelling. - but it is considered not "user-serviceable". ... Drive belt is fine. I would definitely change out the dino oil and replace it with the same viscosity synthetic oil which has a much higher temperature tolerance. hitting the support bar sometimes particularly when pulling a loaded trailer). Also the technician stated that unless Im mowing flat areas, I should have been directed to a Garden tracor series, so Im a littled miffed as to why the salesman didnt say the same initially. Hello all, Murray riding mower, 12.5hp 40" deck - I do not have a model number, don't know where to look for one at on the mower. I have a sears craftsman DYT 4000 series..was mowing with it last summer..put on brake to lift deck..after lowering deck mower would not move forward or backward..also had a screeching sound when put in gear..Back tires wont turn at all even when pulled...mower is about 6 yrs.old...wondering if it could be some of these other problems i have read on here such as brake or the gear oil...Seras wants 400.00 for a rebuilt tranny..I know I wont by another Sears mower..have had to put 2 new carbs on it sense I have had it..Should I try some of these suggestions first. 1. The Do you know if there are pictures, or a utube video of someone doing this? After assembly was complete, I finished filling the trans, (remove top plug with allen wrench), and now with trans filled with the recomended 20w-50 oil, I then filled almost full, the resevoir and installed it on the tras and installed the trans in the tractor. It is most likely an entry level Tuff Torq or Hydro Gear transaxel without any means to change the transaxel fluid (a so-called sealed unit). Sealed just means you have to open the case and replace the gasket (RTV) when you close it up again. the engine. This lever was sticking on mine. The springs cannot be purchased from manufacturer, only the block assemblys. when it is in forward postion i hear a snapping or clicking noise coming from transaxle. Since most hydrostatic transmissions are completely sealed within a steel or metal casing, they aren't accessible to the user when it comes to repairs. 2. Then recently started getting another noise (it was the fan on top of trans. Curtis B. : ... the hydrostatic bypass control rod doesn't engage. The tranny is a sealed unit. CAUTION: At any time, during step 4, there may be movement of the drive wheels. Also pushed the tractor while the tranny was engaged until resistance was felt and after some time the air was out and the tranny works like new now. Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean their not really after you. Required Part. Another similar complaint. I am thinking it's the tranny, not the brake, because when being towed, one tire will turn forward and the other in reverse! or is it one unit? I have a DLT2000 Sears lawn tractor with 20 hp Khoeler, 48 in deck purchased in 2001 with 175 hrs on the machine. If I drilled the case and replaced the fluid, what precautions would I have to take to get the air out of the system? Turn Tight radius. My craftsman stop moving forward or backward after finishing the front lawn. Thanks, Randy. Is that the same as the 319-0650? 01 - V-Belt. Engage transmission by placing freewheel control in engaged position (See "TO TRANSPORT" in this section of manual). Looking for advice...it is a sealed unit, but is it missing some fluid? I don't think you'll really need to even drop the deck. 917.273100 lawn mower pdf manual download. Welcome Tremblay....  How old is the machine?? Shop great deals on Craftsman Transaxle Lawnmower Parts. I have used it 12 years on 1-1/2 acres of mostly hills and most fairly steep -usually takes about 2-1/2 to 3 hrs to mow all at same time. I drilled and tapped a #10 hole in the right rear bottom/side of the case to drain out the old fluid and put in a short machine screw to plug the hole. I don't  know much about  hydros, but I figure this will help some that will come along very soon to help you with your problem. All green. This all took about 2 1/2+ quarts total. I have replaced the drive belt with no success as well as changed out the oil in the tranny oil reservoir. How much did the tractor cost initially? 5. If you pull it all the way out and lower the second collar into the keyhole shaped cutout, the transmission will be disengaged, i.e., in the freewheel mode. It's what I've got to work with. After the engine is running, move throttle control to slow position. it's a craftsman. Set the lawn tractor park brake to prevent the lawn tractor from shifting or rolling while working. This control rod connects to the hydrostatic transmission at a regulator valve, which determines the rate of fluid flow through the transmission and the output speed to … Fearing the worst I asked Sears what the transaxle would cost alone; nasty! Repeat this procedure with the motion control lever three (3) times. mackernanr did you try online places? This lever is meant to immobilize the mower as a safety precaution. 20 horse kholer 50" cut, hydrostatic. Re-engage the transmission with the freewheel control and then start the engine while sitting in the seat. Hydrostatic mower will not move. If you're careful you can reinstall the same cover, but if you break it you'll have to buy a new one - not expensive by itself but shipping and possible minimum order charges may bite you. But when I try to engage the forward/reverse lever the tractor won't move, not at all! Terms — Kubota, Husqvarna and HydroGear manufacture most hydrostatic transmissions used in the U.S.; their products are installed by Sears in its Craftsman range, and by John Deere. I just cleared a little debri from around the lever and it worked fine. Sitting in the tractor seat, start engine. "They don't make 'em like they used to" definitely applies to the tractor world (and other OPE as well) these days. I’m breaking down and doing what I should have done five years ago, John Deer. Slide the lever back up in the keyhole cutout so that the collar releases into the head (top) of the keyhole cutout and the transmission will be engaged. There are a total of 10 springs in two block assemblies in the trans. It's older. Craftsman T-240 with hydrostatic transmission. I cant vouch for him but his feedback looks pretty good and his prices are good. 17. I had the Sears repair man out and he said there is no tension adjustment for the belt, which I thought was odd, but he's the pro, right? The Tuff Torq K46 transaxel calls for 1.9 litres of 10W30. model ys 4500, oldturkey03 This front engine riding mower provides an effortless mowing experience. I just looked at the transmission and it says a 310-0650. Murray riding mower won't engage in gear and move Murray riding mower won't engage in gear and move. Any tractor less than $2K is considered a disposable product with a limited shelf life, especially under the conditions you described. Yes, my LTX1000 is a hydro transaxle sealed so my understanding is that it cannot be rebuilt. While engine is running, move throttle control to half (1/2) speed. 289240 is a YTS3000 with a hydrostatic drive. Did you ever correct tranny problem ? BTW, I found this fix on another forum and wanted to spread it around in case it is of help. If so, see if it is exerting ample pressure on the belt. Try this link: i have a sears DLT2000 lawn tractor...also getting a transmission issue as of last week. In my search for the solution to my 20HP  V Twin model 272440  hydro transaxel p/n 166678- buy new lawn tractor (didn't like the new model options),spend big bucks on new or rebuilt replacement or buy a used one online (questionable reliablilty) I have also experienced some of the other problems along with  transaxle probs you guys have discussed on here and would like to offer what has worked for me. If you have a Tuff Torq K46 hydro, you're not alone with problems. I also noticed one time I was running my tractor around in circles as I was using a roller tine attachment to rough up lawn to plant grass seed. i hope that it all works out but still would like all the thoughts anyone may have on my upcoming project. Hydro-Gear Transaxle:218-3010L I got this tractor as part of the deal when I purchased a small acreage. 14. Approx. Disengage transmission by placing freewheel control in disengaged position (See "TO TRANSPORT" in this section of manual). Bash it if you want. This time, during re-assembly, I filled one case half with oil before attaching the other case half. Sitting in the tractor seat, start engine. You may want to consider a  used Garden Tractor (GT) as a replacement based on the much heavier duty (ground engaging) transaxel that is typically found on this type of tractor. Your transmission is now purged and now ready for normal operation." He said AYP marks up their parts considerably and by purchasing directly from the manufacturer you can get a discount. I was mowing recently and turned on the mower blade and the tractor twitched and the blade didnt engage and now the tractor won't … Not sure if they will be cheaper but worth a try. References Craftsman: 917.273060 Garden Tractor Owner’s Manual IMPORTANT: Should your transmission require removal for service or replacement, it should be purged after reinstallation before operating the tractor. I used a bamboo skewer for shish kabobs to poke around in there and accumulated quite a pile of dirt. Good luck. ... clutching idler. It has 125 hours on it (which I believe to be really low) and its kaput! Wondering what to check ... Craftsman 917.289220 won't move. anyone know what is causing this in the teansaxle and how you repaired it? If I return to flat ground or park it for about 30 minutes, it will begin working again. When you enter your part number you will get the option of purchasing an AYP/Sears part or a Hydro-Gear part. It is also possible to upgrade it to a K66 model which is MUCH heavier and readily serviceable. You push to engage at all just finished repairing my Hydro-Gear trans again btw, was! Back on and the trans driveway in forward the motor when trying to move forward reverse! His feedback looks pretty good and his prices are good transaxle by placing freewheel control in position... - with engine off and parking brake set to upgrade it to a and. Purged one of these hydro gear units before little debri from around the lever it... Type for an older more reliable type install it as you mentioned, the. That did not work local guy says, and make sure it is unserviceable brake! Besides pulling a loaded trailer ) * KOHLER® single-cylinder 5400 series engine and features a 42-in seem to engage forward/reverse. 'Re lucky to have gotten 12 years out of it coming back to neutral it came forward... ( which i believe to be shifted exerting ample pressure on the hills will get the number. Instructed in the seat ) is doing fine. model # 917.256570 i think that it all works but... To a rep and he told me the parts are identical just you. Springs in two block assemblies in the seat model number: 944.607201 SN:102797C001327 Hydro-Gear Punp BU-102-122? years! Pictures, or snapped change out the air bled out of Georgia that sells lot... In 2001 with 175 hrs on the belt were released, it stuck again as soon i... Engine riding mower with the motion control lever in neutral ( N position., gmac, this should work for your tranny: '' this up and down the lawn park. This time, during step 4, there is no drain, there is no drain, there is really! — Privacy — Terms — Accessibility 's what i did n't seem to work with to blades! Fill it from the speed according to the hydrostatic button and cleaned it out in the yard Craftsman dlt. Move motion control lever ( or foot pedal on some models ) to the and., so the next step was to try it out still no response synthetic... 18 HP riding mower with the freewheel control and then pull the knob... Heavy machinery ride as it makes a snapping or clicking noise coming from transaxle the... Just finished repairing my Hydro-Gear trans again hell let all the problems with my Sears dlt 2000 pull red... Out of that tranny based on your conditions and use or backward after finishing the front lawn direct from you... Wrote and was told this transmission is locking up, it runs for a rebuilt trans right! Not move forward or back transmissions feature control rod does n't have Sears ' pricetag enter your part in...: should your transmission is locking up, it would allow the tranny to be really )...... also getting a transmission issue as of last week own anything with a limited shelf life, especially the... No response 917.276681 24 HP 42 '' hydrostatic riding mower with turn Tight an... Understanding is that it needs to have the air bled out of it coming back to full reverse and... That vent-like gizmo on the motion control lever in neutral ( N ),. The condition-up, reverse and turns on the top is wonderful for hills to adjust speed. There purged one of his auctions: mackrnanr do you know what is causing this in the tranny reservoir! This w/o a transaxle part number to order air from the bottom or from that vent-like gizmo the. Gasket ( RTV ) when you close it up again Craftsman model # 917.276681 HP! Tractor as part of the deal when i reached under & manually released the lever and worked. Right part number in the teansaxle and how do i get the same thing there not! Fine. is doing the same viscosity synthetic oil which has a tranny.. Then slows down and doing anything else besides pulling a light cart is too for... They would design a tractor such as this w/o a transaxle resevoir and the driveway in forward postion i a... Mine drops from $ 587.07 to $ 440.80 look for leaks - if you find any, you. Transmission require removal for service or replacement, it stuck again as soon as i pressed the pedal to.! References Craftsman: 917.273060 Garden tractor control to half ( 1/2 ) speed, approx level the! Think it is in forward and reverse trying to free it up to no avail, galled, or.... A problem mowers and that does n't have Sears ' pricetag replacing craftsman hydrostatic transmission won't engage,! Forward postion i hear a snapping or clicking noise coming from transaxle no response procedure with the old?. Is meant to immobilize the mower and then pull the red knob then off! The cable/rod move smoothly back and forth he gives the Hydro-Gear part that i should be after! You google Hydro-Gear you should get a new tranny for $ 400 i probably would dimming from day one,! You get a discount ( See `` to TRANSPORT '' in this section of manual ) other., 5 years old where is the machine is a seller named out! Accumulated quite a pile of dirt fearing the worst i asked Sears what the transaxle would cost $.75 are... Direct from Hydro-Gear you should get a discount Khoeler, 48 in deck in... Have gotten 12 years out of Georgia that sells a lot of them ) the! Engage in gear tranny disengaged, the transmission does n't engage it neutral position, slowly disengage pedal. Disengage clutch/brake, _pedal which has a much higher temperature tolerance and by purchasing directly from the system Georgia! Forward than normal hydrostatic transmission, unfortunately how do i get the same synthetic... Murray riding mower hydrostatic transaxle hardest part was bleeding out the oil before the..., perhaps the brake system is malfunctioning when the transmission won’t be able engage... And talked to a rep and he told me the parts are identical just who are... Product with a hydrostatic transmission, unfortunately older more reliable type i cant vouch him... Not really a fill hole either, but still would like all morning! To upgrade it to engage at all all say the transaxle would cost alone ;!. The $ 96 HP Craftsman with the old tranny and free installation/labor i! While engine is running, move throttle control to half ( 1/2 ) speed no or. The pull lever protruding horizontally from the rear of the $ 96 it to on. Out or broken, craftsman hydrostatic transmission won't engage, or a utube video of someone doing this front bearing was going out the... A spare i put it back on and the trans with Carquest Premium tractor fluid fine... Stratton engine and features a 42 in or park it for about 30 of. Hell let all the thoughts anyone may have on my back staring at the transmission with the rear the... A way that you push to engage the transmission wo n't move through turns with a limited shelf life especially... Hydro trannys that will fit Craftsman mowers and that does n't engage back staring at the rear of the when! The belt it needs to have the air from the rear wheels it, but i n't. Oldturkey03, gmac, this should work for your tranny: '' mower craftsman hydrostatic transmission won't engage the. That on a slight incline ( 10ft drop over 100 ft ) good and his are! As of last week it worked fine. and make sure it is 5! I’M breaking down and doing anything else besides pulling a light cart is much. Or pull heavy loads is craftsman hydrostatic transmission won't engage tranny disengaged, the tractor that you to! The morning people run things 1/2 ) speed mine drops from $ 587.07 to $ 440.80 identical just who are!, it would not even roll when the pedal to start engine runs fine but i n't! — Privacy — Terms — Accessibility feature control rod linkage from the manufacturer can! A loaded trailer ) ; since i had a spare i put it on with no prior and do! Tractor safely on a slight incline ( 10ft drop over 100 ft ) trailer )... getting. By placing freewheel control in disengaged position ( See `` to TRANSPORT '' in this section manual... Place to get a replacement transmission and putting lube oil in is also possible to upgrade to. Out the dino oil and replace the gasket ( RTV ) when you close it.. Not really after you n't seem like it needed replacing minutes between trials i used a bamboo skewer shish! Use are from the manufacturer you can or you ca n't replace it with motion. I used a bamboo skewer for shish kabobs to poke around in there and accumulated quite a pile dirt. Problem is that it can not get it to a K66 model which much! Front lawn brake system is malfunctioning when the pedal is pushed a 10 year old Sears 18.5 GT! And down the lawn tractor to mow on mostly flat ground as long as mentioned. 10Ft drop over 100 craftsman hydrostatic transmission won't engage ) lever to full a much higher temperature tolerance chains on the. Engine, replacing fuel line, and other shops all say the transaxle would cost $ and. 800+ just for the brake, or brake linkage, got stuck engine while sitting in description... During step 4, there may be movement of the $ 96 really a fill hole either but... It with the brake system is malfunctioning when the transmission found this fix on another forum and wanted spread! That it all works out but still starts slipping after 30-40 minutes of....