JD Hydro - ramps into pickup

[blacknchrome]

Hello,

I went to look at a used L110 (hydro). It seemed in good shape, so went to load it up and it wouldn't power up the ramp - I have 6.5' aluminum ramps into an F150. It would go half way up and stop, idle or full throttle didn't matter. Does this mean the transmission is that weak? I figured somebody on here must have tried to load their Deere into the bed of a truck - successfully or unsuccessfully.

Thanks for the help, I'm learning through this forum.

 

[rayikeo2]

A worn out drive belt could also cause that problem. Did you smell or hear a slipping belt? A mower in good shape should make it up the ramps without a problem. Did you already buy it? Sounds like you did. If it's a transmission problem it could be an expensive repair.

 

[blacknchrome]

A worn out drive belt could also cause that problem. Did you smell or hear a slipping belt? A mower in good shape should make it up the ramps without a problem.

I didn't hear any belt squeal or smell burning rubber. It's like it just powered out - foot on the reverse pedal but no movement.

 

[rayikeo2]

I didn't hear any belt squeal or smell burning rubber. It's like it just powered out - foot on the reverse pedal but no movement.

Try going up in forward. You will get more power in forward than reverse. I never try to back up ramps. There is a speed differance also. Reverse is about half as fast as forward. If the belt is not worn, another thing to check is the transmission fluid level. Follow book instructions before attempting to add fluid. There is a visule check resivore for correct level. The belt is still the best possible problem to check first. If you mow some slopes the belt may heat up and smell if it's stretched out.

 

[rayikeo2]

From my owners manual Trouble Shoot Guide. (not the same mower as yours)

Problem: Tractor will not move with engine running: solution: Transmission hydrolic fluid level low. To check level.

Park mower on level surface
Check transmission oil level when transmission is cold
Locate the translucent oil reservoir at rear of tractor next to fuel tank. Oil tank is embossed with a FULL LINE and an ADD LINE
If you need to add, get additional instructions before opening up tank for cleaning instructions. Filler tube needs to stay clean and there is a foam plug to remove to add oil. Use 10W30 engine oil. More instructions later. Re- post if low. Filler cap is under seat. Very importand not to get dirt or grass clippings into oil reservoir.

 

[mjncad]

The chances of that L-110 having a sight-glass or dipstick, and a fill plug is almost nil since it uses the K46 Tuff-Torq tranny.

Although I've read where some guys have rebuilt them and made them serviceable with fill ports, etc; that tranny was designed to be a sealed throw-away unit.

 

[rayikeo2]

Note, Make sure when you were trying to load by backing up the ramp that one of the tires was not spinning (slipping). The ramp might have been slick. I like to rule out the simple problems before assuming it is a more serious problem. That sometimes happens to me when mowing over some big ruts and it is sometimes hard to detect. It happens in snow all the time.

 

[RandyT]

I've worked on lawnmowers that wouldn't pull themselves up the four foot ramp on my 12 foot utility trailer that is only 18 inches off the ground in reverse and had to have someone push me the rest of the way up. most mowers don't have much hydro power is reverse.

 

[Dutch445]

"if" you do succeed in getting the mower up in the truck in revers,
make sure you tie the hood down!!!!!!

 

[blacknchrome]

You guys are awesome for the quick responses.

The tires weren't spinning. I hesitate to drive it up forward because of having all that weight up high - it gets kind of risky with ramps.

From what I read, this K46 transmission doesn't have a sight glass or way to check fluid - it's a sealed unit. So, it sounds like it's maybe the belt but most likely the transmission is shot? It has 287 hours on it.

Do any of you guys use ramps to load your mower? Maybe I need to find a manual transmission - would it be stronger?

I had offered the guy $400 for it, but have backed out at this point.

Thanks again

 

[rayikeo2]

I am curious, was this mower in service and being used for mowing or was it stored way in the back of a shed for several years? I mow up an incline with my mower. The incline is probably steeper than your ramps. I never had the mower attempt to roll back or flip on me. (yet) Ask the seller how it's been running for him and if there was any indication that the transmission might be slipping. What state is it located in? Did he accept your $400 offer or was he holding out for a higher price?

 

[blacknchrome]

It was in storage, but had been used until last month when he moved supposedly. The ramps are 6.5 ft long into an f150.

He said he thought there may be something wrong with the transmission - he said it made some noise. I drove it and didn't notice anything too out of place other than a small hydro whine which I assume is normal - for all the hydro's I am used to anyway.

He accepted my offer, but I backed out after I couldn't load it.

 

[rayikeo2]

My hydro has whinned for 11 years now. Actually I think the whine is going away with use. The whine by itself combined by the steep ramps may not have been an indication of a problem. As stated by another poster here, reverse on hydros is a week gear normally. Wait and see what others on the forum say about the $400 price. It sounds like a lower than average price, although I don't know what an average price for that mower would really be in perfect working condition.
Need others with opinions to chime in here.

 

[evo803]

My hydro has whinned for 11 years now. Actually I think the whine is going away with use. The whine by itself combined by the steep ramps may not have been an indication of a problem. As stated by another poster here, reverse on hydros is a week gear normally. Wait and see what others on the forum say about the $400 price. It sounds like a lower than average price, although I don't know what an average price for that mower would really be in perfect working condition.
Need others with opinions to chime in here.

FWIW,
Forward and reverse in a hydro transaxle have the same amount of torque available. The pump is driving a hydraulic motor that spins the differential gears ,the only difference between forward and reverse is the fluid flow that spins the hydraulic motor.

 

[jenkinsph]

My experience with the L130 is the forward climbing ability far exceeds the reverse climbing ability. That has been since new, much weaker in reverse.

 

[mjncad]

My experience with the L130 is the forward climbing ability far exceeds the reverse climbing ability. That has been since new, much weaker in reverse.

I have the same experience with my L-130 too.

 

[RandyT]

I think what is going on is the new mowers are so slow in reverse for safety reasons that the pump isn't putting out enough volume to overcome the fluid leakage in the motor. It is true that the hydro has the same torque forward and reverse but because of the slow reverse you can't overcome the flow problem.

 

[evo803]

My experience with the L130 is the forward climbing ability far exceeds the reverse climbing ability. That has been since new, much weaker in reverse.

My guess is that the speed is also faster forward than reverse and this would explain the power difference.

There is a ramp inside that is in a port after the pump and if the ramp is installed backwards it changes the fwd & rev direction of the motor.I guess this allows it to be used in different applications. Since the gears are straight cut and not ring and pinion design they are just as strong going in either direction.I have gleened this info from a couple of repair threads at MTF.

I have built a awd tractor and the Hydrogear transaxles are identical units. The front one however is turned around so the input belt would clear the case. This led to it operating in reverse so all I had to do was just make the linkage put the front transaxle in reverse to go forward and vice versa for reverse. This was done under the approval of the tech department and this is exactly how Ventrac manufactures the 3000 series, my axles are identical to what they use.

JENKINSPH I think I am correct on this one ,BUT I have been wrong before reading posts and interpreting them. sorry

 

[blacknchrome]

So, would a manual transmission be stronger than these Deere Hydros? The L100 has the 5 or 6 speed, while the L110 has the Hydro.

 

[rayikeo2]

So, would a manual transmission be stronger than these Deere Hydros? The L100 has the 5 or 6 speed, while the L110 has the Hydro.

Once you own a hydro you will not want to go back to a manual. It's so much easier with the vairable speed transmission and constant speed engine. Never have to shift again and only use the manual brake on steep downgrades. Get into tall stuff and need to go slower, just ease up on the forward pedal, no shifting. Get into low stuff and want to go faster, just push down on the pedal. And "Best of All", the wife can mow without any problems. :thumbsup: