175 Hydrostatic Oil Change

[johndeereg]

My owners manual says not the change the fluid in the hydro drive. Is there any reason why I shouldn't change it now? Can I just drain it and fill with SAE 30 Oil? How much does it take? Any other maintenance things I should do that isn't in the owner's manual? I don't have a tech. manual so I'm kind of in the dark. thanks

 

[BBO]

My owners manual says not the change the fluid in the hydro drive. Is there any reason why I shouldn't change it now? Can I just drain it and fill with SAE 30 Oil? How much does it take? Any other maintenance things I should do that isn't in the owner's manual? I don't have a tech. manual so I'm kind of in the dark. thanks

Mine is an LX188 but I had a similar experience. They say to not change it...
Mine has NO PLUG so to change it I had to remove the transmission and turn it upside down.
If you decide to try this I will offer some more suggestions.

 

[jgayman]

My owners manual says not the change the fluid in the hydro drive. Is there any reason why I shouldn't change it now? Can I just drain it and fill with SAE 30 Oil? How much does it take? Any other maintenance things I should do that isn't in the owner's manual? I don't have a tech. manual so I'm kind of in the dark. thanks

I bought my 175 Hydro new in 1987. It has been used hard for mowing on hilly ground in addition to pulling heavy carts (~500 lbs) and a 900 lb lawn roller. While it has had regular oil changes for the past 26 years it has never had the transmission oil replaced. The transmission still works as good as the day I bought it.

I am amazed that the tractor is going on 27 years with the original hydro fluid.

 

[johndeereg]

Thanks for the replies. I thought the transmission was sticky, but it turned out it was just the lever. The previous owner had it so tight, that was what was causing the jerky movement.