185 hydro having issues moving forward and reverse

[4mustangs]

I have an older JD 185 Hydro, serial #M001858511130-46. The other day while I was mowing I smelled a light hot rubber smell. The mower than stopped moving forward with any power and the same thing happens in reverse. As I acquired this tractor used a couple of years ago I have no owners/operators manual to help me out here. I don't know what year it is but I am guessing the 46 at the end of the serial # means it is a 46" mowing deck?
It also has a Kawasaki engine if that helps narrow down the age.
I have another minor issue that has developed. After mowing for a while when the engine is warmed up I pull it all the way down to idle and let it unwind for a few seconds it will backfire after shutting ignition off.

 

[buickanddeere]

The parts book is free on the JD web site. In order to reduce the retail price and obtain sales from people who see the lowest price as the primary criteria. JD installed the cheap lightweight tuff torq K46 transaxle. There are upgrade kits to the K66 but they cost more than what the tractor is worth.
The lowest end JD lawn tractor that does have a beefy K58 transmission is the X310 .
Call the nice folks at 1-800-522-7448 for the operator's and service manual on CD or hard copy.

 

[jenkinsph]

The parts book is free on the JD web site. In order to reduce the retail price and obtain sales from people who see the lowest price as the primary criteria. JD installed the cheap lightweight tuff torq K46 transaxle. There are upgrade kits to the K66 but they cost more than what the tractor is worth.
The lowest end JD lawn tractor that does have a beefy K58 transmission is the X310 .
Call the nice folks at 1-800-522-7448 for the operator's and service manual on CD or hard copy.

I agree with B&D on getting a service manual if you plan to work on it yourself.

The 185 does not have a k46 transmission though, it either has an Eaton or more likely a Sunstrand transmission.

 

[beenthere]

:welcome: to TBN
The carb may have a fuel shutoff solenoid that is not working. You will see it in jdparts.com if you go there (free registration).

The smell may be the belt driving the tranny... and needs replacement or new sheave/pulley(s). Those too you will see in the parts schematics at jdparts.com

 

[4mustangs]

I agree with B&D on getting a service manual if you plan to work on it yourself.

The 185 does not have a k46 transmission though, it either has an Eaton or more likely a Sunstrand transmission.

So how do I know which transmission my mower has?

 

[jenkinsph]

So how do I know which transmission my mower has?

If it were me I would find the identification numbers on the transmission, look at the diagrams and listings on jd parts, enter your model 185 and look towards the bottom of the list for the 185 lawn tractor. Once you get to the listings you can find all the parts on your tractor. Write down your serial number and any numbers you find on the transmission case and or tags. There are a couple of serial number breakdowns using these transmissions.

 

[buickanddeere]

Could be this lawn tractor ? TractorData.com John Deere 185 tractor information

I stand corrected.Transmission:
Transmission: Sundstrand
Type: hydrostatic
Gears: infinite forward and reverse
Oil capacity: 0.75 qts [0.7 L]

Part the 185 out on ebay and use the proceeds as a down payment on something that uses fire bolts to bold the rear wheels on.

 

[Lilartsford]

Could be this lawn tractor ? TractorData.com John Deere 185 tractor information

I stand corrected.Transmission:
Transmission: Sundstrand
Type: hydrostatic
Gears: infinite forward and reverse
Oil capacity: 0.75 qts [0.7 L]

Part the 185 out on ebay and use the proceeds as a down payment on something that uses fire bolts to bold the rear wheels on.

I had a Husqvarna LGT 2554 with 5 bolt rear wheels that had a K-46 in it. It went bad on me after I put on 118 hours, which brought it up to 136 hours total. (I was hauling wet birch firewood up a big hill too many times. Mowed one summer, as I recall, with it and hauled firewood one summer and it was done!
Never did anything with it I wouldn't have done with my 12 or 13 year old Craftsman lawn tractor which has a 21 1/2 hp briggs with manual tranny.
Art

 

[4mustangs]

I had a Husqvarna LGT 2554 with 5 bolt rear wheels that had a K-46 in it. It went bad on me after I put on 118 hours, which brought it up to 136 hours total. (I was hauling wet birch firewood up a big hill too many times. Mowed one summer, as I recall, with it and hauled firewood one summer and it was done!
Never did anything with it I wouldn't have done with my 12 or 13 year old Craftsman lawn tractor which has a 21 1/2 hp briggs with manual tranny.
Art

Thanks for all the info. I'm not ready to give up on this mower yet and part it out. Even if I have to rebuild/replace the tranny I feel like it will be worth the cost as there are a lot more years left in this mower.
Having said that is there a rebuild kit available for this tranny that anyone knows of and can reccomend?
Thanks again,

 

[buickanddeere]

I had a Husqvarna LGT 2554 with 5 bolt rear wheels that had a K-46 in it. It went bad on me after I put on 118 hours, which brought it up to 136 hours total. (I was hauling wet birch firewood up a big hill too many times. Mowed one summer, as I recall, with it and hauled firewood one summer and it was done!
Never did anything with it I wouldn't have done with my 12 or 13 year old Craftsman lawn tractor which has a 21 1/2 hp briggs with manual tranny.
Art

I have never seen a k46 with five bolt rims. Just a square key way and a circle clip. The K66 is the lightest Tuff Torq with a five bolt rim.