Choosing a Tranny

[dglambert]

The power is meant for cutting the grass, not pushing or pulling heavy loads.

My LT180 has the K46, yes it needs a tranny oil change/possibly new parts. It is a 2005 model, so it has worked for 14 years so far.

You might try heavier weight oil in the summer.

I'm not sure I can go heavier than the 5W-50 recommended by Tuff Torq. Are you aware of a heavier oil that would work in this unit?

 

[radios1]

look at this thread. https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/parts-repairs/164892-tufftorq-k46-repair-guide-pictures.html this is the best price I've found for the rebuild kit. IF NEEDED. Tuff Torq, Repair Kit K46 (cecr), 1A646, At Discounted Prices|Mulligans Parts Company

 

[dglambert]

look at this thread. https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/parts-repairs/164892-tufftorq-k46-repair-guide-pictures.html this is the best price I've found for the rebuild kit. IF NEEDED. Tuff Torq, Repair Kit K46 (cecr), 1A6469954, At Discounted Prices|Mulligans Parts Company

Thanks -- that is a good price. Lord knows I've had this thing on & off the tractor enough times to have that part down. There were a couple interesting posts in there (#847, 848) that talked about use of Volvo Penta Synthetic 75W 90 Outboard Leg Oil.

With a little luck, I can keep this thing running enough to shop for a better option, as I still feel like the long-term solution is to find a heavier-duty tractor.

 

[radios1]

Thanks -- that is a good price. Lord knows I've had this thing on & off the tractor enough times to have that part down. There were a couple interesting posts in there (#847, 848) that talked about use of Volvo Penta Synthetic 75W 90 Outboard Leg Oil.

With a little luck, I can keep this thing running enough to shop for a better option, as I still feel like the long-term solution is to find a heavier-duty tractor.

the JD GT series was a true garden tractor, and you can buy them restored for a good price. the IH Cub cadet is another one, like the model 107 HST which could use a scaled down version of any implement of a full size tractor. and the transmission could be easily modified for competition pulling with a 27HP motor and very wide tires, it will take that HP with standard tires though.. and it can accept a FEL, which was one of many accessories made by the OEM..

 

[dougtrr2]

I am a fan of hydrostatic transmission. I had a JD318 and eventually went to a Kubota BX24. At one point I volunteered to mow a friends yard while he was waiting for a heart transplant. It was about two acres and he had a Craftsman with manual transmission. I hated it. 2nd gear was too slow and 3rd gear was too fast. After a while I borrowed a trailer and hauled my JD over. If you are mowing on a hill overbuy your tractor, you won't regret it.

Doug in SW IA

 

[SmallChange]

:laughing::laughing:
View attachment 604050

Hey, come on, life is hard enough without being made fun of. It'd be nice if my trans friends were welcome here. They can like to play with tractors too.

 

[dglambert]

the JD GT series was a true garden tractor, and you can buy them restored for a good price. the IH Cub cadet is another one, like the model 107 HST which could use a scaled down version of any implement of a full size tractor. and the transmission could be easily modified for competition pulling with a 27HP motor and very wide tires, it will take that HP with standard tires though.. and it can accept a FEL, which was one of many accessories made by the OEM..

Excellent - thanks. I've seen good things about the Cubs. I see a fair number of JD 316's and the occasional 425 for sale, too -- as near as I can tell, these were fairly well-built, too, weren't they?

 

[dglambert]

I am a fan of hydrostatic transmission. I had a JD318 and eventually went to a Kubota BX24. At one point I volunteered to mow a friends yard while he was waiting for a heart transplant. It was about two acres and he had a Craftsman with manual transmission. I hated it. 2nd gear was too slow and 3rd gear was too fast. After a while I borrowed a trailer and hauled my JD over. If you are mowing on a hill overbuy your tractor, you won't regret it.

Doug in SW IA

Thanks - I sure didn't think of this yard as "hilly", but it appears maybe it's more so than I'd considered.

 

[radios1]

Excellent - thanks. I've seen good things about the Cubs. I see a fair number of JD 316's and the occasional 425 for sale, too -- as near as I can tell, these were fairly well-built, too, weren't they?

YES!. if the manufacturer sells a plow for it, it's a Garden tractor, (heavy duty). that's what you want for longevity, what ever you use the tractor for.. about the Cubs, I was referencing the Cubs made by IH, international harvester, decades old. the new one's don't compare..

 

[LouNY]

When I finally changed the oil in my mower (JD 110) it was getting quite poor,
it wouldn't even do just the trimming.
I used Mobil 1 20w-50 it completely turned it around,
it at least doubled the power to the ground and doubled the time it was usable.

 

[nards444]

To be honest HST or any auto transmission is better these days, they outperform manual trannys in just about any scenario. I know I know I got a 6 speed in my challenger mainly because of the nostalgia factor and I can be a part of the car. In reality auto trans are the way to go these days for overall ease of use.

 

[radios1]

To be honest HST or any auto transmission is better these days, they outperform manual trannys in just about any scenario. I know I know I got a 6 speed in my challenger mainly because of the nostalgia factor and I can be a part of the car. In reality auto trans are the way to go these days for overall ease of use.

a transmission in a tractor is totally different than a transmission in a car!. an automatic transmission in a tractor loses torque in high gear, whereas the auto transmission in a car does not lose torque in high gear!. they are made differently..

 

[nards444]

a transmission in a tractor is totally different than a transmission in a car!. an automatic transmission in a tractor loses torque in high gear, whereas the auto transmission in a car does not lose torque in high gear!. they are made differently..

I get that and it does in a car too. Its doubtful in most applications you are going to notice that loss

 

[Teachu2]

I bought a Husqvarna GT with a Kawasaki engine and manually locking K66. Superb machine in the $3500 range new. This would be the comparable current model: Husqvarna Riding Lawn Mowers TS348XD

 

[dglambert]

I bought a Husqvarna GT with a Kawasaki engine and manually locking K66. Superb machine in the $3500 range new. This would be the comparable current model: Husqvarna Riding Lawn Mowers TS348XD

The K66 certainly seems like a sturdier unit -- I believe this is the basis of that $1800 upgrade kit being sold for the LA-series JD's.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Yes, it seems like you need to shop "the transmission" on almost anything powered with wheels.

The motor people have done amazing jobs, that with good oils, the motors now often outlast the transmissions.

so, look behind the scenes to see what's driving the wheels, be it a mower, tractor, car or truck, and compare transmission repair or replacement costs.

Keep things in perspective. My mower has the K46. It's a 2005 model with about 450 hours, mowing an acre and a half, for 14 years. I have not changed the oil in it. It does groan when cold at first start. Tuff Torq, IIRC does not sell just the minimum parts anymore. I should take it apart, clean it out, refill with 20-50 synthetic (it's hot down here), and put a pipe tap drain plug in the bottom for draining.

 

[dglambert]

Yes, it seems like you need to shop "the transmission" on almost anything powered with wheels.

The motor people have done amazing jobs, that with good oils, the motors now often outlast the transmissions.

so, look behind the scenes to see what's driving the wheels, be it a mower, tractor, car or truck, and compare transmission repair or replacement costs.

Keep things in perspective. My mower has the K46. It's a 2005 model with about 450 hours, mowing an acre and a half, for 14 years. I have not changed the oil in it. It does groan when cold at first start. Tuff Torq, IIRC does not sell just the minimum parts anymore. I should take it apart, clean it out, refill with 20-50 synthetic (it's hot down here), and put a pipe tap drain plug in the bottom for draining.

Yeah, I checked to see if I could purchase just the pump & motor at $120-odd bucks, and they don't see them individually anymore. I tried picking up just replacement sprints for $20 -- that improved things a bit, but I still have to mow in shifts at this point. A few posts up, radios1 pointed out a good price for the whole rebuild kit, and there's a good chance I'll give that a shot at some point. In the meantime, I continue shopping for a better option.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Of course, there's the high end solution.

Deere X739

Transaxle type K90 hydrostatic integrated with transaxle
Transaxle control Twin Touch™ pedals

there's a thread right now that the guys who have purchased the X700 series are quite happy with their purchases.

It is a bit pricey of a club to buy into.

 

[radios1]

Yeah, I checked to see if I could purchase just the pump & motor at $120-odd bucks, and they don't see them individually anymore. I tried picking up just replacement sprints for $20 -- that improved things a bit, but I still have to mow in shifts at this point. A few posts up, radios1 pointed out a good price for the whole rebuild kit, and there's a good chance I'll give that a shot at some point. In the meantime, I continue shopping for a better option.

the problem is, it's a lawn tractor.. you can buy a used, and refurbished John Deere GT series Garden Tractor for a good price, and it will last another lifetime!..