Tuff Torq K46 oil fill mod (no more taking the transaxle off the machine)

[Kr4sh]

I wanted to share my solution for making it possible to perform oil changes on my K46 / T40J transaxle without having to take it off of my mower (John Deere D130).

I documented the modification on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLd1vGGfDybyGtF_MG0fJscUE2pO8VWHN0

I drilled and tapped drain plug holes, which many other people have done. What is unique about this mod is that I also converted the vent hole into an external expansion tank.

I’m able to fill the trans by pumping the oil in through a drain plug hole using a hand pump that is typically used for the lower unit on outboard motors. To prevent the oil from draining back out when unscrewing the pump, I temporarily blocked the vent cap on the external expansion tank to create a fluid lock. This let me put the drain plug back in without losing all the oil that I just pumped in.

Hope someone finds this useful!

 

[mrmikey]

Nice video's for sure. I wish I could find one similar for a Hydro Gear ZT-2200. My left side is starting to get weak and I really don't want to remove the transmission to change the oil and would like to drill a drain hole in the case.

 

[Kr4sh]

Nice video's for sure. I wish I could find one similar for a Hydro Gear ZT-2200. My left side is starting to get weak and I really don't want to remove the transmission to change the oil and would like to drill a drain hole in the case.

Thanks! I know people drill drain plug holes using grease to prevent the chips from getting inside, but that just seems so risky to me. Drilling and tapping is messy business. I’d be real worried about stuff getting inside and making things worse.

If your trans is noticeably weak you might want to open the case anyway because the issue could be that your pump parts are worn and the oil leaking past the pump surfaces is causing your loss of power. Do you know if people have been able to solve their power issues with JUST an oil change?

 

[mrmikey]

I know people drill drain plug holes using grease to prevent the chips from getting inside, but that just seems so risky to me. Drilling and tapping is messy business. I’d be real worried about stuff getting inside and making things worse.

I don't think I'd get anything inside the case as I'd be drilling it overhead so the oil would flush the bits out. Messy I know but....

Do you know if people have been able to solve their power issues with JUST an oil change?

Well of course, it's all over the net how much better it'll work with an oil change, the 'nets never wrong LOL.
Seriously tho, I can't imagine it doing any harm (changing the oil that is, not drill the case) and any mechanical piece of equipment generates bits and pieces due to normal wear so getting them out would be good. Oil does break down as well over time so new sure can't do any harm neither. I looked mine over Saturday when I brought it out and there's no sign of a possible drain plug never mind a boss where I could drill one and without knowing for sure I'm not going to chance it.

 

[stevem5215]

I was one of the original adopters of fluid change back when we first started debating these K46's. I still have the Black Craftsman tractor that I had done the fluid change on. I haven't taken that apart since and the Synthetic 5w-50 is still in there. That tractor is now going on 15 years old and works just as well as it did since the first change of oil.

I have since bought several other ZTR mowers and both have beefier transmissions with removeable filters. A ZT2800 on one and ZT3400 on the other. The ZT2800 while it's been ok has a weak side. It works fine and has not been a problem in use over the years I've had it (around 6 or so now) and I've changed the fluid and filters twice on it. The ZT3400 Simplicity Citation XT has been changed once (fairly new still). And I will say this, if you can buy a better transmission in a tractor it's the way to go for piece of mind for reliability cause with the K46 I worry it'll blow at any moment at a time when the grass is growing like mad.

 

[Kr4sh]

I don't think I'd get anything inside the case as I'd be drilling it overhead so the oil would flush the bits out. Messy I know but....


Well of course, it's all over the net how much better it'll work with an oil change, the 'nets never wrong LOL.
Seriously tho, I can't imagine it doing any harm (changing the oil that is, not drill the case) and any mechanical piece of equipment generates bits and pieces due to normal wear so getting them out would be good. Oil does break down as well over time so new sure can't do any harm neither. I looked mine over Saturday when I brought it out and there's no sign of a possible drain plug never mind a boss where I could drill one and without knowing for sure I'm not going to chance it.

Haha gotcha

 

[Kr4sh]

I was one of the original adopters of fluid change back when we first started debating these K46's. I still have the Black Craftsman tractor that I had done the fluid change on. I haven't taken that apart since and the Synthetic 5w-50 is still in there. That tractor is now going on 15 years old and works just as well as it did since the first change of oil.

I have since bought several other ZTR mowers and both have beefier transmissions with removeable filters. A ZT2800 on one and ZT3400 on the other. The ZT2800 while it's been ok has a weak side. It works fine and has not been a problem in use over the years I've had it (around 6 or so now) and I've changed the fluid and filters twice on it. The ZT3400 Simplicity Citation XT has been changed once (fairly new still). And I will say this, if you can buy a better transmission in a tractor it's the way to go for piece of mind for reliability cause with the K46 I worry it'll blow at any moment at a time when the grass is growing like mad.

I’ll get something beefier one day for sure. I’ve seen the website where you can get the parts to do a K66 upgrade but it costs more than I paid for my mower! I’ll probably go with a whole new machine with better specs. Anyway, we will see how long the modded K46 lasts. Maybe I’ll try working out an oil cooler next