Amyone know anything about hydrostatinc transmissions on lawn mowers? I had a "Powr Kraft" (which I foumd out is MTD) given to me a couple of years ago and the tranny keeps getting slower and slower and making a lot of whinning noise. I was told to put automatic tansmission fluid in the fill tube but that didn't help. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

i dont know a ton about them except that they are just a hydraulic pump and motor, maybe its just getting wore out. I guess you could try flushing it out. (just tossing out suggestions)

 

There should be a sight glass or dipstick somewhere to tell you when it's full. It sounds like it got low and now has air in the system. I'd see how close to full it really is, and then top it off or remove some. It may just be time for a filter change.

 

those units normally don't wear out they just need more fluid make sure to use hydostatic fluid not atf flush it then bleed it and make sure the engine is at full throttle when in use or else it will make a groaning noise

 

If none of the other suggestions work, I would suspect something in the valve body. Maybe your linkage isn't getting full travel to the valve anymore???

 

Hold on !!! look under the rear axle behind the mower see if it has a tag that say's Hydro gear ! I need the model # on that tag . not all unit's are the same. just becuse it is an hydrostatic trans. All unit's use diff. fluid's. per OEM spec's !!! WE all look a like Right !!! Wrong !!! If it don't have a tag give me the model # of the mower Most of the mower's sold were MTD's at ward's Don

 

it has a tag that says hydro gear model # 718-0255. I don't see a sight glass but there is a rubber tube to fill it. Don't see any way to tell how much fluid is in it other than just fill it up. How do I bleed it?

 

I don't have the model number of the mower. I was told that there is suppose to be a tag on the seat, but it's gone. I was also told that it is the same as MTD, but I dont know what model or anything.

 

I have a YardMan by MTD with hydostatic drive. It has a FORD spin on oil filter underneath and if yours does also, it may be clogged. Mine says to use 30 wt hydraulic oil and I have never found any. ATF is too thin for the seals. I have used 30 WT penziol for years and when it needs changing (or is cold outside), it starts to groan. I have also had to change out some of the hydraulic control valves and hoses over the years (25 years old) The unit has a Techumsi (sp) pump unit and 18 HP 2 cyl briggs engine. Best darn mower I ever had.
Dialtone

 

I took the rear end off and drained all of the fluid out. Anyone know what kind of fluid to put back in it?

 

YES , From a person that work's on em for a living !!!!!20w-50 motor oil . Clean the area around the fitting that the hose goes to remove the fitting fill it to 1" to 1 & a half " from the top of trans. Run it for a few mins. fwd. & rev. recheck it ! to the same level ! There is a filter inside the trans . but if it works leave it alone ! Ya have to know how to reseal trans. or it will leak !

Don

 

Duback and Yomow,

How do you drain the thing? I have the same problem with my MTD yard machine (I know, junk), and was hoping to drain and refill without removing the rear end.
I don't see any sort of drain plug on this thing! What kind of cruel joke is this?

Thanks in advance for any help!

James

 

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Yup, your pump is getting wore out. I used to mow a park nearby where I live with this old Bolens Husky garden tractor (I think it was made in the mid '60s). It has the pedal you had to push with your foot (I think it was called "auto-drive", it supposedly mimmicked driving a car).
Anyways, it got so bad that if there was even the SLIGHTEST uphill you would have to floor it and the trany would groan and moan and the mower would barely go up the hill. Then again, if I had to lug around a 62" Woods pull-behind mower for 50 years, Im sure Id moan and groan too! LOL
Octane

 

Check the linkage, it may be loose from years of use and need attention. The couplings and rods along with the cotter pins may need work.