JD LT180

This will get a bit long, always like a challenge.
Picked up a bargain at auction a few weeks ago, LT 180 to replace my 40+ yr old 112. I drove the old one more than 30 yrs, time for a treat. Drove it around the auction yard a bit, engine, steering, tires etc good,600 hours on the clock. Needs new blades, but that is small item.
Tried mowing when I got home. After 15-20 minutes it wouldn't climb a small slope, about 6 in rise in 15 feet. Hmmm, hydrostatic bad.
Big shop book says add or replace fluid, or see dealer, so started investigating. All the blades on fan broke off. Figured bad fan letting fluid overheat. New fan was 20 bucks, not too bad. Now could get 30 minutes before it wouldn't move.
Time for major surgery. Remove transaxle. Rubber plug glued to top of unit. Cut it out, saw lots of filings inside, so pump must be bad, added about 1/2 pint of fluid & put back together. Glued on a scrap of sheet gasket to keep fluid in & dirt out. Now good for about 45 minutes mowing.
Figured need to replace unit, can't hurt it any more, so took it out again, dumped the fluid & refilled with 85W-140 gear lube. Old fluid looked & smelled like solvent in bottom of parts washer.
Friday I mowed my yard, 2 neighbors' yards, & about 700 feet of road ditch, still going strong. Should last to end of season, can shop for replacement transaxle over winter. Even if I have to pay Mother Deere's price for new unit, still total price a bargain.
P.S., getting smarter in my old age. Park mower on trailer for service work. Lots easier to work sitting on a short stool than lying on creeper or sitting on floor.
Any body near central Mn have a good used transaxle for sale?
Willie

If you think it will make it through the season, why not open it up, see what's inside? Might get lucky and be repairable.

Something I found very useful for working under garden tractors... A harbor Freight $30 chain hoist hung from the ceiling joist. It will easily stand it on end, no jack or jack stands in the way!

Steve
Plan to open it up eventually, but with all the iron filings floating around, figured major pump damage. If I can find parts maybe just fix it up for a spare. Dealer says can only get external parts such as fan, pulley, control arms, nothing internal. Will have to check it out. If it last as long as the 112, I'll be too old to care.
Have an electric (110 volt) winch mounted to rafters. Price was free. Having tractor on the trailer has a couple advantages. If I have to let it sit, can move outside & put SWMBO's car back inside. Also small floor jack to lift & hold transaxle. Can stuff a scrap of 2x4 between lift arms & frame, roll it around on mower deck wheels.
Willie