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how essential is cooling fan on hydrostatic tranny

M

Mr. T. Minnesota

Member
Forum,
A friend bought an older JD LA140 riding mower. After purchase the friend figured out after short use it would not climb a moderate slope. Researched it to find out it may be worn pistons or something else. Upon removal I noticed a lot of dirt and crude on the tranny housing. Question is could the dirt packed tranny caused the tranny to heat up prematurely and cause it to thin out the fluid and cause slope climbing capability. I plan to clean it up and see save $250 on new pistons. Any and all thoughts are welcome.
 
Yes the fan damage and dirt contributed to
the lack of power when warm but my past
experience says the damage has been done.
It may or may not run longer after
cleaning and a new fan but fixing will
require a rebuild kit from Torq Tuff.
 
That transmission failure indicator is common on that series of tractor. To be safe, just go ahead and buy the overhaul kit.
Also, it generally is better to put synthetic oil back in - not traditional multigrade engine oil.
 
Thanks for the replies.
What is in the rebuild kit for a K46 transmission? Also, where is the best source for a rebuild kit? As before, any and all info is appreciated.
 
Google is your friend, link is to kit on EBay, they are on Amazon and you can deal direct with tuff torque so I have been told.
eBay kit
 
Keep an eye open for facebook,craigslist, you will
find a mower that won't run, and then pull the hydro.
 
Few transmissions have more notoriety than Tuff Torque K46. A few Ebay rebuilders are getting good reviews on their inexpensive rebuilds. Obviously they figured out how to refurbish old parts to cut costs.
 
If I were working on it, the first order of business would be a good cleaning followed by an oil change. Lots of info on ways to do the oil service on utube. Sometimes a new batch of Mobil one 5w30 will bring it back to life. If that works, then buy a new fan.

Otherwise, as others mentioned, look for a good used one in a mower with a dead engine.

I just hate to spend the price of that kit (around 400 bucks) on a mower of that quality.
 
Yep you are exactly right. Actually few get rebuilt around here. People drop them off due to same problem as the OP of this thread and I give them the $$$ bad news. Then they try to get me to buy the junk, and then they haul it home, unless they give it to me. The few I have fixed I tell them to forget it has a hitch, pull nothing and now the hills first.
 
The first thing I check on the slipping transmissions I see: (Some Deere, but mostly Husqvarna) Is what condition is the belt in? And is the
transmission firmly mounted in the tractor? If the bolts are missing from the front transmission mounts, the transmission can twist and its
not going up much of a hill at all.
 
(reply to post at 12:21:18 12/11/23)
Click to expand...
y favorite thread title that applies here was "The DREADED Tuff-Torq K46 Tranny" That should work for a google search. It is on Jacks Small Engines

Weak when hot means worn out. There is oil leaking somewhere due to wear, possibly between the rotors and the thing they mount to. Sorry, bad description. I would recommend that you replace the block the pump and motor attach to, along with the pump and motor. Can't think of the name. #25 right in the center of this diagram:
https://c.searspartsdirect.com/lis_png/PLDM/1212294P-00013.png

There is a tiny pin that fits in a hole somewhere on that block. It slides in and can fall out. Looks like a needle bearing. I can't remember if it is under the pump or motor. Watch for it, it falls out. It is easy to miss and needs to be there. Sorry I can't describe it better.

Worth reading:
https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/threads/tufftorq-k46-repair-guide-with-pictures.164892/


Tractor hydro transmission rebuild part 1&2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=porN5teB4n4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pL0B_1pqADo[/url]
 
I messed up the tranny on my JD L110 years ago......got hung up on a stump that used to be a fence post. I tore it down and found the damaged parts. I also noticed the Tuff Torq tag on the side of it. I decided to contact them. Very satisfied customer and along with the parts came a gimmie cap.

That was probably 30 years ago and I am using the mower as my get-arround vehicle with a bicycle basket on the hood and the mower deck removed, ATV studded snow tires for soft ride and traction in the mud. Haven't had a problem since with the tranny. I did remove the 17.5 HP single and replaced it with a BS Vtwin some 15 years ago. I think I replaced the drive belt once. Starts right up and have no problem climbing the 30* banks on my farm pond.
 
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