Craftsman hydro gear transaxle problem

Most transaxles will have a disc brake on the side, if the brake is binding on the disc this will slow it down, on the side of the axle there will be a nyloc adjuster nut, by turning this anti clockwise you will free the brake.

I believe this unit has the Hydro Gear K46 transaxle (transmission). Be sure the belt as not slipped out of place from the transaxle (transmission) drive pulley,


If belt is OK, then, possibly the transaxle is low on fluid. Unfortunately the K46btransaxle is a sealed unit. Fluid can be added, but it involves lowering the transaxle. If it is low on fluid then it obviously has leaked out some where, likely a shaft seal. If fluid has leaked from a shaft seal, the seal will need replaced. Or it could just be transaxle is kaput.

See Hydro Gear link for more information. https://www.tufftorqservices.com/instance1EnvEEdefault/FlatHTML/TechInfo/docs/repair/K46_T40_TLT200Axle_Seal_REPLACEMENT.pdf

I assume you are referring the the transaxle? The replacement oil in the transaxle is as follows: This model ran either a Hydro-Gear or Tuff-Torque transaxle. If Hydro-Gear use: 20W50 synthetic. If Tuff-Torque use: 10W30 synthetic.

Hi,

Your Craftsman is equipped with a Agri-Fab transaxle, the predecessor to the Hydro-Gear brand. The recommended oil is 10w-30. Unfortunately, the transaxle on your craftsman tractor is not serviceable. It is sealed for life. The only way to change the oil is to remove the unit from the tractor, tip it upside down and drain the oil out the reservoir plug.

Sorry to hear about your problem...you aren't the only one having it. Sounds like a hydrostatic problem or a pulley freewheeling on a shaft somewhere. If you bought your tractor at Sears they might could help you---the husky and are the craftsman are the same. Husky uses a little better engine is all. Hope this helps.

Is it a hydro drive or gears? If hydro the trans-axle is bad & needs to be replaced. It is an easy but expensive job.

Check the adjustment from the lever to the transaxle, if the linkage is ok the transaxle may be suffering from age and has leaking internal seals.

It sounds like the oil in transaxle is degraded.The transaxle is supposed to be a sealed unit requiring no service but over time the oil will get dirty enough to cause problems like you are describing.Remove the back hitch plate and look at the transaxle it will have a rubber vent hose or a 1/4 alllen wrench fitting on top. You will need to purchase a battery suction bulb from sears automotive and use it to remove as much oil from transaxle as possible. Warm the transaxle up first by running it around,then suction the oil out.Refill with a good synthetic motor oil 15w-50 or 20w-50 like Amsoil or Mobil 1.Do not use transmission fluid or hydraulic fluid. When adding the new oil back fill it to within 1.5 in from the top,be sure to allow this amount of air space in top of transaxle for expansion.

Is the transaxle pulley turning? If so have you removed the rear wheel recently and possibly lost the square key that fits on the axle?check those two items first.If ok it probably has a broken gear or shift key in transaxle.

Some of these tractors have a friction wheel that is driven off of a flat wheel on the bottom of the engine drive shaft. The rubber ring on this friction wheel could be worn out, or it could be out of adjustment.