Hydrostatic transmission problem in craftsman DLT 2000

lofsfire

lofsfire

Active member
So 2 weeks ago I was aerating my yard, with most likely to much weight for how wet the ground was, on my pull behind aerator and then as I was going up a slight hill in my yard I started to slow down then come to a stop. At that point I could only go down hill. (I have pulled the same weight around my yard every year.)

My Tractor is about 8-9years old. It is a Craftsman DLT 2000, 20 hp Kolher, 48" deck, with a hydrostatic transmission.

I did change out the main drive belt b/c it was worn and cracked. However, when I went to mow the grass tonight and had problems again. The grass is wet and long from missing a cut last weekend. But I had no problem cutting the front yard(which is flat), but after moving to the sides and the backyard where the hills are I noticed the tractor slowing down and eventually coming to a stop. Making me think there is a problem with the hydrostatic transmission.

So who know what about hydrostatic transmission?

Anyone have similar problems?

I did find some stuff on linebut as of now I have pages to read, to see if it even applies to my problem.


Thanks
LOFSFIRE
 
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eao

Active member
How is the fluid level? Notice any oil spots on the ground or garage floor you cannot account for? Fluid ever been changed? Might be time?
 
lofsfire

lofsfire

Active member
eao said:
How is the fluid level? Notice any oil spots on the ground or garage floor you cannot account for? Fluid ever been changed? Might be time?
Click to expand...


No spots anywhere, but the fluid has never been changed, or checked No dipstick or easy access to the tranny, I believe it is sealed, I was also told when we bought it, it never need servicing, and that is matching what I have found online. But some people have done some mods to make it serviceable. If I can get away from the kids for a little while I might get out there in a few hours to look for myself. I'll let everyone know what I find when I get out there, but if anyone has any other ideas lets hear them.

The other thing I found is everyone complaining on line about the Craftsman hydrostatic transmission are saying their units are between 8-10 yrs old. So that might be why sears is saying it never needs servicing, they just want you to come back a get another one. Makes me want to go JD Green.
 
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anonomoose

New member
What you say sounds like running low on hydraulic fluid...as this is exactly what happens.

I cannot imagine no way to add fluid...what happens if a seal breaks? No way to replace the fluid? Not a big fan of craftsman anymore, but even that sounds a bid over the top from craftsman.

If there really is no filler hole...I would find the reservoir and make a filler hole...at this point what do you have to loose?

Also what about a filter? Plugged filter might do that too!
 
lofsfire

lofsfire

Active member
I just got done looking at it, yes there is a fill hole in the top and an over flow reservoir. I was finding it hard to belive there was no spot to fill as well I mean how did they do it at the factory if that was the case.

Anyways back to what I found, the case is seal except for the two holes I mentioned above. And all the sealant looks good, no leaks anywhere. When I pop open the filler cap the oil was right to the top. Maybe it just broke down over the years..... It does look clean, but I guess it should if it is truly sealed.
Still looking it to everything, I will keep you updated....
 
scottiking

scottiking

Well-known member
got the same prob with our 6 year old tractor- it seems ok till its been running acouple hours and then it slows down a bit at first and then it really seems to struggle going up small grades until it wont go!
if I cut the yard and take breaks after 2 hours it seems ok-but once its longer it goes downhill from there,till it wont pull itself! had it in and got the "no problem found" line! of coarse they prob used it for 15 min and told me 2 hours! belts new-hydralics full! keep me posted if you figure it out!
our tractor is a cub cadet btw!

Scottiking OUT
 
lofsfire

lofsfire

Active member
scottiking said:
got the same prob with our 6 year old tractor- it seems ok till its been running acouple hours and then it slows down a bit at first and then it really seems to struggle going up small grades until it wont go!
if I cut the yard and take breaks after 2 hours it seems ok-but once its longer it goes downhill from there,till it wont pull itself! had it in and got the "no problem found" line! of coarse they prob used it for 15 min and told me 2 hours! belts new-hydralics full! keep me posted if you figure it out!
our tractor is a cub cadet btw!

Scottiking OUT
Click to expand...

That sounds exactly like what is happening. With the exception of it being a Cub and your getting 2hr. I get about a 20 min and most of that was on flat ground. I let you know if I find anything. I did find another discussion board last night, it had some info. I might have to join and see I can find out if there is an answer.

http://www.mytractorforum.com/showthread.php?t=4738&page=2
Read post #26 The whole thread is interesting to read and for the cost I think I will give it a try.

One other thing, post #26 mentioned, checking the brake return spring. I'm going to check all that down there, and really clean the grass out. Take the blow gun and get it right down there and make sure everything is moving freely. I was having problems with the cruise control working properly. It keep pop out of place, I figure grass was jammed in there maybe it in the brakes and other place too...
 
V

vx700xtc

Member
check to see if there is a plastic fan that cools the trans., If so ,be sure it is not covered up with grass, oil etc. Sounds like the oil is overheating.
 
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bart

New member
Had the same prob, These are maintance free units and there is NO fix. The problem is the grass build up on the unit and it over heats. The seals go bad. beleive me I research the heck out of it. I bought a new tractor as the hydro is 700 bucks. my new tractor says to keep the unit clean of dust and grass but DO NOT HOSE IT DOWN. I use a blower to clean it. the new ones also have a filter on them for longer life, this was a huge prob for lots of tractors. sorry for the bad news.....
 
G

G

Guest
Years ago I owned a smaller mower with one of these garbage hydros on it. They are undersized for the application. They heat up and die. I ruined two the first year. I have lots of hills in my yard. The dealer himself said they do not hold up. As soon as the warranty was over I traded up to a bigger unit with a real hydro with a better track record.
 
L

lvr1000

New member
HD garden tractor Kohler Craftsman

Wow, I was thinking of buying new, but maybe I'll hang on to mine. 15 years old and used year round, still runs like a champ. Everything from snow plowing, dethatching, 690lb roller, fertilizing, seeding, pulling downed trees, boats, sweeper, mowing 1 acre, etc. Mine has an Eaton maintenace/service free with a filter, what do they put in the new ones? I have had to replace the fan (ran over tree branches, took out the belt too, oops) and weld/re-enforce the brackets on the tranny, hit a buried railroad tie plowing snow, also broke the plow(several times). Nothing I couldn't fix with the welder. Original plugs, 2nd battery (first one lasted 12 years) and 3rd set of belts, replaced bearing in one idler pulley, and fiberglassed the mower deck last year.
 
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dmsrx

Member
I have a ten year old zero turn Toro that had a cap come off the filter (epoxyed on). It has two Hydro units, one for each side. It got so it wouldn't drive one side so you can imagine how hard it was getting to mow the yard in circles! It was obvious though when I pulled the fill plug. The oil was all milky like it had water mixed in the oil. It really was air bubbles from the oil not going through the filter. I found a repair manual online and got the parts and fixed it myself. Did both sides at the same time. Wasn't hard and has been 6 yrs.
 
lofsfire

lofsfire

Active member
Thanks for the reply's, I not sure if its fixed but it work as of now, for the most part. Still looking into what was wrong with it, but I changed the oil out. I did not do the purging after putting the new oil in because it ran fine. I plan on checking the level tonight night and seeing if it needs any more oil. I put about 1.75 qts of new oil in it holds about 2.5qts. I was told I would not get it all out.

So here is what I did I bought a oil suction pump from NAPA and some tubing to reduce the size of the suction hose down to a 5/16 O.D. tubing. Then got the oil flowing and let it sit over night and siphon it self out. It took from 7pm Monday till some time during the day Tuesday to drain 1.75 qts. After thinking about it, I think if I would have tipped the tractor front end up I could have gotten more out.
Then I filled it back up.
Ran it around the house for a little while even let my 6 yr old drive. Kinda, I had to walk behind him to hold pressure on the seat so it would not shut off.
It did slow down some when I was going up the hill in the backyard, but not like it was doing. I will find out next week when I cut the grass because as I was pulling in the driveway last night my father-in-law came over with his tractor (a Deere from a tractor store not a big box) and cut the grass for me. Other than wanting to know if my tractor was working correctly, it was a great surprise! (By the way he's only 5 house down the street.)

Also I guess over the years it has been used quite a bit, to cut the grass and plow the drive. I also have the pull behind aerator, de-thatcher and seed spreader. And have used my neighbors roller and 10cy trailer for moving rocks.

Again thanks for everyone help! I have read through each of the post and all have offered me a little more insight to it what might be doing. Hopefully I do not need the links for parts but I will keep them handy. I'll keep you posted whether it continues to work or not.
 
A

arctiva

Member
Had a simular problem with my J.D from pullin the thatcher around.
Mines gettin fixed now needs new pully and bearing on top the tranmission. Not sure if mine
hydro static or not but mine came to a dead stop pulling up a hill too.
 
W

wishbone

New member
Me too

Hills and thatcher burned up my Simplicity hydro in 2 years. My dealer and simplicity took care of me. They gave me a improved hydro I just had to install it. I wish you luck but just like car transmissions new oil and filter may give ya a spurt of life, but my money is on the fact she is toast.
 
lofsfire

lofsfire

Active member
Thanks for the info, I will keep that in mind.

As far as the tractor being fixed that is a BIG NO! Tried cutting the grass on Saturday and it was better but still a problem. Still trying to figure out what to do. Looking in the cost of parts or maybe just new????
 
lofsfire

lofsfire

Active member
So I screwed up
banghead3.gif
when I bought a new Hydrostatic transmission. I bought it from a guy on another forum and I did receive it in the new condition as he described but, I forgot to ask one important question on the exact model number. (I did not know there were sub models)
fing20.gif


The one I bought is for a Cub or MTD and the Axles have the 2 flat sides on them. I need the tranny to have a Key way for a Craftsman Tractor.

So does anyone need Hydro-Gear 510 (618-0319)

Or have a Hydro-Gear 510 (184070 or 173839) that they want to trade. I would be willing to sell for a little bit of a loss.
thanku.gif


Also here are some pictures of the new tranny:
Hydro-Gear 510 (618-0319)

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P5130005.JPG




All of the controls are interchangeable. So the axles are the only problem.

This is my old one and what I need:
Hydro-Gear 510 (184070 or 173839)

P5130002.JPG


P5130003.JPG


P5130006.JPG
 
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