Yard King (Murray) Transmission

I have a Yard King (Murray) mower. The model number is 465615X99A. It has an automatic transmission, part no. TEC 755031. The transmission locked and the mower will not go forward or to the rear. All belts have been checked. When attempting to go forward or to the rear the pully on top of the transmission is spinning. I jacked the mower up and cannot turn the wheels in either direction. I am told by the nearest repair shop that this transmission is not repairable and he is unable to get one. Would appreciate any suggestions, recommendations, etc on whether the transmission can be repaired, should be replaced or where a replacement might be found. As previously stated all belts and pulleys are intact so the problem is definitely an interal transaxle problem. Thanks in advance for any assistance I might receive.

 

Hello rasal,

Your best bet is probably to find a good used one and install, or have it installed. If you're a bit mechanically inclined, you could open it up and have a look inside, but I doubt there's much to work with. If it's locked up like that, metal probably got into the system, and these trannies don't like contaminates.

 

Hey Rasal, The first ? I have, have you experienced a loss of power, or abnormal operation of this drive, prior to this ? Before I jump the gun, i would check out a few things.... How does the unit shift, with the machine off, if the unit shifts hard, or no shift, its internal, but if it shifts with ease, it has to be elsewhere, be sure the shifting belt linkage is working correctly, if its not engauging properly the drive will not work . If the problem is still looking to be internal, remove belt, from input shaft, place one hand on pulley, and turn, is the input shaft turning, or just the pulley, when your turning the input, is there anything going on with the output to the wheels, be sure to jack the mower up, and block front wheels. There could be a broke key, in the input shaft. If unit needs to be replaced, you can try E-Bay, or punch in Yard King Transmissions, to Yahoo search, to find repair parts, if avaliable......

 

The tranny can have internal problems even if it shifts with ease. The input pulley is turning, but if it had a sheared key or shaft, it still doesn't explain the wheels being locked up. I think it's internal. Doesn't hurt to double check these things though.

 

I had a old mtd that had the parking brake lock up on it.

 

I don't know much about auto trannies, but when my Craftsman manual locked up, the brake had gotten stuck. For some reason the brake just didn't release

 

This is a Peerless (a Tecumseh company) VST-series tranny and it is true that this is not a servicable transaxle and there are no internal parts available for them. Another perplexing issue with these is that there is no suggested replacement for these from Teucmseh. The part number you gave (755031) is merely an axle shaft, not a complete tranny. According to your chassis model number which you provided, the Murray part number for the tranny assembly is 94801 but this does not come up as a valid/available part when I checked our distrubutors stock via their website. So, with this in mind, be sure the two oil reservoirs are at the correct level and that the hydro disengage lever is not inadvertantly and or stuck in the freewheel postion.

 

Thanks for the responses. I have just returned from a trip and will check out the suggestions offered. Just off hand I do not think it is the brakes because the mower moves in the freewheel mode. Puey69, as regards to your statement:
"So, with this in mind, be sure the two oil reservoirs are at the correct level and that the hydro disengage lever is not inadvertantly and or stuck in the freewheel postion."

Could you explain a bit more? How do I check the two oil reservoirs? There is a plug on top of the transmission that I assume I could remove and drain the oil, but am unsure how to check the reservoirs.

The mower was shifting and working properly and gave no indications of trouble until the magic moment when it locked on me. I will do further testing on the items suggested and post results. I tend to believe some internal part may have broken and jammed something---but I know not what.

 

The VST 205 has two oil reservoirs. The first is the pump and motor expansion bellows, With a small diameter blunt or round nose probe, check the bellows depth through the center vent hole on the back of the transmission. Proper depth from the edge of that hole is 3-1/4 - 3-1/2 inches. If this measurement is larger then the unit is low. It uses synthetic hydrostatic oil. You would need service kit Tecumseh part # 799030 list price 28.00 to add oil and you must remove the transmission from the tractor so it can be set with the back side up. The service kit contains a new bellows, cover, quart of oil and new screws. It holds 56 oz of oil if you drain all of it you will need an additional quart of oil Tecumseh part # 730228 list price 7.40

The second chamber is for the output gears including the differential. FIRST make sure the tractor is level, then clean around the plug and remove the drain/fill plug. NOTE: Some units that do not have differential disconnect will have two plugs. You need to use the primary plug. Insert a small pocket rule until you touch the bottom of the case. Remove it and check for 1/4 - 3/8 inches of oil. It holds 8 oz of 80w90 oil


There is a replacement transmission for your machine Tecumseh part # 799031 list price 570.00. This is a kit that contains a new LTH transmission and the parts necessary to replace the VST transmission.

AJ

 

puey61, I apologize for calling you puey69. Guess my fingers were on the wrong side of the key board. AJ, I thank you for the info. I will check the items you suggested and let you know the results. There has never been an indication of any kind of leak in the area of the transmission, but this could very well be. I had a few moments today and did more testing. I placed the mower in the freewheel mode and applied the brake. The mower would not move. When the brake is not engaged the mower is easily shoved in the freewheel mode. Despite this finding I loosened the brake (did not remove) and applied the brake and tried moving the vehicle in the freewheel mode. It did move. It will not move when not in the free wheel mode. I removed the drive belt and the pully on top of the tranny turns easily. Of course the drive belt also turned the pully when the engine was running. I did some adjustments to the forward/reverse rod---trying to get movement at extreme ranges for forward and reverse. At the extreme range for forward motion I get a gosh awful noise when I press the pedal full forward. I did not allow this to happen but for a second, but I think the noise is comming from the tranny although it could be coming from a pulley under strain. AJ, you said the Tecumseh part # 799031 is a replacement for the present transmission. Will there be any modifications that I will need to do to make things work? I believe that all my tests will lead to having to replace this thing. And while I believe I have the mechanical talents to do this job, I don't want to get in over my head and screw up a $570 tranny.

Thanks to all for the suggestions and recommendations

rasal

 

I removed the transmission. I inserted a probe into the 1/4 inch hole at rear of bellows and the distance was 4 3/16 in. I then leveled the transmission and checked the oil for the output gears. The debth was 3/16 - 7/32 in. The oil had a foul odor. Appears that the hydrostatic oil is low, but would that cause the axle to lock up? And it is locked tightly. I can rotate the wheels only a couple of degrees at the most. Thanks for the help.

rasal

 

It is unlikely that a low oil situation, alone, will cause the tranny to lock up. If you are doubly sure that the brake is not the culprit then it appears you will need to get inside the tranny and have a look. Remember, though, Tecumseh has no service parts for these and you have to hope it can be repaired without any parts needed.

 

The brake is not the culprit. I have totally removed the brake and still have the problem. I have reached the decision to purchase another transmission. However, I do intend to tear into this one to see if I can determine the problem. Thanks for all of the help. Will post back here if I am ever able to determine the problem.

rasal

 

I disassembled the transmission. There were two circular rings, 1 1/2 - 2 in wide and 5 or so inches in diameter. Inside each ring was an inner part which had 5 piston like objects with thin flat portions on the end---connections between the two was a thin rod that recessed into the pistons. I assume that as hydraulic pressure built up the pressure was applied to the outer band which in turn caused the drive to work. The inner ring had 3 of the 5 connecting pins broken. The broken parts were preventing the transmission from allowing the wheels to turn. All gears in the transmission were OK. I could find nothing that would indicate why the parts were broken. I suppose one could have broken for some reason and the others in turn were broken by the broken parts. New transmission has been order. Again thanks for the suggestions and ideas.

rasal

 

I would be very grateful to be able to contact someone about this transaxle. The lawn tractor (Murray ULTRA 17.5 HP) was stored over the winter and when strarted up again I found a dried pool of transmission fluid under it and it wouldn't drive. (Motor etc fine). Having read the threads here with interest I see that it may be possible to re-fill it. There are no unpleasent noises from the transaxle, nothing is tight and the machine was working fine when put away.

I have removed the plate and taken out the rubber bellows, which seem in very good condition, and drained the remaining fluid which was clear. About 1 pint came out

I would be gratful if someone could tell me how to refill. I assume that I put back in the lost fluid, 56 oz. I believe, and re insert the bellows and screw down the plate. IS THAT IT ? Will the oil overflow as I push in the bellows or is there something else I should do ?

Any help gratefully received. Thanks in anticipation. paulbudge

 

The service kit Tecumseh part # 799030 contains a new bellows, cover, quart of oil, screws and instructions. You will also need an additional quart of oil Tecumseh part # 730228.

AJ

 

AJ-allen, Thanks for your reply. Unfortunately the part 799030 is unavailable here in UK so I am having to re-use the bellows which are in good condition , and purchase transmission fluid locally. I would just like to know the exact procedure for re filling. Thanks Paul Budge

 

Allen, I filled the transmission according to your instructions and it seems to be working fine now. I can't re fit it until I take it back to France in about 3 weeks but will let you know then. Thanks very much for your help. I think that you have saved me the cost of a new mower.

I filled it usung about 3 pints (1.5 litres) of 5-30 synthetic engine oil which seems to have a similar viscosity to the oil which I took out.

THanks again for your generosity and best wishes.Paul budge