Craftsman DYT 4000 Trans Problem

Hi all, I have a new treasure and need help. I acquired a mower
Craftsman DYT 4000
18.5 HP
Automatic Transmission
Model: 917.273649
The mower has 73 hrs on it and the transmission is supposed to be bad. In lowest forward(at fast idle) it moves ok, as I move the shifter to a higher position it starts to jerk and begins to sound as if gears have teeth missing or they are not meshing properly, like it is not all the way in gear. Reverse does the same thing but is not as noticeable. Is this thing junk already. Thanks in advance. Have a good one. Geo

 

Kinda sounds like it, but check the input pulley...see if maybe it's slipping on the input shaft. I've found that the spicer trannys in these mowers don't last long...the hydro-gear brand trannys last a long time. They are interchangeable if you can find a donor mower to get the related hardware from.

 

Thanks Cheese;
I guess I will remove it and take it apart to see what I find, it is of no use as it sets. Have a good one. Geo

 

Cheese
Would you or anyone have the Brand Name, Model number or part number for a replacement transmission that will interchange, so I will know what I should be looking for on a donor mower, I have a local dealer that dumps his disguards in a huge scrap dumpster, the last time I looked there were 2 Craftsman riders in there, they were pretty old. Any help is appreciated. Have a good one. Geo

 

I know they came in the green craftsmans around 42" cut from the mid '90s. I think I have one or two that I can get a model # from tomorrow.

 

This mower is Red with Blue stripe on the hood.
I checked under the seat and found the following info,
Peerless H2000-006A Silent Trac
H2000-006A41240053

Tractor Model
917.273649
SN. 052104C002786
I think it is a 2005 model.
Have a good one. Geo

 

I checked some other craftsmans at the shop. One was a 98 I think...it had a hydro-gear 314-0510 in it. The other was a 2003 model with the same tranny. I mistakenly called these spicers in a previous post...they are hydro gears. The better style is also a hydro gear, 150071 (had one on the shelf to get a number from). I don't know if it will fit the 4000 craftsman though...don't they have the larger frame and larger axle diameters?

On your tranny, the pump is seperate from the rest of the gearbox. Take the gearbox apart and see what happened...could be something as simple as a snap ring that popped off. Here is a diagram of your tranny:
http://c.searspartsdirect.com/lis_pn...7012-00001.png

 

Thanks a bunch Cheese,
It seems there is a repair kit for the transaxle pt# 799032 it doesn't mean its for this problem but does indicate people are fixing them when they fail.
The other message I found stated;

"fix the problem by installing a neutral lock out repair
kit, part# 799032. This is a commonly found problem on the
2000-006A hydro. This part is inside the differential side
of the unit."

Have a good one. Geo

 

Does anyone know what is in Tecumseh Repair Kit 799032, it is the kit for the H2000-006A transaxle and is backordered until sometime in Dec. I have opened the unit and found the Neutral Sleve#786197 to be stripped on one side, which I can get now rather than wait until Dec. What else could be in the kit???? Any comments appreciated, negative or positive. Have a good one. Geo

 

I believe that kit includes new oil and bellows. I don't think you'll find anything that fixes your problem in that kit.

 

Cheese;
Pardon my ignorance but what is the bellows, I see no such item listed on the IPL. Have a good one. Geo

 

I've been wondering the same thing. That is the description I got for the kit you listed. That's all the info I've got.....

I have one of these trannys on the bench right now, and I don't see anything I could describe as "bellows". Maybe it's the term for the rubber fill plugs?

 

Not sure if anyone is looking at the post anymore but I was hoping someone could tell me what the easiest way is to remove the tranny. Do I need to remove the deck and jack the tractor up to get in there. I'm hoping there is an easier way...Probably not though

 

Yes you must remove the deck which isn't a big deal and jack the rear wheel off the ground. If your problem is the same as mine was the fix is pretty simple if you can get the parts.. Have a good one. Geo

 

Did you fix yours Geo? Was the part in that "bellows" kit? Was it even described as a bellows kit?

 

Cheese;
Yes I fixed it, I replaced the sleeve #786197 because the kit was on backorder. Have a good one. Geo

 

Below is a picture of the sleeve, you can see it is chewed out on the one side, this sleeve connects the punp to the transaxle and is moved by the lever you pull so you can roll the mower. Have a good one. Geo
http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z...Picture003.jpg

 

...I saved myself $694.00

I had initially checked the sleeve but only by fit (fully seated, it didn't seem to be the problem). I took the transaxle apart again and visually inspected the sleeve and the brake shaft. Both were worn (my sleeve looks like the one in your picture). I ordered replacements from Sears and they should be here tomorrow.

Thanks, Geo! Beer 4U2

 

Darn Sillius,
It makes a person feel pretty good to save $700 doesn't it. Success is a wonderful sound.
For future reference whenever you have used the neutral lockout lever rock the mower to see that it has reingaged before you start the mower, if not it will destroy the new sleeve over time. Have a good one. Geo

 

It does. I have used the neutral lock-out often when I just want to move the mower a few feet to wok around the garage. I'll be sure to check that from now on.

The brake shaft is on backorder, but I received the sleeve this week. Luckily, I have great neighbors; one of them cut my grass for me while I was at work. :-)

 

Thanks for the photo post. I was looking for something major like a cracked gear or broken tooth. I didn't see that wear until I saw your photo.

Anyone think it would work if I flipped the sleeve so the shaft didn't engage at the worn area. My grass is really tall. I gotta get this thing working.

Going to see how long to get a new sleeve now...

 

I fixed the problem by rotating the sleeve 180 degrees and putting it back on. I increased the strength of the spring holding the "neutral" arm in the "on" position by putting it into a hole further toward the front of the tractor. It made is hard to put it in neutral, but now that I know what is going on I can be careful. I will probably avoid using neutral altogether.

Thanks to all for the help.

I ordered an extra ring, for the future.

BTW, did you guys re-seal your transmission with liquid gasket? I skipped that step so I will probably be losing oil.

 

Isn't it fun trying to use all the numbers stamped on these and then try to locate your exact one/
Mine is
Peerless Transaxle H2000-0061; Silent Trac; 41840517.
I can find the series, but not real sure if it's mine.
I went here:
Directory Listing
but still not sure. I emailed them with my exact info and hope to hear back.
Also one gentlman submited a diagram of a Sears transaxle, but it did not have the part numbers, just the diagram.
My first time on this site as a member, looks like an awful lot of knowledge floating around out there. One thing Iv'e found out in my 70 years, if I see a diagram, for instance, carburator diagram typical, I've never owned anything typical in my whole life.Beer 4U2:

 

First welcome to the forum;
You can go to http://www.partsdirect.com/ and enter the mower model number and chase down the diagram for the transaxle there. If it is the same as mine the sleeve part number is 786197 or the repair kit is 799032. If for some reason you can't find the sleeve or the kit I have the kit. I will sell you for $20. I ordered the kit and sold the mower before the kit came in. If interested send me a personal message. Have a good one. Geo

 

I think I've solved the grinding sound, appears to have been the brake.
Trans still won't shift in to neutral so I can free wheel to push?
When I pull the lever all the way out, back of trans, it does not free up to push?
Any adjustments?
I've looked around under there but can't find anything that appears to need adjusting.
Thanks

 

I have a Craftsman DYT400 with a Peerless H2000-006a 41600 389 Transaxle. The problem I have is when I ws cutting grass the other day the machine just came to a stop and won't move. If I lock it in neutral I can push it, but take it out of neutral and it doesn't move. I removed the gas tank to get to the transaxle and found the pump was full but I'm not sure how much oil should be in the axle and what weight. I found a rubber fill plug in the top of the case which is guess is to fill it from. Any ideas what the problem might be?
Anything would be helpful. This machine belongs to my father inlaw and I need to fix so we can keep his grass cut.Beer 4U2

 

geogrubb,

Just another post (3.5 years later) from another person greatly appreciative of your post with your picture of the neutral sleeve. After determining I had to open up the transaxle, I came across your picture and it's the EXACT problem I had! Thanks for finding, and posting, this detail that is easily overlooked. You saved me at least $700 as well!

Thanks! I toasted a beer to you after successfully mowing with my restored lawn tractor again yesterday!