How do you put transaxle fluid in?

I have a Craftsman hydrostatic drive lawn tractor, model # 917.252711. Bought a new lawn tractor 4 years ago and stored my Craftsman in the shed. I went to move it the other day and it will not move, I see a big oil stain on the floor under the rear wheels. Someone told me the transaxle fluid leaked out from sitting so long, how do I put new transaxle fluid in? Thanks.....

 

I believe the only way to put fluid in that model is to remove the vent from the top of the unit and put it in there.

 

Hello grantiman,


As Mr Cheese mentioned, Through the vent hose/cap.....

Use 20W40 or 20W50 engine oil.






Go with 1.25" from the top.


Good Luck

 

Thanks... now for the hard part, getting at the vent tube. I'll let you know how eveything turns out.....

 

Dude,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,I think Taylerax has the wrong site,,,,this is a lawn mower.

 

If this model has the battery under the seat, take the battery out and then lift the battery box out and you can access it from there. If this has the gas tank under the seat, then at the back of the mower between the rear wheels is a black metal cover that has the place to mount attachments to. This can be removed by taking out 4 9/16" head bolts and you can access the tranny from there.

 

No he's right, the battery is under the hood. Took the back cover off and found the vent tube. Going to get oil for it this weekend and I'll keep you posted... thanks

 

I put the oil in my transaxle, took about a half a quart, it still won't move forwards or backwards. It worked alright before I stored the lawn tractor, now after a few years of sitting it won't move, can't understand why. Any other idea's on what I should do next? Thanks......

 

grantiman,

Make sure the free wheel lever is fully re-engaged, Check the belt and make sure it didn't pop off a pulley.

If both the above are ok, Raise and block the rear wheels off the ground and run it again. 3/4 throttle moving the drive pedal slowly forward then reverse 8-10 times, It may have a air pocket that needs worked out.

Just for giggles;

With the rear wheels off the ground reach around the back and grab each tire/wheel and try rotating both the same direction at the same time, If they spin freely remove them and check the axle keys.


Good Luck

 

ok i'll try that, keep you posted, thanks......

 

Ok this is what I got. There is a lever on the back of the lawn tractor that you pull out so you can push it by hand, and push in to drive it when it's running. It doesn't matter if I have it in or out, I can still push the tractor by hand, before if I had it in the drive position I couldn't push it at all. I raised it up on blocks, put it in forward and reverse and the tires will move back and forth. The odd part is I can grab the tires while they're moving and stop them very easily. I tried your "just for giggles", while raised up both tire move freely in the same direction. I stored it for all those years with the transaxle in the neutral position, do you think some thing is stuck in the transaxle?

 

grantiman,



Did you do this ?

 

Is the bypass lever on the transmission actually moving when you move the pin? Did you check to be sure the axle keys are in? Especially if you had a rear wheel off recently.

 

I'll check the axle keys. I did remove one tire before I first started it, tire was flat. I didn't know there was an axle key in them, maybe it dropped out when I pulled the tire off. I'll check and keep you posted, thanks....