John Deere is a renowned name among people who know of agriculture, fishery, construction, etc. manufacturers. You choose the John Deere hydrostatic transmission machinery for its high power-acceleration rate and dynamic abilities.
You pay a premium price for a premium product. Hence, you expect quality performance. And nothing is more disheartening than John Deere hydrostatic transmission problems.
In this article, you will find troubleshooting guidelines for the transmission problems for popular products. We have listed the solution to the common issues.
Fix Hydrostatic Transmission Problems of John Deere
Many factors may lead to this situation and the solution depends on the model we are talking about. You can read and follow along to fix it by yourself!
Read the John Deere Operator’s Manual
A mower hydrostatic transmission system is very critical. It operates very differently from the usual ones.
The system transfers power from the engine to the hydraulic pumps. These hydraulic pumps use liquid pressure to run the machine.
The parts of machines having this system are very distinct. Hence, it is very important for you to have a proper idea of the different parts.
You will find all the user’s instructions in the manual. The manual gives you the exact information regarding “What to Do and What Not to Do”.
Operator’s manuals are also very specific to the products and models. For example, an operator’s manual for a zero-turn mower is very different from a 100-series lawn tractor’s.
Almost all the problems can be avoided if you follow the guidelines in the manual.
The Zero-Turn Mower
The zero-turn mowers are some of the most popular products. But problems arise in this machine due to cavitation.
If you own one of these, you may notice operating problems in your mower after some time. This occurs when the pump gets filled with air instead of oil.
The pressure needed to produce power is not created.
What Can Be Done in Case of Cavitation?
You need to purge the transmission system in the following way.
- Park your mower on a level surface. Make sure to set the brake and put the rear on a jack stands.
- You need to fill the oil reservoir accordingly. For instance, a John Deere Z525E has a 64 oz. oil capacity.
- Disengage the transmission by pulling out the lever. The lever is situated on the back. For a collecting one, take the box off to find the lever.
- Sit on the seat and start the engine.
- Move the throttle control to a slow position. Disengage the clutch or brake pedal by keeping motion control levers in neutral.
- Push the motion control levers all the way forward and hold it there for some time.
- Pull the motion control levers again all the way to reverse and hold it for an equal amount of time.
- Repeat the last two steps thrice to purge excess air from the hydraulic transmission system.
- Position the motion control levers in Neutral. Turn off the engine and set the parking brake.
- Check the oil reservoir. Fill it up if necessary.
- Re-engage the transmission.
- Remove from jack stands.
- Re-start the engine and disengage the brake.
- Move the control levers forward and drive for about 6 feet. Repeat the process in reverse for about the same distance. Position the levers to neutral again. And drive the mower about 6 feet forward and backward about three times.
Purging is an important step to having an actively operating zero-turn mower. It is especially recommended after a long winter or after keeping it unused for a long time.
Purging may also help slow mowers regain their performance. You should always purge your lawnmower after replacing any faulty internal component.
Checking the System
If purging does not solve the problem, you need to look into the entire system. Here, your user’s manual guide will come in handy.
- Inspect all the internal parts for any damage. If you find any, replace that part.
- Check if all the settings are in the right place. If not, make adjustments.
- Check the engine oil viscosity. Make sure it’s proper for the temperature.
- Check oil reservoir. Fill it up or change the oil.
Changing Your Front Axle Fluids and Hydraulic Oil
In case none of the above solutions work. The issue could be the use of old or overused fluid. It could also be old hydraulic oil. You need to check the front axle fluid every 8 hours.
You should also change the hydraulic oil after the first 50 hours of use. After that, you can change it every 100 hours. It is very common for the mowers to turn sluggish due to irregular fluid change.
You need to be careful with slow mowers. Trying to operate them impatiently may cause accidents.
The 100-Series Lawn Tractor
If you own one of the 100 series mowers, then the common problem you might run into are:
- Engine problems
- Electrical problems
- Other problems
Engine Problems
If the engine does not work properly, you have to take care of the following things.
- Check the brake pedal
- Make sure you have disengaged the machine
- Check if the spark plug wire is properly connected. If not, connect it
- Check if the safety switch is working. If not, replace it
- Make sure engine oil viscosity is optimum
- If the engines consume excessive fuel, then check the choke. Make sure it is fully open
- If the engine overheats, unplug the cooling fins.
Electrical Problems
In case of electrical problems. You can follow these steps-
- Check the battery terminals. If corroded, take it to experts
- Make sure you always charge the batteries
- Check for fused circuits, if any, bring them to experts.
Other Problems
The problem may be faulty components. In that case, you need to thoroughly inspect the parts and replace them if necessary.
If you find too much vibration, debris may be stuck on the deck. Clean it and you should be good to go. For uneven cuts, you need to level your mower deck. Sharpen the blades if necessary.
You should regularly use your John Deere Hydrostatic Transmission system machinery. Machines perform their best when they are frequently used. If kept unused for long periods, the system starts to falter and your John Deere mower won’t start.
Some Recommendations for You
Here are some tips and instructions for you. These will help you achieve better results with the John Deere hydrostatic transmission systems.
- Always read the operator’s manual. Keep it in a safe place. If you lose it, you can find the instructions online
- If you search for an operator’s manual online. Make sure you put in the right specifications
- Remember every model of every product have very specific needs and system
- Do not mess things up instead of fixing them. If you do not feel confident, do not mess with the parts
- Always keep check of the engine oil
- Purge the system before using it after a long time.
You can save a hefty amount of money by troubleshooting. But every problem cannot be fixed at home. Some problems need special treatments from experts.
If you cannot troubleshoot, take your John Deere to the closest dealers.
Final Note
A lot of times, the John Deere hydrostatic transmission problems are mere user errors. If you understand machines, you will able to solve them.
If you do not, then this article will help you along the way. After some adjustments, your mowers should work fine.
If none of these suggestions work, then the issue could be more serious. It is advised to take the mowers to the repair shops.
About Author
Z255 Zero Turn hydro systems are said to be “maintenance free”, but I have known cars to have this same clause. This means for the lifetime of the transmission. There is a venturi port on top of each hydro with a small hose and I have questioned whether I can remove the old fluid and replace with new? The other choice would be to pay $650 +/-, or attempt to rebuild it. I truthfully prefer changing the fluid. I have checked linkage. I have changed the drive belt. I have checked tire pressure and tire tread (which really needs to be changed) but this is not the issue. Both tires have equal wear and yet the left side when turning to the right, requires a drastic amount of full force with the right side pulling back as hard as I can and it still struggles.
When turning left, well…night and day difference.
I have the LT150 and it says the transmission fluid is a sealed unit and doesn’t need changed ever. I just had a new belt put on due to mower whining and not wanting to move very fast or on hills. Can a person drill a hole in the transmission case easily and change the oil, then put a screw in plug back into the drilled case hole like on an automobile?
I have an lx280 Deere. I took the forward/reverse pedals and removed cowling to clean and replace transmission belt. When I put back together the reverse pedal has no function. What keeps the pedal up and have resistance. I see no springs/etc
I have a 100 series ride on J D lawn mower which will work perfectly for the first 20 minutes after that the transmission will not send any power to the wheels, after 2 hours when it cools down it will work for 20 minutes again. can new seals be fitted to the transmission. My nearest J D dealer does not want to get involved.
This could be due to several reasons, such as overheating, worn or damaged internal components, or low fluid levels. The following might help you address the issue.
Check the transmission fluid level: Low fluid levels can cause the transmission to overheat and lose power. Check your owner’s manual for the correct procedure to check and top up the transmission fluid.
Change the transmission fluid and filter: If the fluid is old, contaminated, or has never been changed, it could cause issues with power transmission. Changing the fluid and filter might help resolve the problem.
Inspect the transmission cooling system: Make sure the cooling system is functioning properly. This could include checking the cooling fan, belts, and any debris that might be restricting airflow around the transmission.
Seals replacement: If you suspect that the seals are worn or damaged, you can try to replace them yourself or find a local mechanic who is willing to work on your mower. You may need to consult the service manual for your specific model for instructions on replacing the seals.
Check for any transmission damage: If none of the above steps help, there might be internal damage to the transmission components. In this case, you may need to have the transmission rebuilt or replaced.
It’s unfortunate that your local John Deere dealer is unwilling to help. However, you may still be able to find another dealer or independent mechanic who can diagnose and repair the issue. Alternatively, you could consider contacting John Deere’s customer support to discuss your situation and see if they can provide any assistance or recommendations for finding a qualified repair technician.
I have JD120 and the the side of the transmission is leaking the machine only has 150 hours on it what can I do to repair this problem