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Service Transmission


Hydraulic Oil



Use the following oil viscosity based on the air temperature range. Operating outside of the recommended oil air temperature range may cause premature hydrostatic transmission failure.

IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Only use a quality oil in this transmission. Do not mix any other oils in this transmission. Do not use BIO-HY-GARDŽ in this transmission. Do not use "Type F" (Red) Automatic Transmission Fluid in this transmission.


The following oil is recommended:

ˇ JD Plus 50 15W-40 Synthetic Blend

Oil must meet the following:

ˇ API Service Classification SG or higher

Checking Hydraulic Oil Level

IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Check oil level in reservoir tank when oil is cold.

Do not overfill oil reservoir tank. Oil will expand during operation and could overflow.


1. Park machine safely on a level surface. (Refer to Parking Safely in SAFETY section.)


MX18693

2. Lift thigh pad and latch in raised position.

3. Hydraulic oil level should be at full mark (A).

ˇ If oil is low, add oil to bring oil level no higher than full mark.

ˇ If oil is above full mark, drain oil to proper level.

Changing Hydraulic Oil and Filter

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Escaping fluid under pressure can penetrate the skin causing serious injury. Avoid the hazard by relieving pressure before disconnecting hydraulic or other lines. Tighten all connections before applying pressure. Search for leaks with a piece of cardboard. Protect hands and body from high pressure fluids.

Use caution when filling and draining hydraulic oil. During periods of machine operation the hydraulic oil reservoir can get hot. Allow engine and oil reservoir to cool before servicing.

IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Contamination of hydraulic fluid could cause transmission damage or failure. Do not open oil reservoir cap unless absolutely necessary.

Severe or unusual conditions may require a more frequent service interval.


1. Park machine safely. (Refer to Parking Safely in the SAFETY section.)

2. Allow engine and hydraulic oil reservoir to cool.

3. Lift thigh pad and latch in raised position.


MX18694

4. Disconnect filter inlet line (A).

NOTE: Place drain pan directly under filter head.

5. Allow hydraulic oil to drain into a drain pan with a capacity of at least 9.5 L (2.5 gal).

6. Turn oil filter (B) counterclockwise to remove.

7. Apply a film of clean hydraulic oil to gasket of new filter.

8. Install new filter. Turn filter clockwise until gasket makes contact with mounting surface. Tighten 1/2 to 3/4 turn after gasket contact.

9. Connect filter inlet line (A).

IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Do not add oil beyond full mark. Oil capacity after draining may be less than dry fill capacity. Check oil level before filling completely.


NOTE: Dry fill capacity for hydraulic system is 8.7 L (9.3 qt).

10. Fill oil reservoir with approximately 7.5 L (8.0 qt) of oil and tighten filler cap.

11. Start engine.

12. Move throttle lever to the fast position.

13. Unlock park brake.

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Help prevent serious bodily injury. Remain alert to other people and the surroundings when operating the machine.

14. Cycle motion control levers forward and rearward several times. Check for leaks around filter.

15. Stop engine. Check oil level. Add oil as necessary to bring oil level to full mark on reservoir.

Cleaning Hydraulic Oil Pump Cooling Fins

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Help prevent injury from foreign particles when using compressed air for cleaning purposes, clear area of bystanders, and wear personal eye protection to guard against flying debris.

IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! To ensure proper cooling, keep the cooling fins clean at all times. Operating the machine with obstructed cooling fins could cause damage due to overheating.


1. Park machine safely. (See Parking Safely in the SAFETY section.)


MX18695

2. Clean hydraulic oil pump cooling fins (lower section of pump) (A) with a rag, brush or compressed air.

3. Clean area around hydraulic pump and frame.

Checking and Replacing Pump Traction Drive Belt

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Hands, fingers or clothing can become entangled in rotating parts. Stop engine and wait for all moving parts to stop before servicing machine.

NOTE: The traction drive belt will not require a tension adjustment. Belt is self-adjusted using a spring tensioner.

Checking Traction Drive Belt

1. Park machine safely. (See Parking Safely in the SAFETY section.)


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2. Remove three locknuts (A).

3. Remove belt shield (B) to access drive belts.


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4. Inspect belt (C) for excessive wear, damage or stretching.

Removing Traction Drive Belt

1. Park machine safely. (See Parking Safely in the SAFETY section.)

2. Remove mower deck drive belt. See Replacing Mower Deck Drive Belt in the SERVICE MOWER section.

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Tensioning spring is under high tension. Wear gloves and use a firm grip when stretching spring.


MX21509

3. Insert a 1/2-inch drive ratchet or breaker bar in square hole (A).

4. Rotate tension idler pulley arm to remove tension from drive belt (B).

5. While holding idler pulley arm, remove traction drive belt (B).

Installing Traction Drive Belt

1. Use a 1/2-inch drive ratchet or breaker bar to rotate idler pulley arm as shown above and hold in place.

2. Install traction drive belt on drive sheaves.

3. Slowly allow idler arm to rotate into belt

4. Install belt shield.

Checking and Adjusting for Transmission Neutral Creep

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Do not attempt this adjustment unless you are a qualified and properly trained technician.

NOTE: Check and adjust motion control linkages with the machine parked on a hard, level surface.

Checking Motion Control Linkages

1. Raise rear of machine with safe lifting device.

ˇ Support with wood blocks or jackstands.

ˇ Rear drive wheels must have the ability to rotate freely.

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Engine exhaust fumes can cause sickness or death:

ˇ If it is necessary to run an engine in an enclosed area, use an exhaust pipe extension to remove the fumes.

ˇ Always try to work in a well ventilated area.

2. Start engine.

3. Set throttle lever to the fast position.

4. Unlock park brake.

5. If the rear drive wheels begin to creep, an adjustment is required.

Adjusting Motion Control Linkages

1. Stop engine.


MX21505

2. Locate right (A) and left (B) motion control linkages.

NOTE: If wheel rotates rearward, shorten linkage. If wheel rotates forward, lengthen linkage.

3. Adjust the appropriate linkage as follows:

a. Loosen jam nuts (C) on both ends of linkage.

b. Rotate center link in appropriate direction.

c. Tighten jam nuts securely.

4. With the rear of machine supported on blocks, start engine and set throttle to fast position.

5. If wheels rotate, repeat adjustment.

6. Stand on operator's platform.

7. Move both motion control levers completely rearward and release. Move both motion control levers completely forward and release.

8. The levers should return back to the neutral position and the drive wheels must stop completely. If a drive wheel does not completely stop rotating, readjust as outlined above.

9. Stop engine.

10. Lower machine.

Checking and Adjusting Tracking

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Engine exhaust fumes can cause sickness or death:

ˇ If it is necessary to run an engine in an enclosed area, use an exhaust pipe extension to remove the fumes.

ˇ Always try to work in a well-ventilated area.

NOTE: Check and adjust tracking on a hard, level surface.

Checking Transmission Tracking

1. Inflate tires evenly to correct pressure.

2. Start engine and run until it reaches normal operating temperature.

3. Move machine to an open, level area for operation.


MX21504

4. Drive machine forward, pushing both control levers (A) all the way to speed control bar (B).

5. If machine does not drive in a straight line, an adjustment is required.

Adjusting Transmission Tracking

1. Park machine safely. (See Parking Safely in the SAFETY section.)


MX21505

2. Locate right (A) and left (B) motion control linkages.

NOTE: If wheel rotates rearward, shorten linkage. If wheel rotates forward, lengthen linkage.

3. Adjust the appropriate linkage as follows:

a. Loosen jam nuts (C) on both ends of linkage.

b. Rotate center link in appropriate direction.

c. Tighten jam nuts securely.

4. Repeat the previous step as necessary to adjust the tracking.

5. Check and adjust creep as necessary. (See Checking and Adjusting Creep in this section.)

Adjusting Forward and Reverse Speeds

Adjusting Forward Speed

1. Park machine safely. (See Parking Safely in the SAFETY section.)


MX21504

Picture Note: Arrow shows direction of speed control bar (A) movement to decrease forward speed.

2. Loosen lock lever (B) on speed control bar (A).

ˇ To decrease forward speed, pull speed control bar (A) back toward the operator's station.

ˇ To increase forward speed, push speed control bar (A) forward (away from operator's station).

3. Tighten lock lever (B).