[Topher]

I have searched all week for a place to get some help and good advice. Just bought a 99 Murray 17.5twinII 46" hydrostatic. Went to look at it and started fine, idled smooth and throttled up perfect. Tried it out and ran great, so I took it home. Mowed my yard with it a few days later and about 20 minutes into the mow it started decreasing in power and would not hardly back-up and was slow in pulling a small incline, problem started getting worse by the minute. So i put it up. Tried it out a few days later, same out come ran fine at first and then started acting up. Noticed a few drops of fluid under the rearend when I put it up. Does anyone have any experience with these things?

 

[Brad]

I personally do not, but I wonder if you have a belt slippage issue? If not, maybe the hydraulic system could use a fluid change. I am not well versed on they hydro trannys, but some folks around here are and will be glad to offer some assistance.

 

[TC]

Topher and Brad,
I have seen this before on hydrostatic transaxles. On older units like yours, the fluid just seems to get burnt,dirty, or for whatever reason just doesn't drive the mower like it should. This usually shows after a short period of operation. New fluid (20w50 I think) will most likely fix your problem. Now here is the bad news, most of these transaxles do not have a drain plug. They have only a fill plug at the top.The only way to drain is to pull the transaxle and turn it upside down. My suggestion is to crawl under the mower and locate the transaxle model number. Then do some research with the manufacture (most likely Peerless). Give them a call and see what they say. Taking our the rear axle and putting it back isn't for everyone. My first call would be to the seller. He most likely knew this mower had this problem! Good luck.

 

[Topher]

Thanks

Really appreciate the input guys. I had done some reading about this and it all pointed to a bad belt or the fluid was old and cavitating, makes sense. Got a outdoor shop 2 blocks from the house, but the guy acts like you're wasting his time unless he writes a ticket on it. Seems like this is the place to be.

 

[privatepilot172h]

These late 90's hydros are all over the place as being a problem. I also has the same kind of deal with a 99 Scotts 18hp 46"(Murray), worked great, bought it for a decent price, then at home it went a couple of hundred yards and then nothing. I figured that if it was working, it should work fine. Changed the oil and gear oil and noticed all kinds of aluminum in the old oil, looked like glitter. Crossed my fingers and put it all back together. (Peerless VST 205-024) Buying a new rear end is out of the question as the unit itseld is over $500. SO, I'm in the process of dismantling again andcracking it open to clean out the guts and see if I can find the wear. I'll take pictures too.
Hopefully some little oil port is clogged and I can get it working again. If not, I'll try to modify this mower with a standard transmission.