Replacement Hydro Advice Needed

[McGrew]

Hi Guys, new member here. I need some advice! My wife and I bought our first new Cub about 30 years ago. It is a 1320, and served us well until 2 years ago. It is in great shape, considering it gets used 12 months a year to cut grass, pull a cart and an aerator. Two years ago, the hydro tranny started having problems when the splined couplers between the hydraulic unit and gearbox let go. I replaced the couplers, and we continued using it until the main input bevel gears lost all their teeth. Note to self: Just because a gearbox has no filler, and is called “maintenance free”, it really isn’t! The gearbox was dry, explaining why the input gears now have no teeth! I searched for new gears,but they are obsolete, and I would like to upgrade to a newer hydro unit anyway.

What I want to do is replace the hydrostatic transaxle with something a bit more modern. I plan to use this tractor as a backup yard machine, but will also pull an aerator or a small drag harrow. I looked at many hydro transaxles, and had decided the ones used in the Cub LT 1042-1050 would be an easy retrofit, but later read these are not the most robust units.

Please give me suggestions for good, dependable robust hydrostatic trans. I believe I can make just about any unit work, but would like to do it with the least amount of cutting, welding and machining. I am not against using units from other brands... I have seen a couple of JD units that would work, but know nothing about their reliability.

This tractor has sentimental value, so parting it out isn’t really an option. My wife does 90% of all the yard work, and loved this 1320... Thanks for any suggestions! I really don’t want to spend a ton of time making something fit to only find out the new trans isn’t very dependable! Thank you, and sorry for the long post!

Danny

[IHCubCadet147]

A lot of the John Deere hydros are much worst than what you have. Tuff torq t40 and K46 hydros are junk. They are not good for anything other than mowing a small, flat yard. Towing or steep hills wear them out quickly. Tuff torq K51, K57, and K66's are stronger and may fit. I think some Hydro-Gears like are in the LT series CC's are better than T40 and K46's, but probably not better than what you have.

I think you might be better off to find a correct one used, because they are probably better than most of what's made now.

[McGrew]

IHCubCadet, Thanks for the response. I tried to find an original trans (Sundstrand BOU 105-215 or 717 3048 0347), but struck out. The few I found were worse than the one I have, or the owner was really proud of them...
I appreciate the info on the Tuff Torq transaxles, and now know what to avoid, and what to search for. I will be buying a used transaxle, as I have a fairly large salvage yard for lawn tractors nearby. Now I just have to learn how to identify the good ones by sight, or what tractors they were uses in.

[DeltaCub]

I would consider jacking up that little tractor and putting a used "Cyclops" 1864 underneath it!

[IHCubCadet147]

Originally Posted by McGrew

IHCubCadet, Thanks for the response. I tried to find an original trans (Sundstrand BOU 105-215 or 717 3048 0347), but struck out. The few I found were worse than the one I have, or the owner was really proud of them...
I appreciate the info on the Tuff Torq transaxles, and now know what to avoid, and what to search for. I will be buying a used transaxle, as I have a fairly large salvage yard for lawn tractors nearby. Now I just have to learn how to identify the good ones by sight, or what tractors they were uses in.

I would stay away from the John Deere L, LA, and D series. The LT, GT, GX, and X series would probably be best.

If you google " John Deere transmission problems" you will find a lot of information about what models are good and which ones aren't.

[McGrew]

IHCubCadet, Thanks again! Your inf helps me narrow my search through the salvage yard! You mentioned which JD models to look for and what to avoid. What about the LX series? I was looking online, and it appears they are a good source for the Tuff Torq 61, but that was not a model you mentioned in your earlier post. Is it a model to avoid? Thanks!

[IHCubCadet147]

Originally Posted by McGrew

IHCubCadet, Thanks again! Your inf helps me narrow my search through the salvage yard! You mentioned which JD models to look for and what to avoid. What about the LX series? I was looking online, and it appears they are a good source for the Tuff Torq 61, but that was not a model you mentioned in your earlier post. Is it a model to avoid? Thanks!

They are probably good too.

[DeltaCub]

Originally Posted by IHCubCadet147

I would stay away from the John Deere L, LA, and D series. The LT, GT, GX, and X series would probably be best.

If you google " John Deere transmission problems" you will find a lot of information about what models are good and which ones aren't.

How long have you worked on John Deere lawn tractors? Are you a service tech at a dealer? You can google all you want regarding problems with the John Deere lawn tractors sold primarily but not exclusively through Home Depot and Lowes. These little tractors are usually good machines when used as they were designed...to mow little yards. As a former John Deere service tech, I did see transmission failures on these machines due mostly to ill informed store staff telling customers that these tractors can do so much more than they were designed to perform. Give you an example...a Home Depot customer brought in a JD G100 with a worn out transmission. He had been towing a small manure spreader! the Home Depot sales person told him it had a big powerful engine and would tow it no problem. The salesman was wrong and the customer was understandably upset. In many cases, tractor/transmission failures could have been avoided if 1) the customer was properly informed and 2) the customer understood what he/she needed. Failures do occur but many of the that you read about online are not endemic of a Tuff Torq/John Deere issue. Deere is extremely about component quality! They do not tolerate inferior components.
So keep in mind if you are sharing info about equipment 1) Be accurate with the facts, 2)Don't make broad sweeping, unfounded statements.

[McGrew]

DeltaCub, I have to admit, I had to do a search for the Cyclops and 1864... That comment went WAY over my head! After googling those terms, I get it! FWIW, I would like to put a heavy duty rear under my little 1320, but that would be overkill for my use. The original Sundstrand rear lasted 28+ years with no maintenance. My yard is hilly, and this thing was used yearround cutting grass and pulling small implements. If I can find a transaxle that has slightly more capacity than the original, I will be happy. Any suggestions for what to look for will be greatly appreciated. I am not too worried about figment, I have a welder, a plasma cutter and a machine shop!

[john hall]

Wow, a running 1320. I remember when those and the 1315 were new, good sellers. 12.5hpKohler I think, hydro lever in the fender? Anyway always liked those as they were better built than any comparable thing at the time other than Deere. Can't you just find a used rear end? You see this series pop up every so often. As long as the guy wasn't towing heavy stuff or aerating (that's rough on ANY lawnmower), the transmission is probably in decent shape. Try IHCCW, Patton, Weaver--maybe even some of OCC's sponsors are parting one out.