Drive question on XT1

[Paullashley]

Hi All,

I have a question concerning the drive belt on my 2015 XT1 46in. I have the mower deck off, been using the tractor to pull a small yard cart. My question is this, if I'm running at half rpm, is the belt spinning the trans at half rpm. When I put the brake on and get off, I can see the belt is not moving. So I'm assuming that when brake is applied it takes the tension off. I don't think I need to run wot to pull a yard cart around. When I slow to a stop is the belt still running the trans but since I'm not pressing the foot pedal it's just doing no "work"?

Thanks

[B440?]

My question is this, if I'm running at half rpm, is the belt spinning the trans at half rpm

.
Yes, the pulleys are usually 1:1 ratio for modern small hydros, and occasionally the trans runs slower than the engine in some models.

When I put the brake on and get off, I can see the belt is not moving. So I'm assuming that when brake is applied it takes the tension off

.
Yes the brake releases tension from the belt. It's a safety item because the hydro can overpower the brake if something were to go wrong. But the big issue with that is when the hydro pulley is not spinning, neither is the fan to cool it, which isn't an ideal situation.

I don't think I need to run wot to pull a yard cart around. When I slow to a stop is the belt still running the trans but since I'm not pressing the foot pedal it's just doing no "work"?

Yes the belt is still running the trans. If you have a heavy load, it is more efficient and better for the trans to run it at full throttle. An empty cart can be towed at less than full throttle.

You most likely have a Tuff Torq K46 transaxle and it will last beyond 250 hours if you change the oil at least once with 5W-50 synthetic oil between 50-100 hours.

[West Valley G]

Don't know the particulars of the machine you have but am wondering.
How the belt can be turning the Transmission? You could run it without belt
and the tranny would still work. If the belt is not hooked up to
anything to do work, like your mower why would it turn at all.
Like I said I don't know the machine so if I need educated on it thats
fine feel free to do so.

Ken

[West Valley G]

Just dawned on me that people own stuff that the hydros are belt driven.
Everything I own is drive shaft so it's easy to forget.

Ken

[Paullashley]

Thanks for the info. I didn't want make the trans work harder then necessary by not giving it the rpms it needed. I have 85 hours on it, been working fine. I used to have a large property to mow, I've swapped 2 acres of mowing to 2 acres of wooded lot. So the mower function is not necessary.

I read some where that the input rpm for k46 is 3000 rpm. I would guess that's for max output.

[ironman]

The manufacturers recommend running at higher rpm for two reasons:
1. Cooling - higher rpm increases the amount of air that the engine fan circulates through the cooling fins, thus better heat disbursement.
2. Mower speed - if you are mowing grass, you want high blade speed for a better cut and discharge.

If you are not mowing and not bogging the engine down while towing, use whatever throttle setting you are comfortable with.

[Bryan S]

Originally Posted by B440?

.
You most likely have a Tuff Torq K46 transaxle and it will last beyond 250 hours if you change the oil at least once with 5W-50 synthetic oil between 50-100 hours.

Yes to that and/but I will add to it. I wanted to post this info somewhere but wasn't sure where to put it so, I'll post it here. I picked up 4 SLT's of different models last year, all with issues for very cheap. I wanted a grass only machine. so anyway that's going to be the SLTX 1050 with a bad hydro. It stops moving after getting hot. So I picked up a LTX 1050 that threw a rod, good hydro. LT1554 broken axle with spare hydro, and a LT1550 that was beat to H. So anyway I sent some emails out to Amsoil asking about which of the 4 15W-50 20W-50 they sold had the most ZDPP in it because I know that helps with wear. After reading all the posts about the "Block Kit-5 Piston" and the "Center Section" parts that wear out, Thanks to Ironman for posting all the links and info on the fix, much appreciated.
Link to his post https://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/...ad.php?t=54838
I wanted the Highest concentration of ZDPP for that issue.

Here's the email.

I'm a long time user of Amsoil, since the early 80's. My question is other than the Break in oil, which I suspect would probably have the most ZDPP in it. What 15W/20W-50 oil has the most in it, the Dominator Racing 15W-50, Z-Rod 20W-50, Premium Protection 20W-50,
Dominator 20W-50 or the Competition Diesel Oil ? I need it for some mid 2000's Cub Cadet Hydros. Thanks for your time, Bryan

Reply Back
Bryan,

The fluid we recommend is the 20W-50 Synthetic Hydrostatic Transmission Fluid product code AHF.
Thank you,
AMSOIL Technical Services

The funny thing is that I get the Amsoil product book every 3 months, and I never saw that oil in the book. It's mixed in with the 4 stroke oil, but still I should have seen it... Oh well So just throwing that info out there for anybody looking for an alternative to putting engine oil in their hydro. I bought a couple of gallons, we shall see how it works out.
Link to the High Concentrate ZDPP Hydro Fluid
https://www.amsoil.com/p/20w-50-synt...ion-fluid-ahf/

[ironman]

Bryan S, I didn't know this 20w050 hydro fluid existed. Thanks for the link.

[B440?]

One more item to consider; adding the magnet kit if your transaxle only has two magnets in it. This is a good reason to open up the unit and not just change the oil.

Kit is here:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Tuff-Torq-M...wAAOSwE91dqiZU

So far, I have seen these extra two magnets as OEM in 90% of the Husqvarna-built Craftsmans I have taken apart. The John Deere box store K46 machines do not have extra magnets. It's easy to spot the magnets. Here is a pic from when I put water in my oil by pressure washing the vent. They sit just to the right of the mesh filter.

[Bryan S]

Originally Posted by B440?

One more item to consider; adding the magnet kit if your transaxle only has two magnets in it.

Great info on the magnets, Thanks much.

I have a question for the Hydro experts here.
I would appreciate it if some one could tell me how the
axles come out, as my SLT1554 has the right side axle
snapped off, right at the end of the faces,
where the wheel bolts on.
PO son tried pulling a truck with it. I ask (sorry for the high jack)
because looking at the pic, and both sides where the axles
end, with the "spiderish" looking gears.
I see no clips or anything there?
Well just looked at it again before hitting post,
and are the clips the black " 1/6"ish straight strip"
looking piece behind each gear?
I have done many trucks 1/2 ton up to 1 ton but no idea on a hydro.
Just looked at the pic and the thought popped into the head.
Thanks much