John Deere 185 hydro

[Bhalpin]

My tractor does not seem to have the power to get up a hill that it had no problem in the past. Today it was bad and I stopped mowing and I checked the hydro fluid and it is very hot I can't touch it. Any suggestions?
I thought it might be time to replace the belt, now today I think it is more serious.

[Deere Dude]

Is there grass build up on the transaxle? I could see a bad belt causing the tractor to not make the hill, but I wonder about the heat build up and the problems that would cause.

[Bhalpin]

No there is no grass build up on the transaxle. I read elsewhere that there is a fan on the tranny. If so I found pieces of a plastic fan blades the other week along the road. I am going to check for a broken fan. I am not sure where it might be.
Thanks,
Barry

[Deere Dude]

I think you have a lead. I forgot about those fans.