JD D170 K46Transmission Change - Help!

[DB Wells]

The K46 in my D170 cratered at 55hrs! It gets about 15 hr a year mowing only. I have been diligent with changing the oil in the engine every 20 hr with synthetic, but had no idea about the transmission issues.
1) there are a lot of K46 available, for a variety of tractors. Being quite handy what are the chances that I can pick one up and modify it to go into my D170? Or are there too many different versions?

2) I have looked into the K66 mod, but it is now about $1800+.

3) There are K61 transmissions available , i understand that they had issues, but might be able to be upgraded to a K66 config.

4) Are there any modifications available to the K46 to install an external reservoir?

Any other suggestions. I have looked for used tractors, but can not find a resource that lets me know what transmission is in them.

Thanks very much

On an odd side the LA 165 has 200 hr on it. with no issues (mostly mowing the same chunk of land)

David

 

[Tractorable]

Sorry for your troubles. Where’d you get this thing? Home Depot? Can’t really help you with a transaxle swap but personally, I’d just junk it and buy a mower with a K66 or K72. Lesson learned not to buy low grade equipment. Shopping for mowers has become more about shopping for transaxles. After reading dozens of posts just like this I sucked it up and paid the price for a mower with a K72. Good luck.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

On the back of the transaxle, there will be a sticker with serial number. Looks like this pic. After 46 is 2 digits, mine is a CR. There are a bunch of K46 variations. Go to tuff torq website and look up your model. You can purchase parts, or whole new transaxle from them. A new k46cr is $1k.
My axle broke on mine. A new axle kit is $180. I will be repairing it this week. Mine is 10 yrs old.

 

[crazyal]

Look on ebay for a used K66.

 

[Dave M7040]

The K46 in my D170 cratered at 55hrs! It gets about 15 hr a year mowing only. I have been diligent with changing the oil in the engine every 20 hr with synthetic, but had no idea about the transmission issues.
1) there are a lot of K46 available, for a variety of tractors. Being quite handy what are the chances that I can pick one up and modify it to go into my D170? Or are there too many different versions?

2) I have looked into the K66 mod, but it is now about $1800+.

3) There are K61 transmissions available , i understand that they had issues, but might be able to be upgraded to a K66 config.

4) Are there any modifications available to the K46 to install an external reservoir?

Any other suggestions. I have looked for used tractors, but can not find a resource that lets me know what transmission is in them.

Thanks very much

On an odd side the LA 165 has 200 hr on it. with no issues (mostly mowing the same chunk of land)

David

You are certain the problem lies with the transmission and is not a sheared key for the drive pulley on the engine?

Dave M7040

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Got my k46 back together and working.

 

[tom3]

The K46 in my D170 cratered at 55hrs! It gets about 15 hr a year mowing only. I have been diligent with changing the oil in the engine every 20 hr with synthetic, but had no idea about the transmission issues.
1) there are a lot of K46 available, for a variety of tractors. Being quite handy what are the chances that I can pick one up and modify it to go into my D170? Or are there too many different versions?



David

That's real early for a failure, even with this transmission. I'd look for a broken part, axle, stripped drive pulley, even low oil in the unit. Fairly simple to remove and take off the top, look it over, might spot the issue. I would not recommend a Tuff Torq replacement of any type, or a new mower with this brand trans. With the gear train and hydraulic unit running in the same oil, and those gears made from pressed metal, the life span of those hydros is very limited. I put a Peerless trans in my L130, not real satisfied with it (noisy) but it does work well.