1998 LT-166, drive belt/tranny?

[FN in MT]

I have a much used LT-166 with the 48"deck. The poor thing gets a LOT of use for mowing and currently it refuses to go up a hill.

Going back over the posts it appears the tranny is fairly weak and they are expensive to service.

My question...Is this worth fixing or is this simply a weak design I will have issues with again? Are the current JD garden series STILL using this transmission?

FN in MT

 

[beenthere]

Seems checking out the traction/tranny drive belt would be the first order of business. Maybe you have done that already.

Transaxle filter M806946 been changed? Oil ok in tranny?

 

[FN in MT]

Seems checking out the traction/tranny drive belt would be the first order of business. Maybe you have done that already.

Transaxle filter M806946 been changed? Oil ok in tranny?

Belt IS bad.

How big a job to service the transmission?

 

[beenthere]

Getting to it is the big job. But you are halfway there when changing the belt.
Do a good cleaning of all the accumulated debris, dirt, and dust.. the operator manual should give service directions.

 

[FN in MT]

Maybe I wasn't clear.

YES the belt is bad....but so is the TRANSMISSION.

Disregard.......I found the you tube videos on removing and servicing the transmission.

 

[beenthere]

Have a link or two for those videos? Would like to view them.

Yes, I was misled by your "it appears the tranny is fairly weak" comment, thinking you just suspected a problem. If you know it is bad, then the time is right to tackle the job, and wish you well. Should be fun.

 

[FN in MT]

Watched a few of the "How to fix it" video's, there's THREE sets of them!! I can get it done.

Wish I would have noticed the lack of uphill mobility back in 2015 when I last used it! Would have been a nice Winter project. Not now when I have five other projects going, Spring LR Rifle starting up, fishing, gophers, reloading ammo, etc, etc.

I'll post a few pics.

Thanks!