345 questions?

[zr600]

How are these motors on a 2000 model? Im looking at one for 2000 dollars with 1100 hours looks to be in good shape the paint is shiny and not faded so i think it was stored inside. Is there anything to worry about on the tranny or motor with the 1100 hours on it? How long do these motors last?

 

[Ed L]

Can't recall how long our old one has been gone, 6 years maybe, so it might have been a little older than a 2000.

Hours on it were around 1000 when it left.

Overall a good tractor, no problems with the tranny or engine. Always ran great. Only thing I can recall being a pita was changing the drive belt (no shaft to the transaxle), one had to drop the deck and remove the pulley from the motor to do it.

Ed

 

[Retired Iron Peddler]

How are these motors on a 2000 model? Im looking at one for 2000 dollars with 1100 hours looks to be in good shape the paint is shiny and not faded so i think it was stored inside. Is there anything to worry about on the tranny or motor with the 1100 hours on it? How long do these motors last?

I have a '99 345 with 604 hours on it. The engine and transmission have been trouble free. I've had the circuit board that controls all the electrical functions replaced three times. Once under warranty and the two other times it was on me. Evidently. JD has upgraded circuit board since the last one I had replaced has lasted over 6 years.

I replaced the drive belt once, but it wasn't because of the belt. One of the belt guides broke off and "rode" the belt through a pulley breaking the belt.


Bill

 

[shortthrow50]

Can't recall how long our old one has been gone, 6 years maybe, so it might have been a little older than a 2000.

Hours on it were around 1000 when it left.

Overall a good tractor, no problems with the tranny or engine. Always ran great. Only thing I can recall being a pita was changing the drive belt (no shaft to the transaxle), one had to drop the deck and remove the pulley from the motor to do it.

Ed

Wow you went about it the wrong way. Takes 45 minutes. You just supposed to remove the rear panel with seat and middle deck panel along with pedals. Gas tank lifts right out. Now you have full access to belt. Just remove tensioner and belt pops right on. Tech manual calls for this procedure

 

[Retired Iron Peddler]

Wow you went about it the wrong way. Takes 45 minutes. You just supposed to remove the rear panel with seat and middle deck panel along with pedals. Gas tank lifts right out. Now you have full access to belt. Just remove tensioner and belt pops right on. Tech manual calls for this procedure

It's even easier than that. A JD service tech showed me this trick: Pop the plastic cover off the front bumper. Take a piece of strong wire and hook it in the belt tensioner spring and pull it forward (wear gloves) to release the belt tension and tie the wire securely to the front bumper. (I used a short screwdriver to make a pull handle.) Replace the slack belt, then slowly release the wire holding the tensioner spring and you are good to go.

Bill

 

[MarkCoburn]

It's even easier than that. A JD service tech showed me this trick: Pop the plastic cover off the front bumper. Take a piece of strong wire and hook it in the belt tensioner spring and pull it forward (wear gloves) to release the belt tension and tie the wire securely to the front bumper. (I used a short screwdriver to make a pull handle.) Replace the slack belt, then slowly release the wire holding the tensioner spring and you are good to go.

Bill

I'm going to try this when I change my PTO and drive belt.