EXPENSIVE TG1860 HST Problem at 107 hours!!!

[oly]

Has anyone had any experience with this problem?

The transmission starts slipping when I go forward or backward up hill. I followed all the troubleshooting steps in the service manual. But all the easy stuff is good. Specifically, the belt is new and tight, the go lever adjustment is correct, the fluid level is correct, there is no debris in the HST housing, etc. So the last step of the troubleshooting is to replace the transmission!!! I did not want to do that so I had a mechanic remove and inspect the HST oil, remove the HST bottom cover, remove, inspect, and replace the oil filter and related o-rings. Inspection results were that oil and filter were clean (no metal to indicate worn parts). Put everything back together and the problem got worse; now the tractor won't move at all.

The worst part is that the tractor only has 100 hours on it but it is out of warranty by 1 year. Now the mechanic says the only fix is to replace the HST for $1500 in parts + $500 in labor! I'm ready to push the frigging thing of a cliff and buy a Craftsman!

Note: Three other people with the same problem on this thread:

kubota TG 1860 hydrostat problems?

 

[MrJimi]

From your findings, I would take it to a different/better mechanic. And dont mention first mechanic, he will be able to tell it has been opened up.
Best of luck, you say 107 hours, How many years is that
Jim

 

[Doc_Bob]

The worst part is that the tractor only has 100 hours on it but it is out of warranty by 1 year. Now the mechanic says the only fix is to replace the HST for $1500 in parts + $500 in labor! I'm ready to push the frigging thing of a cliff and buy a Craftsman!

I can understand you urge to "push".
Bob

 

[ZackaryMac]

I'm not familiar at all with this machine, but did anyone check to see if the pulleys on both the engine and transmission are tight, and locked to the shafts?
I mean, they may seem tight by hand, but may be slipping when put under load.
I've seen it happen on another make that I work on.

Just my 2¢.

 

[MrJimi]

This link may help some?
TG1860 HST - Yahoo! Search Results

Jim

 

[rdsaustintx]

I'm ready to push the frigging thing of a cliff and buy a Craftsman!

Neat little mower. Feel free to dump it in my driveway

 

[oly]

MrJimi,

It is three years old.

 

[oly]

MrJimi,

The second mechanic said the same thing. The source of the diagnosis is the different copies of the same Kubota Service Manual. The manuals all say the same thing which is that if the: oil level, cooling fan, brake setting, drive belt, and debris buildup aren't the problem, then the probably cause is "Defective hydrostatic transaxle" the solution is to "Replace".

 

[oly]

ZackaryMac,

Good idea to check the pulley to shaft connections; as far as I know, they have not been checked. I'll give that a try.

 

[oly]

from:kubota TG 1860 hydrostat problems?

kubota TG 1860 hydrostat problems?

mark My father and I both have TG 1860s. The hydrostatic transmission on his is much more responsive than mine. Both mowers have @150hrs. Any help??

marvinlee Have you made sure that both tractors have the same grade and brand of hydraulic fluids? Have the hydraulic filters been changed on both tractors within the recommended number of hours? The shop manual should identify any linkage adjustments that can be made. Are the number of operating hours since new similar? Marvin.

Jeff Gann I have an 1860 with 200 hours and am on the second hydrostat trans. Kubota put a new upgraded one in at 100 hrs and now the second one is starting to make a noise. I am in the process of getting Kubota to look into the problem. I am sure that there is a problem with these tractors. The dealer that I bought it from said they have seen the same thing happen befor.My concern now is that the tractor is out of warrenty.Your tractor should feel very tight when you start and stop. If you are traveling forward and quickly take your foot of the hydrostat pedel it should slide the tires. If yours is making a chattering noise when it gets a good bite with the pedel down, most likely yours is going out. These tractors do fine until the wheel weights are added to mow steeper ground. When the tires get a better bite the hydrostat will go. I hope this helps.

june tooley got a 1860 has been in shop 15 times and is there now they called and said over$1000 the computer chip has gone controls the power steering and kubota doesn't stand behind there machines

mark wilson There are lots of problems with these tractors. I have had belt problems from day 1 and they put the "field fix" bolt in. Tonight the belt came off again and the pulley ate it up! Don't know what to tell anyone about this tractor except to buy something else next time. Getting Kubota to help you is a lost cause.

tom conger have a 2002 1860 with a 54 inch deck. at around 80 hours the tractor seemed to loose ground speed after a half hour of cutting. engine speed stayed the same. hydrostatic tranny seemed to get progressivly more noisy as i continued to cut, about 80 minuttes total. dealer said nothing was wrong. tractor now out of warranty and problem slowly getting worse. 130 hrs now. problem manifests itself more quickly if i am pulling a load, ie spreader etc... any help or ideas. thank you. tom.

A.J. I have already changed 2 shafts on the deck. The first time a blade came flying out the side, the dealer said it was my fault. I never done any thing to it. just bought it and cut grass. Now its back in the shop for 3 more shafts. I told them Im not replacing the shafts anymore until they can tell me whats wrong with it. We change the bolts and the blades every season. Anybody has the same problem? If so whats the remedy?

A.J. The deck is on a TG 1860.