L118 Rear Transmission failed

[JoeCDARPO]

John Deere L118 needs sealed rear transmission replacement ($800) after only 215 hours of operation over 9 years.

Should I repair or buy new mower? This seems like an early grave for an otherwise good-condition machine. There must be a better option -- like a recall from John Deere to replace the transmission FREE.

Is 215 hours reasonable time to expect this trouble?

 

[RandyT]

The life expectancy various by use of the mower more than quality of the tranny. The problem with most of the lower end mowers is the hydrostat tranny isn't made to pull much more than the weight of the mower. So any towing of lawn carts with dirt in them, lawn rollers, or aerators, causes the oil to overheat and loss of lubrication, leading to pump damage. Most of the tranny's are repairable if you want to spend the time to do it.

 

[beenthere]

That's a cost of about $100 a year for a lawn mower. You can put in a new tranny, or compare the cost of buying a replacement lawn tractor.
Doubt Deere has any plan to replace after 9 years. After one year, more likely to happen.

 

[k0ua]

John Deere L118 needs sealed rear transmission replacement ($800) after only 215 hours of operation over 9 years.

Should I repair or buy new mower? This seems like an early grave for an otherwise good-condition machine. There must be a better option -- like a recall from John Deere to replace the transmission FREE.

Is 215 hours reasonable time to expect this trouble?

Rebuild the transmission yourself.. thousands have. Here is your guide.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...-k46-repair-guide-pictures.html?highlight=K46