Lawn tractor auto trans

[Chuck52]

I've been looking at some lawn tractors that have "automatic transmissions" which are based on variable speed pulleys and belts rather than the hydrostatic types. They are, of course, cheaper than the ones with HST. Does anyone have any info on the reliability of these transmissions? A related question is about the lubrication types. I figure a pressurized lube system, with a filter, is likely to give a better engine life, but doesn't the old style splash lubrication do pretty well, too, if you change the oil regularly? Weren't most of the old lawn tractors with B&S engines, splash lubrication based, and don't some of them go for years when taken care of?

Chuck

 

[BGL990]

I haven't tried the variable pulley type transmission, so can't help you there, but if there is a choice, I would definitely go for pressure lube in an engine for 2 reasons:

1. You get a real oil filter. Splash lube does not have a filter (or not that I have seen anyway) and while yes, they do last a long time with care, seems to me a filter is better.

2. This one is more important - splash lube systems may not work well on hills as they generally rely on some sort of paddle literally splashing into the oil in the bottom of the crankcase. Get onto enough of a slope and the paddle may not be hitting anything anymore and no more lubrication. Not good. The oil pickup in a pressure lube system will generally be located where it can get oil even on pretty steep slopes and you don't need to worry about it.

My $0.02

Brad.

 

[DaveInColorado]

For what it's worth, I have both types of transmissions. The HST is on a Kubota BX1500. I also have a little 6-speed MTD lawn tractor. Without going into details of how it isn't really a geared transmission, I will say that when I mow wth it I'm usually just sitting in the 5th speed and declutch it in sharp turns. I don't really think HST is absolutely necessary for a cheap lawn tractor. As a matter of fact, if it cost $300 more I would not do it on a sub-$2000 lawn tractor.

The Kubota is a whole different ballgame, though, and it had better be since it was about 15 times the price of the MTD! HST is great for go/stop/go/stop and cutting around trees quickly if you have a lot of that.

I agree with the previous posting that an engine with a filter is better for a lot of reasons, but I have a feeling that you are not looking at high-end lawn tractors. You can get 500 hours or more out of a cheap Briggs splash-lube engine, and a rebuild is easy and cheap.

 

[Zoomie]

My little Murray rider with the Brigss & Stratton 14.5hp I/C motor (splash lube) is still going strong after 10 years.

I expect the deck bearings will wear out before the motor... or its hydro trans.

 

[JerryG]

The vari-speed is a really cool design. We have a 1968 MF 10 lawn tractor that has the vari-speed and it is great. If the newer ones are made the same, the only thing that needs attention is two bearing. Just one Zerk every once in while and you are good for go. The MF 10 has a regular standard transmission in addition to the vari-speed control.

 

[Chuck52]

Thanks for the replies, guys. I am indeed looking at low end "lawn tractors". I've been looking at Home Depot's limited selection because I cashed in a bunch of "miles" on my credit card for HD gift cards. The HD here only carries the MTD-made Yard Machines and low end John Deere. The JD's are clearly better made, so far as mowing deck guage and such, but seem over priced for what they are. The local farm store, Orchelns, has, for example, a Poulan Pro (probably also made by MTD) for $1399, with equipment that would cost more like $2K on a John Deere. The deck is the same guage so far as I can tell, and it has the same B$S engine, with oil filter, four deck wheels, HST transmission, etc. The Yard Machine at HD, for $1199, has the "automatic" transmission I was asking about, and no oil filter. It does have a 21HP B&S twin cylinder, though, vs an 18.5 on the Poulan Pro and the lowest priced John Deere, and a 46" deck vs 42" on the others. HD seems to sell a bunch of them because the two times I got by there to buy one they had just sold the last one. There aren't any returned ones sitting around, so maybe they work OK. I was just wondering when the oil filters became common on these B&S powered machines, and if anyone had experience with the automatic transmission using variable pulleys. I'm not looking for a machine that will outlast me, but I'd like to get one that will cut the grass for a few years without making me kick myself for wasting money on a piece of junk.

Chuck