LS MT 125 Transmission problem redux

[Catahoulabuddy]

I'm reposting hoping for more insight from the wiser (and probably greyer, but then again I'm bald so I shouldn't throw stones) heads around these parts. Also, someone else might be able to get some help from this thread as well.

So in my previous post I mentioned that I was having a problem with the transmission of my MT125, it seemed slow and sluggish after driving the blue minimonster through the swamp. A lot of small saplings hitting the bottom of the tractor and mud casing everything. After a deep clean I realized that the plastic hydraulic cooling fan, which sits directly in front of the hydraulic pump on the hydraulic shaft, was missing all of it fan blades. A stick must have went past the protective plate.

Well, that's not good, but fixable. I found a replacement blade for $10 and got it put on a couple days later. Installation took only a couple of hours and everything worked like normal.

However, during the replacement I realized that the pump area had hydraulic fluid all around it. I thightened up the supply hose and checked the level of the fluid, which was normal. Maybe a small leak so not anything too serious but I have been checking the level and looking for more leaks.

The tractor still seems slow. The brake linkage appears to be fine, along with the control linkeage. It just seems like the system itself is hindered. Any ideas? Is there a certain part of the linkage I should check? The pump sounds normal and pressure on the pedals seems like it's appropriate but the power doesn't seem to transfer to the wheels itself as smoothly as it should. Like I said, it feels impeded by something.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Did you check where the pedal linkages connect to the arm / shaft going into the hydro case? It may have slipped or could be loose. Are you comparing
slow to what it was before the fan replacement, or since you got it back from the first problem ? The linkages may have been dislodged from the proper location on the shaft, not providing the correct input.

 

[Diggin It]

Might consider replacing the hydro fluid in case of any contamination.

 

[bryanwheat]

It could of overheated the hydrostat pump and motor. They are located in the front of the transaxle assembly. Mine has a similar issue, but didn't overheat from a missing fan, mine was more from using it on a property with some slopes, nothing steep, but a good 3rd of my 5 acres is sloped. I've got 140 hrs and did the 50 hr service with new filters and oil, but this year it has just gotten slower and slower the longer i use it so changed the filters and oil again and it's the same. The main hydraulic pump is in the back and seems unaffected, but the pump and motor to move the thing are right in the front side of the case where the driveshaft goes in, and it get's a lot of grass clippings in there, or if the fan goes bad the fins on the case right there aren't being cooled and very likely overheating the drive pump and motor. I think the components are undersized, or just inferior made as i have put over a thousand hrs on my old cub cadet 2165 out here on the same terrain and never had any hydro problems. The mt125 has had WAY more problems then the 15 year old mower did as well in just 140 hrs. Make sure that they make it good with the warranty and my advise is sell and buy something different.

 

[DonLawson84]

It could of overheated the hydrostat pump and motor. They are located in the front of the transaxle assembly. Mine has a similar issue, but didn't overheat from a missing fan, mine was more from using it on a property with some slopes, nothing steep, but a good 3rd of my 5 acres is sloped. I've got 140 hrs and did the 50 hr service with new filters and oil, but this year it has just gotten slower and slower the longer i use it so changed the filters and oil again and it's the same. The main hydraulic pump is in the back and seems unaffected, but the pump and motor to move the thing are right in the front side of the case where the driveshaft goes in, and it get's a lot of grass clippings in there, or if the fan goes bad the fins on the case right there aren't being cooled and very likely overheating the drive pump and motor. I think the components are undersized, or just inferior made as i have put over a thousand hrs on my old cub cadet 2165 out here on the same terrain and never had any hydro problems. The mt125 has had WAY more problems then the 15 year old mower did as well in just 140 hrs. Make sure that they make it good with the warranty and my advise is sell and buy something different.

I could not tell if it was in my head or real. I have 370 hours on my MT125 and it seems really weak in HIGH gear, I noticed a while ago and just adjusted to it by running higher RPM and shifting to LOW on steeper grades and when have more weight in the loader. When I did the 250HR service I changed the hyrdo fluid and used the amsoil fluid recommended (API GL4 ISO VG 32/46) and it did seem to get a little better with less whine.

Have you contacted your dealer or had any warranty work done? My dealer is 2.5 hours away and I worry about shipping it off or delivering it just for them to say "no, seems good to us"