Smells like...burning

[Volfandt]

When my BX23 was new I would get that occasional smell of hot HST fluid when I was out mowing in the field on a hot day. It wouldn't be much and wouldn't last long, but it was enough for my rather good sized notrils to detect
After getting a WSM and reading all the sections cover to cover I discovered that there was an HST vent directly under the seat and I figured it was just doing it's job and I ceased to worry about it.
Now w/nearly 300 hrs on it I don't get the smell as no where near as often and the machine still works good as new.

I'd recommend to monitor it to make sure it gets beter and not worse, keep a good check on the HST oil (color, smell & level) and keep a good check on the tracors performance. If you hear gears grinding or the smell gets worse or the HST doesn't perform well under load or the HST's brake (neutral position on the HST pedal) seems to be getting worse then I'd suspect problem.
I've read here that it's not unusual for the HST fluid to run 100 degrees hotter than the ambient temp and if that is fact, those 90 - 100 degree mowing days can produce some mighty hot HST fluid.

If it works out like mine did, the smell will subside with useage.

 

[Blk88GT]

Having the parking brake on has been known to do this too. Don't ask me how I know.

Someone told me that same thing.... I promise

 

[rdsaustintx]

The burning smell I get sometimes isn't oil, it's definitely plastic or rubber. The only other thing I could think of was the fan belt, but it seems OK.