Wheelhorse 518 weak in Reverse

[GeneD14]

Just bought a nice looking 518 tractor. It's hydro transmission is strong going forward but very weak in reverse. The belt is tight, transmission fluid is full. The linkage seems tight.
What else should I check? Should I change the grand fluid?
Thanks

 

[shallowwatersailor]

Which transmission do you have, an Eaton 700 or Eaton 1100? By "weak" do you mean slower in reverse? It will run about half the speed in reverse as it will in forward.

 

[GeneD14]

How do I know which transmission I have?
By weak I mean no power. If I'm trying to back up a slight hill it won't move.
The serial number is
311oe01 15567

 

[HEC]

I would change the filter and fluid, and there is an adjustment under the seat which maybe out a little .

 

[shallowwatersailor]

It looks like you have a 1988 518-H, 31-18OE01. If you have a manual lift handle on the left side for the attachments, then it is an Eaton 700 series transmission. Hopefully it is only an adjustment of the cam under the seat. Your statement about being strong going forward leads me to hope that it is just an adjustment.

These transmission do have a history of going bad. But sometimes with a fluid change they can be resurrected for a while. Some owners just try to find a used Eaton 1100 and swap them out.

It has two different fluids. There is a small reservoir under the seat that holds 20W oil and can be changed although time consuming. The transaxle uses 10W-30 Motor Oil. There is a dipstick for the level and a 1/4" allenhead drain plug that is flush with the bottom of the case left of center.

I would try the adjustment first, then fluid change, - then look for a used Eaton 1100.

 

[GeneD14]

Thanks for the advice.
I will give it a try.

 

[GeneD14]

I was just out looking at it. Where is the filter located?

 

[shallowwatersailor]

If it is the Eaton 700, it doesn't have a filter. Here is the portal on Toro's site for your tractor.

Toro |

 

[GeneD14]

Thanks!

 

[DHD]

I use to have a Wheel Horse 416-H with the Eaton hydro. and once in awhile reverse would start acting weak when forward was still strong.
My problem was the transmission linkage on top of the hydro transmission.

The whole seat assy. needs to be removed, then that metal cover that covers the trans and fuel tank.

Bits of tiny grass clippings that's almost dust, builds up around the linkage and eventually reduce the travel of the linkage, which in turn reduces the effectiveness of reverse. Had this happen 2 or 3 times over the years, once that tiny grass clipping debris was cleaned out it was good for another couple of season.

There is an access hole in the top of my trans./fuel tank cover, so you can check the dip stick or add oil to the hydro.
I've tried to clean out the debris through that access hole before but you can't effectively remove all the debris.
That metal cover needs to be removed to get it all.

I hope this simply procedure fixes your problem.

Good luck