X495 cracked transaxle & diff lock

[joes_427_vette]

No doubt the alum casting can be welded but warpage will still be present. If there is a web holding a pilot shaft or bearing your looking at another failure in the future. With a weld the resale value takes a huge hit. Fix it right with a new or used casting and hopefully it will last. It doesn't look that difficult to disassemble.

 

[Dutch445]

As others said, it's not hours as much as the usage.
I think sometimes we overuse our equipment unknowingly.
Lord knows I have pushed quite hard with my tractor,
diff lock engaged, back and forth, to try to push up
rocks out of the ground etc.
You may be able to find a used transmission, and
just swap out the whole unit. I'm sure any from
X475-X485-X495 would work, and maybe others.
there may be some high hour units that engines have
wore out that might leave a good transaxle for sale.

 

[beenthere]

I never use the diff lock unless I am stuck with one wheel in the air not making ground contact. And would not use it if needing to get extra push or pull.
Also, wouldn't go overboard with ballast weight. Regular recommended ballast. These tractors are tanks, but have their limits. I don't want the expense of going beyond the limits such as a cracked/broken transaxle.

I would prefer individual brakes to gain the traction needed, but such are not available on this size tractor.

eBay has parted out trannies that I've noticed. CL might be another place to search. Wish you good luck solving the broken tranny.

 

[Deadman]

Is it possible to bend the hubs or axles on these? My X475 has a horrible wobble when you drive it on dry pavement. It moves up and down in the rear. I thought it was bent wheels, so I replaced the wheels and tires, and it still down it.
I have tried to put a stick on the hubs as they spin, and they seem perfectly straight, yet it still wobbles when you drive it.
Is it possible the wheels are that bad right from JD? I bought the 26 12 12's that have the gator tires on them. they bite good in snow, and are easy on lawn.

 

[Yamezz]

Could it be flat spotted tyres? I know mine flat spot if the tractor doesn't move for a few days. After a bit of running around they go back to shape, but if I drive on concrete first thing I sure notice the up and down movement.

 

[Yamezz]

Thanks for all the info guys. I've contacted my dealer, but the machine is 20 months out of warranty. The dealer's going to see what he can do.

 

[kjung17]

Did a little research. That housing is pricey. $626.20, part # AM881108. Of course that doesn't include the parts that caused the problem.

 

[Yamezz]

Just heard from the dealer. They reckon a whole new transmission is A$6,300. They say John Deere will pay 1/3, they'll pay 1/3 and I'll pay 1/3. Although I have a 2WD tractor the transmission they'll replace it with is a 4WD one. The dealer says JD put 4WD transmissions in all these tractors now, whether they're 2WD or 4WD.

I wonder if the dealer offering to pay 1/3 has anything to do with the fact that they've been supplying me with the wrong oil all this time. When I should have been using Low Viscosity Hygard J20D, they were supplying me Hygard J20C. I didn't think they'd make such a mistake, so I never bothered to check if it was the correct oil. They didn't realise there were two viscosities, so it seems I wasn't the only one getting the wrong oil.

Would thicker oil have put more strain on the transmission?

 

[IH3444]

I tend to think not. I'm almost sure though that the 4wd trans has more internal, and external webbing, and also thickness to the injection casting. Hence, it's just stronger. Not a recall, but a problem tha JD is most likely aware of, and replacing with a 4wd unit is their fix.

 

[Yamezz]

Thanks for the info.

The dealer has just picked up my machine. He says they're replacing the whole rear end. He described it to me as basically everything between the two rear wheels. Other than this hiccup I've been really happy with my little tractor, so hopefully it's smooth sailing once I get it back.