transaxle swap

granpa49

Member
Joined
Apr 6, 2017
Threads
4
Messages
16
The hydrostatic transaxle in my 2000 model Craftsman LT1000 riding mower went out on me this spring. I picked up a spare-parts-worthy Murray mower from someone which has a Peerless 5 speed transaxle. I've not gotten into the nitty-gritty yet but it looks like it will interchange. Anyone got any experience or an opinion on that?
 

Boobala

Lawn Pro
Joined
Feb 15, 2015
Threads
200
Messages
7,000
The hydrostatic transaxle in my 2000 model Craftsman LT1000 riding mower went out on me this spring. I picked up a spare-parts-worthy Murray mower from someone which has a Peerless 5 speed transaxle. I've not gotten into the nitty-gritty yet but it looks like it will interchange. Anyone got any experience or an opinion on that?

There are several members here , ....I'm pretty sure, ... are into modifying & racing mowers that have experience in transaxle swaps & tips .... you might try giving each a PM ( personal message ) on this site..

1. Pumper54 .... 2. jakesmurray .... 3. Carscw .... 4. BlazNT .... 5. NorthBama ..... and others I don't know of...

They're ALL GREAT guys ... and if able to help ...they surely will .
 

granpa49

Member
Joined
Apr 6, 2017
Threads
4
Messages
16
New to forum and don't know how to send a PM. Is there a link somewhere?
 

Boobala

Lawn Pro
Joined
Feb 15, 2015
Threads
200
Messages
7,000
New to forum and don't know how to send a PM. Is there a link somewhere?

Go to top of forum page...in gray area with icons ..clik on members .. type in name of member you want to contact new page comes up ...
(click on member search ) enter members name you want ... NOT the google search box !!! when the profile window comes up you see on left side ..send PM.......click on that ...enter info same as posting ..there is also a FORUM for forum information ..go to FORUMS page ..go to Members forums ..go to Site Discussion
 

BlazNT

Lawn Pro
Joined
Apr 26, 2012
Threads
28
Messages
6,973
Lets start with the real model number off the Craftsman and the Murray. Knowing what you have is half the battle.
 

granpa49

Member
Joined
Apr 6, 2017
Threads
4
Messages
16
Craftsman mower - Tecumseh model 2000-006a hydrostatic transaxle
Murray mower - Tecumseh model MST-205-5270 followed by 2084A-0086. It is a 5 speed.

The brake is on the same side but the shifter is not so I can see there will be linkage issues. I won't know until I break down both mowers what I have to work with but I do have all of the linkages and perhaps will be able to come up with a hybrid set.

If I can get thru my honey-do list this morning perhaps I can get started on it today.
 

Boobala

Lawn Pro
Joined
Feb 15, 2015
Threads
200
Messages
7,000
Craftsman mower - Tecumseh model 2000-006a hydrostatic transaxle
Murray mower - Tecumseh model MST-205-5270 followed by 2084A-0086. It is a 5 speed.

The brake is on the same side but the shifter is not so I can see there will be linkage issues. I won't know until I break down both mowers what I have to work with but I do have all of the linkages and perhaps will be able to come up with a hybrid set.

If I can get thru my honey-do list this morning perhaps I can get started on it today.

Oh BOY ...OH BOY ...This is gonna be a GREAT project ... Granpa ... I forsee a lot of help coming your way !!

This may come in handy ...
http://www.wfmfiles.com/download/Te...m_-_Transmissions_&_Differentials(691218).pdf
 
Last edited:

BlazNT

Lawn Pro
Joined
Apr 26, 2012
Threads
28
Messages
6,973
I got pictures of each trans for comparison.

Murray
MST-205-5270
Murray Trans.jpg

Craftsman
2000-006A
Craftsman Trans.jpg
 

granpa49

Member
Joined
Apr 6, 2017
Threads
4
Messages
16
This project is moving slowly due to weather, other spring projects, work, honey-do tasks, etc. I've dismantled the Murray. The manual transaxle bolted right up to the Craftsman frame using the widest set of mounting holes. I had to rotate the break lever (on the transaxle) 180 degrees and invert it so that it leans to the inside. The break linkage on the Craftsman isn't long enough so I will have to elongate that. The brake system on the hydrostatic transaxle is superior in a lot of ways to that on the manual transaxle. The one on the manual unit is mounted underneath and cupped upward where it can fill with crap and catch oil leaks. The one on the hydrostatic unit is located overhead and can self clean. The brake pads are thicker on the hydrostatic unit. Odd because they are both Tecumseh Peerless.

I haven't tackled the shift linkage yet. The belt pulley on the manual unit is considerable larger so obviously the Craftsman belt isn't going to work. The Murray belt might work but I haven't gotten that far yet. The rear tires on the Craftsman are 22" versus 20" on the Murray, and that will increase speed. I have to stay with the Craftsman tires so that the cutting deck will ride level. If the increase in speed causes any power loss I may decrease the driven pulley size to match the original speed, but not until I'm sure everything else works.

Weather allowing, I'll get back on this Saturday.
 
Top