JD LX 280 Hill Climb

[Backroads]

My 05, JD LX 280 , will not climb inclines after it warms up, changed belts & tuneup, possible tranny problem ????

 

[chance123]

If this has hydrostatic pumps/wheel motors, try changing your hydro oil filter and be sure to use the correct oil. When these pumps start to go, they wine and lose power as they get hot

 

[Backroads]

Thanks, Chance123, but no hydrostat pumps, just straight transaxle, K-62A. I am going to change the oil, called tuff torq for info, they say use 5w-50 synthetic

 

[MBTRAC]

Thanks, Chance123, but no hydrostat pumps, just straight transaxle, K-62A. I am going to change the oil, called tuff torq for info, they say use 5w-50 synthetic

It should be quite easy to change the oil on the K62, follow the tufftorq drain/fill/purge procedure & I'm sure you will have no drama.

It's good maintenance practice to change hydro oil & in the so called "sealed unit" of my JD LT155's one of which has now done just over 1100hrs ( the tranny performs as new) every 100hrs I replace the oil with premium synthetic product (this TuffTorq tranny is supposedly is sealed for life but the way I see it : oil breaks down, & all hydrostatics hate heat & degraded/dirty oil so it's cheap insurance & relatively easy to do even on this so called sealed unit) & ditto for a sealed Peerless tranny I have in a homebuilt GT - diminished performance in a hydro due to oil breakdown may be revived if it's not too late.

Generally, when changing Hydro oil:-
- have the transmission warm so the oil is warm & empty's easier
- clean the unit thoroughly with compressed air or wash in water/dry prior to removing any filler plugs/caps, with hydro's any dirt ingress can quickly kill the unit
- the oil level is critical, so measure/mark & replace exactly how much you remove (there may be a fill level marked just inside the filler housing but it's not always there & if available follow the manufacturers recommendation exact volume.
- there may be a small filter mesh screen & possbly a small spring just inside the filler housing which can be cleaned too (they just drop out).
- take time to let the oil drain slowly to empty as much as possible
- also take time to fill with oil to allow the oil to distribute evenly in transmision & fill slowly to minimise any air bubbles/air locks forming in the oil, & also occassionally whilst filling rotate the axles slowly by hand to distribute the oil evenly in the hydro unit
- purge the air (follow the Tuff Torq procedure), check level & top up if required
- depending on the filler plug/cap fitment, once you replace firmly it may be prudent to use a small bead of silcon externally around plug/cap to exluded all possibility of dust ingress.

For hydro fluid on TuffTorq's I use Mobil 1 5w50 Engine oil.

Good luck & let us know how you get on

 

[Anderson Classic Tractors]

That is really good info. Thanks!

 

[Backroads]

Thanks, MBTRAC, you make it sound easy. 1 more question. Is this oil change done with the tranny on the machine or off ?

 

[MBTRAC]

Given LX280 the K62 has drain plugs & filler ports I would think you should be able to do a hydro oil changes without removing the tranny - depending on the access to the filler ports you may also need a hand powered oil suction gun/pump (usually found in auto or marine shops) to easily refill the oil (like the one pictured) for c.$15.

Here's a link to the K62 TuffTorq oil changing procedure:-
https://www.tufftorqservices.com/En.../pdfs/cc K62 & K66 Oil Changing Procedure.pdf

And while your cleaning the tranny up, make certain the top mounted tranny cooling is clean & without damaged fins - these fans might be small but they are critical to lowering the temp in the hydro.

Good luck:thumbsup: