Walk behind Restoration HR215 SXA

[Saril]

Thank you for the kind words, presently I am working on some other Honda but little slow due to winter, cannot paint in cold weather. If you have any question in your rebuild please to let me know. Also just finished this summer partial rework of Hustler Fastrak Transmission and Walker GHS 42" should post in another thread.

HRC 215 K1 SX
HRC 216 K1 SX
HRM 215 HX

Dissembled SX Transmission refilled w/Honda gear fluid and restored.

My first question - what is the part number for the transmission fluid, can I get on Amazon, will Mobile synthetic 10W-30 oil work? Thanks for offering youir help!

 

[Saril]

Robert, thank you for the Maintenance Standards and direction. You are a great asset to the forum.:thumbsup:

I'm new here , but I agree, Robert is definitely a great resource. I learned about Robert before I joined this forum - I was asking questions about my old HRB215 at a Home Depot in Bethlehem Ga., and this guy (not an employee) says, "go to LawnWorld and search for a dude named Robert - he is famous". So I did; and, because I could not post, I sent a private message to Robert (actually several) and he answered them!

So yes indeed, Robert is an awesome resource! :thumbsup:

 

[wfsway]

Saril,

Honestly Honda would say "do not do this" but I am running Castrol Synthec Edge 5W-40 in my pump. It is actually more expensive than the Honda Hydrostatic Fluid, but I figured Honda does not own a refinery and the newer lubricants are superior and take far more abuse in engines. The viscosity range was broad temperatures and similar specific gravity. Some folks on the riding mowers are using quarts to refill their hydro transmissions and can be expensive. I researched this extensively. My pump is working perfectly.

I also have the Honda Hydrostatic Fluid, #08208HST02, it takes approximately 11.9 oz and costs about 6.50 for a 12 oz bottle and can be found on Ebay. I hope this helps your effort.

 

[Saril]

Saril,

Dissembled SX Transmission refilled w/Honda gear fluid and restored.

I am running Castrol Synthec Edge 5W-40 in my pump.

I also have the Honda Hydrostatic Fluid, #08208HST02, it takes approximately 11.9 oz and costs about 6.50 for a 12 oz bottle and can be found on Ebay. I hope this helps your effort.

Thanks for the response!

So if I understand correcty, you prefer the Castrol 5W-40 over the Honda gear fluid? Also, if my hydrostatic transmission is working fine, should I still replace the fluid? It's hard to believe, but yes, my 1999 Honda HRB215HXA hydro drive still works great!

 

[wfsway]

I am saying if you are not in hurry or have seal leaks, functionality etc. purchase the Honda recommended fluid. The Castrol was option and has worked in my pump without problem. You need to remove the pump from the mower to do a complete drain and refill. Honda data says to change the fluid after 1000 hrs of operation and check level every 300 hrs. Minimum I would check the level with the top cap/dip stick, usually it is Black or White and add if needed. Logically at 18 years I imagine the pump fluid has broken down. If you do drain & refill, you will need to purge air simply by rotating the input shaft and drive axle engaged. If you open the pump anywhere, cleanliness is important (do not let any debris get in). It only costs 6.50 and some effort for peace of mind to last another 18 years.

 

[Saril]

I am saying if you are not in hurry or have seal leaks, functionality etc. purchase the Honda recommended fluid. The Castrol was option and has worked in my pump without problem. You need to remove the pump from the mower to do a complete drain and refill. Honda data says to change the fluid after 1000 hrs of operation and check level every 300 hrs. Minimum I would check the level with the top cap/dip stick, usually it is Black or White and add if needed. Logically at 18 years I imagine the pump fluid has broken down. If you do drain & refill, you will need to purge air simply by rotating the input shaft and drive axle engaged. If you open the pump anywhere, cleanliness is important (do not let any debris get in). It only costs 6.50 and some effort for peace of mind to last another 18 years.

I agree - can't imagine the fluid is not worth replacing after 18 years. I ordered the Honda fluid from Amazon. I am going to completely remove the hydrostatic drive as you suggested.
Thanks again for your help!

 

[Saril]

wfsway - I removed my transmission (HRB215HXA) and followed drain and bleed procedure using the Honda fluid. I filled to the top as shown in the pdf from Robert. Before I reinstalled, I tested with drill at a fairly slow rpm and the shaft turned when I engaged the lever and stopped when I disengaged, so I assumed I was good. I also replaced with new transmission cable. However, with everything back in place, the transmission does not have enough power to move the mower, i.e., when I lift the back of mower the wheel turns, when I put on the ground it stops - it seems to be very weak? I have adjusted the cable and no change.

Do you or anyone else have any advice? I am at a loss and don't want to remove transmission if it could be something else. Also, the transmission worked before I changed the fluid - it was just slow compared to my HRX217K2 HXA.

Thanks for your help!

 

[robert@honda]

wfsway - I removed my transmission (HRB215HXA) and followed drain and bleed procedure using the Honda fluid. I filled to the top as shown in the pdf from Robert. Before I reinstalled, I tested with drill at a fairly slow rpm and the shaft turned when I engaged the lever and stopped when I disengaged, so I assumed I was good. I also replaced with new transmission cable. However, with everything back in place, the transmission does not have enough power to move the mower, i.e., when I lift the back of mower the wheel turns, when I put on the ground it stops - it seems to be very weak? I have adjusted the cable and no change.

Do you or anyone else have any advice? I am at a loss and don't want to remove transmission if it could be something else. Also, the transmission worked before I changed the fluid - it was just slow compared to my HRX217K2 HXA.

Thanks for your help!

Let me look up some tech details....after you tell me the full serial number (back upper mower deck) It is the form of MXXX-1234567

 

[Saril]

Let me look up some tech details....after you tell me the full serial number (back upper mower deck) It is the form of MXXX-1234567

Robert - thanks for the quick response:
Purchased July 1999
HRB215-JK
MZBA-6342486

I did remove the transmission since my last post and the level was full. I did notice that the seal that covers the fill hole on the vent hole side (next to metal cover) was very dirty. The vent hole appeared clogged. So I removed the seal from the metal cap and cleaned. I topped off with Honda fluid and put back together.

Prior to putting back into mower, I tested the transmission and it seemed to be working. With my wife holding drill on shaft, I would engage the lever and the drive shafts would turn. This time however, I gripped the drive shaft to see how strong it was and it was absolutely strong, i.e., more than enough to move mower. Again, it seem that the transmission was working perfectly. I would release the lever and the drive shafts would stop turning, at a higher speed, it was even harder to hold the drive shaft with my hand.

So I thought it was fixed this time around and put transmission back into mower. Filled with gas and oil, fired it up and still no motion. No motion on the ground, if I lift the back of the mower up, the wheels turn, set on ground and no motion - arg!! I have the adjustment pretty much at the max as far as transmission cable tension is concerned.

I compared the transmission cable tension with my newer HRX217K2 HXA, MAGA - 1688490, and it seemed to be the same.

So I am completely at a loss as to why this is happening.

Questions:

Can you overfill the hydrostatic transmission? I had a hard time determining where the low and high fill levels were - any help appreciated.
The small fill hole has very small reservoir where the rubber seal goes and I filled that to the upper limit. Of course when I put the seal on some fluid leaked out. Again, I tested (after filling) with my hand and the transmission seemed to be strong.

I really appreciate your help and hope you can help me resolve this. Thanks!

 

[Saril]

Robert - Sorry, forgot to ask:

On the HRB215HXA the ratcheting of the wheels should occur when moving forward or reverse? Mine clicks when moving in reverse - the opposite of my newer HRX217. Is this correct?
Again - thanks!