Simplicity 16GTH weak drive

ckain

Forum Newbie
Joined
Mar 18, 2025
Threads
2
Messages
6
I got mower out today, for spring cleanup. I had very slow forward, no power in drive and almost no reverse. does it have fluid in rear for drive ? Any advise, Thank you.
 
Last edited:

Rocky J

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 12, 2016
Threads
0
Messages
146
I think that transmission has a spin on filter and a plastic fan mounted on the pully . The transmission oil gets hot every time you use it, the air on the outside of the transmission is cooler . Thinking about a cold pop can in a warm room having beads of sweet running down and puddling on the table. Reverse that thought to the inside of the transmission where the oil is hot and the air on the outside is cooler, as time passes the transmission oil has water in it, then the filter starts to have resistance passing the oil because it is made to not pass water , moves slow or not at all . My suggestion is to replace the transmission oil and filter, check the fan for broken and missing blades and run your rpms high when using it to spin the fan fast to move air over the transmission .
 

ckain

Forum Newbie
Joined
Mar 18, 2025
Threads
2
Messages
6
I think that transmission has a spin on filter and a plastic fan mounted on the pully . The transmission oil gets hot every time you use it, the air on the outside of the transmission is cooler . Thinking about a cold pop can in a warm room having beads of sweet running down and puddling on the table. Reverse that thought to the inside of the transmission where the oil is hot and the air on the outside is cooler, as time passes the transmission oil has water in it, then the filter starts to have resistance passing the oil because it is made to not pass water , moves slow or not at all . My suggestion is to replace the transmission oil and filter, check the fan for broken and missing blades and run your rpms high when using it to spin the fan fast to move air over the transmission .
Thank you, Will do !
 

ckain

Forum Newbie
Joined
Mar 18, 2025
Threads
2
Messages
6
Thank you, Will do !
Rocky J, update,,, I acquired this 1993 Simplicity from my late father's estate. It doesn't have a lot of hours and works well. the transaxle is LOW on oil, so I will replace the filter and install fresh oil, That should solve my issue. I am having a problem finding a part number for that filter. I do have the mfg number ! It is not same as engine filter. ;-(
 

Rocky J

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 12, 2016
Threads
0
Messages
146
Maybe just a filter and top off the oil ? Here is a you tube video he shows draining it and the filter number he cross referenced to. Lot of filters will screw on but the microns may be wrong ,that is the size of holes in the filter material. I have had a few cub cadets hydros stop moving and just changing the filter made them go again. Sounds like it is more then just a old mower to you and 6 qt of oil is not that expensive to do it right.
 

ckain

Forum Newbie
Joined
Mar 18, 2025
Threads
2
Messages
6
Maybe just a filter and top off the oil ? Here is a you tube video he shows draining it and the filter number he cross referenced to. Lot of filters will screw on but the microns may be wrong ,that is the size of holes in the filter material. I have had a few cub cadets hydros stop moving and just changing the filter made them go again. Sounds like it is more then just a old mower to you and 6 qt of oil is not that expensive to do it right.
Thank you for that, I just talked to a long time dealer. One thing he said is the hydro filter is different from an engine filter(internally). He was calling a distributer, or such, to get a part number. I see this video shows a JD filter, hopefully for its hydrostatic trans.
 
Top