John Deere Transaxle Replacement/Upgrade

[velocityg4]

As people here have interests outside of Apple products. I figured someone here may be a lawn tractor enthusiast who could answer some questions. At any rate. My John Deere L108 transaxle has died on me. I considered rebuilding it but the prices of kits are too high compared to new transaxles. To make it worthwhile.

I was looking for a replacement on greenpartstore. When I noticed they were substituting the T40a for my K46v as the official JD replacement. Which has me worried that this may be lighter duty transaxle. I can't find any official specs for the T40 on Tuff Torq's website.


Anyway's this has me wondering two things
1. Can I just use any Tuff Torq K46 as a replacement? I assume they are the same. But I don't know if there are slight differences in mount, lever or pulley locations. Also sometimes a Craftsman K46 is cheaper than a JD one.
2. Can I upgrade to the K57 without modification? It looks like everything is positioned the same. Bolt holes, pulley, brake, wheel lock, forward/reverse lever and axle size. If I can make the upgrade. Can I use any model? I found a good price for one meant for Husqvarna tractors.

 

[Glideslope]

Wow, a JD post!!!!!

Before I go any further how many hrs were on the K46 at failure, what type of terrain do you mow, it’s size, and the time it takes to complete?

I was under the impression the L 108 was not a Hydrostatic Drive??

 

[velocityg4]

It is hydrostatic. I'm not sure about the hours. My JD doesn't have an hour meter. Also it was a used transaxle. The original lasted around ten years. I probably put about 70-80 hours a year on it.

I'm mowing an acre. It takes a about an hour. It's not flat either. There are some pretty steep grades on about a quarter of it. I also haul around cinderblocks, dirt, gravel and logs. Plus I also use a seed spreader and aerator attachment.

 

[Glideslope]

It is hydrostatic. I'm not sure about the hours. My JD doesn't have an hour meter. Also it was a used transaxle. The original lasted around ten years. I probably put about 70-80 hours a year on it.

I'm mowing an acre. It takes a about an hour. It's not flat either. There are some pretty steep grades on about a quarter of it. I also haul around cinderblocks, dirt, gravel and logs. Plus I also use a seed spreader and aerator attachment.

So this was the 2nd K46 in it’s 10 year lifespan? Or the gear drive was replaced with a Hydrostatic? A K46 isn’t going to last with what you’re using it for. A acre of steep grades not including the towing you’ve mentioned. I’m not sure if a K57 will just bolt in. There may be axel differences with your rear wheels (Or maybe it’s the K58 with the larger axels.)

The K57 really is not all that much more robust than the K46. It can handle a little more torque, but that’s irrelevant as you’re not switching out the engine. And at this point with a 10 year old L 108 I’d get a Garden Tractor.

With the hills and loads your pulling if you decide to put another transaxle in it you need to add an external cooler and filter to it.

IMO, you need to be at a K66 minimum. If just the mowing you could get away with a K58 and change the fluid and filter every 200 hrs.

I realize it’s difficult but with the hilly terrain, and towing a 500 Series with a K72 you’ll be good for 20 years. Once you get into the 300 series you get the Kawasaki V-Twins. A used 390 that has been well taken care of with a K58 could be an alternative to a 500 Series, but I’d avoid the towing.

When you start towing stuff like you are you really need a Garden Tractor vs a Lawn Tractor.

Lowest cost option Try the K57. Just check the axel diameter vs the K46.

Hope it works out. 🙂

 

[velocityg4]

Thanks,

The first lasted ten years. Perhaps a little more. The second one a used one lasted another four years. It's always been a K46. I've had this tractor since around 2005. I also never changed the transaxle oil. Since JD listed it as non-serviceable. I wish I knew I could change it then. As it would probably still work fine.

While I'm aware the K66 is better. I can't justify spending $2,000 on a transaxle and conversion kit. When the old transaxle held up well.

I'm just interested in the Husqvarna K57 since it is $400 versus $775 for the official JD replacement. I wouldn't even have looked but got spooked by the official JD replacement AM134125 is now a T40 not a K46. I don't if the T40 is as good or lightweight like the TL200.

Everything I can find about the K57 is it is nearly identical to the K46. Just a little better. There was even some talk of upgrading the internal components of the K46 to make it a K57. I also took factory photos of each and superimposed them with Photoshop. Everything seems to line up identically. The only issue being the pulley spindle is taller.

 

[Glideslope]

Thanks,

The first lasted ten years. Perhaps a little more. The second one a used one lasted another four years. It's always been a K46. I've had this tractor since around 2005. I also never changed the transaxle oil. Since JD listed it as non-serviceable. I wish I knew I could change it then. As it would probably still work fine.

While I'm aware the K66 is better. I can't justify spending $2,000 on a transaxle and conversion kit. When the old transaxle held up well.

I'm just interested in the Husqvarna K57 since it is $400 versus $775 for the official JD replacement. I wouldn't even have looked but got spooked by the official JD replacement AM134125 is now a T40 not a K46. I don't if the T40 is as good or lightweight like the TL200.

Everything I can find about the K57 is it is nearly identical to the K46. Just a little better. There was even some talk of upgrading the internal components of the K46 to make it a K57. I also took factory photos of each and superimposed them with Photoshop. Everything seems to line up identically. The only issue being the pulley spindle is taller.

Absolutely understand. It's difficult.

The T40 is a step below a K46. The K57 as I said does have a little better internals for the ability to handle a little torque, but heat is your enemy. A K57 will build up just as much heat with your applications without the better cooling efficiency and replaceable internal filter. It's amazing you got 10 years or roughly 700 hrs out of the initial K46 given the description you provided of what you use it for.

If the spindle pulley is taller you'll want to be careful about excess belt wear depending on how far off the angles are between the engine and transaxle.

Best of luck.
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Thanks,

The first lasted ten years. Perhaps a little more. The second one a used one lasted another four years. It's always been a K46. I've had this tractor since around 2005. I also never changed the transaxle oil. Since JD listed it as non-serviceable. I wish I knew I could change it then. As it would probably still work fine.

While I'm aware the K66 is better. I can't justify spending $2,000 on a transaxle and conversion kit. When the old transaxle held up well.

I'm just interested in the Husqvarna K57 since it is $400 versus $775 for the official JD replacement. I wouldn't even have looked but got spooked by the official JD replacement AM134125 is now a T40 not a K46. I don't if the T40 is as good or lightweight like the TL200.

Everything I can find about the K57 is it is nearly identical to the K46. Just a little better. There was even some talk of upgrading the internal components of the K46 to make it a K57. I also took factory photos of each and superimposed them with Photoshop. Everything seems to line up identically. The only issue being the pulley spindle is taller.

Just a quick FYI. If you're not aware this is my Go-To JD Site........

Green Tractor Talk

A forum community dedicated to John Deere tractor owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about towing, PTO’s, reviews, attachments, modifications, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!

www.greentractortalk.com

 

[velocityg4]

Absolutely understand. It's difficult.

The T40 is a step below a K46. The K57 as I said does have a little better internals for the ability to handle a little torque, but heat is your enemy. A K57 will build up just as much heat with your applications without the better cooling efficiency and replaceable internal filter. It's amazing you got 10 years or roughly 700 hrs out of the initial K46 given the description you provided of what you use it for.

If the spindle pulley is taller you'll want to be careful about excess belt wear depending on how far off the angles are between the engine and transaxle.

Best of luck.
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Just a quick FYI. If you're not aware this is my Go-To JD Site........

Green Tractor Talk

A forum community dedicated to John Deere tractor owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about towing, PTO’s, reviews, attachments, modifications, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!

www.greentractortalk.com

Good info. Can't believe the official replacement part is now a lower end tranny. I found some mention of someone replacing their K46 with a Husqvarna K57 in an L130. So, I should be able to do the same. The only issue mentioned is forward/reverse has been reversed. Which makes sense since all the Husqvarna models I found have the reverse kill switch on the opposite side of the pedal lever than the corresponding JD models.

I'll give that forum a look.

I don't think I'll order the official JD replacement. Since it is lower end than the orginal. I'll either get some other K46 and hope the direction isn't reversed or chance the K57.

I know what you're talking about with the K66. I'd love to get a tractor with it or a K72 even. It's just too much to spend right now when the K46 has held up. I'm hoping it'll last until electric lawn tractors are cheap enough to switch.

 

[Gutwrench]

Good luck with your repair. I couldn’t do it.

I just bought the S240 about two weeks ago. Thinking of buying the Ag Fab 44“ lawn sweeper. Hard to justify the price but I’m wearing myself down.
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Ps - @velocityg4 the S240 comes with the v-twin Kaw too. I’m not sure this model is enough for you. It’s the bottom level dealer only model.

 

[velocityg4]

Good luck with your repair. I couldn’t do it.

I just bought the S240 about two weeks ago. Thinking of buying the Ag Fab 44“ lawn sweeper. Hard to justify the price but I’m wearing myself down.

I just bought some really nice blades (Oregon Gator Blades which are way better than JD blades). I also use the mulching cover on the deck. That clears up everything. You can't even tell there were leaves on the lawn. And I get a lot of leaves.

The only time the mulcher gets overwhelmed is when the lawn grows really fast and it's been raining a lot (every July and August). I can just remove the mulching cover. Do a pass. Then put on the mulching cover to wipe out the clippings. Plus you get a bonus of everything fertilizing the soil.

Mulching works so well. I couldn't picture going back to collecting yard waste and dumping it in a compost pile. Although that might be nice for pine needles. Mulching doesn't work so well on them. Argh! I didn't come here to find more things to blow money on.

 

[Gutwrench]

I just bought some really nice blades (Oregon Gator Blades which are way better than JD blades). I also use the mulching cover on the deck. That clears up everything. You can't even tell there were leaves on the lawn. And I get a lot of leaves.

The only time the mulcher gets overwhelmed is when the lawn grows really fast and it's been raining a lot (every July and August). I can just remove the mulching cover. Do a pass. Then put on the mulching cover to wipe out the clippings. Plus you get a bonus of everything fertilizing the soil.

Mulching works so well. I couldn't picture going back to collecting yard waste and dumping it in a compost pile. Although that might be nice for pine needles. Mulching doesn't work so well on them. Argh! I didn't come here to find more things to blow money on.

Thank you for the blade recommendation. I’ll research them. Are they a 2 or 3 in one type blade? I mean a blade for throwing trim, mulching, and bagging? Disregard, I see they’re 3n1. I only mulch but don’t know if I might just throw it. I doubt I’d buy the rear mounted bagger.

This brings me to the lawn sweeper. I‘d mulch the leaves and then I’d bag it with the old mower. With the sweeper I could mulch and pick it up and dump it in my neighbor’s yard...lol...I mean the open space behind our homes. I’m insufferably lazy anymore. Plus the sweeper clean the debris and lays some stripes...poverty style. Lol

Do you (or @Glideslope) have any experience or comments about the sweeper? I’ve had three people say they like it (Ag Fab 44”), and the fourth say it was a waste of money (the JD model) because twigs would cause it to jam and lock the wheels. I’m very urban ... not even close to rural setting.

Off to check out the Gator Blades.

Edit: Thinking of the G5’s. Which did you get?

 

[Glideslope]

I just bought some really nice blades (Oregon Gator Blades which are way better than JD blades). I also use the mulching cover on the deck. That clears up everything. You can't even tell there were leaves on the lawn. And I get a lot of leaves.

The only time the mulcher gets overwhelmed is when the lawn grows really fast and it's been raining a lot (every July and August). I can just remove the mulching cover. Do a pass. Then put on the mulching cover to wipe out the clippings. Plus you get a bonus of everything fertilizing the soil.

Mulching works so well. I couldn't picture going back to collecting yard waste and dumping it in a compost pile. Although that might be nice for pine needles. Mulching doesn't work so well on them. Argh! I didn't come here to find more things to blow money on.

Gators are the best. Have them on my 48".

 

[Glideslope]

Thank you for the blade recommendation. I’ll research them. Are they a 2 or 3 in one type blade? I mean a blade for throwing trim, mulching, and bagging? Disregard, I see they’re 3n1. I only mulch but don’t know if I might just throw it. I doubt I’d buy the rear mounted bagger.

This brings me to the lawn sweeper. I‘d mulch the leaves and then I’d bag it with the old mower. With the sweeper I could mulch and pick it up and dump it in my neighbor’s yard...lol...I mean the open space behind our homes. I’m insufferably lazy anymore. Plus the sweeper clean the debris and lays some stripes...poverty style. Lol

Do you (or @Glideslope) have any experience or comments about the sweeper? I’ve had three people say they like it (Ag Fab 44”), and the fourth say it was a waste of money (the JD model) because twigs would cause it to jam and lock the wheels. I’m very urban ... not even close to rural setting.

Off to check out the Gator Blades.

Edit: Thinking of the G5’s. Which did you get?

I've never used a sweeper as I'm in the country surrounded with Trees, Leaves, and Twigs. Tried a rear bagger when I bough the new JD back in 2016 after 20+ years with the old Gal. Never liked it, and really could not get comfortable with simply dumping all those clip[pings. Seemed wasteful. (May also be from the trauma having to push my father's Lawn Sweeper as a child for hours at a time, but most likely not.) So I sold the rear bagger, installed the JD side discharge Mulching kit and went back to mulching as I always had.

Used the JD blades for one season then put Gators back on. I have around 300hrs on this set of Gators and they are still cutting great with just a minor sharpening each season ( I ensure I doin't run over any stones, or twigs larger than my pinky finger.)

IMO, a good mulching kit with the Gator Blades is the ticket. I like the JD system as I can simply slide my right foot down over the deck and flip the opening open or closed. They started offering an electric option for the gate with a dash mounted switch in 2018, but really, how hard is it to flip a handle 5" back and forth?

Now, you want to talk about leaves. I have several 50+ year old Sugar Maples and Pin Oaks in the part of my land that I mow (about 2 acres.) As long as they are dry my deck with the gate closed and the Gators will absolutely pulverize the leaves into the soil. I may have to do a repass over an area once, but never twice.

Regards.
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Thank you for the blade recommendation. I’ll research them. Are they a 2 or 3 in one type blade? I mean a blade for throwing trim, mulching, and bagging? Disregard, I see they’re 3n1. I only mulch but don’t know if I might just throw it. I doubt I’d buy the rear mounted bagger.

This brings me to the lawn sweeper. I‘d mulch the leaves and then I’d bag it with the old mower. With the sweeper I could mulch and pick it up and dump it in my neighbor’s yard...lol...I mean the open space behind our homes. I’m insufferably lazy anymore. Plus the sweeper clean the debris and lays some stripes...poverty style. Lol

Do you (or @Glideslope) have any experience or comments about the sweeper? I’ve had three people say they like it (Ag Fab 44”), and the fourth say it was a waste of money (the JD model) because twigs would cause it to jam and lock the wheels. I’m very urban ... not even close to rural setting.

Off to check out the Gator Blades.

Edit: Thinking of the G5’s. Which did you get?

I use the G5's (596-354).

 

[velocityg4]

I ordered the K57 transaxle. After some confirmation that a K57 should fit anything a K46 fits. As long as it has the same connector layout. Since these transaxle's have loads of different options.

I compared all the connectors and axle design. They all appear to be the same between the K57R and my K46 variant. I also looked up the drawings of the Husqavarna it fits. Everything appears the same.

The only caveat being that the forward and reverse control is reversed. Which is pretty easy to rectify. As I can do a 180 on the control arm or remove the pan and reverse a wedge shaped block in the transaxle.

Another option was to grab a transaxle from an X300 series. But they put five bolt lug type axles on that variant. Killing the savings due to the cost of new rims and tires. The K57R seems easiest.

I'll find out when it comes in Monday and update the results.

 

[D.T.]

I've had just a terrific time reading this thread Our yard doesn't necessitate the kind of equipment being discussed, but big ol' lawn tractors and whatnot, hahahaha, yes please

 

[velocityg4]

I've had just a terrific time reading this thread Our yard doesn't necessitate the kind of equipment being discussed, but big ol' lawn tractors and whatnot, hahahaha, yes please

Obviously, you need to move to a house with more land. Then you can justify buying a lawn tractor.

 

[retta283]

Quite interesting seeing a thread like this, I used to go to some lawn work forums in the late 90s-early 00s when I was into landscaping. At the time, I was quite informed on tractors and mowers but it's been 20 years since I did serious repairs on them.

I still have a JD LT155, which is almost 20 years old and still works okay, but I decided to pick up a D110 when I had some money just to be safe. I figured the LT wouldn't last much longer and might as well while I could. D110 is a decent unit for the land I used it on. Currently I don't use either of them because I am not maintaining any property, but I've been keeping up on tractor maintenance to keep them running.

My LT155 had the blades changed out about 15 years ago, the original ones were damaged beyond repair so I trashed them, D110 has its originals. JD are okay, but everyone that maintained large lots liked to swap them out on purchase of a new unit.

Good luck with the new transaxle.

 

[Gutwrench]

I've had just a terrific time reading this thread Our yard doesn't necessitate the kind of equipment being discussed, but big ol' lawn tractors and whatnot, hahahaha, yes please

Mine probably doesn’t either. 😞 My body is starting to fight back using the walk-behind. I enjoy yard work but not when it gets too hard.

 

[Glideslope]

I ordered the K57 transaxle. After some confirmation that a K57 should fit anything a K46 fits. As long as it has the same connector layout. Since these transaxle's have loads of different options.

I compared all the connectors and axle design. They all appear to be the same between the K57R and my K46 variant. I also looked up the drawings of the Husqavarna it fits. Everything appears the same.

The only caveat being that the forward and reverse control is reversed. Which is pretty easy to rectify. As I can do a 180 on the control arm or remove the pan and reverse a wedge shaped block in the transaxle.

Another option was to grab a transaxle from an X300 series. But they put five bolt lug type axles on that variant. Killing the savings due to the cost of new rims and tires. The K57R seems easiest.

I'll find out when it comes in Monday and update the results.

Sounds like it will work out. Yes, the K46 and K57 have the same axles. The upper pulley on the K57 will be the same height as well? You don't want any increases in angle from the engine output shaft to the transaxle pulley (excessive belt wear.) As I mentioned before even with the K57 if you can while you have everything apart I would look into an external cooler and remote filter. You have to go to a K58 before you start having internal replaceable cartridge filters. If it's cost prohibitive, make sure you're changing the fluid every 200hrs if you usage remains consistent.

Let me know how she runs when you're finished.

 

[D.T.]

Mine probably doesn’t either. 😞 My body is starting to fight back using the walk-behind. I enjoy yard work but not when it gets too hard.

Hahaha, I know, I mowed yesterday, I just use a non-propelled push mower (I like the lighter weight, so I can just of toss it around). We've got a corner lot and a lot of folks let the side just grow over, but I've cultivated ours into part of the yard, so more grass, and yesterday did the whole front, back, ditches, worked on the palms, trimmed ... about ****ing died.

 

[Allyance]

We had a 5 acre lawn at our Cobblestone house in the Finger Lakes of NY. We went through our first JD (185 I think) when the hydrostatic transmission failed, then got a bigger machine with power steering, power lift for the deck, and a bagger attachment. Took us 5 hours to mow running full throttle, we loved doing it because it gave us time to think. We would often fight over who got to mow. Great machines, not to be confused with the Sabre line which were MTD's I believe.

 

[velocityg4]

Sounds like it will work out. Yes, the K46 and K57 have the same axles. The upper pulley on the K57 will be the same height as well? You don't want any increases in angle from the engine output shaft to the transaxle pulley (excessive belt wear.) As I mentioned before even with the K57 if you can while you have everything apart I would look into an external cooler and remote filter. You have to go to a K58 before you start having internal replaceable cartridge filters. If it's cost prohibitive, make sure you're changing the fluid every 200hrs if you usage remains consistent.

Let me know how she runs when you're finished.

I go through and do a full service every spring and fall. I'll just add a transmission oil change every spring. Now that I know it can be done.

 

[Glideslope]

We had a 5 acre lawn at our Cobblestone house in the Finger Lakes of NY. We went through our first JD (185 I think) when the hydrostatic transmission failed, then got a bigger machine with power steering, power lift for the deck, and a bagger attachment. Took us 5 hours to mow running full throttle, we loved doing it because it gave us time to think. We would often fight over who got to mow. Great machines, not to be confused with the Sabre line which were MTD's I believe.

The Finger Lakes Region is some of the most beautiful scenery in the country. I always loved the times I’d fly into KITH or KELM. KLEM could be a challenge at times with all the Gliders off Harris Hill. 😉

Once you have power steering and a power deck you never go back. 😏
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I go through and do a full service every spring and fall. I'll just add a transmission oil change every spring. Now that I know it can be done.

That should do it. 👍

 

[velocityg4]

The transaxle came in early. It took some modifying but it's working now. Man I wasn't sure if I'd get the speed of the Husqavarna mowers but I did. This things a friggin hotrod now. It flies around the yard, uphill too. I've gotten rid of all reverse limitations and safety swtiches. It flies in reverse too and I no longer have to press that annoying reverse button when mowing.

My yards a bit rough right now since I had a new drain field installed. So, I have to cut my speed down in the rough areas. Once I get around to tilling, smoothing and seeding it. I'd expect to cut my mowing time down by 1/3rd. It's much faster than new.

When I get around to it. I'll detail the mods necessary to use the K57r in this John Deere.

 

[Glideslope]

The transaxle came in early. It took some modifying but it's working now. Man I wasn't sure if I'd get the speed of the Husqavarna mowers but I did. This things a friggin hotrod now. It flies around the yard, uphill too. I've gotten rid of all reverse limitations and safety swtiches. It flies in reverse too and I no longer have to press that annoying reverse button when mowing.

My yards a bit rough right now since I had a new drain field installed. So, I have to cut my speed down in the rough areas. Once I get around to tilling, smoothing and seeding it. I'd expect to cut my mowing time down by 1/3rd. It's much faster than new.

When I get around to it. I'll detail the mods necessary to use the K57r in this John Deere.

Glad it worked out. Sounds like you’ll need some new rear rubber soon. 😉

 

[A.Goldberg]

My parents have a 4 acre property in Connecticut, about 2 acres of that being grass. Growing up I of course was responsible for mowing the lawn. Now I live in Boston and I don't have to worry about such things. This thread brings back some memories.

We had a John Deere GT235e, purchased when they built their house circa 2000.

After 18-19 years the engine (Kawaskai V-Twin) finally died. The mower deck had a hole rust through on the top. A couple times the metal supports holding on the mower deck wheels had to be welded back on. Several years earlier it blew a head gasket. It had an awful lot of electrical problems too over the years... For a $5000-6000 tractor (+ snow blower implement that was rarely used) in 2000 money I was little surprised at how many problems it had and it's relatively average lifespan. My father is religious about maintenance.

For the past couple years they've just hired someone to mow the lawn ($35!!). My parents are in their mid 60's but busy as ever with their careers and have a lot of upkeep around the house as it is. My dad is a workaholic and of course wants to buy a new one. He's always wanted to been a gentleman farmer.

A GT325e is a garden tractor but by no means a big tractors as far as tractors go, but they could easily get away with going up to a bigger size. Having a heavier tractor with 4WD esp with locking diff would be great for snow removal. The GT could pretty much only handle light snow. The blower didn't work well with heavy snow. It had an open diff so if there was ice forget it.

Can anyone comment on the quality of JD these days or what a competitor is? Kubota has an awful website, but it looks like the BX is their smallest offering.

When they can get their lawn mowed for $35 by two guys in like 15 minutes with high speed zero-turn mowers it seems hard to justify spending $10k+ on another tractor that will take quite a bit longer.