[bbcac]

I need some help with my Murray. Recently I've notice that I don't have much power. I used to remark how it might not be fast, but that nothing would stop it. Now it struggles to go up small hills, and it can barely move in reverse. I don't know what the model number because the sticker is gone but I am attaching some pictures of it to this post hoping someone can identify it. I have a snowblower on it right now, and it seems to throw the snow well still. When it is in drive and struggling, I sometimes hear a whining sound. I thought I would try to check the Hydraulic fluid but I can't seem to be able to open the reservoir. I don't want to give up on this tractor so I'd like to fix it.

Looking for assistance with
1) What is the model number? See the attached pictures for reference
2) Does anyone know where I can get a manual for it?
3) Is this a transaxle issue and if so, how do I service it? I can't get the "cap" off this reservoir and frankly I don't even know if it is serviceable. (see picture of reservoir). The sticker on it says SPICER 096932
4) Could this be a drive belt issue?

Thanks to anyone who takes the time to read and help me out.

 

[TechnicalLee]

The hydrostatic transmission is probably wearing out. Really the only thing you can try is changing the fluid in it. You will have to remove it completely from the tractor, unscrew the cap on the reservoir, and let it drain upside down into a bucket. Then refill with 50 weight synthetic oil. Run it with a drill to purge air. Leave some room for fluid expansion in the reservoir when you're done filling. I would also replace the drive belt and any worn pulleys. Also I had the same slow reverse problem, you can spin the part that connects to the transaxle on the threaded control linkage that goes to the pedal to adjust how much forward and reverse speed you have. Adjust it until you have enough reverse speed (FYI more reverse speed takes away from forward speed in the adjustment).

I did this to mine probably 10 years ago when it started getting noticeably slower, and it did help having the thicker oil in there. It was still going 4 years ago when I sold it, but you could tell the performance wasn't as good as it was when it was new. They just wear out, so your results with the fluid change will vary.

 

[bbcac]

Thanks for your response. Can you confirm that the plastic "cup" (see last picture above) is the hydraulic fluid reservoir? Is that where I drain/fill? Do you happen to have an exploded diagram of this particular trans axle and/or a manual for the tractor?

 

[Flaken]

You may want to look at this site:

Murray Peerless 205-024C Transaxle Issues: Murray Riding Mower / Peerless 205-024C Transaxle Issue Solved

 

[bbcac]

Thanks for responding... I don't think I have a peerless TA. The sticker says SPICER 093264. See the last picture above, and there is a plastic cup. If that is indeed where I would fill the transaxle from, I may not have to remove the entire until.

Anyone have experience with this transaxle?

 

[Flaken]

OK, my mistake.
You may have a Dana Spicer 4900-3. This is a parts schematic, take a look and see if it is close to what you have.

https://www.m-and-d.com/dana_foote_parts.html

Scroll down the list to 4900-3 and when you click on it a .pdf will load. Open the file and take a look.

If it is, go to youtube and enter Dana Spicer 4900-3 and there are several videos on it.

 

[TechnicalLee]

Thanks for responding... I don't think I have a peerless TA. The sticker says SPICER 093264. See the last picture above, and there is a plastic cup. If that is indeed where I would fill the transaxle from, I may not have to remove the entire until.

Anyone have experience with this transaxle?

Unless you have a leak the transaxle probably isn't low on fluid, the problem is the fluid and hydraulic pump gets worn out so it doesn't develop pressure anymore. Adding fluid won't help this, you have to drain and refill. Since there is no drain plug, you have to turn it upside down and drain it out the plastic reservoir, which means you have to remove it from the tractor.

Like I said, I did this with mine a while ago and it helped.

 

[bbcac]

ok... thanks... I'll give it a shot

 

[38racing]

since it is belt driven you should make sure that's ok. When my mtd hydro slowed I found that the idler pulley had broke off and belt was tensioned only by the pulley mounting bolt