They usually fail, because they get pushed beyond their capability....not sure if it is still true, but a few years ago I read that it was the most widely used trans in LAWN Tractors...the problems seem to occur when people try to use a LAWN Tractor as a Garden Tractor

 

Using them as a garden tractor cannot be helped in some models with a tractor -like body

 

And servicing a non serviceable K46 will extend the life considerably. I pulled one out of a Husquvarna, removed the fill plug, turned it over to drain it, cleaned the filter screen and magnet. Then refilled with synthetic 5W50 and reinstalled it in the tractor. Went from barely driving up a small hill to pulling the front axle off the ground when taking off just by servicing it.

Yes it was a pain to do, but way cheaper than a new tractor.

 

That's great if you do it before it exhibits any transmission issues. But not after. Who would know to do that unless you had prior knowledge that these K46s are Piece of junk transmissions??

 

It’s like complaining that your Ford Ranger blew up trying to pull a 15k pound trailer. It’s not the right tool for the job.

 

The K46 in my 2008 LA165 is still going strong with 500+ hours. I worked it hard - probably asked more from it than it was designed for - but I did not abuse it. No complaints here.

 

Some of this, maybe even most of it, is marketing related. Marketing material for these machines often includes a table of what each machine is capable of performing. HOWEVER, i have never seen a table listing the uses a machine should not be used for. There are warnings not to use ZT on hills over 15° for the safety of the operator but i've never seen a warning on a lawn tractor that says if you use the machine to push snow all winter then your service life is cut in half or that the transaxle will fail within 500 hours if your property has 20° hills combined with an operator who weighs 250 lbs.
I certainly have no issue with manufacturers producing parts with differing levels of ruggedness and durability, if all lawn tractors had Tuff Torq K92s then they would certainly last far longer, however, very few people would be able to afford them.
In the end the operator/buyer needs to know the full capabilities of a machine as well as its explicit inabilities. If they decide to push a machine past its limitations then that's on the buyer as long as they were fully informed.

P.S.-Totally agree all transaxles should be serviceable at a minimum with fill and drain holes.

 

Using them as a garden tractor cannot be helped in some models with a tractor -like body

I am not sure what you mean by "cannot be helped"...but if you are going to exceed its capability ...something has to give.....one has to expect that to happen...as described by MiniHomesteader

It’s like complaining that your Ford Ranger blew up trying to pull a 15k pound trailer. It’s not the right tool for the job.

Yes...the manufacturer certainly could make them serviceable, but it seems that if they are used for their intended purpose, they don't fail prematurely...if the jobs you have for your tractor exceed the limits of a K46 you could use a GT...or an LT with a stronger trans...I have a LT for mowing my lawn...( it has a different trans)...I have a SCUT for the real work that I don't want to subject the LT to.

 

my z turn has non service trans my bro pulled the pans without removing trans changed oil 20w50 seems faster than before well over 1000 hrs mine r zt 2800 s

 

Tuff Torq actually call for 5W50 full synthetic.

 

Please note that if the purpose of this thread is to gain support for legal action, then please read the rules, that is not allowed on MTF. Nothing on the site should be construed to endorse any legal opinions or support for any. This site is about helping one another solve problems not build cases. Yes, a particular model may garner more feedback but all we provide is advice to an owner that they are free to accept or reject.

 

You've got a roughly 20 year old residential lawn tractor that you admit to having used beyond it's intended purpose, I can't think there is any need for a recall. The K46 is a perfectly fine transaxle for a residential lawn tractor; the L120 is not a garden tractor, it sure isn't a utility tractor, and to treat it as anything else is to shorten that life span. The thing carried, what, a 2 or 3 year warranty on it when it was new? You're well past that point.

Now, as mentioned, it could stand to have a drain plug- but when you're using a machine beyond it's intended purpose, even regular maintenance can't prevent the inevitable.

@TooManyTractors! the K46 is actually perfectly comfortable pushing a snow blower; that cold air does a lot to keep the transaxle cool, and it's the heat that inevitably kills these things.

If you don't like the K46, wait until you hear about the T40J/TL200...

 

If you have a flat 1/4 acre yard, like most people do, a K46 will last forever.Some people see the green color and think they have a monster truck. We all know how that story ends, but it certainly isn't JD's fault.
As far as the serviceable transaxle, I bet JD did their homework. If 90% of people who buy this class of tractor never change the fluid, why should they continue to add a drain plug?

 

If you have a flat 1/4 acre yard, like most people do, a K46 will last forever.Some people see the green color and think they have a monster truck. We all know how that story ends, but it certainly isn't JD's fault.
As far as the serviceable transaxle, I bet JD did their homework. If 90% of people who buy this class of tractor never change the fluid, why should they continue to add a drain plug?

That's how we end up with the Deere 30 Second Oil Change; foolish people ruining things for the rest of the class. 😢

 

The 30 second oil change really makes me laugh, but I'd be willing to bet that even that is too much to ask of the low end tractor buyer. I bet the typical owner would spend 1 minute changing the oil over the life of the tractor. Then, they will come here to complain that JD did them dirty.

 

This kinda fits here.
In 1950 the owners manual told you how to adjust the valve lash, set points and adjust spark timing.
Probably pointed out grease zerks, adjusting the brakes and probably clutch adjustment as well.

In 2024 it tells you "Do not drink engine fluids or battery acid".
No adjustments or lubrication on anything.

Is that what they keep calling progress?

Second thought on this conversation.
Small machines are harder to run than big ones.
The big ones just power right through and keep on going.
The small one, you have to realize what you are running, know you can't just power through anything and realize something will break if you try.

 

"these K46s are Piece of junk transmissions"

Holy cow!! He's got an L120 and complaining about the transmission having problems after 20+ years? WOW. JUST WOW!

 

And that was after overworking it.

 

ggtaruc Here is a quote from a 2012 Thread which I Update this Past April 2024

The K46 gets a very bad reputation on these forum and many forums. Because the K46 was used In the Deere L series when it first came out. During the 2005 Production Year Deere switched from the K46 In most L-series Hydrostatic Models to the T40J/TLT200 which Is designed more for a Rear engine rider and not a Lawn Tractor. But most assume all Deere entry Level 100 series have a K46 when only the top two models still use the K46 The K46 is the most widely used Lawn tractor transmission used in the Lawn & Garden Industry there are 56 DIFFERENT VARIANTS of the K46. Husqvarna used a K46 In an LGT Model that is sold at Lowe's Which it was sold as a Garden tractor that didn't help of course when you use a Transmission Beyond it design Limits You will Have Problems with It But the K46 Is fine for Use In a Lawn Tractor for Mowing the Lawn and Occasional snow removal with a Blade Or Blower. Or towing equipment on flat to rolling hills. If you abuse a Tuff-Torq K92, it will fail as well.

:

It was fitting in 2012 as it is today in 2024

56 DIFFERENT VARIANTS of the K46. Really if the K46 was so Bad, Tuff-Torq wouldn't Produce that many different Variants