"It depends". Maybe how you are using the machine is more than what the transmission is expected to do, perhaps it just had a relatively early failure, or it ran low on fluid.
JD buys the hydro setup as a unit, and tracks/replaces it as a unit. That's just how JD is.
You may be able to figure out the original manufacturer and model of the hydro, make sure parts are available for it, and then find someone who is willing to take it apart, figure out what's wrong and fix it. This may be cheaper than a new one, depending on what exactly is wrong.
You may also be able to find a replacement unit cheaper than what JD sells a new one for, either a used one from another zero turn, or a new one from the original manufacturer without the JD tax.
JD buys the hydro setup as a unit, and tracks/replaces it as a unit. That's just how JD is.
You may be able to figure out the original manufacturer and model of the hydro, make sure parts are available for it, and then find someone who is willing to take it apart, figure out what's wrong and fix it. This may be cheaper than a new one, depending on what exactly is wrong.
You may also be able to find a replacement unit cheaper than what JD sells a new one for, either a used one from another zero turn, or a new one from the original manufacturer without the JD tax.
