Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Deere STX 38 Hydro - no go!, forward momentum, jd dealer

Question
Tom-
My STX 38 Hydro (black deck) stopped moving (no forward momentum) while I was cutting the lawn. The belt was looking worn, but replacing it did nothing. I then took it to the JD dealer who told me the transaxle was bad, not serviceable, and needed replacement. They quoted a price of $850 for just the part!

Is there another way to get this fixed? The whole machine isn't worth that much!! I have a hard time believing that nobody can repair these transaxles for less than a new one.

Answer
I have to be real honest with you Rob, it's not that they can't, it's rather they don't want to. Most shops, especially dealers, have absolutely no desire to be mechanics anymore. They have become parts changers. Most  of these dealers lack the confidence to rebuild certain components. They narrow their margin of era by replacing the whole unit as a whole to eliminate come-backs, because they failed to rebuild it correctly the initial time. By replacing the whole unit with a factory new unit, they eliminate that chance of era. They now make money on the part, narrow their room for era, make money on the labor to install it, and not tie the mechanic up to be able to jump on another repair. In my shop the unit is evaluated for worn or damaged individual pieces of the component, if the specified pieces are available the unit is rebuilt, not replaced. I am one of the few left to take this money saving, and customer service approaches. I would highly doubt these individual  components to your hydro trans axle are not available. You also have the option of putting a wanted posting on a site like Craigslist to locate a used complete unit....Good luck Rob, I'd just try and find a good honest shop in your area........Tom