Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): transmission, levers and linkages, spider gears

Question
QUESTION: I have a Toro 13-38hxl tractor with a hydrostatic transmission, over the years I have noticed the transmission starting to weaken. I just replaced the drive belt after it had broke and now I don't have much drive power.  can you help

ANSWER: Your Hydro-gear manufactured hyhdrostat is factory sealed and is not intended to be serviced.  Do you still have the mower owner's manual?  There maybe an adjustment but I will have to check.

Let me know if you have the manual.
Eric

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QUESTION: Eric,
      Yes I have the manual and the only adjustment I can find is the parking brake.  Will this affect the transmission that much?  I don't find any adjustment on the belt tension, I noticed it seems wobbly with the engine running sitting still I don't know if the spring is too weak letting the belt slip or not.  If you can help I would appreciate it. I can not get much help from the dealer.
         Thanks Chris
ANSWER: How old is the mower?  The brake adjustment could use some of the transaxle power but I am betting that is not the only problem.

Did the mower seem to lose more power after you replaced the belt?
Eric

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The tractor is a 1995 model, It seems like I did loose more power after I replaced the engine, and the belt.  It seems like there is a lot of excessive play in the transmission with the tractor jacked up and moving the tires.  Do you think the spider gears are wore out, or something might be broke?  I had a friend tell me that he had the same thing happen to his tractor, and he found the belt pulley key had broke and that fixed his tractor, I have not had time to pull mine off to see if that is ok or not.  I will check all levers and linkages good to check for binding or not releasing problems, other than that I am believing the transmission is bad.

Answer
I would check the pulleys but like yourself I'm betting the hydrostat is bad.  We have replaced several units already this year...they don't seem to hold up too well.

Did/can you see any numbers on the hydrostatic transmission?
Also, are the bolts holding the hydrostat tight?  We have found some loose and even some that broke.
Let me know.
Eric