QuestionQUESTION: I'm looking at purchasing a Sears Craftsman 15.5HP lawn tractor. The Kohler engine runs well, the chassis and body are in good shape, as are the tires. The transmission is the "bad" piece here. The owner says that when he puts it in gear it grinds and Sears quoted a heft price to replace it. He is asking $175.00 for the mower. model# is 917.259553.
I have a friend who has another Sears Craftsman rider that he got is taking the engine from for one of his other riders. I can have the hydrostat transmission from this mower for free.
My questions are:
1) How easy is it to change transaxeles from year to year on the sears models?
2) How long did Sears use the Peerless 205-025B transaxles and are they reliable?
3) Do you recommend performing an exchange like this? I've replaced transmissions in Chrysler minivans, so the physical and mechanical aspects of this exchange shouldn't be a problem for me if it can be done.
I know the "donor" mower is an LT1000 series, but don't have the actual model number yet.
I figure that I need to jump on this $175 mower pretty quick if I'm going to buy it, or someone else will.
Thanks.
ANSWER: Hello John:
The Project is a Simple One for you. I have Done the Interchange Like you are Thinking of Doing and It's Not that Complicated. The Main Concern is the Pulley Alignment. If the Transaxle is Shimmed to Acquire Proper Pulley Alignment; USE A FULL LENGTH SHIM, NOT SECTIONAL SHIMS. Sectional Shims Tend to Break Out the Frame from Flex and Torque of the Transaxle. Hope this Helps. I am here if you Require more Assistance. Let me know what Happens, Please. Thanks.
Good Luck
Respectfully
John
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Just a quick follow up. I went and looked at the donor mower today and it is a 917.271041. The Sears website shows the transaxle to be part number 150071. Based on what I am finding online, this is a spicer hydrostat transmission. A measurement across the axle mounts is the same as the Peerless transaxle that is bad in the mower I'm wanting to get.
Is there anything else, besides the pulley alignment that I should be looking for since they are different brands? I'm thinking that it shouldn't matter, but wanted to double check before I buy the "broken" mower.
Which brand of hydrostat transaxle is better, or does it really matter?
Thanks again.
John
Answer Hello Again John:
Most Times you will Find that the Transaxle will Interchange from 1 Sears 917.xxxxxx Model to Another 917.xxxxxx Model and the Same is True for the 502.xxxxxx and ect. The Transaxle OEM's Make the Transaxles to Fit Certain Frames. The Pulley Heigth and Bolt Pattern is Usually the Only Difference. There is Really No Difference in the Transaxle Quality Both are Top of the Line. Hope this Helps. I am here if you Require more Assistance. Let me know what Happens, Please. Thanks.
Good Luck
Respectfully
John
