Replacement of the Hydro Unit

Prepare to replace the unit by jacking the mower up on the side where the defective unit is located. Use a jack stand to support the mower while you are working. Remove the wheel on the defective unit. Remove the rear cover behind the clutch and remove the deck belt.

Remove the transmission idler spring from its mounting bolt on the transmission plate allowing the transmission belt to be removed from the defective unit. Dropping the electric clutch will give more room to work under the engine compartment. The hydro release lever will need to be unhooked from the transmission. Remove enough of the parking brake weldment to get it out of the way. Six bolts hold the hydro unit to the mount plate. The bolts come down from the top, putting the nuts on the bottom for easy removal. The opening in the mount plate is large enough to drop the unit out without removing the pulley and fan blade. Use the pictures below to help locate the parts. Install the new unit in reverse order of removal. Referring to the sections on “Adjusting the Drive Controls” and “Tracking Adjustments” get the new unit working in coordination with opposite side.

Remove cotter pin and washer to remove hydro release lever.

Location of bolts