I just wanted to let you know that after Christmas you and I are going to unbox (take apart) a couple of Element V Transmissions to see how strong they are and how they work. General Transmissions was kind enough to ship a RT 400 and a RS 800. These transmissions are already in quite a few lawn tractors including the John Deere D105 and in the Craftsman 20390.
General Transmissions Element V RS 800
I’m making a list of points to go over. What do you want to know?
Rural Lifestyle Dealer interviewed General Transmissions Company President Wouter Barendrecht at the GIE-EXPO this fall. In this video Wouter gives you a better understanding of their influence in the North American market and their commitment to providing dealers with parts & service in a timely manner.
I can tell you for a fact that GT is committed to not only the dealers but to you, the owners of their transmissions.
Ron Leonard
I just backed my Craftsman tractor with a RS800 out of the garage and put it in forward. Now it is stuck in forward and I can’t move the lever at all. Any suggestions? All help appreciated. Ron
Paul
Hi Ron, if you have an air compressor use it to clean all the debris out from the top of the transmission. Otherwise, get in there with whatever you can a clean off that debris. Most of the time the linkage is just clogged up with old grass, etc.
Wayne DeJulia
I need to get axle seals for a RT400, John Deere e100. GT does not list a part number, and i have not found it anywhere. Can someone get me the part number or link to the seals! Thanks, Wayne
Paul
Hi Wayne, I’m not sure the RT 400 has replaceable seals. I suggest calling GT to find out: https://www.generaltransmissions.com/en/contact-us/.
By-the-way, the oil is used to quiet the transmission – it’s not needed for lubrication. You don’t need to worry about the transmission failing because it is out of oil. Both the 400 and 800 series trannys have self-lubricating gears in the gearbox.
Ron Leonard
Does anyone know what the weight limits are on the RS800F when pulling a 12 Cubic Foot lawn cart? I loaded it with gravel to patch my dirt road.
I loaded the cart with gravel and the tractor did not have a problem pulling it. I went over some rough rutts that the dump truck left when dumping his 4 yards of gravel while pulling the load.
It developed a leak (crack) in the middle of the case and grease was leaking out. I don’t know if the rough terrain cracked the case or the heavy load.
I ordered a new RS800F and will be installing it this week.
I don’t want to do it again if the load was too heavy. That’s why I’m asking about the weight limit.
According to a post (Paul’s reply April 28, 2020), I really didn’t need to order a new unit as it really doesn’t need the grease. It was put in to make it run quieter.
All comments welcomed. Have a great day and stay SAFE.
Paul
Hi Ron, The RS800 were put in lawn tractors, meaning the tractor’s frame and components are designed to mow your lawn and pull a small yard cart with 400 lbs or so max.
The case of the transmission will flex and it’s been tested for 800 lbs vertical load – but since the tractor’s frame is not that strong the frame flexing may have caused the case to crack.
The transmission has been tested pulling 1000 lbs up a 15% grade for over 200 hours and it didn’t break. That said, the combination of more than 400 lbs of weight and pulling it through ruts is probably not a very good idea.
Road Mix gravel weighs about 140 lbs a cubic foot so a 12 cubic foot cart loaded with gravel is probably close to 1200 lbs and may weigh as much as 1500 lbs if the rock is wet! If you are using a lawn tractor you need to fill the cart no more than 1/4 full to properly pull it with the tractor.
Ron Leonard
Thanks Paul for your quick comeback on my question about weight limits on my RS800 in my lawn mower. I know I overloaded it when I pulled the yard cart behind it with 800+ lbs and ran through some rutts.
My new replacement transmission will be here today. Do you still stand behind your statement that the RS800 can be run without lubricant if a person can stand the noise? Thank you…Ron
Paul
Yes, that info comes directly from the owner of the company. I’ve talked to Wooter a lot about that transmission over the years and he was always willing to explain the engineering and why it works the way it does.
Ron Leonard
It’s me again. I’m trying to replace my RS800F transmission. How do I get the clip off the rod that runs to the shifter on the tranny. It presses on and I can’t seen to get it off by prying. Is it reusable? Can’t find any parts lists that show that little clip. Thank You
Paul
Hi Ron, is it round – like a hat? It’s called a push nut and any hardware store will carry it in the drawers above the nuts and bolts in the hardware aisle.
No, they are hard to remove without breaking them
Ron Leonard
Sorry to bother you, but do you still stand behind your statement in an earlier post that you can run the tranny dry and it won’t hurt it. You said the lube was put in to quieten the gear box noise. In other words, I can keep the old tranny with the cracked case and use it if I need another tranny in the near future.
Thank you….Ron
Paul
Yes, the gears are composite and self-lubricating. It doesn’t need oil for it to run.
Ron Leonard
Thanks Paul for all your valuable information and quick replys. Off to the hardware store to get a push nut. Stay SAFE!!!!
Ron Leonard
Hi Paul: Pulled the old RS800F that was leaking oil and replaced it with a new RS800F. Here’s something strange. When I pulled the old unit, there was a small metal screw about half way up (on the right side) on the back side of the case. It was screwed in about half way of the threads. I bought this mower new. It had to come from the factory like that.
Wonder what they put that in there? Maybe it had a small leak???? Stay Safe…Ron
Paul
Hi Ron, I have a display version of the RS800 and it also has that screw. I never bothered to ask what it was for.
chad
I am working on a rt 400 transaxle out of a D105 John Deere. Working on it for a friend. She bought the tractor new about 4 or 5 years ago. The transaxle makes horrible noise when moving. It has just over 200 hours on it. I totally disassembled the transaxle and everything looks great. Bearings all smooth,wasn’t leaking had plenty of grease. Only thing I noticed was the one half of the variable speed pulley,the top portion that actually moved on the shaft looks worn and egg shaped where it rotates and slides up and down on the shaft. Is this a common occurrence? Is there anything else I should be looking at? The noise it was making sounded like it may have been the pulley wobbling on the shaft. Did not sound like a bearing. And I noticed that between the pulleys there is a bearing that when the pulleys come together it engages the upper pulley. The bearing is much smaller than the hole in the pulley. I’m assuming that is designed this way. Just seems odd. Thank you for any advice. I am trying to help a friend. She can’t afford to put a new axle in it.
Paul
Hi Chad, You do NOT need to replace the transmission. Parts, manuals and videos are all available at this site. General Transmissions Service
jack
i am needing a part number or where i can get axle seals for a RT400 GT87137 cant seem to find anything on thing on internet . mine is leaking has 212hours on it . don’t want to spend $385 for another axle . would like to replace them and refill with OO grease . Thank You
Paul
Hi Jack. https://services.generaltransmissions.com/en/?lang=en
Roy
I have a Sears Craftsman LT2500 that I had to replace both axle seals, one was leaking thru the seal itself and the other had come out on its own. Mow I want to top up the fluid and I can’t fine the fill hole. Was there one on the 2 that you took apart, if so where.
Paul
Hi Roy, That gearbox uses a grease – not an oil. If there is any left at all that’s plenty according to GT. That said, go here to get all your answers. Hi Jack. https://services.generaltransmissions.com/en/?lang=en.
Roy
Shaft Oil Seal TC23x40x10 Rubber Covered Double Lip w/Garter
https://www.bearingscanada.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=Shaft-Oil-Seal-23x40x10
These fit the LT2500 with GT tranny , my problem is that I can’t find where to top up lost fluid.
Paul
Hi Roy, That gearbox uses a grease – not an oil. If there is any left at all that’s plenty according to GT. That said, go here to get all your answers. Hi Jack. https://services.generaltransmissions.com/en/?lang=en.
David
And how in God’s name are you supposed to know if there is any grease left inside if both inner tires are covered with grease and both seals have popped out? I patiently await your reply.
The same thing happened to my Husquvarna with around 187 hours on the meter. Both seals popped out. It will happen again unless you supply you rig up some type of bushing and washer system over the axles. Someone has posted a YouTube video showing how he designed a system to keep the bearings in PLUS he added at plug on top of the box to add grease to it. I put my faith in the shade tree mechanics of YouTube rather than Husquvarna (who refuses to return a call) or General Transmission.
Paul
Hi David, I want to start of by saying I’m not making ANY excuses for that transmission.
1. The case that’s leaking is only a gearcase. It was never designed to change or add lubrication to it. It is designed to be sealed for the life of the lawn tractor. In fact, the gears inside are actually not metal and designed to run WITHOUT lubrication. That said, GT added lubrication to the gear case because the gearbox made noise when running and since owners are not used to noisy gearboxes they added a little lubrication just to quiet the box down.
2. In other words, glue the seals into the case, or put a strap across the seal, or use a washer with a 3/4 inch inside hole to hold them in – whatever you need to do. Then don’t worry about putting any additional grease/oil into the case. The case may be nosier than when you first got the tractor but the gears will never wear out from lack of lubrication.
3. I know this because I’ve been working with this CVT since before it was first installed in lawn tractors and I’ve spent hours with the engineer who designed the transmission going over the design and since then the problems people are having with it.
By the way, the biggest problem with this tranny is the Husqvarna decks blow grass all over and it gets on top of the transmission. That dead grass builds up and makes the CVT pulleys hard to move. It gets harder and harder until the owner breaks the control lever connected to the foot pedal. (newer models have a grass sheild over the CVT) So, use an air compressor and clean off the top of the transmission regularly. (Get parts at https://services.generaltransmissions.com/en/ride-on.html and troubleshooting here: https://services.generaltransmissions.com/en/rs800.html)
tony
Were you able to take apart the transmission? Can we also get parts for the inside of the transmission?
Thank you
Paul
Hi Tony, The “inside” is only a gearbox and nothing goes wrong in there. All the parts that may need replacing are on the outside of the box. That said, all parts are available here: Service – General Transmissions
Bob
Hi Paul,
I have a Craftsman T3000 with the RS800. It has given me nothing but problems. The mower is just over 2 years old and the second transmission is acting up. Debris builds up in the pulley on top of the transmission. Because of this, the mower is difficult to get into gear and more importantly does not want to come out of gear. It’s a dangerous situation. I will not allow my kids or wife to use the tractor for fear of their safety. The way the mower is built there’s no way to get in there and clean out the pulley without taking the transmission out of the mower! Do you know if anything can be done?
Paul
Hi Bob, Yes there is a fix and I’m surprised it wasn’t done when your trans was replaced.
Go to this website and ask GT about covers for the top of the RS800. Service – General Transmissions
Robert Tickle
Hi Paul,
I have a two year old Ariens (made by Husqvarna) lawn tractor that seems to have to have oil or grease leaking around the rear axle near the wheels. Is this a known problem with the RS800 transmission? The GT video about the RS800 said it “has no seals” to replace. Mine seems like it needs new seals.
Regards,
Bob
Paul
Hi Robert, If you look at the parts list there is an axle seal. You can order it from the dealers on the parts and support page. I’d replace both.
Robert
Where do you buy the grease & how do you put it in
Paul
Hi Robert, Please watch this video on how to use a grease gun. How to use a grease gun.
You may purchase a grease gun and grease at any automotive parts store of farm supply store. Here is a good one and grease on Amazon.
Lincoln is the recognized leader in grease guns. This one will last you a lifetime: Lincoln Lubrication 1133 2-Way Loading Lever-Action Grease Gun
The grease. I suggest a heavy duty synthetic. Any brand is OK.
Valvoline SynPower Synthetic Automotive Grease
Robert
Hi Paul.
Hearing good things about these General CVT’s. Hearing that the RS 800 approaches the capability of the K66. Not quite ground engaging, but stride for stride in toughness and durability. Fair statement?
Paul
Hi Robert, Yes, they are stronger than the K46 hydrostatic.
Ron NJ
Paul
I was wondering if you had written your article breaking down the GT ES800 transmission. The one area I would be interested in is “how I would as a shade tree mechanic replace the CVT transmission belt. Also. I am curious as to how the CVT changes the pulley diameter. Thanks again for all your efforts
Paul Sikkema
Hi Ron, I am not going to tear the RS800 apart but General Transmissions is finishing up a video that will go through a complete animation of the tranny. It should be ready in 3 weeks.
DENNIS LUDEN
HI PAUL IT’S ME AGAIN THE GUY WITH THE SEARS REVOLUTION TRACTOR WITH THE GARBAGE TRANSAXLE, I HAD A SEARS REPAIR MAN LOOK FOR BULLETINS BOTH THRU SEARS AND MTD HE SAID THERE WERE NONE. BUT IF YOU COULD FIND OUT WHAT OTHER TRANSAXLE FITS IT I WOULD REALY APPRECIATE IT. THANKS AGAIN, DENNIS LUDEN McKean, PA.
DENNIS LUDEN
HI PAUL, I BOUGHT A NEW CRAFTSMAN REVOLUTION TRACTOR IN 2010. WITH ONLY 173 HOURS ON IT THE TRANS AXLE TOOK A CRAP, FROM WHAT I’M HEARING IT’S A INFINITRAK TTT, THE LAST I KNEW SEARS WANTS $ 1,000.00 FOR A NEW ONE. DOES ANYONE BESIDES SEARS OFFER THIS TRANS AXLE ? IT SEEMS STUPID TO PUT $ 1,000.00 INTO A MACHINE THAT IS NOW FIVE YEARS OLD. ANY HELP WOULD BE APP. THANKS, DENNIS Mckean PA.
Paul Sikkema
@Dennis, Did you buy it new from Sears? If you did, have a tech come out and go through his service bulletins. There was a bulletin out a few years that stated they would replace the trans a long as you owned the tractor if you bought it new. Don’t bother to call Sears or go to a store – only a service tech can find that bulletin through his computer.
No, that was a special trans axle made by MTD. MTD scrapped the design in 2010 and went with a dual transmission set-up in all machines after that. Now any Tuff Torq hydro trans will fit into that location – but you will have to design a set of linkages to operate it. You will no longer have the zero-turn but at least you will have an operational tractor.
Rick Andrews
In the zero turn mowers what will theseGT elements transaxles be compared to the EZT or the better 2800 series. What brand and size zero turns may they be installed in? Digby Nova Scotia
Russ Krat
Hi Paul, I would like to know the limits of each one to help determine what path to take. Have 1.5acres with 1 steep grade and small hills. I inherited a 1983 170 JD but it finally has to be replaced. This will determine what tractor I buy in 2 months. Canonsburg PA.