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.
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. http://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. http://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. http://services.generaltransmissions.com/en/?lang=en.
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.