Cadet 80 hydro issue
 

I am a new user to the forum and a new owner of a well used Cub Cadet. I picked up the IH Cub Cadet 80 on Craigslist for a decent price knowing that it had some issues and that I would have to put some time and money into it.

After a new battery and basic tune up I have the B&S running, however when I let off the clutch and engage the hydrostatic transmission it make a terrible racket and the engine bogs down. I increased the engine RPM's and let out the clutch, the noise just gets louder and I still get no movement forward or reverse.

I have confirmed that the hydrostatic fan is spinning when the belt is engaged, but I don't know much about this type of transmission. I figured the noise coming from the transmission wasn't normal and decided to turn the whole thing off.

The hydrostatic fluid is full, in fact maybe too full for a "cold" transmission.

I bought it as a cheaper alternative to a new machine and hope to spend less than a new one in order to get it running. Once I cross that threshold the wife wins the bet.

Any help or guidance is appreciated, as well as any troubleshooting tips and tricks.

The serial number is 0340021u024282*

I apologize if the answer is in another thread that I just can't seem to locate.

Thanks
-Marshall

Marshall
The 80 is a lawn tractor so I am moving this post to the lawn tractor section. Wish I had an answer for you, but I have never done any work on an 80. Just off the top of my head if the belts and pulleys are turning the input to the pump and it is making bad noises some is probably very bad inside the pump or transaxle. You may be better off contacting the sponsors at the top of the page and seeing if they have a used replacement hydro/trans axle. Not going to get into the bet you have with your better half but she may win this one.

Thanks Sam.

:Welcome2:

For what it s worth...the mower deck is not attached to the tractor. So the only load on the engine is when the transmission is engaged.

Thanks for any help that can be provided.

-Marshall

Marshall, I sure wish I could help you out on this, but it has me stumped. As mentioned above, the only thing I could think of is something inside. As a thought, there is a small hydro "release" lever on the left side of the center column, near your left foot. The level contacts a plunger on the pump. You may want to check that to ensure it is fully released. If not, I could see where that may "hang up" everything and possibly cause the noise. It is spring loaded and you will just need to ensure it travels freely. If this is working properly, you very well may be looking internally.

I will tell you if you can get this going, you will love this mover. My 80 does a beautiful job mowing.

Hope this helps but not "exactly" sure what the issue may be, this was just a thought.

Hope you can figure it out. You will like it when its done and they will suprise you on what they can do. Mine was mowing grass and weeds as high as the hood yesterday

Alsparl

Thanks for the info. I have seen other posts that indicate a release valve for the hydro transmission but I never can find it on my setup. I will add a picture of the tractor, but nothing on the left side of the column that resembles a release valve. Only thing over there is the brake. How large or small would the lever be?

If this hydro doesn't have a release valve, where does that leave me?

I hope I can get it running...everyone says they are awesome little machines. Thanks for all the help.