Tech Tips – Residential IHT (w/ integrated reservoir tank) Oil Maintenance

Tuff Torq Oil Service Procedure for Residential IHT units with Internal Reservoir Tank
Models covered by this procedure:
- K46 Series
- Manufacturing ID: K46AA, K46AC, K46AG K46AW, K46BA, K46BC, K46BE, K46BL, K46BM, K46BN, K46BP, K46BR, K46BT, K46C, K46CJ, K4CR, K46CW, K46HD, K46V, K46Z
- K57 Series
- Manufacturing ID: K57A & K57F
- T40A & T40J
Normally the model K46 & T40A transaxles, that are featured in many tractor and rider models, do not require any servicing for the life of the vehicle. If checking the oil level/condition, it may be necessary to remove the transaxle from the vehicle. This is necessary to access the fill port (black cap) located under the pulley and fan (see diagram below).
After removing the unit from the vehicle, place the transaxle on a level surface and remove the fan and pulley. Then remove the black cap shown in the diagram below. Maintain the oil level at 20~25 mm (3/4”~1”) below the lip of (black cap) port (see diagram below).
Technical note: Check oil level when oil is at room temperature (20°C or 68° F) and the unit case is level and secure.
Always use the fill port (under the black cap) to drain the oil from your Tuff Torq unit. Do this by removing the cap and inverting transaxle.
Tuff Torq recommends using only using approved Tuff Tech drive fluid when servicing any of our transaxles. Only use the fill port (covered by the black cap) to refill unit. You will need approximately 2.2 liters of oil to properly refill the unit if completely empty. The amount of oil needed may vary for your service, due to the amount of residual oil remaining in case after draining and the condition/age of the unit you are servicing.
While reinstalling the fan & pulley be sure to place all components on the drive shaft in the reverse order from which they were removed and verify proper torque for each bolt.
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Hello, I have a John Deere D120 lawn tractor. I’ve replaced the hydrostat, now it won’t pull itself up an incline. Suggestions for what to do next? Thanks!
Can a k46v be installed on a JD Lt160 that had a K46C? What is the difference between the two units?
husqvarna k46 ia6460-84161 oil seals. dealer gave me a number of tuff torq #187t0134380 but they are somewhat larger.what is the correct number please.
I have a Snapper 2691282-00 SPX 2548 48” fabricated 25 HP Lawn Tractor 150 series with the Tuff Torq K46BL transaxle, when I first purchased the mower everything worked fine, but now over the years the forward gear still works, but the reverse is barely working most of the time and when it does it is really slow, any idea as to what would cause this problem? Thank you!
Hallo zusammen,
Ich habe eine John DEERE LT 166 aus 2001 . In dem Traktor ist die John Deere Nummer Am 880203 verbaut.
Können Sie mir sagen welcher Achstyp das bei Ihnen ist ???
Aufkleber auf der Achse ist nicht mehr vorhanden .
Danke
Schirmer
Recently I broke the long shaft in my mowers k46 transaxle. I order a new shaft and seals and fitted them as required before topping off with 5w40 oil. All went well for about 25 minutes then I lost all forward power and had very little reverse power. There were no visible leaks around the casing and the oil level in the reservoir was low despite having put in 2.2 litres, any ideas as to the loss of power before i remove the case again?
I have a K46BA0096113 trans in my craftsman mower. I removed the air vent cap and plug to check the oil level. How do i reinstall the plug and cap? are they supposed to be attached to each other? I ordered a new vent valve and the plug did not come with it. Can i reuse the same plug with the new vent valve? How does it get installed?
I have a k46 AW transaxle and broke the drive wheel axle, is it possible to change this shaft? If so will I need all new seals when I split the case open? I’m handy but not a pro by any means.
7a646084100 no neutral noise at slow speeds and can’t reverse up grade seems slow little plastic washer broke by shifter bracket pivit
I have a Husqvarna yth24k54 with a rear axle serial number 46BT1233972. It has 405 hours on it and I finished cutting the grass and was in the process of pulling a lawn sweeper and the trans started to whine, and within 500′ or so it shuttered and stopped. The axle was covered in oil and it was dripping. Upon removing the axle, I found the cap had dry rotted and cracked, which caused the leak. When I drained the oil it was a dark brown/grey color. No burnt odor to it. I am hoping that I can refill and put a new cap on it and it will be fine. The magnet did have a thin layer on it. I am trying to figure out exactly what axle I have. The tag number is 7A646084181.
I have a k46c transaxle s/n46c-0011168 on a john deere lt 180 tractor . i need to know what position the wedged shaped block needs to be thick side up or down? is the narrow part of the block ever up ?
Why is my k46 grinding when I press the gas in and could the trans pulley be out it’s low on drive fluid but will that make it grind like that
Good day,
I have a gearbox No. 7A646084170 (K 46 BP) in a snapper. After 25 minutes of operation, this loses enormous power. (has 200 operating hours) Can you also change the oil on the gearbox and does it improve?
Need to replace axle seals leaking but concern about if the bushing should be replace because of seals leaking but I don’t feel any play in the axle.
How do you put grease back in after replacing axle seals
I have a K46 in a Troy Bilt Mfg. date Jan 2015. Serial number is not readable on label. Transmission # is K46 1A6468-29902 (the 68 could be 66 or 88). Tractor does not move unless it is running for 15 minutes with pedal depressed for the entire 15 minutes. Then is will inch forward a couple inches, after another 5 minutes inch forward again and then slowly pick up speed and operate fine until it is shut off and cools down. Transmission is remove and I see the fill cap. Cap is intact but deteriorating and afraid it my crack when removing it. Is the cap available if needed? Also what oil can I replace with after draining case? Any thoughts on why forward or reverse movement is non-existent. Until if appears oil warms up?
Is there any way the air purging procedure can be done with the transmission out of the tractor? The reason I ask this question is, I cant top off the oil once the transmission is back in the tractor. My John Deere is a 135 unit. Thank you.
my rider mtd 13a n601h729 work great in forward gears but dont want to work it want movie in revene
And also how to check if it’s full of oil on the K46BT
K46 oil capacity and type of oil pls
OK, so I got to the “rubbery” black cap with the transaxle still on the mower. How do I get that cap off? Can’t find a “lip” or anything. Undersatnd there is a magnet under it as well?
Fluid type and amount for and LX188 John Deere mower.
Tuff Torq 19154-24122 upper case
Hi, I have a JD L110 (but it has the 20hp vtwin when i bought it) with a K46. I only use it during the winter with a snow blower attachment. It goes forward ok, but has so much less power reversing. im thinking on changing the oil (drop-flip-refill) what would you recommend for oil if it only sees winter service -20F TO 40F mostly in the +20.
do you think new oil might improve the reverse performance?
If i see the upper magnet with a lot of metal, i would consider opening it up, so far no evidence of leaks on the shafts
I have a K46 and the serial numbers are unreadable. How to tell what parts to order?
Hi I got a K46BN trans and is in neutral cant foward or back ward any help????
My 2006 Countax X series (20 ) 4 wheel drive hydrostatic mower is leaking oil from the Tuff torq K574 gearbox, the rubber oil seal needs replacing at the top of the gearbox casing, sealing the shaft assembly under the cooling fan. Can I replace the seal from the top without removing the gearbox ? Can you please advise. I believe the oil seal part no is 187T0134380 Many thanks.
For my Husqvarna YTH21K46 with a K46BT transaxle, could I increase the travel speed by installing a slightly larger pulley on the engine shaft, or would that not work with this type of transaxle?
I have a k46bn trans.how much for a rebuild kit?when it gets hot it won’t pull.does fine for a couple hours,then too hot and won’t pull.
Your table “Fluids and Lubricants” does not specify the type of fluid used in the K46BT trans-axle, could you provide that info? Thanks
I rebuilt the rear end in my lt 160 but when you push the petal to go forward it go in reverse what did I do wrong
I realized now that I used the wrong port to fill unit. Can you put in to much oil in the transmission? (K46A2)
It moves if the wheels are off the ground. But when they touch the ground the tractor will not move.
I didn’t see what port to use until I looked up on Tuff Torq Oil Procedure.
k57r transmission in a husqvarna yta24v48. noticed black gear oil is leaking out of my right rear axle tractor only has 60 hours on it after i replace the axle seal how do i top off the gear oil that leaked out and what weight oil do i use? and what part number is the axle seal.
hello where can i find parts in Belgium . where can i find more info how to calibrate the fulcrum at the 46 f gear ?
I do not find Tuff Torq transmission oil in the shuswap area. Please tell me the cross reference info so I can use automotive trans fluid.
Can I buy parts to repair my k46 in my jd lt 160 tractor?
Following the recommended oil change procedure I’ve noticed that when the drive shaft at the top is being turned. clockwise on my K46AC, and the freewheel lever is disengaged I can grasp the turning portion of the axle (right side) and it simply stops in my hand. Is this normal?
Could I replace a K46BC with a K56? Are they the same size, with the same mounting points?
My shop was flooded in Hurricane Harvey. I am afraid water got into the transaxle. The top of the Tuff Torq was under about 8 ” water. Should I split it apart or just drain and put new oil?
How do you remove the black cap seems to be stuck on? I am trying to refill the fluid because it has been leaking a little bit
what are the differences between a k46 and a k46ac
I have Ariens 46″ Lawn & Garden Tractor, 22hp B&S and i would like to change the hand gear to pedal gear (using Husqvarna YTH 20K46 parts)
I have a question about K46 hydrostatic transmission. Whate are the main differences between K46ba (Ariens) and K46bt (husqvarna) hydrostatic transmissions. Does theoreticaly hand transmission connections fits with pedal transmission parts?
I have a tuff Torque K72 High speed transmission, and I would like to know if there is a service manual for this unit that I can get to better help be keep it maintained properly.? It’s in a 2017 Simplicity Prestige tractor. The owners manual that comes with tractor doesn’t cover good technical maintenance.
Thanks for any info you can give me.
Wanting to know what the cost of a pump and motor for my K46 transmission would be. I’m doing a rebuild on it as the mower would not move in forward or reverse.
Thx
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