Riding lawnmowers have become a lot more common these days compared to before. Back in the day, most homeowners would rather get a manual lawnmower for all their mowing tasks. But in their defense, the price of a riding mower was pretty high at the time.
However, these days, going with a riding lawnmower, even for residential use, is a great idea. For one thing, they are a lot cheaper now. And a riding lawnmower would let you get through this chore much quicker and with better precision.
So, it’s a win-win for most people. Now, there are a lot of brands out there that manufacture riding mowers. But one name stands far above the rest – John Deere.
With over a hundred years of experience in the field, they have perfected their design and offer a huge catalog of mowers in different price ranges.
The transmission system is an important part of a lawnmower. And there are plenty of different types of transmission systems out there for different purposes.
The John Deere Power Reverser transmission, for instance, is a manual transmission system that allows for 12 different speed levels for both forward and reverses driving.
While the design of the system is pretty solid, it’s not without its flaws. Over the years, you might notice a few issues with the transmission here and there. But don’t worry, I will address these problems and give you a couple of fixes for them in this article to help you sort things out. So, let’s get started.
Common Issues with the John Deere Power Reverser and How to Fix Them
The power reverser transmission system that comes in many high-end John Deere lawnmowers and utility tractors is pretty amazing. But as I said, there are some issues that can come up in it. And since it’s a manual system, I recommend dealing with these issues as early as possible.
Here are a couple of common issues that you may face with John Deere power reverser transmission, along with some handy troubleshooting tips.
1. Transmission Leakage
The power reverser transmission system is quite advanced and is typically designed to not leak at all. However, some people complained about leakage in the system, which in turn is causing their system to overheat.
Needless to say, an overheating transmission due to leakage can be a serious cause for concern. If this sort of issue comes up in your tractor, you will get the P0842 or any other error code in a similar range.
These codes are linked to problems with the transmission fluid pressure. So, if your mower has a transmission leakage or low pressure because of hydraulic fluid, use this error code for a quick diagnosis.
Once you determine that there’s a transmission leak, you need to pinpoint its exact position. Typically, the worn gaskets or seals in the transmission are the primary culprit behind fluid leaks. Once you find the leak, seal it up, and you are good to go.
2. Transmission Slippage
It’s not normal for the John Deere power reverser system to slip. So, if you are facing slippage in the transmission, it can be a pretty confusing problem to diagnose.
To make matters worse, it can lead to further damage to the transmission system if you don’t take care of it right away. If the transmission slips in your power reverser transmission system, you will notice the sound of the gear slipping while driving. You can also use a diagnostic tool to check for error codes.
The main culprit behind this issue is the solenoid in the two gears. If they are worn out or damaged in any way, you need to replace them. Once you replace the solenoids, the issue should be fixed. Thankfully, with this transmission system, slippage rarely leads to mechanical failures in the vehicle.
3. Difficulty in Shifting Gears
Nobody wants to have to fight with the gear shaft to shift, even when driving at a low throttle input. With the John Deere power reverser transmission system, shifting gears is supposed to be smooth and effortless.
However, sometimes, people complain that the gear is not shifting as smoothly with their tractors. And if you don’t know how to fix the problem, it can lead to a lot of frustration. Thankfully, there are two simple things you can do to get rid of this issue.
The first thing to do here is to try replacing the pressure sensor in the transmission. Sometimes the sensor malfunctions and causes the gears to get stuck. Replacing the sensor should allow you to shift gears normally.
If that doesn’t fix the problem, then that means there’s an oil leak in the servo assembly. You need to locate the leak and repair it. That should fix your problem right away.
4. Stuttering Transmission
The good thing about manual transmissions like the John Deere power reverser system is that they offer a pretty smooth riding experience. Lawn tractors and mowers equipped with this transmission rarely have any stuttering while riding the mower.
So, if you suddenly notice that your vehicle is jerking and stuttering when you are using it, this means the manual transmission is not working as it should. That means there’s an issue that needs fixing right away.
Now, while you can repair most problems on your own, this is an issue that is better left to professionals. Since the issue involves internal mechanical components, you can do more harm than good if you don’t know exactly what you are doing.
I would recommend taking your vehicle to a trusted service shop as early as you can and getting it checked by a professional. He should be able to fix up any stuttering issues in the transmission system with little to no hassle on your end.
5. Loud and Clunky Noise
It is natural for any transmission system to make some noise, but in power reverser transmission, it rarely gets to an unpleasant level. It’s usually more like a gentle hum with this system, but some people complain about a loud and clunking sound coming out of their vehicle while using it.
And the noise only gets worse as you keep using it. This indicates a serious issue in the mechanical components, and it should be dealt with as early as possible. The most likely culprit here is the component within the transmission assembly.
If the component is faulty or fractured, then you need to replace it. You might also need to rebuild the entire assembly to get rid of the clunking noise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unless you are well-versed in the ins and outs of the power reverser transmission system, you would have a hard time diagnosing these issues.
Naturally, you would have a lot of questions about it. To that end, let me address some of the common questions that people have regarding the John Deere power reverser transmission.
1. What is a power reverser?
A power reverser, also called a power shuttle, is an additional unit that comes in some utility tractors used in agriculture. This component allows the operator to use a lever to go forward and reverse at the same level of speed.
Typically, the reverse speed of a tractor is less than the forward speed. But with a power reverser, the reverse speed is the same.
2. How to prevent issues in the John Deere power reverser transmission?
The best way to prevent the issues that I talked about is to change the gear box oil and other lubricants regularly.
Consulting your instruction manual should give you an average idea of how soon you should replace the fluids. As long as the oil remains fresh, the transmission should work flawlessly.
3. How do I know that I have a problem in the John Deere power reverser transmission?
Diagnosing transmission problems can be tough unless you have a solid idea of the subject. The best way to figure out the problem is to use a scan tool. A scan tool will allow you to scan for error codes that indicate different issues in the transmission system.
Final Thoughts
The John Deere power reverser transmission is an amazing tool to have on your tractor. This can drastically enhance your entire experience and allow you to get through projects much quicker. And in the right hands, it is extremely long-lasting and doesn’t suffer from too many issues.
Of course, if you are reckless with how you use your vehicle, some problems with the transmission are inevitable. But if you take the time to change the transmission fluids and gearbox oil in due time, you shouldn’t have t worry too much about these issues.
I hope my in-depth guideline on John Deere power reverser transmission problems could help you resolve any issues you might be having with this component. Good luck!