I have a John Deere L120 Lawn Tractor. It is about 3 years old. Several years ago, I bought a lawn rake to pull behind and collect grass clippings... the first time I used it, it filled up quick and bogged down the mower and it would barely pull it... just wouldn't go up a hill with the attachment full of grass. I took back the lawn rake. I figured that I may have torn up the drive belt, so changed it, just in case.

Now, about a year later, AFTER ABOUT 30 minutes of mowing on a somewhat sloped yard, the mower will simply not go up hills. I have to mow in such a fashion that my incline is limited. It is a pain in the butt. It is almost like the belt gets hot and stretches? Is there something wrong with the transmission? It will mow all day on flat land, just won't go up hills. Please HELP!

Jayme Leita
Northeast Tennessee
423-963-8665
[email protected]

Hi,
Yes, it is likely you got one with a less-than-perfect transaxle. I do not know it, but get the Deere Help number. It is probably on their site. Before you call it, have your date of puchase info and the serial number. It is on a tag on the frame under the left fender and above the tire and will be 13 digits/characters long.
They will probably want you to take it to a dealer to be checked out, but Kanzaki had some in that model that get "weak" when hot.
Peace,
Clarke

The transaxle used in the L120 and at least one sears model is junk.
They are okay for very light use. But if you pull the little trailer or have a large yard; they are likely to quit around 200 hours. If you do a internet search for the "L120 transaxle" You will see what I mean! I have talked with the JD dealer, They know about the problem. They sell no parts for this axle. They will replace the axle(about $900) but it too will fail in around 200 hours. The dealer suggested I drain the trans and replace it with 10-50 motor oil. I did this, it worked for about 50 hours. Then quit again. I opened the trans; it was a mess inside. I found bearing races broken and surfaces damaged. Junk! BUT I have a good engine, if I find something to put it in.
If you are lucky enough to have one of these and it hasn't gave you any trouble. Before you use it again. Change the trans oil. Get a good synthetic hydraulic oil. To do this you need to pull the transaxle. Then remove the vent plug (little black plastic plug on top) while you have it upside down install a drain plug. Be careful the bottom is very thin. But there are two bosses on the bottom, use the outside one. It is thicker there. Good Luck

Hi,
The transaxle is made for 10W30. Newer ones are supposed to have better tolerances.
Peace,
Clarke