So I found a fairly reasonable local machine with a bad tranny. I did the swap on Sunday, and between the heat and figuring out how it comes apart, it took most of the day.
Some observations.
1. Holy mackeral was that a job.
2. Now that its together and working, its a nice little Machine.
3. My jd 445 has been down for a couple of weeks waiting on spindle bearings, so some of my grass is 3 feet tall. That particular area is a very steep Slope that the 445 has traction issues with. This mower never bogged down, and had excellent traction. The hydro's slowed down considerably going up, the hill, but maybe I can adjust the pedal to get some more flow. For the record the 445 never slows down. The cut was fine. Big tall grass cuts kinda bad anyway, but this deck seems to cut pretty well. The diesel never even broke a sweat.
4. Turns great. Can really trim around trees easily.
5. Hate the seat. It feels like I'm never quite in it.
6. There were times when either the seat frame was flexing or the entire frame was flexing. Hard to say.
Anyway, I'm pleasantly surprised with how it handled and mowed. Traction was excellent, felt very stable. Seems way more power then the 445 at least on the deck.
However, ill probably be selling it. I'm worried it may not love my hills, and id hate to wear it out as its a new looking machine.
