Fixing slipping transmission on Sears Craftsman Riding Mower -read description. Easy 30 min job

The Craftsman riding mowers with have a problem with their transmission slipping and losing speed when they get hot. They eventually stop moving at all after 20 minutes of mowing. This happens because the fluid gets old and gets moisture inside of it, and then the moisture aerates the fluid into foam and you lose hydraulic pressure.

Since the factory does not give you a drain and fill for the fluid, you must drill a 1/2"hole in the place is located to drain and then refill the transmission. My local lawnmower shop told me to do this procedure and they recommended using 10W-40 motor oil. (I mistakenly said 3/8"inch hole but it's actually half inch hole you must drill)

It may be a bit challenging to rig up a funnel with the tube taped to it to inject motor oil into the transmission.

I did this repair two years ago, and it's been excellent ever since then. My mower is faster than it has ever been, and it never overheated the transmission and never slows down after a long day of mowing.


To seal the hole put a piece of rubber hose into the hole and then a bolt forces the whole thing to be tight