Hydrostatic gearbox tuff torque countax mower UK?

The Tufftorque hydrostatic drive fitted to Countax and other mowers has a obvious design fault. Bit of a disgrace really. The swash plate pumps that provide forward and reverse drive have hardened steel valve blocks which rotate against a soft aluminium housing. Over time there is only one possible result which is that the aluminium wears allowing oil to pass directly from the discharge port back to the inlet. When cold the oil is thick and there is less reverse flow but when it heats up it has the consistency of water. leakage rate increases and drive is lost.

Peter Bennett
October 2019

Have a Countax c600h and it is leaking transmission oil, but still has good drive, is it possible to top the system up?

Jon
June 2017

is the gearbox on a countax 400 the same as the 800

Terry
November 2015

What type of oil is used on the transmission and where is the level

JOHN
March 2014

Had the same problem on my 300 its the 2 wear plates on the hydraulic pump and hyraulic motor which are fitted back to back. Parts readily available from tuff torq much cheaper if you can get them from good old USA

Rod
June 2013

can you change or add oil

ray withers
March 2012

split the gearbox ,wash out with petrol clean the filter thats in the gearbox and seal back up refil with 20/50 fully synthetic motor oil.perge the unit,

wayne .
November 2011

Had my Countax C300H for 8 years approx. No problem until this year - I cut half the lawns which are on a slight incline - the drive on the machine gets progressively worse until there is little or no drive at all. I overcome this by stopping and leaving the axle oil to cool for about half an hour. -This works.
I think I should replace the oil in the axle but cannot locate a drain nut/plug.

Rod
July 2011

My countax C600H is doing the same. I guess there must be a design fault. Does anyone know of an alternative axle that fits?

jonathan watts
July 2010

My countax C600H is doing the same. I guess there must be a design fault. Does anyone know of an alternative axle that fits?

jonathan watts
July 2010

great, managed to fix my gearbox buying two brken ones

bert
April 2010

I've had exactly the same problem -- 3 times now.
Last time was just over 12 months of purchase and after a bit of a battle with Countax they authorised the dealer to fit a replacement (may 2009).
They say the oil should be replaced every year -- but the dealer says no need!
I've previously had 3 Westwood (man gearbox) tractors with no such problems -- yet Countax say the Tuff Torque they fit is stronger than the manual!

DJW
April 2010

MY COUNTEX K_SERIES MOWER HAS A PROBLEM THE THE CUTTING DECK WILL NOT LOWER AND THE BLADES WILL NOT TURN.

JEFF
April 2009

Hi, I had exactly the same, I replaced the hydro unit from one on ebay, (beware there are a lot of bad ones out there) I found the company http://www.tufftorqservices.com and they ship to UK, . I am in the process of getting their diagnosis and then the parts if the cost is not too much and will rebuild the busted one for a spare. if you want to contact me and see my progress no problem. Colin.cox1@which.net.

colin cox
February 2009

Thanks for that phil i thought it might be terminal. I will keep an eye out for a replacment but as i cant make it any worse i shall strip it for curiositys sake!!
Thanks Mike

Mike
December 2008

The pump need stripping and rebuilding. Not particularly difficult - problem is parts prices are astronomical - and hard to find (factory order only). It WILL be cheaper and easier to replace the whole transaxle. Keep a search running on ebay - they do come up - I've sold 4 in the last 18 months and there are others.

phil_saunders@bigfoot.com

Phil Saunders
December 2008