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Mend Sears 218-3010 Hp Lawn Tractor Problem

How to bleed the Hydro Gear Transaxle on a 25 HP Craftsman Lawn Tractor?

I have a problem with my sears tractor which is a 25 hp tractor about 15 years old. I was working in the edge of my woods when a branch laying on the ground hooked on one of the hoses on my hydrostatic drive. I took it back to my workshp and drained the fluid, cleaned the filter and replaced the hose and refilled the transaxle to as near as I could tell the amount that came out. This is a Hydro Gear Transaxle, Mod. #218-3010 which is the sears number. I have reverse but nothing in a forward motion. There has to be air in the system but I cannot figure out how to bleed it. The only thing the sears manual says that it is a factory sealed unit and has no need for any type of maintenance for the life of the transaxle. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

Michael Jones, West Salem, Ohio
April 2006

Sears Sears 218-3010 Garden Tools, Lawn Mowers Hp Lawn Tractor Problem

1. Check oil level.
2. Place vehicle's drive axle on jack stands with wheels off floor.
3. Start engine and operate at low idle speed.
4. Repeat opening and closing bypass (tow) valve while alternately depressing forward and reverse pedal(s).
5. When vehicle starts to move, increase engine speed.
6. Repeat quick starts and panic stops until transaxle gives full response.
7. Remove jack stands while placing vehicle's wheels on floor.
8. Recheck and top-off oil level.

geoffp
September 2009