856 unidrive transmission.. how durable

[FLtractor 181]

Morning,

Wanting to learn more about my tractor.. in the world of Wheelhorse and tractors- how does the Unidrive transmission stack up in terms of durability and reliability? Does it have any specific maintenance needed routinely other then transmission fluid changed every 8-10? Hours or once a year?

Edited 7 hours ago by FLtractor

[953 nut 66,800]

The  Unidrive transaxles have been used on pulling tractors with ridiculously high horse power and on racing garden tractors running at breakneck speeds without any alterations or modifications. They will do the job without question.

Fluid changes are seldom done more frequently than every couple of years, just be sure the shift lever boot is in good condition and firmly seated to keep out water and dirt.

[WHX?? 57,000]

Bullet proof. 

[ebinmaine 79,248]

Same basic transmission design from the early 60s to 2007...

It worked.  

 

I'd be curious to know what the various Wheelhorse MANUALS have stated for a timeline over the years.  IMHO every 5 years for a manual transmission is fine unless long hours of use.  

[peter lena 9,910]

@FLtractor  something  I always do , is , use a silicone grease  on the UNDERSIDE OF MY SHIFT BOOT  ?  easily  eliminates  the  boot grab on the transmission , irregularities , lets it slide with ease , also use a large  tie  wrap , just above boot  on the shift stick  ?  let  boot find its happy place , and insure it , did that on my horses years back  , no issues , check my  trans fluid dip stick regularly , also like a climbing  gear oil , read specs , slinging , flushing oil is what you want . have a regular  spot check after  EVERY USAGE , went to that  years back , AGAIN, REPEDITIVE ISSUE , is showing you the way , base line on my stuff . pete   

[FLtractor 181]

1 minute ago, peter lena said:

@FLtractor  something  I always do , is , use a silicone grease  on the UNDERSIDE OF MY SHIFT BOOT  ?  easily  eliminates  the  boot grab on the transmission , irregularities , lets it slide with ease , also use a large  tie  wrap , just above boot  on the shift stick  ?  let  boot find its happy place , and insure it , did that on my horses years back  , no issues , check my  trans fluid dip stick regularly , also like a climbing  gear oil , read specs , slinging , flushing oil is what you want . have a regular  spot check after  EVERY USAGE , went to that  years back , AGAIN, REPEDITIVE ISSUE , is showing you the way , base line on my stuff . pete   

So you loosely zip tie the shift boot so it’s holds in a place it finds to be best for itself? 
spot check you mean you look for leaking transmission fluid under tractor on ground after every use?

[FLtractor 181]

57 minutes ago, 953 nut said:

The  Unidrive transaxles have been used on pulling tractors with ridiculously high horse power and on racing garden tractors running at breakneck speeds without any alterations or modifications. They will do the job without question.

Fluid changes are seldom done more frequently than every couple of years, just be sure the shift lever boot is in good condition and firmly seated to keep out water and dirt.

That’s great to know.. I will have to get some kind of grease to put under the shift boot that I bought new last year. 

[FLtractor 181]

48 minutes ago, WHX?? said:

Bullet proof. 

Excellent!

[FLtractor 181]

46 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

Same basic transmission design from the early 60s to 2007...

It worked.  

 

I'd be curious to know what the various Wheelhorse MANUALS have stated for a timeline over the years.  IMHO every 5 years for a manual transmission is fine unless long hours of use.  

Oh wow. 5 years between transmission fluid changes even if using it daily?

[WHX?? 57,000]

11 minutes ago, FLtractor said:

So you loosely zip tie the shift boot so it’s holds in a place it finds to be best for itself? 

No zip tie needed .. just remove the ball and slide to cover. 

[clueless 3,408]

Where did you find something that says change the trans fluid every 8 to 10 hours or 1 year??

[ebinmaine 79,248]

47 minutes ago, FLtractor said:

That’s great to know.. I will have to get some kind of grease to put under the shift boot that I bought new last year. 

 

 

Why the grease?

 

 

46 minutes ago, FLtractor said:

Oh wow. 5 years between transmission fluid changes even if using it daily?

 

One of the manuals I've seen shows a 5-year period between changes on a unidrive.

It's important to remember that as long as water is kept out of the transmission, it just does not see the same sort of wear and tear on the fluid that an engine does. Engines have combustion gases and much much higher temperatures.

[Achto 31,947]

1 hour ago, WHX?? said:

Bullet proof. 

 

Bullet proof-ish.

 

Never try shifting gears while in motion. These trannys are not made to do this and you will eventually round off the gear teeth causing it to pop out of gear. Always bring the tractor to a complete stop before shifting - your tranny will thank you for it.

Edited 5 hours ago by Achto

[pfrederi 20,716]

29 minutes ago, Achto said:

 

Bullet proof-ish.

 

Never try shifting gears while in motion. These trannys are not made to do this and you will eventually round off the gear teeth causing it to pop out of gear. Always bring the tractor to a complete stop before shifting - your tranny will thank you for it.

 

They are fool proof not idiot proof

Edited 4 hours ago by pfrederi

[ri702bill 12,284]

15 minutes ago, pfrederi said:

 

They are fool proof not idiot proof

Paul beat me to it - Shifting on the fly WILL damage the innards... If yours jumps out of 3rd, guess what? A previous operator tried that too often.

The only other "issue"  - there are four shaft seals that over time will need to be changed.

[FLtractor 181]

1 hour ago, ebinmaine said:

 

 

Why the grease?

 

 

 

One of the manuals I've seen shows a 5-year period between changes on a unidrive.

It's important to remember that as long as water is kept out of the transmission, it just does not see the same sort of wear and tear on the fluid that an engine does. Engines have combustion gases and much much higher temperatures.

Peter’s quote above for grease. 

[FLtractor 181]

6 minutes ago, ri702bill said:

Paul beat me to it - Shifting on the fly WILL damage the innards... If yours jumps out of 3rd, guess what? A previous operator tried that too often.

The only other "issue"  - there are four shaft seals that over time will need to be changed.

How difficult and accessible is it to change the seals and or the popped out gear if needed? 

[FLtractor 181]

55 minutes ago, Achto said:

 

Bullet proof-ish.

 

Never try shifting gears while in motion. These trannys are not made to do this and you will eventually round off the gear teeth causing it to pop out of gear. Always bring the tractor to a complete stop before shifting - your tranny will thank you for it.

Will remember thanks

[FLtractor 181]

1 hour ago, clueless said:

Where did you find something that says change the trans fluid every 8 to 10 hours or 1 year??

I think I was thinking of engine oil and probably got that wrong too 

[ebinmaine 79,248]

11 minutes ago, FLtractor said:

I think I was thinking of engine oil and probably got that wrong too 

 

Engine oil is 20, 25 hours. The manual might state one year but every 3 years is fine.

[ebinmaine 79,248]

13 minutes ago, FLtractor said:

Peter’s quote above for grease. 

 

 

Silicone grease is really just to help you slide it down into place. And as stated above, no tie wrap is needed. If the boot is the correct one, it will seal itself and stay in place on its own.

[FLtractor 181]

34 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

 

Engine oil is 20, 25 hours. The manual might state one year but every 3 years is fine.

Ohh ok. Thats great to know thanks 

[FLtractor 181]

35 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

 

 

Silicone grease is really just to help you slide it down into place. And as stated above, no tie wrap is needed. If the boot is the correct one, it will seal itself and stay in place on its own.

Ohhhh now it makes sense after re reading what he wrote and what you said. Just the tie and grease to help slide the boot into place.. not to help seal water out! Thanks 

Edited 3 hours ago by FLtractor

[ri702bill 12,284]

3 hours ago, FLtractor said:

How difficult and accessible is it to change the seals and or the popped out gear if needed? 

Changing the 4 seals can be done externally without splitting the Unidrive case. Requires patience & care.

Changing the 2-3rd gear requires the dis-assembly of the Unidrive... Two notes of interest if you go that route. Leave the Unidivve in the tractor, but get the 3/4" hitch pin out FIRST. You cannot open it up safelywith the pin in place. Plenty of onfo on that topic here...

Best time to change the seals is with the shafts removed. Lowell sels a nice reproduction 2-3 gear, the gasket and seals....