Look it over very carefully, see if you can see a soft red thing hanging out of the engine area! That will be its tongue! If you can see it--it is time to let it rest, and go buy a new one!
Maybe--make a nice spot in the yard, set the mower in it, and make a sign something like this:
"Here lie the remains of a good, faithful friend, who has served well, but needs a long rest"! ;o) RJ

heh heh rusty... Sometimes that is best way as used Sears tractors are sitting around every other corner. But to answer the OP's post, it isn't clear if you are dealing with a seeping axle seal, a no drive situation or what. If you pull the t/a, clean it externally to keep the inside from becoming contaminated. Throw the HG service # into google and get an IPL so you can see what you are up against. If the t/a was starting to get a little lazy, but still drove, wasn't too groany- then maybe, just maybe you just need to refresh the lube, purge it and you're good to go.

Link should be

http://www.m-and-d.com/pdfs/hydrogear/319-0650_150071.pdf

Guys,

My 9 year old Sears tractor has the Tecumseh Peerless hydrostatic axle. I think that it is slow but I have really worked it hard. I wonder if it is worth trying to flush out the old fluid or should I just get real?
(there doesn't seem much to do to them except replace the transaxle) I have done the adjustments to the control and new belts to no avail.....it seems full of oil and the fluid smells okay.

Ideas?
QR