John Deere 111 transaxle............

Goose · Jul 20, 2012

Does anyone know how to check the oil in the five speed transaxle on a JD 111 garden tractor?

We have one with a 38" deck that we let our renter use to mow the farmhouse yard. This unit goes back to 1981.

About ten days ago, a rear axle broke off right by the outer bearing. By coincidence, a complete used transaxle came up on ebay, so I bought it. It hasn't arrived yet, but I pulled the old one out of the tractor to compare it to the photo of the one on ebay before I bid.

Even with the old one out and sitting on sawhorses, I can't see anywhere to check the oil level. Do any of ya'll know anything about this?

Mark-Ia · Jul 20, 2012

They are packed with grease. No OIL.. Pretty common for the axle to break. There may be a hole in the trans housing where the axle comes out. You can drive a grease zerk in there and give the axle a shot(maybe) been a long time ago..

John B. · Jul 20, 2012

How much did you give for the transaxle? Hope you don't mind me asking because the lawn mower shop here in town has a complete running tractor w/deck for $250. he says the engine has a knock but may last forever. I test drove it and would love to have it but I need to sell my other rider first. It's a Central Park 18/46. It's a big lawn tractor with a 2 cyl B&S 18hp engine.

greygoat · Jul 20, 2012

Many are sealed.

JDseller · Jul 20, 2012

The transaxle is a Peerless one. There where three different models of them. The older ones where an 801-38 and 801-38A. These had a needle bearing that ran on the axle right at the edge of the housing. They would cut a grove in the axle and it would break. The later models where a Peerless model 806. This one had a ball bearing at the edge of the case. This setup lasted better.

If you are getting the axle hubs that the wheel bolts to then they will interchange. The axles are a larger diameter in the ball bearing ones.

As for oil/grease. It is like most of the Peerless transaxles. There is not an external place to check the grease. It is a grease kind of like corn head grease. I have seen some that may have a grease gun fitting on the top of the case. These you can fill externally. You have to be careful to not put too much in as it will make it shift hard for a while.

Red Mud · Jul 20, 2012

I guess it was probably 10 years ago my brother had this happen in california, he ask If I had a tranaxle like his, I did and sent it to him, he emailed back and said he drilled holes and tapped in the drive in grease zerts anywhere it looked like there was a bearing or bushing.

For what it's worth.

Goose · Jul 20, 2012

Haven't seen it yet, but I actually only paid $26 for it, plus $29 shipping.

Must have just happened that no one else needed one. The seller put a starting bid of $25 and I bid $26. My bid held for a week until the end of bidding. Actually, I would have paid more than that for it. At the same time, someone in Ohio had a complete unit with a bad engine listed at $120, local pickup only.

Goose · Jul 20, 2012

The tag on mine that broke says "Peerless 806B" for a model. It looks identical to the picture of the one I bought. The flares for the wheels to mount come with it.

I'll compare the axle diameters.

Thanks for the info.

Jim in MN · Jul 20, 2012

When I worked at the mower shop we saw a lot of broken axles. It was cheaper to replace the transaxle than to fix. The few we did open up and fix had sealed cases. The replacement grease came in a bag.

John Deere 111 transaxle............

Goose

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Mark-Ia

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John B.

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greygoat

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JDseller

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Red Mud

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Goose

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Goose

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Jim in MN

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