I am certain that some of the reading/info I found on people servicing their Honda Hydro transmissions were because the owners had found that the fluid levels were low/they found fluid on the ground near their mowers. But I also know that some of the subject matter pertained to plain old maintenance. I emailed three authorized Honda equipment retailers/service centers the below message on Monday night. "Hello I am just wondering what the recommended service intervals are, what they entail and the recommended fluid to use when maintaining the hydro transmission in my HRX? Thank you and I look forward to your response." As of right now I have only had response from one of the retailers and here is what I got. "Brandon, The transmission only needs a cable adjustment annually. The only time you would ever add fluid is if the seals are leaking. So under normal conditions it is maintenance free. Thank you, Paul Benson Motorsports Service Manager" To which I replied... "Thank you for your prompt response. So to drain and refill would not beneficial in any aspect?" And her responded... "No that is not necessary. Thank you, Paul Benson Motorsports Service Manager" So for anyone wondering what if any service/maint these Hydro transmissions require, the answer is none. If the fluid levels are low then you can think about adding fluid/rebuilding the seal system. I'm going to ask about the fluid and see what info I can pry from him! PS- I'm also very interested to hear responses from the other two companies, if I even get one... I only recie

Everything got reassembled on Friday and HIGH_SPEED again works like the mower was new. If you find you're having trouble with the transmission either making a knocking sound when shifted to HIGH or no movement at all in HIGH, take the motor to transmission drive cover off to expose the transmission. Wash off the transmission or blow it clean with compressed air. Cycle the high/low shift lever on the mower handle to locate the high/low shift lever on the transmission. Look at the opposite end of the shaft from the arm where the shift cable attaches to find the gear shift cam; the cam is about 1" long. Look for a small notch in the side of the cam. Just beyond the notch is the surface that pushes on the end of the shifting shaft. The cam pushes on the end of a 1/2" long shaft, pushing it in to select HIGH and letting it spring out for LOW. Use an inspection mirror to see the point where the cam rides against the end of the shaft. If the end of the cam has a flat spot worn at the point of contact, you have found the problem. Only a small amount of metal need be worn away (1/16" - 1/8") for the transmission HIGH gear not to engage fully. As mentioned in the previous post, the replacement cam is Honda part P/N 22532-VA3-801 and sells for about $13. It's a pity there is no way to post some of the photos I took so readers could see exactly what to look for.

Fixed I removed the shifter plate and re-drilled new holes and that allowed the shifter arm to go into proper position. Gears all seem to be working

Probably because our cost of living is the highest in Canada. Our provincial income tax is 37% our federal tax is 18%. I seem to recall in 82 our flat rate was $10.50 per hour and the labour rate was $32.00, maybe $30.00 ? Barry and myself were trimmers, you know what they are, and were offered a garranty of 6 hours a day flat rate. We both refused because you have to stay there 8 hour to collect. If there is nothing in my stall i go home even if it's 2 in the afternoon. We both threatened to quit one afternoon and go to work for Ford. We got our flat rate up to $12.75. That is $25,500.00 in a 200 work day year. I remember those Master Technician exams. Every tech participated in those. I have a drawer full from Ford,G.M. Chrysler, and Toyota. No offence but they didn't mean much. They didn't increase your wages. Our average labour rate now is between $85.00 to $105.00 per hour. If you go to a Specialest dealer like B.M.W. , or Jaguar it is about $150.00 to $200.00 per hour. Now that is the place to work. I'ts usually straight time and if your good and don't mine night mares you write your own ticket. I remember working For Canadian Tire in the 70s making $15,000 - $20,000 a year. We were payed half of the labour rate plus commision on parts. It was good. Just a follow up on customers in our stalls. That was an absolte NO,NO. The insurance company took a very dim view of that. If my customer was waiting for his car i could go and bring him to his car if i had questions. I had to escort him to and from his car. Now that you mention it. I remember working for Dominion Motors ( ford ). The service shop was on the second floor. A horrible place to work. Hot as hell and you froze in the winter. Everything was done on the floor. No lifts. That was 1975. They payed $8.50 an hour just to get someone to work for them. They were the highest paying dealer in the city. Seems no one wants to pay any more to keep their guys. My nephew started out last month on the grease rack for Ford. They are only paying him $12.00 per hour straight time. He wants to go into diesle mechanics. They only pay $15.00 per hour for first year appentice. No wonder no one wants to work anymore. Don't get me wrong. I'm not a smart mouth. You don't servive up here very long at $15.00 per hour with our cost of living. Here is an example. An A.C. tech on a commercial job or roof top makes $47.17 per hour. An industrial A.C. tech. on a 20 ton chiller makes $52.73 per hour. If you bring your home computer into a shop for servicing or virus removal it's $90.00 per hour. If you bring in a brake rotor for turning it's $30.00 each. $22.00 for a new one. Spin balance a tire is $18.00 each plus weights. In 1992 i was being payed $27.00 per hour installing gas pipe in new homes and i was the low man on the pole. Just a little F.Y.I. on this side of the border. Have a good one.