t-20 chutch chatter? and fluid check/change

[mysterymeat]

going fwd, when i pull back on the control levers to turn, i have a chatter in the rear. when in rev, pulling back on the controls to back up, i have chatter. one of the drive chains was way out of adj. i did adjust it. this is big time chatter, i thought it be big bearings grinding. machine has less than 10 hrs total.

if i do check the fluid, can i do that by just pulling the back seat, or do i have to pull the engine also?
max iv/kawasaki fd791dfi

[Mike]

You can actually check the fluid without removing anything. You can feel around for the lower drain plug on the T20 with your hand and then put an adjustable wrench on it. A mirror may come in handy but I would try that first since you're just checking the fluid. Of course, removing the seat only takes a couple of minutes too.

To me, the chatter you are describing sounds like the normal band chatter that T20s make. This sound is made when you begin to brake one of the drums in the T20 with the bands. Before the band fully engages, it vibrates / chatters. That doesn't hurt anything but if you want to eliminate the sound, you can utilize 4 oz of GM limited slip additive. There are several posts here in the transmission forum that discuss the additive if you want to know more.

[MaxRules]

I see you have the Max IV with the Kaw EFI engine. On that vehicle with less than ten hours as you say, there is something else going on in your vehicle. New trans rarely chatter like the old ones. If one chain was really loose, you probably need to inspect that area. Check the axle bearings as well as the idle sprocket that holds the adjustment on the chain. It sounds like something has come loose in the driveline.