Hydro transmissions - general questions
 

With older crappy lawn mowers and their aluminum hydro transaxles I'm a little leery about getting a mower with one.

Are there hydro's to avoid? I like the looks of the narrow frame tractors, but the slightly newer age wide frames are good looking too. So I probably would be looking at tractors in the late 60's and early 70's.

What should I look for if I consider one?

Also, how long did they still use the shaft drive transmissions similar to my 124 or a hydro version?

I think you will get some good information if you can provide some ideas for its intended use (i.e mowing, plowing, tilling) and what your lot/acreage/terrain consists of. There are many different models, and just like people, some are better at one thing while udders are better on mothers.

Now I have to remember that one, it is udderly funny:biggrin2:
( as I'm wiping morning coffee off the keyboard)

All the way through the cyclops series.

And keep going up to the XT3 of today...but you'll have to pony up.

Well, they are still shaft drive but a completely different trans than used in the cyclops and before.

I can't tell you what ones to stay away from, but I can tell you that if you are looking for one of the older Cub Cadet lawn and garden hydrostatic drive tractors. you can not go wrong with a 123, 105, 125, 107, 127, 147, 109, 129 or 149 (made from 1966 to 1974).

Not that there is anything wrong with the later ones, but the Narrow and Wide Frame tractors are what you mentioned in your opening post.

Even though the hydro transmission housing in these models is aluminum (as are the later ones) these transmissions are nearly bullet proof. About the only way to break one is to tow it without releasing the relief valves.

Both of my hydros are great for mowing and pulling a trailer and lawn sweeper. They are smooth, powerful, and very fast if I want to go across the farm to dump chicken poop. They are both 1987 models, one is an 1811 and the other is a 1872 super, both have hours in the 400s.

No comment on anything newer than 1997 as I have no experience and don't want any.

All of the hydros I've owned started with the wide frame series, the quiet line, the 82 series and the Cyclops.

All of the Cubs that have the Sunstrand hydros were excellent, durable, snooth hydros when new. After 50 years of neglect, abuse and/or no maintenence, most are still running well.

The Hydro-Gear hydros are also good but they aren't as smooth or as robust as the Sunstrands.

I wouldn't make a distinction between a cast iron case and an aluminum case if I was using the tractor for domextic or residential use.

Any of the IH built hydrostatic cub cadets are bullet proof IMO. Keep fluid clean (filter changes) drive shaft fan installed, and it'll be fine for years.