857 Hydrostat?

[Simplecity 24]

Good Morning All

 After 40+years i finally sent the 3416H Simplicity to a new home, I acquired a 857 w/deck a couple of years back, and have been mowing with it. I like it because of the turning radius and overall compactness. The 8HP Kohler is very fugal on gas and it just runs great.

 What I miss is the hydrostat. They are great to mow with as your ground speed and blade RPM are not directly related to the throttle. So, as I am a habitual tinkerer, is there a hydorstat unit that will bolt up in place of the 3 speed gear box?

 Thanks to all who respond.

Edited yesterday at 12:52 PM by Simplecity
spelling

[pfrederi 20,369]

A sunstrand hydro gear would bolt up but you have to get the necessary motion control linkages and belt tensioner into the hood stand.  May need a new belt guard and I think an engine pulley.

[rjg854 12,989]

keep your eye out for an 875, 876 etc. they are already a hydrostat.

[953 nut 65,523]

A hydro will consume about two horse power more than a geared transmission so you may want to consider a 10 HP unit.

Place a wanted ad here to see if someone has a 1075 or 1076 for sale.   https://www.wheelhorseforum.com/classifieds/wanted/

The Wheel Horse Collector Club annual show is coming up in June, if you haven't found what you are looking for that may be a good place to go shopping.

[JoeM 9,809]

4 hours ago, 953 nut said:

want to consider a 10 HP unit

and if you got hills maybe a 12?

 

I started with a B100 and ended up putting a 12 on it, I got some steep ground and the 10 was really boarder line going up hill. It worked but had to slow down a lot so the blade speed didn't drop down to low. 

[Simplecity 24]

Good Morning

  Thanks to everyone who responded.

  I would appear that Wheel Horse knew what they were doing by not offering a hydrostat powered by a 8 HP Kohler.

  I don't have a  hills per say, just roadside with an occasional slope. I appears that to convert with a loss of a couple of horsepower, combined with the re-engineering of the tractor itself just isn't worth the trouble.

 Not really looking to acquire another tractor (just sold one), that leaves me with two. Perhaps a swap but not looking to increase the heard.

 Thanks again to all.  

[squonk 46,240]

38 minutes ago, Simplecity said:

 

  I would appear that Wheel Horse knew what they were doing by not offering a hydrostat powered by a 8 HP Kohler.

 

 

 

875 Wheel a Matic! 

 

 

 

[Handy Don 16,357]

1 hour ago, Simplecity said:

...would appear that Wheel Horse knew what they were doing by not offering a hydrostat powered by a 8 HP Kohler.

  I don't have a  hills per se, just roadside with an occasional slope. I appears that to convert with a loss of a couple of horsepower, combined with the re-engineering of the tractor itself just isn't worth the trouble.

I've yet to see other than anecdotal suggestions of 2hp loss with hydros, but even if it is so, an 8hp engine is still up to the job.

Early WH geared tractors had 4, 5, 6, and 7 horsepower and were able to plow soil, mow grass, and blow or plow snow competently.

Yes, higher horsepower can be helpful at times, but isn’t necessarily required. 

[stevasaurus 23,668]

I recomend one of each.  Mine, an 857 and the other an 876 have the best of both worlds.  I have not noticed any power loss due to being an auto.  My ground is level though.  

857

 

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