CharlieBrown 3 #1 Posted June 21, 2019 So, I have 2 C175 Wheel horse tractors. Tractor G = 6 speed with a bad KT17 (hole in the block and can't pull the dip stick out) Tractor H = Hydrostatic with a running KT17 Both tractor are not by any means show room quality, but do I shift gears or push a lever back and forth? I have snow blower and a rear discharge deck that came with Tractor G that I'm assuming will fit Tractor H. Looking for input good or bad (and yes I know the KT17 doesn't rank high for a twin cylinder on loyalty from what I have been reading) on doing a engine swap or not. Thanks? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 37,211 #2 Posted June 21, 2019 (edited) Whether mowing, or especially pushing snow... you can't beat the seamless function of that hydro. Edited June 21, 2019 by AMC RULES 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZXT 2,401 #3 Posted June 21, 2019 I second the Hydro. I hate automatics in cars, but I'm the exact opposite when it comes to garden tractors. Often times one gear is too slow for what you're doing, and the next is way too fast. Having an infinite number of "gears" allows you to go the proper speed irregardless of what you're doing. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JCM 10,251 #4 Posted June 21, 2019 Real nice to have one of each, but most of us know it's hard to have only 2,can't beat a hydro for snow removal and mowing if you have a lot of obstacles. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WVHillbilly520H 10,376 #5 Posted June 21, 2019 I too prefer a manual trans in my vehicles and hydro garden tractors, but after a '14 Silverado missing the clutch pedal ain't no big deal, also have a SCUT (small 4X4 tractor) that's a gear jammer hydro would have been nicer but the price could not be beat...in case you were wondering my answer... HYDRO. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 28,637 #6 Posted June 21, 2019 Never had a hydro. My C105 8 speed works great for mowing and plowing snow. Bullet proof trans... Change oil and go... Maybe go with @JCM‘s idea, put another engine on tractor G and enjoy both... Love the Black Hoods! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
midpack 1,011 #7 Posted June 21, 2019 I've had (actually have) both versions, Hydro and 8spd. The problem I have with the Hydro version is if you are using a front attachment that requires input. It's very hard to lift or lower an attachment, steer, and use a hand control lever for forward and reverse. I am much happier on a standard transmission whatever vehicle I'm using, car/truck/tractor, you can control the 8spd tractors speed using clutch engagement and its just like a foot pedal control (actually it is) the best part of a Hydro machine is the power lift capability, my 417 came with an electric lift and I couldn't be happier with that machine. I actually tracked down an electric lift assembly and put it on a different 8spd tractor I have (C-175 repowered with Kohler M12). My wife uses the C-175 hydro to help out with mowing the lawn while I'm recovering from some unfortunate surgery that I had to go through Personally, I would get look for an engine and keep both! :) 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bds1984 1,501 #8 Posted June 21, 2019 For everything but using a rototiller, I prefer the hydro. This summer I put in a garden at my new house using my C165-8 and I found the speed was much easier to control versus last summer using a C175-auto. The C175-auto seemed to be pushed along faster from the tiller but was much easier to lift versus the C165. In a perfect world, I'd love to have hydro lift on my C165-8. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
