Hydros for beginners?

[Ifixoldjunk 778]

So I’m pretty much a beginner when it comes to garden tractors, I got my first last summer, a 1968 bolens 1050. Shortly after that I picked up my wheel horse 310-8. Both have geared transmissions and I was wondering how well a hydro would hold up to hard work, plowing snow, pulling firewood and generally just moving heavy stuff.

basically, I’ve fallen in love with the simplicity of wheel horse tractors and would like to add a hydrostatic to my collection. I’m torn between a 520 or a black hood. I just don’t know how well a hydro handles the work. I’m used to blowing up MTD hydros left and right before I bought my real tractors.

[Ifixoldjunk 778]

also, Will the snowblower lift flag from my manual lift tractor work on models with the hydraulic lift?

[WheelHorse520H 708]

I am not sure about you second post but the hydros are excellent. I often pull a trailer with my 520H and the hydraulic lift is nice to have when I grade my driveway or plow snow. The 520 can handle a good amount of snow and it will do just about anything you need. I find it easier with a hydro to find the exact speed I want because you just put the lever where you want it, one gear isn’t too low and the next too high or anything. I don’t know enough about the black hoods to really help you there but a farm up the street from me has a black hood and every time I go buy it’s in a different spot. Haven’t seen it lately though I think they might have sold it. Either way, I think the hydro will do what you need.

Hope this helps,

Andrew

[kpinnc 14,693]

I would only caution you against 516-H, 518-H, 312-A, or anything with the Eaton 700 if you're planning to pull big weight or use to plow. They had a warning in the manual about "not for use with ground- engaging attachments". The Eaton 1100 series made about three times the output torque compared to the 700. 

 

Easiest way to know that it isn't a 700 is that if it has hydraulic lift, it is NOT a 700. Sundstrands are also fine with or without hydraulic lift, and they will be on mostly tractors before mid 1970s, with exception to the big D-160/ 180/ 200.

 

Not throwing shade at the Eaton 700s, but they were never intended to pull like the 1100 pumps. Mowing and regular yard cart sized trailers are fine, but that is about it.

Edited August 23, 2021 by kpinnc

[Goofey 89]

AFIK the gearbox is same on eaton 700 models as on others, just the 1" axles, and the smaller pump. The pump in the 700 will not have the same awesome power as the 1100 but should still be millions of miles better than any "lawn mower" type transaxle that you find on pretty much everythin these days.

 

The only thing a hydro may fall short in is tilling again AFIK. But those with bigger modes that are heavy dont seem to have any issues. Hydro is just the prime choice no matter how you twist and turn it. IMO.

[kpinnc 14,693]

Correct- except the last 700 I had used 1.125 axles just like the 1100. The transaxle is identical, and uses an adapter plate to make up for the different sized pump.

[Ifixoldjunk 778]

On 8/22/2021 at 8:35 PM, kpinnc said:

I would only caution you against 516-H, 518-H, 312-A, or anything with the Eaton 700 if you're planning to pull big weight or use to plow. They had a warning in the manual about "not for use with ground- engaging attachments". The Eaton 1100 series made about three times the output torque compared to the 700. 

 

Easiest way to know that it isn't a 700 is that if it has hydraulic lift, it is NOT a 700. Sundstrands are also fine with or without hydraulic lift, and they will be on mostly tractors before mid 1970s, with exception to the big D-160/ 180/ 200.

 

Not throwing shade at the Eaton 700s, but they were never intended to pull like the 1100 pumps. Mowing and regular yard cart sized trailers are fine, but that is about it.

Well that's good to know. I was unaware of the different hydro pumps. My tractors are always pulling really heavy loads so that's good to know