I rebuilt my articulated Cub Cadet (Artie) and replaced the hydrostatic drive with a gear drive. I had to use two gear shift levers since the drive shaft now goes right through where the gearshift used to be. My son published a video of the finished product here:
http://www.cubcadetman.com/content/i...vids&Itemid=65
I added a power steering pump off a 1986 Honda Civic for the steering. I like the operation better than the hydrostat but it was a lot more work.