Hydro drive

[1574trap]

I currently used a 2182 for mowing. I looked over a Bolens large lawn and garden tractor with a diesel and 2 speed rear end hydro drive a few weeks ago. Has anyone out there, ever adapted a hydro drive to a Cub Cadet gear drive rear end? I use a 2182 on steep banks and do not think it safe for me to use a zero turn in these places. I think the gear drive with a hydro would give a better transmission with fewer speed adjustment during hill climbing. I have a spare Cub Cadet aluminum 3 speed rearend, the hydro pump and motor, could be fitted to if this is possible.

[J-Mech]

Bolens, John Deere, Massey Ferguson, Deutz and Snapper all used a Peerless axle in conjunction with the Sundstrand hydro. Peerless made a 2 speed gear box between the hydro and the differential which gave a hi/lo set up. It is a nice feature. Cub Cadet did it differently. You do not need the gear box to be able to climb hills better. It was more for control than it was for torque. Have you ever stalled the hydro or the engine with the transmission? (No, it's unlikely you ever stalled the engine, and the Sundstrand hydro has no main relief, so it can't be stalled.)

A zero turn mower typically has a much wider stance than a tractor mower, and a much lower center of gravity. So, it by sheer design is better for hills than a tractor mower. Not sure why you would think otherwise.

If the hill is so steep that you have issues with the tractor, you should look at another type of mower to mow it, or don't mow it. Safety first.
On that note, lug tires and fluid or wheel weights make a big difference. More weight at the wheel makes it heavier (more traction) and lowers the center of gravity.

No, you cannot mate a Sundstrand hydro used in an IH, to a gear drive trans.

[1574trap]

thank your for the reply. all the hydro's I have operated need to be constantly adjusted when going up and down hills and encountering new loads. after running the bolens around a yard with the 2 speed transmission -- it looked like this might solve some hydro shortcoming. all sub compact garden tractors use a 2 or 3 speed drive with the hydros. my 2182 will be my last cadet -- unless lighting strikes twice. already see the zero turn systems all have mower decks that will handle clippings better than any belly mount tractor mower I have seen. looked at some z turns before coming up on the 2182 and bought the cadet -- much better price. if I own another lawn mower in my lifetime it will be a zero turn. my cadet has the 60" deck and would cut better if it was a rear discharge -- just another thing limiting tractor type mowers. i luck up on one experience -- stopped looking for diesel powered lawn mowers. they usually are more costly to buy than a gas engine and when they have engine trouble they are budget busters. a person operating a lawn care business has reasons to own diesel powered mowers. just thought someone out there might have attempted to mate a cadet hydro with the gear drive transmission. I have a couple places I mow that are beyond the comfort zone while mowing. have learned how to attack these areas. never mow these when the grass is wet or damp. if I was shopping for a tractor type cadet today I would be looking for a 5254 gas engine, 4wd. only glich is a shaft drive for the mower deck -- like belts better ect. most have a 3 point and 540 pto and look to be able to pull a 60" mower. do not know the reliability of these machines but they do look good on paper.

[J-Mech]

The 5000 series Cadets are not very good machines. Not built well. Trans and PTO issues. Stay away from them.

Shaft drive is way better than a belt. Don't know why you would prefer a belt. Belts can slip, break, and wear out. Shafts are positive drive, and last longer. You ride motorcycles? Ever rode a shaft drive?

The Cub Cadet hydro control mechanism is different than most others. It has a cushion system, which when under load, will slow the machine some. The Boles in low gear may not slow as much.... but ALL hydro's are this way. All of them. They are not a positive drive system. They are not a "cruise control". Get used to jacking with the handle. It's not a big deal.

[CubDieselFan]

Do a search on the 5000 series tractors and you will find the transmissions and rear PTO's are junk.

[1574trap]

thanks for the reply on the 5000 series cadets. on paper they look good. will mark them off my list for the future.