Different Drive Systems for ZTM ???

[hayboy]

Looking at many different models and manufactures, I see drive systems called by different names. Can someone tell me in country boy language the types used on these mowers? I see the word transmission used, where is it, I always thought that a pump on the gas motor sends pressure to a motor that drives the wheels. the more I read, the more I get confused, then I see some that have two pumps. Hard to make a decision with everything that is out there.

 

[Ric]

Looking at many different models and manufactures, I see drive systems called by different names. Can someone tell me in country boy language the types used on these mowers? I see the word transmission used, where is it, I always thought that a pump on the gas motor sends pressure to a motor that drives the wheels. the more I read, the more I get confused, then I see some that have two pumps. Hard to make a decision with everything that is out there.

Wow In country boy language, that's going to be hard. You'll see all or many different manufacturers of mowers but not drive systems. Hydro-Gear and Parker are the two you will most likely have on mowers that you'll see. Hydro-Gear makes a self contained or one unit hydro-static drive or transmission with variable displacement piston pumps and wheel motors for residential and commercial mowers both. When someone say it has two pumps or separate pumps and wheel motors that would be the Parker pumps and wheel motors or there integrated system. :laughing: Now that probably doesn't help a lot but if you want a good set of drives for your ztr the Hydro-Gear are good drives, if you want the best Parker separate pumps and wheel motors are the best but they will cost more money.

 

[Carscw]

Looking at many different models and manufactures, I see drive systems called by different names. Can someone tell me in country boy language the types used on these mowers? I see the word transmission used, where is it, I always thought that a pump on the gas motor sends pressure to a motor that drives the wheels. the more I read, the more I get confused, then I see some that have two pumps. Hard to make a decision with everything that is out there.

When they say transmission they mean a rear end ( transaxle) with gears in it.
On a riding mower a hydro means the hydraulic pump and motor are in side the rear end.

On a zero turn you have a motor on each back wheel. That are powered by 1 or 2 pumps.

 

[hayboy]

Hustler HyperDrive hydraulic system Hydro-Gear makes a self contained or one unit hydro-static drive or transmission with variable displacement piston pumps and wheel motors for residential and commercial Parker pump and motors. This seems to be 3 different drives. Ric you seem to know what you are talking about, but I still don't know enough to discuss it. I just know my JD Z445 has a direct drive pump and a motor on each wheel supplying power to the wheels. Have read hrs on pro and con on engines and brands and I guess the best way is just go buy and pray for the best and rest. I go know unless I live to be 100 , a next mower bought will probably be my last. Thanks

 

[Ric]

Hustler HyperDrive hydraulic system Hydro-Gear makes a self contained or one unit hydro-static drive or transmission with variable displacement piston pumps and wheel motors for residential and commercial Parker pump and motors. This seems to be 3 different drives. Ric you seem to know what you are talking about, but I still don't know enough to discuss it. I just know my JD Z445 has a direct drive pump and a motor on each wheel supplying power to the wheels. Have read hrs on pro and con on engines and brands and I guess the best way is just go buy and pray for the best and rest. I go know unless I live to be 100 , a next mower bought will probably be my last. Thanks

Most of the Hydro Gear drives are self contained and they run up to I believe 7 piston pumps and motors and I think you have the Hydro gear 2800 in the 445 which is the top of the line residential unit. The Hustler your talking about has the Parker wheel motors and what they call a slipper 9 piston pumps and they carry a five year 3000 hour warranty which is far better than the 2 year Hydro Gear. Hustler says they are the industrial version for there commercial units. As far as engines go Kawasaki has the market, they are making the best engine on the market at this time or at least that's what the pro's want on there commercial mowers. Kohler Makes a real good engine if you get into their commercial end.

 

[Carscw]

Have to disagree about the engines.
Kawasaki is ok if you don't work it hard.
Cutting the same residential every week is not working it hard.
Around here you can buy a used Kawasaki with under 500 hours. For a couple hundred bucks.
All the pros have swapped them out.

I bought a new toro with the Kawasaki.
After 2 bad engines. I paid the extra cash for a koler pro. With less HP does a much better job in 3 foot weeds.

 

[Ric]

Have to disagree about the engines.
Kawasaki is ok if you don't work it hard.
Cutting the same residential every week is not working it hard.
Around here you can buy a used Kawasaki with under 500 hours. For a couple hundred bucks.
All the pros have swapped them out.

I bought a new toro with the Kawasaki.
After 2 bad engines. I paid the extra cash for a kohler pro. With less HP does a much better job in 3 foot weeds.

You can disagree if you wish but the fact is that Kawasaki does own the market at this point and time. There selling more engines than anyone. If you buy the correct engine for the job you will be doing they are probably the most reliable engine going. Working or running an engine everyday, six days a week 400 plus hrs a season I'd say is working an engine extremely hard regardless of what type grass your cutting.