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Abby’s Guide > Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) > Discussions > What is/are the benefits of hydrostatic transmissions ?

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chefwong


Joined: Dec 18, 2004
Points: 175

What is/are the benefits of hydrostatic transmissions ?
Original Message   Nov 10, 2010 1:48 pm
FWIW, I bought my 1st 2 stager - Honda unit - without ever demoing a unit that had Hydrostatic Transmission.
Just short of the fact that it's variable infinite speed, can anyone just give me a laymens primer on the benefits of a Hydrostatic Transmission ?


BTW, how often if any do you do a OCI on the hydro transmission.

I was just surprised how much ~harder~ is is to move when not engadged as opposed to ~regular~ geared transmission.
I was at the local orange borg last night and wheeled the Organge buckets around and they wheel so much with ease...
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Knee_Biter


Wicked Pissa

Location: just outside of BOSTON
Joined: Dec 14, 2008
Points: 147

Re: What is/are the benefits of hydrostatic transmissions ?
Reply #50   Jan 17, 2011 1:47 pm
Off topic but I have 2 Masters series mowers.  1 Hydrostatic and 1 3 speed.  I have owned Toro, Ariens, Craftsman, Lawnboy, Snapper  and I must say that I would not trade my masters for any other mower.  I use the Hydo all the time  and the 3 spd once in a while. I have used some of the newer Honda models but they are not the same.  aa335 wrote:
I never got warmed up to the design of the HRX217 mower.  The hydro fluid reservoir didn't bother me.  What bother me about it was the long handles which makes it hard to maneuver around tight areas and turning around, the complicated blade clutch and drive bail arragement, Xenoy plastic deck, and the GC engine.  I don't find the mulch/bag lever useful for me.  It's either bag, or mulch.  Nothing in between. 

Just give me the updated version of the Honda Master HM series, cast aluminum deck, GX engine, chrome handles, and cone clutch drive.  That's all I ask.  Hydros are fine for heavier pieces of equipment, but too complicated and heavy for a walk behind 21" mower.


aa335


Joined: Nov 29, 2008
Points: 2434

Re: What is/are the benefits of hydrostatic transmissions ?
Reply #51   Jan 17, 2011 7:17 pm
MN_Runner wrote:
 I just wanted a little more HP since when the grass gets long and wet, the lawnmower makes that terrible sound.

NO self righteous OCD person mow wet and long grass.  Just not in cards.  The cut is terrible!

Homeowner mower doesn't have the oomph to do it.  You need a commercial 32" walkbehind or larger for that.
This message was modified Jan 17, 2011 by aa335
MN_Runner


Location: St. Paul, Minnesota
Joined: Dec 5, 2010
Points: 622

Re: What is/are the benefits of hydrostatic transmissions ?
Reply #52   Jan 17, 2011 10:04 pm
it is not an ideal condition but some weeks in summer you have no choice.  Happened to me a few times this summer.
royster


" It is the use of power tools that separates man from animals"

Location: New Brunswick, Canada
Joined: Feb 11, 2011
Points: 284

Re: What is/are the benefits of hydrostatic transmissions ?
Reply #53   Feb 17, 2011 9:27 pm
   I have a CRAFTSMAN Model 52993 ,1450 series B&S engine, 27 inch snow blower . This model is built by Husqvarna and is identical to (except it is red instead of orange)  to the Husqvarna Model.    It has hydrostatic drive, power steering, heated grips,and the  remote chute controls  . This is the best snow blower out there,   The hydrostatic drive is a one lever operation,move it  forward to go forward an backward to go back. It can be operated at  a very low speed, barely moving forward with the engine set at its highest speed so the impeller and augers are turning at their max speed. It is much easier to go through very deep snow  with no reduction in RPM .The power steering enables it to turn in its own tracks  or make gradual steering adjustments. The heated grips are nice when the outside temperature drops.  The remote chute controls are easy to operate , are fast and logically designed. I would highly recommend these models.

Paul7


Joined: Mar 12, 2007
Points: 452

Re: What is/are the benefits of hydrostatic transmissions ?
Reply #54   Feb 17, 2011 10:25 pm
royster wrote:
   I have a CRAFTSMAN Model 52993 ,1450 series B&S engine, 27 inch snow blower . This model is built by Husqvarna and is identical to (except it is red instead of orange)  to the Husqvarna Model.    It has hydrostatic drive, power steering, heated grips,and the  remote chute controls  . This is the best snow blower out there,   The hydrostatic drive is a one lever operation,move it  forward to go forward an backward to go back. It can be operated at  a very low speed, barely moving forward with the engine set at its highest speed so the impeller and augers are turning at their max speed. It is much easier to go through very deep snow  with no reduction in RPM .The power steering enables it to turn in its own tracks  or make gradual steering adjustments. The heated grips are nice when the outside temperature drops.  The remote chute controls are easy to operate , are fast and logically designed. I would highly recommend these models.

Interesting.  I knew that Husqvarna made chain and gear driven blowers but didn't know that they made hydrostatic models.  What is it's throwing distance like?
royster


" It is the use of power tools that separates man from animals"

Location: New Brunswick, Canada
Joined: Feb 11, 2011
Points: 284

Re: What is/are the benefits of hydrostatic transmissions ?
Reply #55   Feb 18, 2011 11:39 am
I would estimate 50-60 feet, depending on the type of snow.   Dry or drifted snow  50-60 feet,   wet slushy snow   25-30 feet..  I live where the houses are about 80-100 ft apart,  There are snowblowers at each house, various makes.  The snow at the sides of my driveway are lower than the others, because I can throw the snow farther, WE now have over   4 feet of snow on the ground, that is where it has not drifted.

snowmachine


Location: Washington State
Joined: Nov 12, 2008
Points: 268

Re: What is/are the benefits of hydrostatic transmissions ?
Reply #56   Feb 21, 2011 9:23 am
The Husky "16530EXL" model has a Hydro.

http://www.husqvarna.com/us/landowner/products/snow-throwers/16530exl/

I've noticed some of the Husky/Craftsman models sold in Canada also have hydros. I have yet to see one being sold in the states though

. Paul7 wrote:

Interesting.  I knew that Husqvarna made chain and gear driven blowers but didn't know that they made hydrostatic models.  What is it's throwing distance like?
This message was modified Feb 21, 2011 by snowmachine


HTTPs://ouppes.com
royster


" It is the use of power tools that separates man from animals"

Location: New Brunswick, Canada
Joined: Feb 11, 2011
Points: 284

Re: What is/are the benefits of hydrostatic transmissions ?
Reply #57   Mar 8, 2011 5:48 pm
chefwong wrote:
Thx for the primer. I was reading the manual and I am still unclear. Does one need to disengage  when going from forward to reverse.
While I get the variable speed going forward OR backward, does the clutch need to be disengaged anytime when switching F-R or vice versa


The clutch lever does not have to be disengaged anytime,  Just hold down the clutch lever, and use the hydro lever only, when going from forward to reverse or  vice versa  changing speeds in forward or reverse, no stopping is required. This does not abuse the hydrostatic transmission, it is designed to work like this.    The hydro lever should not be moved unless the engine is running.

trouts2




Location: Marlboro MA
Joined: Dec 8, 2007
Points: 1328

Re: What is/are the benefits of hydrostatic transmissions ?
Reply #58   Mar 9, 2011 7:07 pm
Royster,


    You seem to be a smart guy.  Can you go over in detail the advantages of the hydro and explain it's operation?   What are the bad points of a friction disk system? 

royster


" It is the use of power tools that separates man from animals"

Location: New Brunswick, Canada
Joined: Feb 11, 2011
Points: 284

Re: What is/are the benefits of hydrostatic transmissions ?
Reply #59   Mar 10, 2011 4:54 pm
trouts2 wrote:
Royster,


    You seem to be a smart guy.  Can you go over in detail the advantages of the hydro and explain it's operation?   What are the bad points of a friction disk system? 



      I don't consider myself to be a smart guy, but I guess that is what it seems to you,  Thankyou anyway.

You can read my review of the Husqvarna  16530EXL , and in my opinion , the advantages and disadvantages of  hydrostatic drive , etc.

under the discussion heading,"Is a hydrostatic  drive good for a snowblower"

My message # 77.

This message was modified Mar 10, 2011 by royster


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