Ariens YT12 Transmission Swap

Hello, I recently got an Ariens YT12 for $50, the deck was rusted out and it had sat for a very long time(judging by the look of the gas in it). I started up the motor(Kohler Command 12.5HP) and the Transmission ended up not working. Its a Hydrostatic, which I cant really use in my mower due to the fact that I am probably going to need to pulley swap and as far as I know you cant do a pulley swap with a Hydro, so I was wondering if it would be possible to put a gear drive transmission in it? I can do some fabrication to it(mounts, clutch, ETC) but I just want to make sure it will be mostly compatible and that its a feasible swap. Thanks

you ca, your hydro may have a clutch, some of my hydros did, or its simple to fab something up. I would just find any old manual and stick it in there, I think you need mounts for it but that should be easy, get them off the tractor you get the manual from.

Thanks, should be do-able

make sure the neutral bypass valve on the hydro isnt engaged. if it is it will let the fluid just flow and not drive the axle motor. but swapping in a manual trans shouldnt be hard and would be a lot more reliable

I actually found out that it had no oil in it. Stupid mistake, but ive never screwed around with a hydro before and I had no idea how they worked. Anyways, im going to get a parts tractor on Sunday and depending on the condition im going to put my current engine into it or the transaxle into my current mower. Thanks for the help.