Newbie beginner hoping for some guidance.

Brianator wrote:

@Murraymountain Sure you CAN pulley swap a hydro but increasing the engines governed speed by a couple hundred rpms will do the same thing but for free so I don't see the point in spending all the extra time and money, unless you have the parts laying around and want to experiment.

And yes @TechnoChicken the MTDs he's reffering to are Vari-Drive which I agree are much harder to pulley swap because the belts need to be the exact right length(s) or it won't function properly PLUS the proper belts are 11/16" and they're only available in very certain sizes. Others have offroaded their Vari-Drive even mudding them and haven't had any issues that a regular belt drive wouldn't, some guys have pulley swapped them and run 5/8" belts with no issues also so really it's all a matter of opinion I guess. One thing I really like about the Vari-Drive is that you can have it in top speed (7 on most) and control the speed with the clutch/brake pedal, as you push it down it drops the speeds so you can quickly slow down and then speed back up if you want!

As for hydros and offroading... I've been doing alot of testing with the Mud Duck the last few days, speed runs, climbing obstacles and stuff and it's working flawlessly! My neighbors tractor (which was a freebie) is also a hydro, we finally got it home today and did some testing with it and it's also working really well even with the open diff, it is a large heavy tractor though! (Craftsman DGT6000).

So many seem against hydros but they're actually very robust! If they're in good working order, maintained and cleaned regularly to keep them cool then they're going to last! No you're not going to do 30mph without damaging it but if you have modest goals of trail cruising and crawling over/around obstacles then they're actually better than gear driven, I can tell you personally that you have a heck of alot more control when crawling over things and can go from forward to reverse really quick! You want to go FAST, get a ATV or off road go kart! Lol.

I think alot of people that have bashed on anything that's not a gear drive are just scared of things that are different that they don't understand. There's so many different configurations and each one has it's strengths and weaknesses so @willeee I say have fun with your tractor and if it doesn't meet your expectations THEN consider selling or trading it!

Thank you once again Brianator!  You (and Mud Duck) got this thread rollin'!  Thanks for your valuable input, it's been one heck of an education for this Absolute Beginner.  I've decided to sell - "Abandon Ship!"  If you're interested in my reasoning, please see my reply below.

I've decided to sell the Hydro.

I really considered just making the best of the Hydro mower to mod.  There are some options available, and my needs are simple.  However, I've decided to sell the Hydro and go looking for something better suited.  

THANK YOU to everyone who has contributed options, suggestions, and tips, and helped me make a well informed decision.  You have ALL been very generous with your time and expertise!  And Thank You Atltf!  

To recap:  I (a Total Beginner) saw your Amazing "Mower" Machines and your mechanical genius first on YouTube, then later on this super-cool forum.

Unfortunately, I watched the videos BEFORE finding Atltf.  I was so amazed and excited about the idea of owning an Off Road Mower, that I rushed out and bought a Riding Mower - unfortunately a "regular" mower with a Hydrostatic Transmission.  AFTERWARDS I found this forum and learned what modding mowers is really all about.

Your outstanding, detailed suggestions on how to proceed, to me, boiled down to:
1. Make do with a machine with a Hydro Transmission, and get the most out of it.
2. Sell this machine and find a better suited machine to modify.

For my situation, the decision is to sell and find a better-suited machine.

It's really awesome how you all came in to help me, offer options and ideas, and make it perfectly clear what could and could not be done.  You all have given me one heck of a Mower education!

I hope this thread helps the next Total Beginner that comes along.

Thank you everyone!

No problem man, glad I could help, @mightyraze might end up dropping by and giving you a hand with the post deletion or something like that? Let us know what tractor you do end up buying, if you were down in Canada I'd definitely trade you a gear drive tractor for that rig but the drive down there is 40x the drive I'd be wanting to make

Nah, we'll leave it for another person who may be researching in the past. Maybe they will read all this and help them out too!

MightyRaze wrote:

Nah, well leave it for another person who may be researching in the past. Maybe they will read all this and help them out too!

Sorry Mighty, I was trying to delete a single post that I messed up. I couldn't figure out how to delete the post, so I just edited then erased everything and posted it with "trying to delete post". Yes, it would be great if it helped another newbie, maybe even guys that have been around a while.

willeee wrote:

MightyRaze wrote:

Nah, well leave it for another person who may be researching in the past. Maybe they will read all this and help them out too!

Sorry Mighty, I was trying to delete a single post that I messed up.  I couldn't figure out how to delete the post, so I just edited then erased everything and posted it with "trying to delete post".  Yes, it would be great if it helped another newbie, maybe even guys that have been around a while.  

Sorry, I missed that.  You should be able to delete your own posts.  In the top right of the post should be a trashcan.  You can delete it there.  If not, I can take care of it.  It appears you already have per your post. 

MightyRaze wrote:

willeee wrote:

MightyRaze wrote:

Nah, well leave it for another person who may be researching in the past. Maybe they will read all this and help them out too!

Sorry Mighty, I was trying to delete a single post that I messed up.  I couldn't figure out how to delete the post, so I just edited then erased everything and posted it with "trying to delete post".  Yes, it would be great if it helped another newbie, maybe even guys that have been around a while.  

Sorry, I missed that.  You should be able to delete your own posts.  In the top right of the post should be a trashcan.  You can delete it there.  If not, I can take care of it.  It appears you already have per your post. 

Thanks, didn't see the trash can.

willeee wrote:

Thank you once again Brianator!  You (and Mud Duck) got this thread rollin'!  Thanks for your valuable input, it's been one heck of an education for this Absolute Beginner.  I've decided to sell - "Abandon Ship!"  If you're interested in my reasoning, please see my reply below.

No problem at all, glad I could help! I hope you're able to profit a few extra bucks off it so you have more tractor money! Lol