Hydro-Gear brand transmissions question......

[LesH 1]

Does anyone know anything about the Hydro-Gear brand hydrostatic transmissions?? Good/ average/ bad/ indifferent/ junk?? I have a model #618-04329. Did/ does ACor Simplicity use them?? Looks like it is built good. No transmission hydro filter though, it has a cooling fan, it has 1 inch diameter axles. Any comments appreciated!!!

[RedbarnRick 5]

Hi, I have the 3010L in my 87 landlord it has held up well mine has a filter, no hydro lift or locking diff, I put it thru heck with a 42 inch blower, and mowing with the 50" deck and a tag along Swisher 60" deck. It seems faily stout.

[SmilinSam 4,161]

If it tells you anything most all the newer Simplicity tractors use Tuff Torq hydrostatic transaxles. I have heard that there were alot of problems with the Hydrogears in some of the Broadmoor models. I have seen quite a few of these Broadmoors at Auctions being sold with bad trannies over the years. Thats all I know for certain.

[andrewk 0]

I have seen a broadmoor break the axle off of a hydro-gear trans before. What happens is the guy puts on a bunch of wheel weight, and the axle will just splinter apart. I have put tuff-torq kits in these tractors five years out of warranty, and Simplicity covered it. Thats not to say they will every time, just my experience. Al could offer more insight, he has seen many more than me.