I am curious, was this mower in service and being used for mowing or was it stored way in the back of a shed for several years? I mow up an incline with my mower. The incline is probably steeper than your ramps. I never had the mower attempt to roll back or flip on me. (yet) Ask the seller how it's been running for him and if there was any indication that the transmission might be slipping. What state is it located in? Did he accept your $400 offer or was he holding out for a higher price?
JD Hydro - ramps into pickup
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blacknchrome
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It was in storage, but had been used until last month when he moved supposedly. The ramps are 6.5 ft long into an f150.
He said he thought there may be something wrong with the transmission - he said it made some noise. I drove it and didn't notice anything too out of place other than a small hydro whine which I assume is normal - for all the hydro's I am used to anyway.
He accepted my offer, but I backed out after I couldn't load it.
He said he thought there may be something wrong with the transmission - he said it made some noise. I drove it and didn't notice anything too out of place other than a small hydro whine which I assume is normal - for all the hydro's I am used to anyway.
He accepted my offer, but I backed out after I couldn't load it.
My hydro has whinned for 11 years now. Actually I think the whine is going away with use. The whine by itself combined by the steep ramps may not have been an indication of a problem. As stated by another poster here, reverse on hydros is a week gear normally. Wait and see what others on the forum say about the $400 price. It sounds like a lower than average price, although I don't know what an average price for that mower would really be in perfect working condition.
Need others with opinions to chime in here.
Need others with opinions to chime in here.
evo803
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FWIW,
Forward and reverse in a hydro transaxle have the same amount of torque available. The pump is driving a hydraulic motor that spins the differential gears ,the only difference between forward and reverse is the fluid flow that spins the hydraulic motor.
jenkinsph
Super Star Member
My experience with the L130 is the forward climbing ability far exceeds the reverse climbing ability. That has been since new, much weaker in reverse.
mjncad
Super Member
I have the same experience with my L-130 too.
RandyT
Elite Member
I think what is going on is the new mowers are so slow in reverse for safety reasons that the pump isn't putting out enough volume to overcome the fluid leakage in the motor. It is true that the hydro has the same torque forward and reverse but because of the slow reverse you can't overcome the flow problem.
evo803
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My guess is that the speed is also faster forward than reverse and this would explain the power difference.
There is a ramp inside that is in a port after the pump and if the ramp is installed backwards it changes the fwd & rev direction of the motor.I guess this allows it to be used in different applications. Since the gears are straight cut and not ring and pinion design they are just as strong going in either direction.I have gleened this info from a couple of repair threads at MTF.
I have built a awd tractor and the Hydrogear transaxles are identical units. The front one however is turned around so the input belt would clear the case. This led to it operating in reverse so all I had to do was just make the linkage put the front transaxle in reverse to go forward and vice versa for reverse. This was done under the approval of the tech department and this is exactly how Ventrac manufactures the 3000 series, my axles are identical to what they use.
JENKINSPH I think I am correct on this one ,BUT I have been wrong before reading posts and interpreting them. sorry
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blacknchrome
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So, would a manual transmission be stronger than these Deere Hydros? The L100 has the 5 or 6 speed, while the L110 has the Hydro.
Once you own a hydro you will not want to go back to a manual. It's so much easier with the vairable speed transmission and constant speed engine. Never have to shift again and only use the manual brake on steep downgrades. Get into tall stuff and need to go slower, just ease up on the forward pedal, no shifting. Get into low stuff and want to go faster, just push down on the pedal. And "Best of All", the wife can mow without any problems. :thumbsup:
