Buying Advice Done with hydrostatics

[k0ua]

Is that hydrostatic or IVT? I thought everything over 100hp was IVT, but I am sure no transmission expert.
Hydrostatic is easy to use, foot treadles eliminate need to use left arm/hand on reverser. Don't understand why someone hasn't
come up with hydro functionality and high efficiency too. The transmissions in our cars and trucks have become super efficient, up to 10 speeds now. But we seem stuck at a three speed hydro. 3 speeds work nicely for me, btw. I use all three, from tilling and loader work to running down the road in high. Now if they could shut up the whine...……..

Yes, heavy equipment has hydros all over the place and the really heavy stuff now seems to be going diesel electric.
But to the best of my knowledge, JD at 66hp(is it up to 70 now?) in a four series is the most you can get.
Why not a hydro option in a 5? Or a Kubota M?

I have a "one speed" variable hydro on my 1968 Cub Cadet. They've come a long way...

Daugen, the number of "ranges" or "speeds" have nothing to do with the effeciency of the hydro units. Remember the range selector is nothing but a simple non syncronized gear transmission behind the hydro unit. It is not really a part of the hydrostatic transmission, it is just a simple gear transmission for speed/torque adjustment to suit the job and the terrain.

As you know some hydro transmissions are used in heavy equipment where needed. But as the power goes up and the machine gets heavier, the inherent inefficiency of the hydro unit start to add up and the fact that you need higher and higher pressures in the hydro unit for bigger machines adds cost and complexity.

Hydros are great and I sure love mine, but the way we small tractor lovers use our tractors we can spend a few more dollars each year for extra fuel to enjoy all the wonderful characteristics that a hydro brings to the table, But if you are pulling a plow around a field all day with a large tractor the loss of efficiency starts to subtract from the bottom line of the harvest.

 

[WranglerX]

For you K46 owners, TUFF TORQ has a complete line of rebuild parts... Have a 2004, JD L120 and after about 400 hours I was having problems, for about $400 you can do a complete rebuild of K46 transaxle.... TT also recommends 20W50 full synthetic for oil.... Funny part is for about $700 I could have bought a NEW one...

Tuff Torq - Integrated Hydrostatic Transaxle Authority

Parts and service..

Tuff Torq Parts

 

[WranglerX]

There is a rubber plug on the top whereby oil can be sucked out and replaced. Thicker oil seems to be the word from TT. There is a very fine mesh filter screen inside the oil section, in the top of the unit.....about 2" diameter, 1" high.

TUFF TORQ recommends 20W50 full synthetic as oil of choice...

Dale

 

[Groo]

I knew I was getting junk when I purchased it. The problem was I could not afford the step above junk at the time. My plan is to abuse the junk for the span of the 3 year wanranty and hopefully get a new tranny near the end of it. When it goes out while not covered by waranty, my plan is to replace it with a better one, like a K66 or a K72 or a complete machine a step or two better.

 

[Bavarian]

Is that hydrostatic or IVT? I thought everything over 100hp was IVT, but I am sure no transmission expert.
Hydrostatic is easy to use, foot treadles eliminate need to use left arm/hand on reverser. Don't understand why someone hasn't
come up with hydro functionality and high efficiency too. The transmissions in our cars and trucks have become super efficient, up to 10 speeds now. But we seem stuck at a three speed hydro. 3 speeds work nicely for me, btw. I use all three, from tilling and loader work to running down the road in high. Now if they could shut up the whine...……..

Yes, heavy equipment has hydros all over the place and the really heavy stuff now seems to be going diesel electric.
But to the best of my knowledge, JD at 66hp(is it up to 70 now?) in a four series is the most you can get.
Why not a hydro option in a 5? Or a Kubota M?

I have a "one speed" variable hydro on my 1968 Cub Cadet. They've come a long way...

It's hydrostatic. But powered by a variable hydraulic pump. Quite complicated. The smallest they build is rated at 72hp.

 

[IH3444]

TUFF TORQ recommends 20W50 full synthetic as oil of choice...

Dale

I changed my oil in the K66 at about 300 hours and used 5w-50 weight full synthetic Pennzoil after speaking with a Tufftorq engineer on the phone. Understanding cavitation from my naval research days the lighter oil will reduce the cavitation at the pumping level where the energy is input to the fluid, then the fluid puts the energy to the hydraulic motor for mechanical motion to propel tractor. This will keep erosion of the metal parts to a minimal. If you are in a warmer climate the Tufftorq engineer stated that he uses M1 15w-50 as atop off if doing repairs in the field. 20w-50 maybe in tropical climates, but to me that is a heavy oil for these small pumps to push. I always run WOT to reduce the load on the charge pump as well as the pressure pump for these small hydraulic pumps. The pumpguy I'm sure knows more about this than I.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

For you K46 owners, TUFF TORQ has a complete line of rebuild parts... Have a 2004, JD L120 and after about 400 hours I was having problems, for about $400 you can do a complete rebuild of K46 transaxle.... TT also recommends 20W50 full synthetic for oil.... Funny part is for about $700 I could have bought a NEW one...

Tuff Torq - Integrated Hydrostatic Transaxle Authority

Parts and service..

Tuff Torq Parts

My K46 is $1000 new. And here is their oil. No mention of the weight on the jug.

 

[IH3444]

My K66 stated it came with 5w-50 full synthetic oil, so I kept it the same.

 

[daugen]

I read that my JD X750 comes with a TuffTorque 90 in it, but no such number here:
K92 - Tuff Torq Corporation
has 26 rear tires and I was studying the maximum tire width per model.
Torque load ratings on axles don't seem very high...405 and 650 foot pounds for their two biggest models.
As low as 150 foot pounds on smallest model. Not going to pull much with that...

 

[buickanddeere]

For you K46 owners, TUFF TORQ has a complete line of rebuild parts... Have a 2004, JD L120 and after about 400 hours I was having problems, for about $400 you can do a complete rebuild of K46 transaxle.... TT also recommends 20W50 full synthetic for oil.... Funny part is for about $700 I could have bought a NEW one...

Tuff Torq - Integrated Hydrostatic Transaxle Authority

Parts and service..

Tuff Torq Parts

Are those K46 replacement parts an upgrade with superior materials , improved manufacturing process and a more robust/reliable design ?