Good luck with your TC-18,Solo, I've had a chance to put a few hours on mine and everything's fine ! The reason for the hydro is space ! Front of my barn is tight with a shop on one side and shed on the other ,blowing snow out of there with a gear shift would be a pain ! But if my father were hear to see this hydro work , I'd NEVER hear the last of it ! Let me know,Solo,how you're 18 is holding up . dass