[larryccf]

think i've figured something that was escaping my attention for some time - the 4518 hydrostat transaxles are hydraulicly driven - even though there's a drive shaft running to the transaxle, it's apparenlty driving a hydraulic pump inside.

is this correct?

 

[Dave4514]

yes, that is correct.

The hydrostatic transmission in the 4518 and 4514 are the same and are described by Honda as:
“Hydrostatically and stagelessly shifts gear from forward to the reverse gear.”

The drive shaft drives a pump that looks like the cylinder from a revolver with 7 pistons where bullets would be in a gun. The volume of oil pumped is controlled by a yoke that will tilt to vary the stroke of the 7 pistons. This is similar to how a swash plate hydraulic pump works.

The hydraulic motor looks almost the same as the pump but with a fixed bearing set at an angle for a fixed stroke.

 

[larryccf]

then, were there any hydraulic PTOs offered as options on the 4514 or 4518?

if so, then there had to be hydraulic line takeoffs, is the reason i'm asking

got another project idea in mind

 

[Dave4514]

If you are going to tap into the hydraulics for accessories toys, I can’t wait. The problem might be that you would have to find a way to separate the drive motor to allow the toys to work without moving the wheels.

 

[larryccf]

but still need to know if there were any pto options offered - i've read the owner's manual and didn't see reference to any but somewhere in the back of this 61 yr old crainium i think i recall a front pto offered

 

[Dave4514]

I have never found any hydraulic PTO attachments for these tractors but there is a belt driven PTO. This PTO was used on the 4514, 4518, RT5000, and RT5013 and consists of a drive kit (DK4500) that is attached to front quick hitch (QH4000). A belt from the front of the engine is used to connect the drive kit. The drive kit has a male spline that is used to connect to a driveshaft.

A search for DK4500 and QH4000 should turn up some pictures. The only reason I know about this is because I bought these to attach my snow blower and by the way I also found a drive shaft from Surplus Center with U joints that fits for $14.

 

[larryccf]

maybe that's what i'm remembering

at 61, i'm firmly convinced multi-tasking fries brain cells faster than i can regenerate em

tks