[rickou812]

I am in the process of laying out a home built loader. I am looking for options for hydraulic driven transaxles. The Case 446 transaxles fits the bill, but seem a little pricey and hard to find.
Are there any other GT's that use similar axles?

Thanks,
Rick

 

[rhenning]

Ingersol which is the compny that made the Case transaxles. Roger

 

[TUDOR]

Premium hydrostatic transmissions and rear ends are a little easier to find. Massey Ferguson, John Deere, and Bolens heavy GTs used them as well as several others.

They are quite a bit more efficient than the hydraulic drives, but don't have the capability of running hydraulic powered implements, including FELs, without adding another complete hydraulic system.

For loader work, they are smooth and precise in drive control. The Sunstrand Series 15 hydro and a Peerless 2600 rear end are at the top of the heap followed closely by the Eaton 11 with a Peerless 2500 rear end. These are not like the hydros in lawn tractors with a life expectancy of 500 - 1000 hours. Many have suffered severe abuse for over 2500 hours and are still going strong.

 

[Chagrin]

I'd hold out for a Case transaxle. You already know you're going to have the pump/etc to drive it and the shape of the transaxle makes it much easier to work with. The Eaton 11 types are good transaxles but they're bulky, will require either a driveshaft or belt, will require separate filter/hydraulic lines and will just complicate your build.

 

[antiqueetc]

I see that you are in FL. That explains why they are hard to find. Much more plentiful further north and west. I have one, not too expensive, but it's in OK which makes shipping pricey.

 

[Kbeitz]

You could also use a standard tranny with an Eaton on the input shaft.

 

[no2498]

just seen a standard with hi/lo on the Columbus ohio craigs list for $45.00