The fives types are gear, friction disk, automatic, CVT,\u00a0and hydrostatic. \u00a0I’ll spend a few minutes going through each type so you have a better idea of the best type for you. I am not going into the details of how each one works. \u00a0Just Google the transmission type and you can read to your heart’s content.<\/p>\n
Gear<\/strong><\/p>\n Five years ago the gear drive transmission was the most popular but today hydrostatic and automatic transmissions have replaced them in popularity. Often called Manual transmissions this type uses a series of gears to change the ground speed of your tractor. \u00a0The biggest downfall of this type of transmission is you have to stop the tractor to shift to a different speed (range). \u00a0This makes them harder to use when you have a lot of garden beds and landscape features to go around.<\/p>\n To drive the tractor you must push in on the clutch, shift the transmission to the gear you want to use, release the clutch, and hang on. \u00a0This is a dependable \u00a0transmission that will give you years of service.<\/p>\n Friction Disk<\/strong><\/p>\n This is actually the transmission of choice for snow blowers but there are a few mowers like the Snapper Rear Engine Rider that use this trans. \u00a0It is a good, dependable transmission when used properly. \u00a0It uses a friction wheel and disk to change the forward speed of your rider. \u00a0Don’t use this transmission to pull heavy loads…you will tear up the friction wheel.<\/p>\n You can shift-on-the-go with some models but to get the longest life most brands suggest you push down on the clutch\/brake pedal and then shift to the speed you want.<\/p>\n Automatic<\/strong><\/p>\n This is essentially a belt and variable pulley system similar to the drive system in a snowmobile. \u00a0John Deere originally used this in conjunction with a manual transmission on the Model 110. \u00a0Now days, MTD is using this on most of it’s cheapest lawn tractors. Like the friction disk this trans is designed to the mower application and they are not designed to pull heavy loads. \u00a0Some of the Brands have confused the issue by calling their inexpensive hydrostatic trans an “automatic” so if you are unsure ask.<\/p>\n To drive the tractor you typically have two levers. \u00a0One for forward or reverse and the other for the speed. Move the F\/R lever to the direction you want to go and then simply move a fender mounted lever to change the speed. This is a dependable \u00a0transmission that will give you years of service for flat lawns and pulling very light loads.<\/p>\n CVT\/IVT (Continuously\/Infinitely Variable Transmission)<\/strong><\/p>\n The automatic mentioned above and the hydrostatic below are essentially CVT’s \u00a0but now days this means a variable disk or ball\/disk system. \u00a0This is the transmission of the future because it uses fewer moving parts than a gear trans and less oil than a hydrostatic, but at this point in time they are not yet cost effective for lawn tractor applications. \u00a0MTD tried using the dual IVT Infinitrak in the Cub Cadet and Craftsman Revolution but consumers were not ready to spend the extra money to own this type of transmission. New Holland is using these effectively in their 50 hp and larger tractors.<\/p>\n These transmissions are very easy to use. \u00a0Either a fender mounted lever or foot control varies the speed and direction.<\/p>\n Hydrostatic<\/strong><\/p>\n The most common transmission for lawn tractors today is a form of\u00a0Continuously variable transmission called the hydrostatic transmission. These transmissions take several forms, from pumps driving separate motors, which may incorporate a gear reduction, to fully integrated (enclosed) units containing a pump, motor and gear reduction. \u00a0Hydrostatic transmissions are more expensive than mechanical transmissions but they are easier to use and can transmit greater torque to the wheels as compared to a typical mechanical transmission.<\/p>\n Hydrostatic –\u00a0Enclosed Single<\/p>\n These transmissions are very easy to use. \u00a0Either a fender mounted lever or foot control varies the speed and direction. \u00a0The enclosed hydrostatic transmission is a single unit that houses the variable pump, motor, differential and drive axle. \u00a0Most of lawn tractors, yard tractors, garden tractors and estate tractors today have an aluminum housing to give off the heat the moving oil creates. \u00a0These transmissions are sized to the mower application. \u00a0The garden tractor and estate tractor transmissions are built to handle heavy loads and ground engaging attachments.<\/p>\n These transmissions are very easy to use. \u00a0Either a fender mounted lever or foot control varies the speed and direction. \u00a0The pedal on the left side of the tractor is the parking brake. \u00a0You do not need to depress that pedal to shift the tractor. \u00a0 The forward and reverse is controlled by either a lever on the right fender or two pedals on the right side floorboard. \u00a0To go forward push the fender lever forward or press on the large pedal on the floor board. \u00a0To stop the tractor pull the lever back to the middle position or lift your foot off the pedal. \u00a0To back the tractor up pull the fender lever to the rear or press the small pedal on the floorboard.<\/p>\n On the fender mounted control you HAVE to move the lever to the middle to stop your tractor. \u00a0It will not go to neutral by itself like the foot controls.<\/p>\n Hydrostatic –\u00a0Enclosed Dual<\/p>\n Two hydrostatic transmissions are mounted side-by-side in the residential zero turns. \u00a0Each trans controls a separate rear wheel. \u00a0That is the primary reason why zero-turn mowers cost more than the lawn tractors. Again these trans are designed for the application and most are not designed to pull loads, just mow and bag.<\/p>\n Most of these transmissions are controlled by individual levers that sit in front of you. \u00a0With a little practice these are very easy to use. \u00a0A large lever on each side of the seat controls that side transmission. \u00a0To go forward push on BOTH levers. \u00a0To stop, pull them back. \u00a0(The easiest way to explain how to drive a two-lever zero turn mower is to \u00a0use a shopping cart as an example. \u00a0With the mower turned off sit on the seat and put your hands on the two large levers in front of you. \u00a0Close you eyes and pretend you are gripping a shopping cart. \u00a0 What do you do to move a shopping cart forward? Right, you push on the handle. \u00a0 To back up? Right, you pull back on the handle. \u00a0To go left? \u00a0To go right? \u00a0Correct, you PUSH the handle in the direction you want to turn the cart. \u00a0Two lever zero turns work the same way. \u00a0Instead of one bar like a shopping \u00a0cart, the bar is split in two and you move each side to make it move.) \u00a0This type of transmission takes practice to keep the tires from digging into your lawn.<\/p>\n Hydrostatic -Pump & Motor<\/p>\n