nyquil junkie 225 #1 Posted November 21, 2021 Probably a stupid one but no pain no gain... What is the difference between a Hydro as in one of my 520Hs.... or the automatic in something like a C160? Is there a difference? I have never seen or had a hands on with a C160 et al. I do have 520Hs. It occurred to me recently reading some threads that "Hydro" and "automatic" may not be the same....but in my head I have been reading them as the same. So... is there a difference and if so... what is it? 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
roadapples 6,983 #2 Posted November 21, 2021 (edited) C160 is a Sunstrand. 520 is an Eaton. Both automatics... Edited November 21, 2021 by roadapples 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 12,235 #3 Posted November 21, 2021 Automatic and Hydro always meant hydrostatic motion. The lift wasn't always hydraulic. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,596 #4 Posted November 21, 2021 In considering Wheelhorse tractors an "automatic" and "hydro" are universal terms. Any Horse automatic transmission is a hydrostatic transmission and vice versa. However... There IS a difference of designation in the 80s. The 312 model had 2 very different Eaton transmissions available. The 700 was more price competitive and far less durable/capable than the heavier duty 1100. The 312 tractors with the 700 were marketed as 312A. The 1100 equipped were 312H. 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kpinnc 12,087 #5 Posted November 22, 2021 16 hours ago, ebinmaine said: The 312 tractors with the 700 were marketed as 312A. The 1100 equipped were 312H. And as with every other designation WH ever came up with, there are exceptions. 417-A used 1100 Eatons. And "A" supposedly meant lighter duty... 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,596 #6 Posted November 22, 2021 5 hours ago, kpinnc said: And as with every other designation WH ever came up with, there are exceptions. 417-A used 1100 Eatons. And "A" supposedly meant lighter duty... Also true. You'd think I'd remember that one considering we have 2 417As here. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Horse Newbie 7,075 #7 Posted November 22, 2021 On 11/20/2021 at 10:17 PM, nyquil junkie said: Probably a stupid one but no pain no gain... What is the difference between a Hydro as in one of my 520Hs.... or the automatic in something like a C160? Is there a difference? I have never seen or had a hands on with a C160 et al. I do have 520Hs. It occurred to me recently reading some threads that "Hydro" and "automatic" may not be the same....but in my head I have been reading them as the same. So... is there a difference and if so... what is it? You are asking something that I have been wondering for a while now… Thanks ! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 17,741 #8 Posted November 22, 2021 418A used an eaton 1100 so did the 418C (just different gearing) 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
16 Automatic 53 #9 Posted November 22, 2021 (edited) I've had a 1973 16 automatic with the sunstrand Drive for twenty years. It is like a standard transmission in the fact that you cannot push the machine if the engine isn't running. Unless you open the relief valve for that purpose. Because of this there is no band brake install from the factory. I recently picked up a 417A and a 520HC both with the Eaton Drive. And I was surprised that you can actually push these machines without opening any relief valve. So the parking brake on those was very much needed while tying it down on the trailer. Also using them the Eaton acts more like an automatic transmission where it'll start coasting faster on a downhill slope. The guy I got the 417A from said he hated using this hydrostatic with the rototiller for that reason. It would push you along. But my sundstrand won't do that if you have enough weight on the rear tires. Edited November 23, 2021 by 16 Automatic 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 12,235 #10 Posted November 23, 2021 9 minutes ago, 16 Automatic said: Also using them the Eaton acts more like an automatic transmission where it'll start coasting faster on a downhill slope. This hasn't been my experience. I am well able to engine brake on downhills, though I sometimes have to back off the gas as the tractor pushes the engine to rev higher. I have also reversed in the middle of a downhill successfully. However, as others have noted, if you put it to neutral, it'll roll right away with you on it. I have heard many speak of tillers pushing Eaton-equipped tractors but am not sure I've heard anyone who's actually experienced it who can explain how they used the transmission and what actually happened. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kpinnc 12,087 #11 Posted November 23, 2021 Eatons have a habit as they age- they freewheel quite a bit. Some say that is indicative of it showing wear. Personally I don't agree with that. The strongest Eaton I have ever had freewheels. It's strong as a mountain goat. But to get back to the question, the difference between auto and hydro: I think hydrostatic sounded cooler on a sales brochure. The term automatic was just dated. Hydro was just a new word at the time, and maybe John Deere called thier new autos hydrostatic. Also maybe the hydraulic lift equipped models needed a cool moniker to differentiate from manual lift models at that exact time. I don't think there was much more to it than that. Two things WH did above and beyond building quality machines: Constantly create models out of last year's excess parts, and break the rules of their own naming schemes. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snoopy11 5,714 #12 Posted November 26, 2021 (edited) I hate to break the ice, but is you profile name really @nyquil junkie...? Don Edited November 26, 2021 by Snoopy11 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nyquil junkie 225 #13 Posted November 26, 2021 27 minutes ago, Snoopy11 said: I hate to break the ice, but is you profile name really @nyquil junkie...? Don Years ago I used to suffer from terrible allergies... I always had a bottle of nyquil sitting around somewhere. Someone pointed out a song to me and I said... yup, thats me. =========== Well gimme a bottle of Nyquil, that restful sleep my body needs, Gimme a bottle of Nyquil, that restful sleep my body needs, Analgesic, decongestant, with an anti-histamine I went to 7-11, the man says "what you need"? I say, "a roll of duct tape and a case of Nyquil please" Take only as directed; don't exceed the proper dose Keep out of reach of children; keep the bathroom cabinet closed They call me Nyquil junkie; I don't know what they mean But I just can't be satisfied unless my tongue is green. ========== Allergies have long since faded away, so actually, maybe it cured me. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nyquil junkie 225 #14 Posted November 26, 2021 Anyway thanks for the breakdown of that mystery. I figured as much. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snoopy11 5,714 #15 Posted November 26, 2021 @nyquil junkie Your profile name, coupled with the picture is outstanding... Don 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
