OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Welcome to Outdoorking Forum HELP Area Introductions Rosco Mac - VIC - Hi to all from Kyabram

Hi there, I have just pick up a Rover Rancher Hydrodrive (28266), motor blown and some other parts missing, a few bolts and linkages mostly I think, have sourced a parts list / exploded views from the local dealer but if any one has some pics of what the inner workings should look like I would really appreciate it.
The plan is to tranplant the B & S motor out of my white LT 12 (motor good, the rest not so flash) into the Rover, if I can get the rest of it working right first, then use the wheels and whatever else on a go kart powered by the Honda 200 motor I was given with the Rover.
Plan B: if I can't get the Rover sorted then it will become a Racing mower along with the Honda 200 motor, one way or another that motor will be driving something again one day.
My preferrence is however, to get the rover mowing again as the body etc is in really good nick, far better than the white, so if anyone can help with advice or pics, I look forward to their help, Cheers Rosco

Welcome to Outdoorking. People here like mower projects.

It might be wise to work out what you will do about a transmission for the Hyrodrive mower before you take much trouble over it, in case it turns out to be just unaffordable to use it.

Hi Rosco Mac, and a warm welcome to the forum.
It's great to have you aboard as we all like to learn new things and tinker here and we really enjoy seeing pics of your projects.
I hope we will be able to help with your problem.
Once again,

Hi Deejay and Grumpy, thanks for the welcome, Grumpy I'm guessing that by transmission you mean the whole rear transaxle, if thats what you mean, it's all there, in fact the mower is rolling with most parts there, the motor was removed as it had literally blown a hole in the side of the case, then someone else removed a few internal control linkages (I think) but that's about it. It had a 12.5hp B & S which is the same as whats in my white so the actual transplant, if I get to that stage, shouldn't be all that difficult (fingers crossed). I will try to take some pics tomorrow and post them on here with the hope that someone may recognise what is missing. Anyhow, thanks for the welcome once again and cheers for now, Rosco

Rosco the issue is the hydro transmission. If that has problems - and they often do on older mowers - it may be very expensive to repair or replace. They are nice when they are new, but not necessarily an asset when they get worn. The engine transplant is easy stuff, but dealing with a hydro trans that doesn't drive - especially if it is the sealed type - is another story.

Hi grumpy, from what I gather from Rosco's first post is that the original Briggs had a terminal failure. Chances are that the hydro transmission may be fine, for now at least. If a engine transplant is not a too involved project, wouldn't it be justified to give it a go? It might turn out to be a successful exercise.

I agree there is a good chance the hydro didn't happen to have failed completely at the exact moment the engine did Deejay. The problem is it seems like he'd have to spend money and do some work on the engine transplant, without knowing whether the transmission was on its last legs. Here's a horror story for you: what if the old engine threw the rod because of over-revving due to transmission slippage?

On the other hand, if the engine blew because there was no oil in it (which is why most of them throw rods) the transmission might have years of life left in it. If I were Rosco I wouldn't invest a lot of time in this project without having either a way to test the transmission, or a backup plan in case it's trash. If it had a mechanical transmission it would be different: he'd probably be able to get parts or cobble some kind of solution. Is it possible to substitute a mechanical transmission for the hydro?

Yeah good thoughts there grumpy, I know where you're coming from, and it pays to be cautious sometimes...but how would you test a Hydro tranny...never having laid eyes on one I wouldn't have a clue...
Re: transplanting a mechanical tranny, may one from an earlier model Rover ride one may suit...Bruce may have an answer.
BTW, this thread has gone way off-topic being for "Introductions"
I will close it and ask that Rosco Mac post his questions in the appropriate Ride- on area.