Re: Hydro FWA

Here is a picture of an 1850 Hydro Front Wheel Assist, it does not have the front pump on it in this picture. The system had a front mounted Hydro pump and control unit that stuck out about 18 inches where the weights would mount. Oliver and John Deere both put this system on some of their tractors to get a FWA tractor that would turn better. Unfortunatly it didnt work too well. It was a hydrostatic / electric driven front end, much like a combine rear axle is, with a transmission driven rear end. They never matched up too well. They also did not have any power in reverse and only developed an additional 7-10 hp for all this mess of hydraulic plumbing and electrical switching. My system on this tractor never worked while I had it and I sold it to a collector that was going to restore it and use it on a parade tractor. Thats about all they are good for IMHO. They are kinda rare, they just didnt make many because they didnt work too well.

Here is a 1950 Hydro FWA that looks like it would work. Like I said you will only likely find one at a show.