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Oliver, Cletrac, Co-op & Cockshutt Tractors Discussion Forum
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Hydra-Power shift

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Steve H.

08-18-2003 09:36:39




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Folks--
I'm not familiar with the Hydra-Power that is a feature on the 1550 gas w/NF I'm looking at. Can anyone help explain it and how to properly use it? I'd like to test it during a "trial run" of the tractor to make sure it works. Also, what is the HP rating of this tractor? Any other tidbits in terms of reliability, etc. would be appreciated! By the way, the one I'm looking at is in good "original" condition, i.e., just needs a new coat of paint and a few other cosmetics such as a new muffler and battery box--has 4500 Hrs., good rear rubber and party wants $4750--sound reasonable? Thanks to all who reply.

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Bill Neudorf

08-19-2003 18:27:29




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 Re: Hydra-Power shift in reply to Steve H., 08-18-2003 09:36:39  
I sold Oliver tractors under the Cockshutt banner in Canada in the '60s and '70s, and still maintain that the Hydra-power drive, later upgraded into an over/under hydral shift, was THE premier auxilliary on-the-go shift available. Bar none. The weakness, if it could be called such, was the free-wheeling low range. Its strength was durability and speed spacing, and the fact that it could be used in any gear at any speed. One word of caution I would have is this. Undue wear can occur where the spline on the shaft contacts the wet clutch plates. If this wear has occured, the transmission will not want to down-shift, causing drag on the plates. This can be most often attributed to under use, because regular up and down shipting will cause the plates to move fractionally on the drive shaft so this wear pattern is minimized. Operators familiar with Ampli-torque, torque amplifier, and multi-power, would often refrain from maximizing HPD benefits, which exacerbated the the spline wear and nulified the benefits the auxilliary drive was meant to provide.

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Steve H.

08-20-2003 09:12:34




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 Re: Re: Hydra-Power shift in reply to Bill Neudorf, 08-19-2003 18:27:29  
Thanks to all who responded--comments were very helpful.



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Sam M

08-19-2003 06:50:25




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 Re: Hydra-Power shift in reply to Steve H., 08-18-2003 09:36:39  
I agree with other posts on operation of Hydra power unit . If you have not bought the tractor I would crawl under the tractor and look for any signs of leaking automatic transmission fluid from the unit which would indicate worn seals or leaking o-ring(s) . To replace the seals in this unit you have to remove engine , bell housing and hydradrive unit together from the tractor frame and then disassemble . I would also try to find out if seals on unit have ever been replace because you are getting near or past their normal useful life and they are likely to need to be replaced . Seals do not cost that much just an aggrivation having to remove the engine .

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WFE

08-18-2003 13:56:40




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 Re: Hydra-Power shift in reply to Steve H., 08-18-2003 09:36:39  
1550 was 53 pto hp new. Nice all-around yard tractor. The Hydra Power Drive is Oliver's powershift. It is the gearbox sandwiched between the clutch bell housing and the transmission input shaft, connected with a chain coupler. It uses wet, multi-disc clutches to channel power through a reduction gearset or straight through the unit, giving the operator a high and low (called Direct Drive and Hydra-Power Drive by Oliver) range in each forward and reverse gear. In Direct Drive, the wet clutch inside the unit is engaged and connects the input and output shafts of the unit so there is no speed change. You can shift into and out of Hydra-Power Drive either when the clutch is engaged or while the tractor is in motion - makes no difference. When you shift into this "low" range, the clutch inside disengages and power is transmitted through a speed reduction gearset (countershaft) and an overrunning sprag clutch, resulting in more pulling power/slower travel speed. What takes most people by surprise is the way this unit shifts into low. Because one clutch is disengaging and there is not another one engaging (just the overrunning clutch transmitting the power), the tractor will freewheel in Hydra-Power Drive, so it shifts very smoothly but will coast if you're going downhill. The upshift should be firm and definite; it shouldn't hesitate and listen for any type of noise which could indicate a bad bearing (kind of a grinding sound). These units are generally bulletproof, so you probably have little to worry about there. I'd listen to engine; it should run very smoothly at all rpms and not smoke. Feel clutch. If pressure plate is getting weak, pedal will be soft and offer little resistance when being pushed in. Kind of a subjective test. Try all gears. Test pto operation. Check hydraulic response if you can, especially at warm, operating temperature. If you have to run the engine up to high speed to get an implement to raise that it won't lift at idle, pump is likely weak. 3 point response will be similar. I would say $4750 would be reasonable with a loader. A good 1650 gas might be worth that; a 1550 with really good rear rubber probably closer to $3800?? To me it sounds a bit high to get excited about a 53 hp tractor.

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Myron KY

08-18-2003 13:53:24




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 Re: Hydra-Power shift in reply to Steve H., 08-18-2003 09:36:39  
Steve,

The Hydra-Power drive is a Shift-on-the-go auxiliary transmission. Similar in operation (not design) to the IH T/A or Massey Multi-Power. You can shift from Direct to Hydra-Power (Under Drive) at any time, in any gear, forward or reverse. The tractor will free-wheel in Under drive (Hydra-Power drive). Always descend hills in Direct drive.

The down shift, from Direct to Under, should be smooth. The up-shift, from Under to Direct, should be sharp, even jerk you back in the seat some.

I believe the 1550 is rated at approx. 52 PTO and 45 draw bar.

Since I don't own a 1550, someone else will have to tell you about reliability. The price sounds about right for my area.

HTH
Myron KY

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