GrassHopper 1210 hydro-drive replacement

[tbob]

The right side hydro drive on my old Grasshopper zero turn mower bit the dust. I just priced a new one at the dealer for $900.They can't rebuild these any more(parts not available). I would like to find a replacement at a lower price. I know: I'm a cheap ***! There can't be that many Hydro drive manufacturers out there. Any of you guys work on these things. What and where do I need to look for when I get it out of the mower. What do I need to know when talking to another seller. Grasshopper is pretty secretive about the make of their parts.

I only got 27 years out of the damn thing! They just don't build things to last anymore. By the way, I love this mower.

Any response will be appreciated. I mowed 3/4 acres with an 18" Lawnboy yesterday. At least it was self propelled!

Thanks, Terry

 

[fatboy99]

Here ya go

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Grasshopper...956?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27c7548a4c

 

[tbob]

Thanks for the link to ebay. I saw that. I'm worried what kind of abuse that thing has taken over its life. Six months later I may be in the same predicament.
Terry

 

[LutzTD]

cheap, quality, fast. pick two

 

[wallyzach]

Terry, I have a complete 1210 where the engine went out. Not sure what to do. Replacement engines are out of sight. Any ideas? Would be perfect for you but I am from North Dakota. I also have a never been used snow blower for it. Thanks Keith

 

[Mecrez]

That's an Eaton ball pump in the Ebay auction, they are still made new in Iowa, not sure if your model is still available, check with an Eaton hydraulics distributor

 

[volaredon]

Terry, I have a complete 1210 where the engine went out. Not sure what to do. Replacement engines are out of sight. Any ideas? Would be perfect for you but I am from North Dakota. I also have a never been used snow blower for it. Thanks Keith

too bad ND is so far from IL, or I'd be right over to buy that mower!!
I have one of these mowers they are tanks and I parted another (sorry no hydros) I do have a spare 12HP Kohler for it (in pieces at the moment but the block is fresh from the machine shop I have all the oversize new parts to assemble) and no I aint parting with mine...

There is a place by Decatur IL (I think) off of I-72 that claims to be able to rebuild any of these.. I have been past there but not sure the exact town they are in.
I have seen the same hydro units in Dixie Choppers and others
in fact the one I parted was bought by the PO "for" the hydros that he transplanted into his Dixie..
The Woods Mow'n nachine 1250 is the exact same mower as yours
at the time Woods owned grasshopper.
The 1212 is also almost the same; the biggest difference is the 1210 had seperate reservoirs for fluid atop each hydro where the 1212 had a common tank that fed both hydros.
the Woods version were both 1250s but the 1210 style were "early" Woods 1250s and the 1212 style were listed as "late 1250s with an "up to/after" serial number to deviate the 2...
I kept the splitter gearbox, all the chain sprockets and everything else I possibly could off that parts one I had. I'd like to find the drive box for the rear mount bagger and new canvas bags for it too I have the framework for the catcher (only good to me in leaf season so not too wooried about it)
To me it would be worth the $250 for a replacement hydro like what was shown in that Ebay link

They are mirror opposite. the hydros spin opposite of each other. There is a simple way (I forget how) to reverse the rotation of them... this is needed because the inputs face each other and the outputs have to both have to rotate the same way.

I would love to find spare hydros to have under the work bench for mine

 

[volaredon]

Terry, I have a complete 1210 where the engine went out. Not sure what to do. Replacement engines are out of sight. Any ideas? Would be perfect for you but I am from North Dakota. I also have a never been used snow blower for it. Thanks Keith

IDK how I missed the part about the snowblower... I could use that
did the OP ever find his hydro gear boxes?
Wallyzach do you still gave this machine? If so (and you'd be interested in selling it) I wonder if thered be a way of gettin it closer to me in IL where I could come after it? there needs to be a "relay" setup on this site to transfer stuff among members... what went out on the engine? still have that? What "went out" about it? Kohler cast iron engines are about the most rebuildable engines there are with oversize pistons and undersized rods being available