Still trying to come up with a cost effective way to return the Shibaura tractor to useful status.

It occurred to me that if I could find a suitable transaxle, I could (possibly...) build the adapters to mate it to the Shibaura.

Most lawn tractor-sized TA's are top-pulley belt drives. That presents a number of problems, not the least of which is overpowering the belt.

Is there anything out there that anyone is aware of that used a shaft-driven transaxle? Hydro would be cool, but gear-shift would work too.

EDIT: The John Deere 316/318 with the Onan engine looks like a possibility.

Maybe find an old Bolens? I thought most of those were shaft drive?

quote:

Originally posted by Gibb:
Maybe find an old Bolens? I thought most of those were shaft drive?

Worth a look, Thanks.

My 682 Cub Cadet is hydrostat drive driven by a driveshaft. It is nothing more than a 1/2" shaft that has a shock type coupling.

quote:

Originally posted by rexles:
My 682 Cub Cadet is hydrostat drive driven by a driveshaft. It is nothing more than a 1/2" shaft that has a shock type coupling.

Thanks, I'll add Cubs to the search list.

Kubota is shaft drive to the hydrostatic transaxle. (not sure about the small riding mowers)
Should be easy to get parts also.

What's the weight of that Shibaura tractor?
My Kubota BX25 with loader and backhoe is just shy of 3000lbs.

Hydrostatic is likely simpler. You won't have to rig up clutch/clutch linkage/transmission input shaft splines matching.

1/64 scale or full size?

I glommed onto a John Deere 455 which is (or in this case, was...) a 22hp 3 cylinder diesel (Yanmar) with a shaft driven hydro transaxle that also incorporates a separate hydraulic pump for attachments AND a mid/front PTO.

Got it for scrap prices as the engine was junk, the plastic was a dim memory and it had been sitting out in the weather for years.

It's looking like the Shibauru engine won't be too difficult to retrofit. I've sold enough bits and pieces off the dead Yanmar to nearly pay for the tractor.

I told the owner I'd put the mid-mount 60 inch shaft drive mower deck and the 48 inch power broom on C-List for him. They both sold in less than 24 hours. Might've under-priced them a tad but the owner is happy so it's all good.

Check Surplus Center, they have random stuff and you might find something you can use.

quote:

Originally posted by mrvmax:
Check Surplus Center, they have random stuff and you might find something you can use.

I have their catalog. Used to get Christmas cards from them...

Honda riders did. Ht3813 had a 5 speed gearbox and the HT4514 and 4518 had a hydrostatic.