A Hydrostatic Drive for Dummies

hydrostatic drive with wheel motors

What does the initialism "DIY" mean to you, dear reader? To us here that the Antisocial Network, the three letters expand to mean "do-it-yourself." If someone asks one of our staffers about a DIY subject or wants information about a DIY project, it means that person wants to do it himself. Or herself. Or themselves. Whatever. Apparently, however eHowian Pauline Gill obtains a different meaning from "DIY," although just what that meaning would be eludes us. Gill wrote "DIY Hydrostatic Drive" for HomeSteady.com, and we still haven't figured out where the DIY part came in!

Based on our assumption that building your own hydrostatic drive is well beyond the reach of all but the most well-equipped do-it-yourselfer, we're convinced that the OQ wanted help in troubleshooting and/or repairing hydrostatic-drive equipment. Once Gill got hold of the topic, however, no such help was forthcoming. As is often the case with eHow and the niches to which its content has been assigned, you're much better off looking for help from someone who has at least a vague idea what you're asking!
Pauline, however, had nothing to say about troubleshooting or repair. The best she could do was a slipshod attempt to explain how hydrostatic drive works; concentrating on zero-turn lawn mowers and, for some unknown reason, on wheelchairs. That's where this curious construction arose:

"The hydrostatic drive wheelchair enables wheelchair adventurers to resume the rigorous outdoor agendas they once enjoyed. It is an excellent hydrostatic application."

Given that these transmissions are used on large equipment as well as lawn tractors, her focus seems a bit... narrow.

And speaking of "focus," here's what Gill considers DIY instructions, at least we think that's what they're supposed to be:

"Visit a chain hardware store and study the zero-turn mowers... The seat should be centered right in front of the large independent drive wheels. Front wheels should be substantial pneumatic-tired swivel wheels. They should be at least four feet in front of the rear drive wheels, and spaced at 42 inches, like the drive wheels, for stability. The seat should be no higher than 16 inches off the deck to keep the center of gravity low. The frame should be constructed from welded two-inch square steel tubing..."

Right: that's "DIY Hydrostatic Drive" in a nutshell... NOT!

It's weird, though: why would this freelancer, apparently tasked with writing a how-to about hydrostatic drive, pound out some half-assed suggestions for building a wheelchair (of surprisingly... robust dimensions)? You'll have to ask our Dumbass of the Day and her content editor that question, 'cause we have no idea!

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