Ruff Torq's new transaxles for lawn & garden

Diesel Progress North American Edition, July, 1999 by Mike Mercer

The model K66 is intended to replace the K65 for yard tractor and light-duty garden tractor applications. This unit can be equipped with external hydraulic outlets for power steering, lift and other applications. These outlets provide a flow of 3.7 gpm with a maximum pressure of 653 psi at 3400 rpm. The K66 is available with axle torque ratings of 310 and 203 lb.ft. Displacement for the pump and motor is 10 cc. Maximum input speed for the 0.58 in input shaft is 3400 rpm. The addition of a charge pump allows the higher input speed, according to Winfree.

Reduction ratios for the K66 are 37.22:1 and 22.19:1 with maximum tire diameters of 23 and 18 in. The axle shaft is 1.0 in. in diameter. The K66 is similar in size to the K62 and in fact, uses the same upper housing as the K62. The main internal differences include the addition of a charge pump and strengthened gear train to cope with the demand of ground engaging, according to Winfree.

The K66 has a maximum static weight capacity of 584 lb. and a dry weight of 50.7 lb., including the external hydraulics and differential lock. The K66 also has optional changeable oil filter.

The model K71 narrow drive transaxle is designed for medium-duty garden tractor applications and is available with an axle torque rating of 406 lb.ft. The pump and motor each have a displacement of 18 cc and the transaxle input shaft has a maximum input speed of 3400 rpm. The input shaft is 0.58 in. in diameter, while the axle shaft is 1.0 in. in diameter. The reduction ratio is 26.673:1 with a maximum tire diameter of 23 in. The K71 has a maximum static weight capacity of 728 lb. and a dry weight of 60.5 lb.

External hydraulic outlets are optional for power steering, lift and other hydraulic accessories. An external inline filter is required for these accessories as on the K66 transaxle. The external hydraulic ports provide a flow of 3.7 gpm and a pressure of 653 psi at 3400 rpm.

All four of the narrow drive transaxles can be mounted with the axle forward or behind the axle shaft. The K series transaxles are now in full production at the Morristown facility.