Ibdennyak Well... to be honest the small engine does sound like a pretty good idea. Probably would be a lot cheaper than installing rear remotes. on my tractor and then the hydraulic motor.

When you say that the small engine idea would give me a nice range of speed rather than being limited to one... is that to say that with hydraulic I would not have a nice range of speed? I do want a range of speed. And I want it easy to adjust from walking behind the tractor.

There are hydraulic motors with way more than 800 foot lbs of torque tho are there not?