Question regarding drive motors

[Scotian]

I have just purchased an old, non running, What I believe is a mustang 440 (decals are faded / gone) powered by a Perkins 4108 (price was right) Machine has seen better days, but is sound and should make a nice winter project. My question is regarding the drive motors and towing the machine. To get it home, I jacked the machine up, set it on and fastened it to steel skids. I then had a tilt deck drag the machine on the skids and hauled it home. All of this was done because I was under the assumption that the motors would be hydraulically locked. After getting it home and into its cleaned out corner of what some may call a junk yard, I went about the business of beginning to isolate the drive motors (via chain) from each drive assembly so I could move it around the yard. I jacked the machine up, and for whatever reason I released the Parking pin (the pin is not hydraulically operated) And the wheels turn freely... by hand. This must mean over the course of 3 years fluid has drained back to reservoir? If this is the case, will turning the drive motors by hand damage them? What types of hydraulic motors do you normally see on skidsteers? Also, any information about older mustang skid steers would be welcome as well. They seem to be somewhat of an oddity.

 

[canucklehead]

not sure if you got this fixed already. I have a 960 Mustang. There is a primary chain and secondary. When Primary chain is broken or disconnected I can easily turn the wheels. The primary is powered by hydraulic motors (one per side) and you can't turn the wheel if primary chain is connected. Too hard to turn the motor. My guess is you have broken primary chain and probably a pump issue too. Check and test both while you have it apart.