What is a "wide body" tractor?

What is a "wide body" tractor ?

Also, what works better for off-road; gearshift or hydrostatic ? Can either be used fairly efficiently ?

The only "widebody" I know of is a name by murray, I have a couple. As for transaxles, stick with a standard(gearshift) since they hydros don't like being turned faster than stock.

Thanks for the prompt reply..and the valuable information, it will keep me from making a mistake.
Is the wide body an actual model, or is it actually something concerning a wider stance (axle width) of the tractor.

As far as I know it's just a model, or rather what murray called all their light tractors(lawn tractors - LT) around that time. I have a 98 widebody automatic and a 2001 widebody lt 5-speed.

The wide body came about when they started putting in the briggs twin and making the body fit it. before that they notched the hood or flared it out to fit the motor. other manufacturers did they same thing, they just didnt brag about it

That clarifies it..thanks guys..

I have a 2000 murray Widebody LT and compared to the two former Murrays i owned it is built far better that their predecessors. They were almost built for off-roading in mind. and Hydro trannys are best suited for lawn mowing tractors.

Widebody's also have a full C channel frame under them - older murrays are just a stamped pan chassis - i had planned to mod my old 99 for speed - ended up moving and scrapped it.

I ended up getting 3 other widebody tractors down here , along with a couple pan chassis ones.