I've plowed snow with an old Deere 316 I bought new in 1979 and still use and I've driven full speed into 3 foot high snow banks that the road crew thoughtfully left for me. I busted the steering wheel with my belly once from the sudden stop, stalled the motor from the deceleration a few times, spun the chains right off the tires and caused the tractor to spin 180 degrees while pivoting around ablock of ice and I haven't hurt the hydro at all. I have bruised myself up some over the years. Now my experience is with a heavily built garden tractor. I don't know what model you have, but if it is a L, LT or LX, you are gonna probably spin the tires before you strain the hydro, because of their light weight. The Deere garden tractors are heavier built but have heavier hydros so still little to worry about. Common sense as to speed and impact into snow banks will prevent any damage, and as stated above, the back and forth motion of plowing in and of it self is no problem. Just be mindful of the sudden impact induced stops.
