About Hydro-Mechanical Systems | HMS Since 1973

How Hydro-Mechanical Systems Got Its Start

Most drivetrain shops were built around a single equipment line or a single OEM relationship. Fortunately, HMS started differently — and that history shapes how the company still works today.

Step 1 — The Westinghouse Problem. First, in the early 1970s, Howard Rosenbloom worked at a diesel and transmission service facility when Westinghouse needed a starter system rugged enough to handle large turbine startup conditions. Conventional approaches were not solving the problem.

Step 2 — The Engineering Solution. Next, Howard partnered with Milton Tottle and Nate Goodman to adapt durable off-highway powertrain components for the turbine application. Consequently, that adapted powertrain became the foundation of a working starter system.

Step 3 — The Company Formed. Then, the success of the Westinghouse design led directly to the formation of Hydro-Mechanical Systems in 1973. The company was built around engineering judgment, not catalog parts.

Step 4 — Expansion Into Off-Highway. Following the turbine work, HMS moved deeper into off-highway equipment service — focusing on transmissions, torque converters, and axles across heavy construction, mining, agriculture, and material handling.

Step 5 — 50+ Years Later. Finally, today HMS continues as an authorized Allison Off-Highway service center, while the still supports custom turbine starting and OEM drivetrain applications across the 1/2 MW to 150 MW range.

Why Choose Hydro-Mechanical Systems Over Other Drivetrain Shops?

Most drivetrain shops grew from a single equipment line. Hydro-Mechanical Systems grew from an engineering problem — adapting off-highway components for turbine starting in 1973. Consequently, HMS reads drivetrain failures the way an engineer reads them, not the way a parts catalog reads them.

Inside the HMS Facility and Test Equipment

HMS operates from a 20,000-square-foot facility at 1030 Delsea Drive, Building 8, in Westville, New Jersey. Furthermore, the building is organized around how drivetrain work actually moves through a shop — not around general-purpose service bays.

The shop runs dedicated transmission and converter rebuild areas, transmission and torque converter test stands, hydraulic pump test stands, and an Industrial Typhoon Proceco parts washing system. Additionally, heavy-duty lifting equipment, precision measurement and inspection tools, and integrated parts storage support the drivetrain rebuild workstations on the shop floor.

That layout matters because drivetrain rebuilds depend on tight sequencing. Consequently, every cleaned component, every replaced bearing, and every unit is verified on the test stand before it leaves.

Who Leads the HMS Team?

Howard Rosenbloom founded HMS in 1973 and continues as Owner and President. Additionally, the leadership team includes John “Randy” Sowers (Director of Operations, 26+ years industry experience including 24 as a hands-on drivetrain mechanic), Bill Sasser (Sales Manager, 27 years parts experience), and Rocco “Rocky” Morgan (Service Manager, 30+ years of off-highway drivetrain rebuilds). Together they bring more than 80 years of focused expertise.

What Makes Hydro-Mechanical Systems Different in Off-Highway?

A reputation in this industry takes decades to build because the equipment owners know each other. Furthermore, when a transmission gets rebuilt poorly, word travels through every operator in the region within months. Hydro-Mechanical Systems has been rebuilding off-highway components since 1973, and a significant portion of company business comes from repeat customers — proof that consistent service quality, technical expertise, and genuine ownership of the rebuild process matter more than chasing volume. Consequently, the shop signs every job, ships pre-tested units, and stands behind the work.