Neal, that certainly has been my experience too. I just checked this post, did not read any except yours because thats where it went when I selected "hydro vs gear" and without getting too caught up in the discussion, I think your quite correct. I own(ed) 2 tractors until just a 2 weeks ago. I had a Kubota L48 and still own a International 454. Ones hydro anf the other a manual 8 speed. My next tractor will be hydro because I just don't do frequently enough, the ripping you describe other then some shallow boxscrsaper stuff. Rat