JoelD
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Jan 27, 2005
- Messages
- 2,343
- Location
- Windham, NH and York, ME
- Tractor
- Kioti LK3054xs TLB, 2004
There is no inherent reason for electronics to not last 20 - 30 years or longer. If properly handled and protected from ESD damage, assembled to high standards, and used without being subjected to harmful outside influences, they should last for maybe a hundred years. After all, they have no moving parts and nothing to wear out. If they don't fail due to a latent manufacturing defect, then they will generally only fail if damaged by outside causes (e.g. electrical faults in other connected devices).
So, after the first few years, an ehydro or HST+ is no more likely to fail than that mechanical linkage. Of course you can see a linkage failure. Problem with electroncs is that they can be much harder to diagnose, especially since schematics are often weak. That said, simpler is almost always more reliable in total.
I am also for simple, one reason I went with gear. Another reason was a tough experience with hydro reverser in my dozer, that was an expensive experience.
Other than clutch plates, I've not had a manual transmission fail.
I'm also a Kioti fan, I've owned both, Kioti and Kubota, nothing bad to say about my Kubota, was an awesome little tractor, I just feel as though I got a little more for my money with my Kioti, I figure I saved about $4K over a comparable Kubota.