chrisjbell
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Jul 17, 2000
- Messages
- 951
- Tractor
- Kubota B7300; JD LX233
Re: How long have CUT\'s had hydro\'s
Sure, both gear tractors and hydros have ROPS. I think the "safety" part of a hydro has more to do with it being more forgiving and easier to use. For example, when I want to stop a hydro tractor I simply stop pushing on the forward pedal. In fact, if I stop paying attention, the pedal will tend to push my foot up for me. On a gear tractor, you have to put the clutch in, worry about what your 3-point attachment is doing ('cause you probably have a two stage clutch), and BTW, make sure you remember that brake thing if you're on a hill.
Not a big deal, most of the time, I must admit. Furthermore, there are advantages to a geared tractor - I'd hate to do the kind of row cultivating my dad did with a geared tractor with my hydro (hour after hour of slow, steady speed under load). But for most people that use a CUT, they are generally not full time operators, and that brake / clutch / hill thing can be pretty dangerous. Most people aren't doing row crop work, and I'll bet these are one hilss more often than not. We're also using them closer to buildings and fences (wanna see how close we can each get our FEL bucket to our car's door without scratching the car? /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif), and again, we aren't full time operators.
I guess I think of hydros as safer primarily because they are easier to use. Better? Depends on what you're using them for, and since I do a lot of mowing I'm sure my next (bigger, of course!) tractor will also be hydro.
Just my take on it...Chris
Sure, both gear tractors and hydros have ROPS. I think the "safety" part of a hydro has more to do with it being more forgiving and easier to use. For example, when I want to stop a hydro tractor I simply stop pushing on the forward pedal. In fact, if I stop paying attention, the pedal will tend to push my foot up for me. On a gear tractor, you have to put the clutch in, worry about what your 3-point attachment is doing ('cause you probably have a two stage clutch), and BTW, make sure you remember that brake thing if you're on a hill.
Not a big deal, most of the time, I must admit. Furthermore, there are advantages to a geared tractor - I'd hate to do the kind of row cultivating my dad did with a geared tractor with my hydro (hour after hour of slow, steady speed under load). But for most people that use a CUT, they are generally not full time operators, and that brake / clutch / hill thing can be pretty dangerous. Most people aren't doing row crop work, and I'll bet these are one hilss more often than not. We're also using them closer to buildings and fences (wanna see how close we can each get our FEL bucket to our car's door without scratching the car? /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif), and again, we aren't full time operators.
I guess I think of hydros as safer primarily because they are easier to use. Better? Depends on what you're using them for, and since I do a lot of mowing I'm sure my next (bigger, of course!) tractor will also be hydro.
Just my take on it...Chris
