SacandagaBrad
Gold Member
Back when I first bought my machine, we had several discussions regarding pressure relief valves, gearing, and the inability to deliver all the power to the ground, with plenty of technical talk on the reasons, etc. But I have to say - I was disgusted with my tractor last weekend. My neighbor and I were pulling rocks from the lawn, some in the 300# to 700# size and one that was well over 1000#. My neighbor used his 25 year old 14 HP diesel 4WD with turfs and chains, no FEL. He has an old grader tooth welded into a 3PH system that works great for popping rock out of the ground with minimal disturbance. When we were pulling on that big rock with chains, my machine wouldn't even spin the tires (turfs, no chains, on grass, FEL installed), just sat there with very little load on the motor, with the valve kicked in. Also tried pushing and lifting with the FEL, same result. I have had it checked and it is within spec, actually at the high end. So I am not getting all the power the motor has to the ground. My neighbor's 25 year old 14 HP hydrostatic drive had more pull than mine, either spinning the tires, standing it on its tail, or nearly stalling the motor while slowly spinning the tires, suggesting to me I'm not even getting 14 of my 24 HP to the ground. I understand the manufacturers have to warrantee these machines and they are going to build in safety factors so not to tear them apart, and have the safety attorneys out there making sure we don't hurt ourselves, but a gear machine would have pulled that rock sideways or at least spun the tires.
The most simple solution would have been for NH to build it with a third range on the lower end, then maybe it would get the power to the ground. Its great having a 24 hp machine in such a small package for blowing snow and mowing heavy grass, but I would be interested to know what the drawbar HP is on this model. Simple observation suggests it is far less than 14 hp, unacceptable when you are struggling to accomplish a job and need more pull, IMO.
I have always liked the machine, its design, ease of operation of the HST, and comfort. But this was very disappointing.
Brad
The most simple solution would have been for NH to build it with a third range on the lower end, then maybe it would get the power to the ground. Its great having a 24 hp machine in such a small package for blowing snow and mowing heavy grass, but I would be interested to know what the drawbar HP is on this model. Simple observation suggests it is far less than 14 hp, unacceptable when you are struggling to accomplish a job and need more pull, IMO.
I have always liked the machine, its design, ease of operation of the HST, and comfort. But this was very disappointing.
Brad