Baby Grand
Elite Member
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2007
- Messages
- 4,649
- Location
- Windsor, CT.
- Tractor
- Kubotas: L3240GST B2320HST B5100D & G5200H
This is how I chose:
Divided my tractor's PTO HP into the difference in PTO HP (for my model) between gear & hydro. Multiplied that number by what the tractor cost (less loader, attachments, options, etc) eg: ((26.5-25.0)/26.5) x $18785 = $1063. Viewed this way, that 妬nsignificant lost PTO HP actually costs a lot.
Given that both model's engines put out the same HP, where does that lost 1.5 HP go? It goes into heat, which isn't always a good thing. Where did that 1.5 HP and heat come from? From the fuel tank.
What productivity do you get for that lost 1.5 HP? That's where the ease of use may make the hydro a winner. In my case, it didn't, partly because I opted to get the Kubota GST with shuttle shift. The GST has 12 fwd speeds instead of 8. Neither the gear shift or the fwd/rev shuttle require the clutch to be depressed, so left foot and clutch gets lots less wear and tear. However, this clutch pedal is still there. I use it for starting from a stop, shifting on the fly and when precision positioning is needed. I think Deere has a similar transmission available.
I知 comfortable using a clutch and actually prefer selecting when the gear change occurs. I can anticipate and downshift or upshift before the change of speed is actually required, smoothing operating transitions. All of my cars have been standard shift, so for me it痴 familiar and natural that my tractor should be similar.
Just my spin on the question.
-Jim
Divided my tractor's PTO HP into the difference in PTO HP (for my model) between gear & hydro. Multiplied that number by what the tractor cost (less loader, attachments, options, etc) eg: ((26.5-25.0)/26.5) x $18785 = $1063. Viewed this way, that 妬nsignificant lost PTO HP actually costs a lot.
Given that both model's engines put out the same HP, where does that lost 1.5 HP go? It goes into heat, which isn't always a good thing. Where did that 1.5 HP and heat come from? From the fuel tank.
What productivity do you get for that lost 1.5 HP? That's where the ease of use may make the hydro a winner. In my case, it didn't, partly because I opted to get the Kubota GST with shuttle shift. The GST has 12 fwd speeds instead of 8. Neither the gear shift or the fwd/rev shuttle require the clutch to be depressed, so left foot and clutch gets lots less wear and tear. However, this clutch pedal is still there. I use it for starting from a stop, shifting on the fly and when precision positioning is needed. I think Deere has a similar transmission available.
I知 comfortable using a clutch and actually prefer selecting when the gear change occurs. I can anticipate and downshift or upshift before the change of speed is actually required, smoothing operating transitions. All of my cars have been standard shift, so for me it痴 familiar and natural that my tractor should be similar.
Just my spin on the question.
-Jim
