Manual vs Hydrostatic

[FallbrookFarmer]

So,
If I get the general gist:
Hydro is obviously easier to use.
Manual is better if you need lots of pulling power
Hydro is as reliable as manual
Thanks for all the info/opinions

 

[workmytractor]

I love my MX5100 with the shuttle shift. Wouldn't go Hydro...Just a personal opinion though.

 

[Ken45101]

Do you prefer an automatic or manual transmission in your car or pickup?

If you prefer not to shift like 90% of the population do, then buy a hydrostatic.:thumbsup:

My two cents and you are being overcharged

IMO, the biggest advantage of an automatic transmission in a car is when you are stuck in traffic and have to hold the clutch in. I don't get my tractor into rush hour traffic :laughing:

My current pickup has an automatic. The previous was a manual transmission and I got significantly better (20-25%) fuel economy. If I were buying again, I'd probably look for a manual transmission.

Ken

 

[Ken45101]

So,
If I get the general gist:
Hydro is obviously easier to use.
Manual is better if you need lots of pulling power
Hydro is as reliable as manual
Thanks for all the info/opinions

Probably pretty accurate. Plus, hydro is more expensive to buy and maintain. Nobody debates UDT vs. SUDT for a manual transmission :laughing:

Ken

 

[Builder]

So,
If I get the general gist:
Hydro is obviously easier to use.
Manual is better if you need lots of pulling power
*Hydro is as reliable as manual
Thanks for all the info/opinions

*I might debate that one. Seen a lot of 50 yr old manual trans tractors still working just fine. Jury is out on 50 yr old hydros. Early hydros would need rebuilding by now.

Also remember that what you call a "manual" such as Kubota's glide shift or an MF powershuttle, is very easy to operate. My Kubota hydraulic shuttle barely ever requires a clutch.

One other thing other than the noise and loss of power on my hydro I disliked was the pedal configuration. I never got used to the "R" pedal location and the pedals never seemed to fit my foot rocking motion the way I liked. Some hydro pedals are better than others. Make sure you really like the way your foot feels in the hydro pedals. Seems like a minor issue, but it's not.

 

[Yankee]

I agree with the comment about pedal configuration and comfort. Having recently demoed a power shuttle trans, I also found it very easy for loader use. How do you find a shuttle to be in the woods, though?

 

[SPYDERLK]

I am looking at a Kubota 2400 that has a Hydrostatic trans.
Looking for opinions for those who have had both manual and hydrostatic, Obviously it's a lot easier operating, but how about reliability? Have any of you, had Hydro and gone back to manual?

Hydros are great for finely controlled movement and forward reverse operations. That said I just spent a lot of money on one with 1400hrs. Not worn out, but a part broke and messed it up enuf to suggest replacement. A gear trans would just about be needing a clutch.
larry

 

[FallbrookFarmer]

Hydros are great for finely controlled movement and forward reverse operations. That said I just spent a lot of money on one with 1400hrs. Not worn out, but a part broke and messed it up enuf to suggest replacement. A gear trans would just about be needing a clutch.
larry

Have I opened up ANOTHER can of worms?
I better go back to long philosophical rants about
economics

 

[TripleR]

*I might debate that one. Seen a lot of 50 yr old manual trans tractors still working just fine. Jury is out on 50 yr old hydros. Early hydros would need rebuilding by now.

Also remember that what you call a "manual" such as Kubota's glide shift or an MF powershuttle, is very easy to operate. My Kubota hydraulic shuttle barely ever requires a clutch.

One other thing other than the noise and loss of power on my hydro I disliked was the pedal configuration. I never got used to the "R" pedal location and the pedals never seemed to fit my foot rocking motion the way I liked. Some hydro pedals are better than others. Make sure you really like the way your foot feels in the hydro pedals. Seems like a minor issue, but it's not.

Very good points as I have never used a glide shift or power shuttle and guess many have not. I have "shuttle shift" on a couple of Cases, but they require a clutch. I need to keep this in mind when commenting.

Agreed, I did not like the HST on my BX2200, but really like the one on my BX2660. Some HST pedals cause me discomfort during long periods of use that was not noticeable short term.

 

[Specop_007]

I dont even think its really a fair question these days.

I'm running a '63 Massey. THAT is a "manual" transmission. No shuttle, no power, no hydro. Cripes I dont even have power STEERING.

Any modern day manual variant (shuttle, power) would be light years ahead of what I have now. :laughing: