JD eHydro vs Powr reverser

[Gale Hawkins]

Clearly JD's power reverser is a great concept they have perfected over the years and refined for farm use.

 

[jeffster]

jenkinsph, I hear what you are saying. I often see posts that are defensive related to whatever someone has purchased. I guess I am odd as I don't get like that. I have a PR and am happy with it. Doesn't mean it is better or worse than the eHydro, just means that it is what I bought and am happy with. I readily admit there are excellent arguments for the eHydro and like I said I almost bought one.

I guess I look at it this way, before I buy anything I almost always solicit opinions, which is what the OP did here. I think it is a great way to get first hand reviews of operation and limitations. However, I can't remember anything significant I have ever purchased without comparing the options myself in the end.

And on a final note, personally I am just waiting to win a huge lottery so I can pretty much buy one of everything that Deere has to offer just for fun.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

Clearly JD's power reverser is a great concept they have perfected over the years and refined for farm use.

The PowerReverser IS a great transmission..dont think anybody ever said it was junk. (personally I think the Kubota GST is 3x better though, but thats a story for another thread )...The key here is application and useage. For utility use around a property I dont think you can beat the eHydro. If you did nothing but plow fields or bale hay all day long every day then yeah, I could reccomend the PowerReverser tranny to you...well actually I wouldnt reccomend the PowerReverser, I'd reccomend a 6x20 machine with the PowerQuad :thumbsup:. But if you do everything under the sun with your tractor like I and 99% of CUT owners do then eHydro is the hands down winner.
You CAN spend a couple days plowing or baling with an eHydro..with the enhanced cruise package it would even be a dream to operate.

 

[foggy1111]

foggy,

How do you use your foot throttle now? I ask because the Ehydro with upgraded cruise has ethrottle which speeds up the engine as needed via the footpedals. Most plain hydro's don't do this such as the Deere 2000 series hydros.

Hmmmmm......I did not know that about ehydro's. (I am so outta date) I only have experienced a JD with a foot operated hyrdo tranny w/o the throttle. I guess that's why I need to test drive these tractors. Now I'm more intrigued.

Sometimes, when doing heavy loader work with my 790....I will set the hand throttle to a mid RPM range and then shift gears from forward to reverse....and apply the foot throttle for a little extra power / speed. When everything goes right....it works fair to midd'lin.

If I read you right....he ehydro is going to do all this via my toe control (similar to an articulated industrial loader I've operated) NICE!! :thumbsup: Edit.....duh...or was that a power reverser in that loader???

 

[foggy1111]

This is a different topic....but when posting above it triggered my memory. When building my house a few years ago.....the excavating contractor watched me operate a tractor/loader while skidding some boulders for a retaining wall I was building as he was digging stuff for me.

I needed more LARGE boulders.....so he told me to just go out to his gravel pit and pick out the boulders I wanted and put them into a pile and he would haul them to my site after the weekend. I said "how am I going to do that"? He told me to just use his front end loader located at the pit.....and that he had seen me operate stuff and was not worried about it. He told me where he kept the key.

I got to his pit....and he had the largest industrial JD articulated loader they make. It was pretty late model too. :confused2: I had no instruction....nor had driven one of these before.....so I crawled into the cab and slowly learned what was what. I cannot remember the tranny type....but it likely was some kind of power reverser....as the throttle increase with the load...I think. I was like a kid in a candy store.

A few hours later I had a coupla truckloads of hand chosen boulders all piled up for Monday delivery. Man it was hot that July Saturday as I picked out those rocks....but I had a ball. I'm not sure I have ever had so much fun with my pants on.

.....back to on-topic. Sorry

 

[jenkinsph]

If I read you right....he ehydro is going to do all this via my toe control (similar to an articulated industrial loader I've operated) NICE!! :thumbsup: ?

That is correct, unless I am using the pto where I wan't to maintain a constant rpm. I leave the hand throttle at minimum and select the proper range, then use the forward and reverse pedals with e throttle for loading, boxblading and landplane/grading. This allows me to go as slow or fast as I wan't in either direction using only the two pedals. If you wan't faster cycle times for the loader you can raise the hand throttle as needed but still retain the same control of the tractors movements.

This setup with ehydro and ethrottle is near perfect for grading and finish work as it allows you to back up ever so carefully to a wall or fence as needed then take off and make another drag.

 

[berobert]

Thanks for all the replys on this query. I would have to say the majority of responses favor the eHydro so I think I am going to try to find a deal I can can do on a tractor with a hydrostatic transmission.

Since visiting the JD dealer I also went and tried a Kubota L4240 w/HST and FEL. Really liked the Kubota as well and pricing is better than the 4320 (about $4000 less on cash deal, JD dealer wouldn't give any price reduction on cash deal)

The Kubota Grand L4240 series has two features I really like over the JD. Hydro Dual range that can shift on the fly (6 speeds vs 3 on the JD) and auto throttle, which I believe is only available on the 4730 JD.

 

[jenkinsph]

Thanks for all the replys on this query. I would have to say the majority of responses favor the eHydro so I think I am going to try to find a deal I can can do on a tractor with a hydrostatic transmission.

Since visiting the JD dealer I also went and tried a Kubota L4240 w/HST and FEL. Really liked the Kubota as well and pricing is better than the 4320 (about $4000 less on cash deal, JD dealer wouldn't give any price reduction on cash deal)

The Kubota Grand L4240 series has two features I really like over the JD. Hydro Dual range that can shift on the fly (6 speeds vs 3 on the JD) and auto throttle, which I believe is only available on the 4730 JD.

I did a little research after reading this post, the ethrottle is a feature both the 4520 and 4720 share, my 4520 has it. Not sure if this is included with the upgraded cruise I mentioned before so I stand corrected on this.

Looking at the Kubota site specs the Grand L 4240 is listed as a 3 range hydro, where is the dual range info? I couldn't find it. Not sure I see the point either as the three range hydros' seem to work very well.

One point I would also like to make is that in most cases (atleast in my area) the tractors on the dealers lots do not include alot of the options preinstalled on the tractors. This makes it more difficult to understand the difference these add ons can make, you have to read the descriptions and hope for the best. I have found that having extra horsepower, ehydro and optional hydraulic functionality are well worth the extra money, they all just increase the tractors ability.

I would do a more research and good luck with your choice, both Deere and Kubota make some nice tractors.

 

[berobert]

The Kubota PDF calls it

"3-Range With Hydro Dual Speed Infinitely Variable"

The 3 ranges are shifted similar to the JD in that you have to (or are supposed to ) stop to change range selection, but within each range selection you have a hi/low selector mounted to the left side of the steering column that you can switch on the go.

There is also another mode switch that can make this hi/low switching automatic. This is similar to the JD AutoHST perhaps?

I used this hi/low on my short test drive and it worked good. I think I had the range selector in the medium selection. Looking at their spec. sheet it appears the ratio change between hi/low is roughly 1.65:1, so I think this would be handy plowing snow when you could have it in the higher speed until you get to your pile then drop it down to low for the final push.

What are your thought on this?

 

[jenkinsph]

When I consider that I can get wheel slip in all ranges I am not sure how much difference this would make. There is a tendancy for operators new to a hydro transmission to depress the pedal down farther when loading at a pile, backing off the hydro pedal instead will lower the speed yet increase the force on the wheels. On both Deere and Kubota tractors with the three range gears I you could choose either the B or C range and have enough variance in travel speed to accomplish your tasks without any need for the hi-low function.

I think this hi-low option would be better utilized to replace the two range gears on the smaller hydrostats such as the Deere 2000 series. It seems that more people have complained about the 2520's choice of range gearing and this could help alleviate the problem. Deere should consider as an option.
Can't speak about the small Kubota's as I have not used any of them smaller than an L39.

FWIW, I chose the 4520 because it seemed to have plenty of power for the frame size and tractor weight while providing 50 pto hp which seemed to cover the vast majority of Cat 1 implements. I initially considered a 4320 and also considered the 4720 and landed in the middle with the 4520. For the record it has worked out well for me.