Hydro vs gears for durabilty

[hrcarver]

I'm having a hard time deciding on a transmission for a tractor. I will use it mostly for bush hogging, disking land, spraying, pulling drills and packers and such.

I would like a hydro for the occasional loader work, but I am concerned if it will hold up as well as a geared tranny for the majority of regular field work.

Are my concerns valid? I expect 6000 hrs out my tractors before major problems, not a weekender by any stretch. Tractor in question is a l4400 kubota, I have a dozen other tractors from 20-100 hp all have geared trannys.

 

[bp fick]

Had very similar concerns once upon a time, but really, when was the last time we have heard of hydro failures? Sincerely. The modern hydro is likely as, or more reliable than a clutch/transmission combo.

Since 90% of your pulling is gear oriented, it's tempting to stay with gears for the simple efficiency. But once you've tried a hydro for close in work, such as loader and snow removal, you'd likely never want anything else.

The compromise, I suppose, is some kind of reverser or shuttle. Tough call, but durability is likely the least of your concerns, it seems.

 

[niemeyjt]

Kubota hydros tend to hold up well - although anything can break at any time - my B1750 is 22 years old with 5500 hours - so 6000 is not unreasonable.

J

 

[JCB]

Carver,

Most large construction equipment (loaders, scrapers etc.) is hydro. Questions on durability should be a non factor.

About the only real question is efficiency. Hydro's are a little less efficient than gears, and efficiency is often not a problem when you have a lot of extra HP.

Joe

 

[TripleR]

What you plan on doing is really not "hard pulling" like plowing or running a sub-soiler, so I don't think you will have any problems with either one.

Like many on here, I don't see the hydro as "weaker", just different. I have both and can't see ever buying another geared unit myself.

 

[hrcarver]

So really, there is no problem pulling a 1000 lb 8' 3 pt disc harrow or a 7' no till drill(its a load on a 39hp ford w/ gears). No huge acreage planned, maybe 5 or 10 acres at a time for a food plot planting business.

Could someone explain the loss of efficiency, or rather how it could effect performance.

 

[TripleR]

So really, there is no problem pulling a 1000 lb 8' 3 pt disc harrow or a 7' no till drill(its a load on a 39hp ford w/ gears). No huge acreage planned, maybe 5 or 10 acres at a time for a food plot planting business.

Could someone explain the loss of efficiency, or rather how it could effect performance.

If you properly match the implement load to the tractor it's not going to make any difference if it is a hydro or geared.

I honestly don't know the capabilities of the L4400.

 

[dex3361]

I have a L4400HST (hydro) and it does a great job. I bout this machine over the Grand L series because I plan to keep it for a long time and the L series does not have a lot of electrical / electronics on it to go bad over time. The L4400HST was bought to replace a IH424 and it was a good choice. The PTO HP is 37 on the Kubota L4400HST and that is close to what the IH was as well. I run a 6 foot medium duty mower on it and I pull a 7 foot Box Blade. I love the HST for operating the tractor on the hills and for FEL work. If I was going to buy another one it would be a HST.

 

[oldnslo]

Could someone explain the loss of efficiency, or rather how it could effect performance.

HST transmissions by design are 90 - 95% efficient. There inefficiencies are from internal leakage and some mechanical losses. HST inefficiency is converted to heat which is what will usually be the death of these units. If the L4400 has an oil cooler this should be a non issue. Keep the oil clean and full and they should last a long time.

Gear tractors efficiency is ???% I have read that these losses are similar but please do not take this as fact.

Roy

 

[SPYDERLK]

HST transmissions by design are 90 - 95% efficient. There inefficiencies are from internal leakage and some mechanical losses. HST inefficiency is converted to heat which is what will usually be the death of these units. If the L4400 has an oil cooler this should be a non issue. Keep the oil clean and full and they should last a long time.

Gear tractors efficiency is ???% I have read that these losses are similar but please do not take this as fact.

Roy

You got the numbers high for HST. They are in the 80s. 90/95% is gear. As for reliability ... if you discount clutch replacement the gear drive is much more durable in heavy duty use.
larry