Ginormous
Gold Member
Those of you who have tried Yanmars with and without Powershift, how would you describe the difference? Is it the best tractor feature since a PTO bread slicer? 
Powershift opinions?
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rmully
Gold Member
I really like power shift ...In MHO it is one of the best features on my 2020!
California
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Yes, best. At least for my hilly ground where I need to full-stop and choose another gear whenever I change direction.
Pete Judd
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I love my powershift. However, using it does not come natural, if you come from running tractors that you have to clutch. The learning curve is not very long.
OP
Ginormous
Gold Member
I'm used to hydrostatic drive on my lawn tractor. How does Powershift compare to hydrostatic from the perspective of the person driving the tractor? I have read that it is sort of a "cake and eat it too" because it is geared and gives good power transmission but you can shift without using the clutch.
Roonabeck
Silver Member
It doesn't give you the infinite speed variability of a hydrostatic, but it does give the full power of a manual transmission. Hoye has a short description here. It's an automatic hydraulic clutch. It's a bit like many automatic car transmissions you see today with a manual shift up/down mode, except there's a real clutch instead of a torque converter.
California
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Imagine pulling your car's shift lever between R-1-2-3, assuming it it stayed in whatever gear you selected.
Powershift feels about the same to operate except its shifts are more firm. The advantage over a manual transmission tractor is you can get rolling then shift up without losing inertia.
Mechanically, there is a normal clutch and multi-range manual transmission ('range selector') in front of the magic Powershift component. You have to stand still while you select a range.
I've never driven a hydrostatic but I assume this different.
Powershift feels about the same to operate except its shifts are more firm. The advantage over a manual transmission tractor is you can get rolling then shift up without losing inertia.
Mechanically, there is a normal clutch and multi-range manual transmission ('range selector') in front of the magic Powershift component. You have to stand still while you select a range.
I've never driven a hydrostatic but I assume this different.
284 International
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My opinion only, and worth exactly what people have paid: The powershift is a good blend of traits to cover everything. Like most compromises, it has drawbacks and benefits. I see it as an advantage over a regular transmission because it provides flexibility in ground speed on the fly, and a much quicker switch between forward and reverse gears for loader-type work. Benefits over hydrostatic drives are that it puts power through more efficiently, and doesn't require constant operator pressure on the drive pedal.
Negatives compared to a standard transmission are that they are more complicated and thus expensive, both initially and to repair, and are bulky in the operator interface (since there needs to be two separate controls, but one needs to be accessible easily), and requiring a free hand to shift up or down.
Drawbacks compared to the hydrostatic are that it doesn't provide nearly the smoothness or range of ground speed. It's mechanical, so is clunky, and requires a hand to move. On a hydrostatic, one foot controls the direction, and can be precisely tailored for optimal speed. Loader work is more efficient with the hydrostatic, along with mowing and other fine tasks.
The little bit I've tried a hydrostatic for field work (plowing and disking) I don't like it any better than a powershift. I like the ability to optimize the speed, but I don't like having to keep my foot at the same spot all the time. Efficiency for any use I have is negligible, in all honesty.
Without a powershift or HST type transmission, my 186D would be bothersome to operate. It needs the ability to downshift in order to pull any amount of incline or increase in load. The engine does not have enough torque rise to pull it through. On my YM2000, I select an overall speed with the gearbox, then fine tune it with engine RPM. It may clank more or louder with varying loads, but the engine is so flexible it doesn't really matter.
As far as how it varies, it's the difference between driving a manual car (powershift)and an automatic one (HST). If you're adept at rowing gears, and used to it, it's not really a drawback, and you'll appreciate the advantage and flexibility with the interactive driving experience. The hydrostatic is most variable, but feels like a less involved driving session once you're adapted. One thing I don't like, but that is model-specific, is that on Kubota machines that I've driven it's tricky to impossible to use turning brakes at the same time as manipulating the drive pedal. Apparently John Deere machines, and maybe others, address that problem.
Negatives compared to a standard transmission are that they are more complicated and thus expensive, both initially and to repair, and are bulky in the operator interface (since there needs to be two separate controls, but one needs to be accessible easily), and requiring a free hand to shift up or down.
Drawbacks compared to the hydrostatic are that it doesn't provide nearly the smoothness or range of ground speed. It's mechanical, so is clunky, and requires a hand to move. On a hydrostatic, one foot controls the direction, and can be precisely tailored for optimal speed. Loader work is more efficient with the hydrostatic, along with mowing and other fine tasks.
The little bit I've tried a hydrostatic for field work (plowing and disking) I don't like it any better than a powershift. I like the ability to optimize the speed, but I don't like having to keep my foot at the same spot all the time. Efficiency for any use I have is negligible, in all honesty.
Without a powershift or HST type transmission, my 186D would be bothersome to operate. It needs the ability to downshift in order to pull any amount of incline or increase in load. The engine does not have enough torque rise to pull it through. On my YM2000, I select an overall speed with the gearbox, then fine tune it with engine RPM. It may clank more or louder with varying loads, but the engine is so flexible it doesn't really matter.
As far as how it varies, it's the difference between driving a manual car (powershift)and an automatic one (HST). If you're adept at rowing gears, and used to it, it's not really a drawback, and you'll appreciate the advantage and flexibility with the interactive driving experience. The hydrostatic is most variable, but feels like a less involved driving session once you're adapted. One thing I don't like, but that is model-specific, is that on Kubota machines that I've driven it's tricky to impossible to use turning brakes at the same time as manipulating the drive pedal. Apparently John Deere machines, and maybe others, address that problem.
I like it a lot its one of the best features of my machine glad I got it. :thumbsup:
One more thing is tilling you can be sitting in neutral engage the tiller drop in the dirt have the clutch out and just bump the powershifter into 1st and go with a full speed tiller tine not the clunky let the clutch out and start moving the tractor and the tiller at the same time thats nice.
One more thing is tilling you can be sitting in neutral engage the tiller drop in the dirt have the clutch out and just bump the powershifter into 1st and go with a full speed tiller tine not the clunky let the clutch out and start moving the tractor and the tiller at the same time thats nice.
Eddie
Platinum Member
Now why didn't I think of that
That's a great Idea.I really love the 20 series with the powershift on the dash, expecially when using the loader.