HST Power Consumption

[Grateful11]

There's other things to consider when looking at efficiency like getting more work done in a given period of time with one machine vs. another. In my wife's operation it used to take 10-15 mins to load their 155 bushel manure spreader with the IH 574 tractor with a manure bucket and 2WD. Now it can be loaded in right at 5 minutes with the Kubota L3940, no shifting and virtually no tire slippage. So you kind of have to look at a broader scope of things when looking at efficiency. ;-)

 

[bbraud6]

I for one don't mind the extra time for getting jobs done with my deere, which has a power reverser transmission. Now that i'm retired i look forward to running the tractor and truly enjoy thinking of new jobs and projects for my tractor. Now to hate on hydro's at all they are fine and reliable and for most people the best choice. My choice was the reverser which i'm very pleased with. Like everyone says, visit dealer and if possible rent one to try out. My dealer has several of both hydros and gears he rents by the day or week. This would beat driving around the yard at the dealer with out working the tractor. Your dollars, your choice.

 

[crazyal]

My point is simple, yes HST reduces HP more than a gear drive but for most people it's never an issue. Plus the advantages can outweigh the power loss.

My neighbor (owns land next to me with no house) has been cutting trees for firewood. He has a Kubota MX5000 gear, one that you have to push the clutch in to shift. He's always grinding gears (operator error, maybe needs to be adjusted, lack of a syncro ?). He always told me that hst would not do the logging very well. Two weekends ago he got stuck so I went and pulled him out.

Afterwards I let him try my tractor. He still didn't like HST but he did admit that it was easy to use and it would pull anything his mx could. Both would spin the tires if the load was too great. Some people just like gear and feel it's better. There's nothing wrong with buying what you like.

 

[SPYDERLK]

My point is simple, yes HST reduces HP more than a gear drive but for most people it's never an issue. Plus the advantages can outweigh the power loss.

My neighbor (owns land next to me with no house) has been cutting trees for firewood. He has a Kubota MX5000 gear, one that you have to push the clutch in to shift. He's always grinding gears (operator error, maybe needs to be adjusted, lack of a syncro ?). He always told me that hst would not do the logging very well. Two weekends ago he got stuck so I went and pulled him out.

Afterwards I let him try my tractor. He still didn't like HST but he did admit that it was easy to use and it would pull anything his mx could. Both would spin the tires if the load was too great. Some people just like gear and feel it's better. There's nothing wrong with buying what you like.

The difference there is that the geared tractor would still be able to spin its tires if they were 4 loaded AGs and he hung enuf extra weight to more than double normal tractor weight. The HST would pop its relief valve and sit there.
larry

 

[DK35vince]

There's other things to consider when looking at efficiency like getting more work done in a given period of time with one machine vs. another. In my wife's operation it used to take 10-15 mins to load their 155 bushel manure spreader with the IH 574 tractor with a manure bucket and 2WD. Now it can be loaded in right at 5 minutes with the Kubota L3940, no shifting and virtually no tire slippage. So you kind of have to look at a broader scope of things when looking at efficiency. ;-)

You do need to look at the broader scope.
Like how there are differant types of gear transmissions. A modern shuttle shift or power reverser with 4 wd would also load that same spreader nearly as fast as your hydro unit.

 

[US American]

^^^ I agree. I have used my reverser to load a manure spreader, shuttle rock, etc. I am just as fast with it as I could be with a hydro. There is a slight learning curve but it does not take long to get the hang of it. General loader work - the two are a wash imho. But surgery is where hst shines.

 

[Grateful11]

You do need to look at the broader scope.
Like how there are differant types of gear transmissions. A modern shuttle shift or power reverser with 4 wd would also load that same spreader nearly as fast as your hydro unit.

I made a statement comparing "our" 2 pieces of equipment. I wasn't comparing "your" tractor or anyone elses. I just made a statement about what we have here and what could be done with them. Power Reverser was never brought into my statement. We have a CaseIH 5140 with Power Reverse and Power Shuttle Shift, I know what's out there. Geez it wasn't a frickin' slam on anyone or anything, just an observation.

 

[Jerry/MT]

Respectfully, remember that this post started out with a title of "HST Power Consumption".

There should be no doubt in anyone's mind that the ability to transmit horsepower from the engine to the drive wheels is more efficiently done ( efficiency being defined by horsepower delivered to the rear wheels/ horsepower delivered by the engine output shaft) with a geared transmission when compared to a hydrostatic drive.

Having said that, it's still a free country and people can vote with their dollars and buy what ever they want. There are some jobs that are more conveniently done for some people with an HST drive system and the efficiency of power transmission is not a consideration. For other folks, gear drives are a better choice. That's why the OEM's offer the option.

Ya' pays yer' money and makes yer' choice!

 

[Redneck in training]

HST is easy to use for new operator. It is hard to abuse. There are many things you need to right with gear. Clutch, select correct gear, release clutch the right way etc. When parking you have to put gear in and/or set parking brake. With HST you just hop off. If I buy second tractor it will be 80-100 HP gear but I will keep my HST.

 

[JDgreen227]

HST is easy to use for new operator. It is hard to abuse. There are many things you need to right with gear. Clutch, select correct gear, release clutch the right way etc. When parking you have to put gear in and/or set parking brake. With HST you just hop off. If I buy second tractor it will be 80-100 HP gear but I will keep my HST.

What you just stated about parking made me thing of a factor where gear has a real advantage: If you run your battery down on a gear tractor you can pull it with another vehicle and get it started that way. Or it can be towed by putting it in neutral or pushing in the clutch. HST, now...forget about pulling those to get started. When my Deere was about 2 years old, the OEM battery failed (shorted) when I was 500 feet from the barn, and a rainstorm was heading this way. Had it been a gear tractor I could have towed it to the barn, but because it was a HST I had to replace the battery to get it started. Hmm this gives me an idea for a new thread.