Hydrostatic vs Non

[hiker88]

Are there any advantages to not getting a tractor with a hydrostatic transmission? Are non-hydro units cheaper or more durable? I know someone who is really down on hydrostatic transmissions and just wondering if there is any truth at all to it.

I'll be using my tractor for woods work and snow removal. so I foresee a lot of back and forth and FEL work. I thought from my research here a hydro would be the way to go, but would just like to confirm that.

Also is "shuttle shift" the term for something that is not hydrostatic, or is that something else entirely?

Thank you,

 

[Bluegill2]

I don't like hydro transmissions at all!

But that doesn't mean they are bad. Both types are good!

"shuttle shift" is forward/reverse without clutching, otherwise a gear drive and a good choice.

Buy what ya like.

 

[adirondackmtnman]

I have a geared tranny in my Deere 5045D, and I love it. I do a lot of loader work with it moving snow, and it's never been a problem for me. The low/reverse shifter acts pretty similar to a shuttle shift, besides having to use a clutch. I cannot comment much on a hydro trans, because all I've ever used was geared, but they're definitely more expensive, and IMO, there's more to go wrong. If I were you, I would go to the dealers and have them let you test drive both, that way you can get a feel for it yourself...a little seat time in both will be worth a million different opinions about it on here. Good Luck!

Sent from my LGL35G using TractorByNet

 

[TripleR]

Quite a few threads on this, here is the latest:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...891-dt-transmission-vs-hst-transmissions.html

There are those who refer gear and those who prefer HST. I use both and both have their place, for frequent changes in direction, I prefer HST.

Shuttle shift will be a geared tractor, you have several types, unsynchronized in which you must come to a full stop before engaging the lever to go from forward to reverse; synchronized in which you can change from forward to reverse without coming to a full stop though you will need to really be going slow, and hydraulic shuttle shift in which your forward/reverse shift includes a hydraulic clutch, so you don't need to use the foot clutch for direction changes. With shuttle shift, you will have the same number of speeds forward as reverse. Maybe someone else can give a more in depth or easier to understand definition.

 

[bigbull338]

if your going tobe doing alot of loader work then hst is the way to go.a gear tractor will eat your clutch leg up.thats why alot of farmers an cattlemen are crippled up in their old age is because they rode the clutch for years.

 

[Larro Darro]

Never had hst on anything bigger than a riding mower. But from what I heard, if you are going to be doing heavy plowing and the like, a geared tractor has more power at the wheels. If a great deal came along on a hst, it wouldn't keep me from owning one, but if I was out looking, I would go for the geared. Less money, and less to go wrong.

I've only moved snow with a shovel {during my Navy days}, but I'm guess it is easier on a tractor than dirt. For what you need a hst would do the job, just at a slightly higher price.

 

[jeff9366]

For tractors with 20-hp to 50-hp with FEL, HST is the preferred option. On slopes, pulling an implement, you do not want even a second with the tractor "out-of-gear". HST is a little more expensive than other transmission options.

For ag-tractors, 70-hp+, where most tractor work is pulling straight forward the length of a field, many prefer some form of gear transmission. Gear transmissions are slightly more fuel efficient. For full-time farmers 5%-6% fuel savings can be a lot of money during a year.

Shuttle shift is one form of geared transmission.

 

[dave1949]

I have a gear tractor with a shuttle for forward and reverse and it requires clutching. I can shuttle while rolling. Except for "creep" (you can get creeper in some gear tractors) with 12 forward and reverse gears I can find a combination of speed and power for any given task it seems. I don't mind clutching, just seems natural to me. Put me on an HST and I'd probably run down something. Took a joy ride down a small slope when my hst lawnmower was first new. :laughing:

I'm not "down" on HST, but I don't think you should ignore the higher cost new, higher maintenance costs ongoing, more to break or go wrong, and hydraulic whine that is part of owning an HST. HST is more popular by far in CUTS than gear, so higher resale if that matters.

Some cab model CUTS are only available in HST.

 

[hiker88]

Well, I'll just come out and say it - it's my dad that is so anti HST and it's one of those things I'll never stop hearing about. Might not seem like much, but some of you may understand.

As a kid I bush hogged 60 acres of his fields every other year with an old ford geared tractor. I can remember some situations where the ground was rough and I had to lower the rpms to stop from abusing the tractor, but then you would lose PTO RPMs as well.

I have a gravel driveway, so I need to be able to go pretty slow sometimes, yet have enough power to move the snow.

Thoughts?

 

[jeff9366]

On today's new tractors wheel RPM is independent of PTO RPM.

Therefore you can be at full stop or drive slow or fast while PTO maintains 540 RPM.

Tractor HST transmissions have improved as much as automobile "automatic" transmissions over the last 20 years.

We see "Dad dislikes" HST, FDR, taxes, etc. all the time on this site.

When "Wife dislikes" you got to pay attention......

 

[hiker88]

On today's new tractors wheel RPM is independent of PTO RPM.

Therefore you can drive slow or fast while PTO continues to revolve at 530 RPM.

That's great to know. I'm at the point where I just need to get out and drive some I guess.

 

[JerryK]

HST gives you infinate control of your groundspeed, but you loose a little power getting this option. HST shines mainly in operations that make use of this ability to change speeds/direction often. HST can usually be an easier transmission for a part time operator to use without burning out a clutch/etc. Gear transmission usually are the most efficient at getting the HP to the ground and PTO. They shine in operations that require constant speeds for long distances.. like plowing/disking/etc. A power reverser gear trans [ sometimes called PST/etc. ] allows you to have the gear efficency with the ability to easilly change direction. But mainly, a lot of the answers you will get on this forum are biased on what transmission the poster has. Just like which color tractor has the sweetest smelling exhaust... and all the other colors stink to high heaven....

 

[Larro Darro]

I understand completely. I farmed with my daddy all my life until he died eleven years ago. We would both do things to aggravate the the other one. He may be so hard against them simply because you want one. The hst will do fine for what you need. Unless you are going to be working on steep hills. Then you should get a shuttle shift. But some seat time will let you know if you like the shuttle or the hst better.

 

[Egbert]

I guess I was just spoiled by the ease of use with HST on my lawn mower, so I opted for it on my new Kioti. Yes, I'm sure there is a degree of power loss with HST but, for me, it's not a critical issue. As for straight-line work in the fields, I just set the cruise control.

 

[jeff9366]

I'm at the point where I just need to get out and drive some I guess.

Have you decided on how much tractor horsepower and tractor weight you need for your tractor tasks?

Better to test drive to determine: 1) How large a tractor you feel comfortable operating 2) How comfortable the operating station is for you, considering the number of hours you will be sitting in the tractor seat. #2 varies a great deal.

 

[hiker88]

Have you decided on how much tractor horsepower and tractor weight you need for your tractor tasks?

Better to test drive to determine: 1) How large a tractor you feel comfortable operating 2) How comfortable the operating station is for you, considering the number of hours you will be sitting in the tractor seat. #2 varies a great deal.

Well, I'm kind of approaching this from the perspective of the most tractor I can get for my budget. I'm looking at used tractors (approximately 5 years old) in my budget approximately 15k. I think (and I am not set on a brand - but I see a lot of Kubotas in my area) that this could get me into some kind of L model sized tractor in the 1900 to 2400 lb range... I'm interested in anything comparable.

 

[jeff9366]

Ample budget for a good used tractor. I have had excellent service from my Kubota but I am not Kubota-centric.

Personally, I have found the operating station on the "regular" L series a little confining. I do not like the lump under my feet.

My B3300SU, largest of the "B's," has a better operating station.

The "Grand L" tractors are sublime but much more money.

Kubota is particularly well known for the quality of their HST transmissions.

 

[GManBart]

I'm not "down" on HST, but I don't think you should ignore the higher cost new, higher maintenance costs ongoing, more to break or go wrong, and hydraulic whine that is part of owning an HST.

Aside from the higher initial cost, many people would argue the other points are wrong. Many mechanics have said that they fix/repair/replace more parts on gear transmissions than HST....clutches get fried, gears get abused, etc. There just isn't that much evidence that HST systems have higher maintenance costs associated with them. Some HST systems whine more than others, but in many, it's most noticeable when the RPM is too low for what you're trying to do..that's the only time I really hear mine.

 

[DutchHenryBrown]

I've had two geared tractors before I bought this HST tractor liked them all but I REALLY like the HST I have now. For my needs and what I do with the HST it works just fine. Plus I am old and lazy and this HST system makes working with the tractor a breeze. It's been said before on TBN try and test drive as many tractors as you can before you buy.:thumbsup:

 

[ddb123]

I use my tractor in the woods as well as in and around my yard. I have a slight slope. I traded tractors mainly to get a HST transmission. Best decision ever. Gear is not bad by any stretch, but I much much MUCH prefer the ease of use and friendliness of the HST. On hills I can't recommend a gear tractor, although I'm sure there are plenty who use gear on hills and wouldn't change for anything.

In cars and trucks, I only want a manual transmission. On a tractor, I want to focus on the task, not the transmission.