Kubota vs Kioti, hydro vs gear trans.

[Poopdeck Pappy]

Plowing is a power intensive operation. It is slow and takes a lot fuel. Gear transmissions are more efficient, and they produce less waste heat. Hydro transmissions are more likely to fail due to overheating.

For plowing a few or a dozen acres, no problem. Start talking about much more, and the extra power and efficiency of gears would be a must.

+1. Plus, it's great to be able to select the right gear, crank the throttle up, let out on the clutch and go. The advantage of the HST transmission (which I have and love) becomes a disadvantage and a distraction when you're plowing a field for 12 hours.

 

[jenkinsph]

My concern about this is how a newbie buyer/operator deals with the decision making process choosing between hydro and gear transmissions. Matching the tractor to the tillage tool is a very important consideration, if these are properly matched overheating shouldn't be a problem. While a gear tractor is more efficient I don't see that as an issue for the typical small property owner. Both gear and hydro transmissions are very dependable and can both pull a plow all day without problems. How many days a year does a typical small acreage owner spend plowing compared to other tasks? I would think that this would be a minor use of a tractor for most people and the other tasks using the fel with direction changes in close quarters work is the norm.

In most cases buying a compact tractor as your first tractor I would recommend the hydro transmission. For larger properties most will have more than one tractor and a larger gear tractor in addition to the smaller hydro tractor can make a lot of sense. I am thinking about a new 100+ hp for the fall but will keep the smaller hydro tractor for the close quarters work I do.

 

[jenkinsph]

The title pretty much sums up my question, I'm in the market for a 35-50hp w/fe loader tractor. I really no idea which way to go, and throwing in the transmission choice, I'm stuck. Is the hydro dependable, I know it's easier to manage/use. If this question has already been asked and answered, please redirect.

Back to the first post by the OP, like most people he is concerned about the hydro being dependable. I think it is as there are very few threads with transmission problems on any of the brands.

Looking at a small tractor with fel, I doubt he is planning on major use plowing all day every day.

 

[motownbrowne]

My concern about this is how a newbie buyer/operator deals with the decision making process choosing between hydro and gear transmissions. Matching the tractor to the tillage tool is a very important consideration, if these are properly matched overheating shouldn't be a problem. While a gear tractor is more efficient I don't see that as an issue for the typical small property owner. Both gear and hydro transmissions are very dependable and can both pull a plow all day without problems. How many days a year does a typical small acreage owner spend plowing compared to other tasks? I would think that this would be a minor use of a tractor for most people and the other tasks using the fel with direction changes in close quarters work is the norm.

In most cases buying a compact tractor as your first tractor I would recommend the hydro transmission. For larger properties most will have more than one tractor and a larger gear tractor in addition to the smaller hydro tractor can make a lot of sense. I am thinking about a new 100+ hp for the fall but will keep the smaller hydro tractor for the close quarters work I do.

Agreed, hydro's are super reliable, and offer the utmost in convenience. I would also say they are considerably safer to operate for beginning users. I was just answering the question of why gears are better for plowing, which they certainly are. That said I would agree that plowing is not why most people buy these kind of tractors, and not a huge concern. Also, I thought your gauge was a little off you asked, how many days a year most cut owners plow for. I think, not many, but also, how many days/year do big corn farmers plow/year. Also not many. Lots of plowing, and fuel consumption can happen in a small number if days. Everything you said is right on, though. Sorry to be a little nit picky.

 

[jeff9366]

Here is a LINK to HST Vs. Gear threads in the T-B-N archive:

https://www.google.com/search?clien...+Gear+site:tractorbynet.com&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

https://www.google.com/search?clien...UTF-8#q=HST+Gear+site:tractorbynet.com&rls=en

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

My concern about this is how a newbie buyer/operator deals with the decision making process choosing between hydro and gear transmissions. Matching the tractor to the tillage tool is a very important consideration, if these are properly matched overheating shouldn't be a problem. While a gear tractor is more efficient I don't see that as an issue for the typical small property owner. Both gear and hydro transmissions are very dependable and can both pull a plow all day without problems. How many days a year does a typical small acreage owner spend plowing compared to other tasks? I would think that this would be a minor use of a tractor for most people and the other tasks using the fel with direction changes in close quarters work is the norm.

In most cases buying a compact tractor as your first tractor I would recommend the hydro transmission. For larger properties most will have more than one tractor and a larger gear tractor in addition to the smaller hydro tractor can make a lot of sense. I am thinking about a new 100+ hp for the fall but will keep the smaller hydro tractor for the close quarters work I do.

I don't disagree with you at all. My point was just that, for those guys who DO intend to use their tractor to plow all day long, gear is a better choice. But I think you are absolutely correct that most COMPACT tractors are not used for that type of use.

Most of us who buy compact tractors need for them to be do-it-all tools. That's where the HST shines, and that's why I wanted (and got) an HST tranny on my tractor.

 

[Bluegill2]

I do plow any, but still much prefer gear drive!

 

[Buckgnarly]

I do plow any, but still much prefer gear drive!

+1......We are the minority for sure!:thumbsup:

 

[murphy1244]

I have Both

 

[Bluegill2]

+1......We are the minority for sure!:thumbsup:

I meant to say; 'I don't plow any'. But yes Sir we are in the minority.