Tractor Sizing Can I get your opinion please?

[3pedal]

Brush hogging, or finish mowing with an HST is also faster, and more efficient if there are any obstacles, back/forth required....very much like loader work.

That's interesting. I am thinking Power Shuttle, in part because one of the long term uses will be mowing the fields. Drive a ways and turn, drive a ways and turn. Seemed the power shuttle would work better for that than an HST.

 

[GManBart]

That's interesting. I am thinking Power Shuttle, in part because one of the long term uses will be mowing the fields. Drive a ways and turn, drive a ways and turn. Seemed the power shuttle would work better for that than an HST.

How would it be "better" other than the couple of PTO horsepower difference?

Other than the power difference an HST setup does everything better from a functional standpoint, and that fix is just making sure you buy the version with enough power to start with.

Most of the HST "negatives" people talk about are things like cost, noise, perceived maintenance costs, etc, rather than functional qualities. Unless you're looking at fairly large machines with 20+ F/R speeds, an HST might be even better for those large fields because you can maximize your ground speed with the infinitely variable speeds of an HST...so it's really a complicated dynamic when you start factoring in all the elements.

 

[3pedal]

How would it be "better" other than the couple of PTO horsepower difference?

Other than the power difference an HST setup does everything better from a functional standpoint, and that fix is just making sure you buy the version with enough power to start with.

Most of the HST "negatives" people talk about are things like cost, noise, perceived maintenance costs, etc, rather than functional qualities. Unless you're looking at fairly large machines with 20+ F/R speeds, an HST might be even better for those large fields because you can maximize your ground speed with the infinitely variable speeds of an HST...so it's really a complicated dynamic when you start factoring in all the elements.

My only experience with an HST is on my riding lawnmower, and I hate it. It is set up with the rocker style foot pedals, and the reverse is hard enough to use I end up pulling up on the forward pedal with my heal to go backward. When spending an hour or more mowing, I find having to hold the pedal to go forward annoying. Noise doesn't bother me, cost is always important, both purchase and on going. I have been surprised how expensive it will be to get into a tractor that will do what I want. In the end, when talking about a 20k to 25k machine, if the $1,000 option makes it better, I would do that.

If you have an HST that is easier to use than mine, I can see how it would be nice for tight loader work, like cleaning out stalls and such. For mowing, I imagine if you are changing speed a lot that the HST would have some advantage. I can see it being easier to slow down when coming to a turn. My back pasture is weirdly shaped, so there are some sharp turns when mowing.

 

[GManBart]

My only experience with an HST is on my riding lawnmower, and I hate it. It is set up with the rocker style foot pedals, and the reverse is hard enough to use I end up pulling up on the forward pedal with my heal to go backward. When spending an hour or more mowing, I find having to hold the pedal to go forward annoying. Noise doesn't bother me, cost is always important, both purchase and on going. I have been surprised how expensive it will be to get into a tractor that will do what I want. In the end, when talking about a 20k to 25k machine, if the $1,000 option makes it better, I would do that.

If you have an HST that is easier to use than mine, I can see how it would be nice for tight loader work, like cleaning out stalls and such. For mowing, I imagine if you are changing speed a lot that the HST would have some advantage. I can see it being easier to slow down when coming to a turn. My back pasture is weirdly shaped, so there are some sharp turns when mowing.

Yeah, I can't stand the rocker style foot pedal HST setups....ick! I never noticed any fatigue holding down the HST pedal when I was mowing/brush hogging, etc, and for big fields the cruise control should make it even easier. One of my neighbors was a diehard power shuttle guy (probably from his dozer and backhoe experience) and he absolutely loved running my LS with the HST. There is an ongoing debate that will never be resolved, but I think long-term, the cost/expense difference between the an HST and power shuttle doesn't add up to much. HST systems have proven to be very reliable, and rarely fail. You will have more frequent filter, and fluid changes, but even then it's going to be maybe $100 every 3-600 hours, so it doesn't fall into an unreasonable category for me. I am finding that power shuttles are pretty darned complicated, and can be very expensive to troubleshoot and repair (my dozer) so it's not exactly a free lunch. Either way, I like both systems...just depends on the exact usage.

 

[Wobblin-Goblin]

HST cons:
Noise
Costs more up front
Suck power

HST pros:
Very fast when using a loader (esp. twin pedals, NOT rockers)
No changing gears, which saves even more time
No clutch to wear out

As I said earlier, I bought the 1643 with Hydro because I use it mostly for loader work (and in that application, you can't beat HST), but I preferred the Powershuttle on my 1540 for everything else.

 

[jsftractors]

Some things to consider.....
The HST will consume ~2HP from the tractor over the power shuttle
The cab and AC will consume ~4-5HP over a platform tractor
The 1736,42,49 has a 3cyl engine where as the 1754,58,59 uses a 4cyl engine. If you have the cash, get the 4cyl tractor.
The HST will easily handle any loader/mowing work and stationary PTO work with improved efficiency.
If you will be performing any ground engaging work, pulling heavy loads or a baler for example you will be better off with the power shuttle.

 

[Gary Fowler]

HST cons:
HST pros:
Very fast when using a loader (esp. twin pedals, NOT rockers)
N.

I just don't understand folks aversion to the rocker pedal. I have the B26 with a rocker pedal and find it to be the most comfortable and quickest way to manage directions. My BIL has a NH tractor with twin pedals and it is very obnoxious to move from forward to reverse since you have to move your foot around to go from one to the other. Being unaccustomed to using it, I have to look down each time to make sure I am on the right pedal. With the rocker pedal, your foot stays put and just swivel the ankle. I can understand folks with a bad ankle not wanting them but I wouldn't want one myself and would actually pass on a tractor with twin pedals if buying another. Maybe other models of rocker pedal are different, but my B26 is very comfortable and quicker than a twin pedal to reverse direction.

 

[ironpen]

I cut a lot of grass each week (40 to 45 acres). There is NO question that the HST is far superior for this. I would love a 75 or so hp tractor with HST, but nobody makes one. I have 2 hst Tractors, but they don't have a cab and A/C and I would be dead if I mowed several hours in the heat with them. I use a 100 inch mower and have to have the hp to turn it effectively. Making mowing turns is difficult if you don't use the clutch. My 75 hp tractor has electronic shuttle and while it is smooth, I find it basically useless while mowing. Just my 2 cents, but in my mind the hst is definitely the way to go. I have never had a minute's trouble with either of the HST's, but the electronic shuttle has required considerable work.
'

 

[aginn]

I have a lot of trees to maneuver around so I like the HST for mowing. If I had a big open pasture or was pulling plows I would probably have considered a shuttle shift. The times I am not fond of the HST is when I get on steep grades. They sure use up the power when going up a steep hill.

 

[TSO]

The times I am not fond of the HST is when I get on steep grades. They sure use up the power when going up a steep hill.

Yes...However, HST is much safer on hills because of the manner of which speed adjustments are made. Infinite speed variability via foot control, with built in braking. Changing speeds with a shuttle on hills is a less than pleasing experience to say the least, and quite dangerous at other times. For hills, I'll gladly trade the minor power loss of HST for the precise control you gain over geared systems.