ritcheyvs
Veteran Member
About tractor gear transmissions: You don't shift a tractor like a car. You just put it in the right gear and let out the clutch. You can start from a dead stop in the top gear (like Hi-4). You do need to use the clutch to stop or to shift the shuttle shift from forward to reverse (or neutral). For jobs like mowing you just put it in the gear that delivers the desired forward speed (at PTO RPM), let out the clutch, and drive. Loader work is different because you use the foot throttle and need to clutch whenever you stop or reverse direction; still, it's normal to stay in the same gear unless you are moving a long distance and want a higher gear to go faster. IMO, for anyone who has driven a car with a clutch, driving a tractor with a gear transmission is easy. Also. the loader (joystick) and 3-point hitch (levers) are hand controls; the clutch is the left foot and the throttle and (rarely needed) brakes are the right foot.
If you are doing mainly loader work, the hydro-static transmission is faster because you don'r need to clutch to shuttle-shift and because the constantly high (and noisy) engine RPM makes the loader move faster. With a clutch,you tend to idle the engine when stopped which makes for slower loader movement.
The big drawback of the clutch-gear transmission (IMO) is the possibility of burning or wearing out the clutch if the operator is inexperienced or lazy. With your average lawn-tractor style riding mower you routinely use the clutch/brake pedal to slow down. Doing this with a real tractor will wear the clutch quickly. Replacing a tractor clutch is a big and costly job because the tractor needs to be split in half to replace the clutch disk.
From what I've read, the main drawback of the hydro tranny is limited pulling ability, especially on hills and in higher gears. The maximum torque in these transmissions is limited by the hydraulic pressure relief valve, regardless of the torque available from the engine.
Concerning purchase, your dealer is more important than the brand of tractor. If you have any problems (not unusual) a good responsive dealer is the key to happiness. Personally, I would avoid the new models with the Tier IV engine; the older version is simpler and proven. I would have no qualms about buying a used tractor (which I did) if a reliable dealer vouches for its condition. A Diesel tractor should be good for several thousand operating hours with occasional unscheduled maintenance along the way. On the other hand, there are periodic "good deal sales" on new machines where the manufacturer will include a free loader, backhoe, or some other perk. In any case, check out the nearby dealers: How long have they been in business? Talk to other customers. Check out Better Business Bureau complaints.
If you are doing mainly loader work, the hydro-static transmission is faster because you don'r need to clutch to shuttle-shift and because the constantly high (and noisy) engine RPM makes the loader move faster. With a clutch,you tend to idle the engine when stopped which makes for slower loader movement.
The big drawback of the clutch-gear transmission (IMO) is the possibility of burning or wearing out the clutch if the operator is inexperienced or lazy. With your average lawn-tractor style riding mower you routinely use the clutch/brake pedal to slow down. Doing this with a real tractor will wear the clutch quickly. Replacing a tractor clutch is a big and costly job because the tractor needs to be split in half to replace the clutch disk.
From what I've read, the main drawback of the hydro tranny is limited pulling ability, especially on hills and in higher gears. The maximum torque in these transmissions is limited by the hydraulic pressure relief valve, regardless of the torque available from the engine.
Concerning purchase, your dealer is more important than the brand of tractor. If you have any problems (not unusual) a good responsive dealer is the key to happiness. Personally, I would avoid the new models with the Tier IV engine; the older version is simpler and proven. I would have no qualms about buying a used tractor (which I did) if a reliable dealer vouches for its condition. A Diesel tractor should be good for several thousand operating hours with occasional unscheduled maintenance along the way. On the other hand, there are periodic "good deal sales" on new machines where the manufacturer will include a free loader, backhoe, or some other perk. In any case, check out the nearby dealers: How long have they been in business? Talk to other customers. Check out Better Business Bureau complaints.