Gear or Hydrostatic Transmissions for Compact Utility Tractors?

[MossRoad]

I didn't say I supported him. I said SR cherry picked his quote, called him dumb, and left out the part where he said "If you're happy with your 'system' then that's good and it's all that matters."

And, after all, that's what counts... that you're satisfied with your system and how it works for you.

 

[oldpilgrim]

The gear vs HST versions of my tractor had a $1000 difference for the HST. Well worth the difference. I didn't plan on buying the cheapest tractor available. For 25 yrs, I clutched and double clutched all i wanted. I wanted a machine that was easy to operate and dependable. I got that.

I don't think I could have stepped up to a very much larger machine for $1000.

 

[gladehound]

I didn't say I supported him. I said SR cherry picked his quote, called him dumb, and left out the part where he said "If you're happy with your 'system' then that's good and it's all that matters."

And, after all, that's what counts... that you're satisfied with your system and how it works for you.

My apologies Moss. I miss interpreted your post. Best regards!

 

[gladehound]

The gear vs HST versions of my tractor had a $1000 difference for the HST. Well worth the difference. I didn't plan on buying the cheapest tractor available. For 25 yrs, I clutched and double clutched all i wanted. I wanted a machine that was easy to operate and dependable. I got that.

I don't think I could have stepped up to a very much larger machine for $1000.

Given the specifics of the situation you describe I may have made the same decision. I completely agree, $1,000 doesn't go very far when you're buying tractors.

My experience was very different.

- I could have gone down 10 hp on the next size smaller frame, with a much smaller loader for similar money (<$1,000 less). - not really big enough to do what I wanted
- I could have gone down 5 hp on a similar frame for $4,000 more with HST. (felt like a dog with 5 less hp and HST for 20% more money)
- I could have gone up 5hp to a different model with similar frame and HST for $8,000 more (40% more money - just too much price difference).

I think the main difference in our price experience is that you compared within a make / model where as I compared across makes / models. There are models that don't offer HST as an option and these models tend to give you more tractor for the money than models that have an HST option.

 

[MossRoad]

... There are models that don't offer HST as an option and these models tend to give you more tractor for the money than models that have an HST option.

I agree. When I was looking at tractors, there were the 25-30ish HP compacts with HST. I could have gotten a MUCH larger geared tractor for about the same price and that was kind of eye opening. However, for the tasks I needed to do, I didn't need that much larger tractor. In fact, it would have been detrimental to the tasks I needed to do, as they were too big to fit in the places I needed to go, and not nearly as maneuverable.

 

[oldpilgrim]

I shopped Mahindra and Kioti for equivalent machines. Pricing was very close, but the Mahindra out weighed and out lifted the kioti...... And I liked the Mahindra dealer better.

I'm very happy with my choice, but would not have been disappointed with the Kioti.... Also a nice machine. The next size up was just too big and a lot more $.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I didn't say I supported him. I said SR cherry picked his quote, called him dumb, and left out the part where he said "If you're happy with your 'system' then that's good and it's all that matters."

And, after all, that's what counts... that you're satisfied with your system and how it works for you.

You need to do a better job of reading, I didn't call him dumb, I said 1. and 2. were dumb.... I stand by it!

 

[gladehound]

I shopped Mahindra and Kioti for equivalent machines. Pricing was very close, but the Mahindra out weighed and out lifted the kioti...... And I liked the Mahindra dealer better.

I'm very happy with my choice, but would not have been disappointed with the Kioti.... Also a nice machine. The next size up was just too big and a lot more $.

I like Mahindra a lot. I really wanted a 5035 power reverser but couldn't find the right deal. I bought the Kioti DS4510HS (hydraulic reverser) because it was the right deal.

If the next size up Kioti was a lot more money you were likely looking at HST or a model that has HST available. To illustrate my point about the difference in price between gear and HST and being able to move up a size in gear compared to HST... I was under 20K for tractor/loader/rear remote and I'd bet you weren't much less than that.

There are tradeoffs both ways and we each made the choice that is best for us. I'm simply pointing out the oft overlooked and oft disbelieved difference in size and capability at a given price with HST vs gear.

 

[oldpilgrim]

I only looked at HST.

My Mahindra 3016 HST was 24k with fel and bh.

 

[coobie]

They aren't way off base at all. Sounds like he touched a nerve... there's a whole bunch of good reading out there by a couple fellas named Erikson and Freud that might explain it better than he can.

++1 for you Moss...