Hydro vs SS for 45 HP Compact Tractor

[rd_macgregor]

Hydro was not available when I bought my Kioti DK45S in 2006, or I would have got it. Although I do some old-field and trail mowing, most of my work is FEL stop/go/reverse sequences.
The 12X12 (in 3 ranges) shuttle is most irritating to me when blowing snow: I don't have enough hands and feet to operate all the levers at once (up/down on blower, chute rotation and deflection, forward/reverse, gear & range selection, steering); sometimes all that clutching gets to me. HST would cut out all the clutching and most of the gear selection (and make range selection smoother).

 

[jeff9366]

A five second search will give you 50+ pages of every opinion you could ever want on the subject....heck, one thread is 44 pages long.

You'll find that the same people will make the same statements (arguments) in this thread as they have done for every similar thread for years....really nothing new to be said about it.

"ON" as usual, GMAN.

 

[k0ua]

I would be using it to scrape gravel driveways, haul much around the yard, plug and seed yard. Might occasionally use loader/box scrape to fix go-kart track. Prob have 2 - 2 1/2 acres of grass.

Yep, you need a Hydrostat. No question.

 

[k0ua]

I coined a phrase a long time ago, and I still contend that it is still valid. "If you have to ask, you need a hydrostat". It is that simple. The reasoning behind it is that if you are into using your tractor as a utility tractor, in that you will be using your tractor for row crop tasks, you probably don't need a hydrostat as it is not the most efficient transmission for the task. BUT you will have experience before you start to take on these type of tasks and will KNOW what kind of transmission you need without asking. IF you are asking it usually means you are new to tractors, and have a small acreage and need to do repetitive tasks like loader work or mowing around things, and there is ONLY ONE CHOICE for a person such as you and that is a hydro. SO "if you have to ask, you need a hydro". Thats my story, and I am sticking to it. :laughing:

 

[ovrszd]

I have a stupid question. If you never have to use the clutch for shifting on GST/FST tractors then why do they have clutches? I don't get it.

For inching up to something. Like hitching an attachment to the 3pt. Or gently crowding the FEL bucket against something. With a Shuttle shift, when it's engaged it's going to move or kill the engine. Just like an old standard shift machine.

 

[Deere Dude]

I coined a phrase a long time ago, and I still contend that it is still valid. "If you have to ask, you need a hydrostat". It is that simple. The reasoning behind it is that if you are into using your tractor as a utility tractor, in that you will be using your tractor for row crop tasks, you probably don't need a hydrostat as it is not the most efficient transmission for the task. BUT you will have experience before you start to take on these type of tasks and will KNOW what kind of transmission you need without asking. IF you are asking it usually means you are new to tractors, and have a small acreage and need to do repetitive tasks like loader work or mowing around things, and there is ONLY ONE CHOICE for a person such as you and that is a hydro. SO "if you have to ask, you need a hydro". Thats my story, and I am sticking to it. :laughing:

X2

I have seen someone almost flip over their older tractor, I think it was an 8N Ford with standard shift. It seems the load was to heavy or hooked wrong and the front came up quickly, he shoved the clutch in, the front dropped and bounced, his foot came off the clutch again and the front jumped up in the air. He repeated this 3 or 4 times before he got it under control. Maybe the new stick shifts aren't prone to do that, I don't know.

One other thing to think about is if you ever sell the tractor, what do most people want to buy. More than likely hydro's. Go with the hydro.

 

[paulfun9]

Have 60 inch dedicated mower. Basically for the track would just be initially leveling some ground where a track used to be and then after would just be keep track smooth. Track would probably fit and 75 x 75 section if that much. Forgot that I might also use it to plow, till, lay off rows for small garden - small as in 60 x 60 space.

Nothing you describe gives me the impression that you would see any benefit from a shuttle unless you are simply put a very experienced operator who already has a preference to the gear. Unless I am missing something!

 

[crazyal]

Here's the basic answer. With shuttle shift you rev the engine up to move the tractor. With hydro you don't. So any job that you will be doing where you want the engine to be rev'd up while adjusting the speed you are moving at hydro would be the choice. That includes your PTO (brush hogging, etc) or the tractor hydraulics (like the loader).

Industrial tires are a compromise that fit most people's needs. They aren't too hard on grass like ag tires but offer better traction than turf tires. Normally they resist punctures better than the other types and they wear slower if used on payment due to their larger lugs. They are the safe bet option. But if you are going to be in muddy areas or somewhere else where the best possible traction is needed then I would go with the ag tires. If you are going to spend most your time on your lawn then turf tires would be the way to go.

 

[Rmart30]

So you think the hydro would hold up just as well?

I have owned both and say the hydro would hold up just as well. What you are describing using it for isnt very hard on a HST.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

I have two tractors with gear drive shuttle shift, and one with hst. I HATE THE HST. Only have 30 hours on the B2320, but am seriously considering getting rid of it, I dislike it that much.