My thoughts. I have owned several Gear and Several hydro tractors. I will never own another gear tractor. Hydro has many advantages. Especially in a compact tractor. As a field tractor pulling a plow,. um not so much. Gear is more efficient. And when you put several hundred hours pulling a plow or something on a larger field tractor, those hours add up to fuel savings with gear. Besided hydro adds nothing to that equation.
Now back to what we all use compact tractors for. Loader work, mowing, grapple work, working with forks, the hydro is superior in all of those task. Much more precise control. Much less operator fatigue. Slightly less fuel efficiency, slightly more heat generated (and compensated for by and extra radiator up front in larger models or a fan in small models). The hydro cannot be beaten by any other system for more directional changes per hour with less fatigue. The hydraulic shuttle comes close. But these system are more complicated than hydro, and usually in larger tractors, with some exceptions.
Hydro is much easier for a person to learn on, as totally unskilled personnel (think spouses and minors) can jump on the machine and starting doing useful work in seconds. AND doing that work in a MUCH safer manner than a gear/clutch tractor. No foot to accidently slip off of clutch and run someone working in front of the tractor over.
As for treadle pedal vs twin pedal. That is a matter of personal preference and acclimatization. I have owned two treadle pedals and one twin pedal which is my current Kioti. The twin pedal is easier for people to understand and be comfortable with right away. The treadle pedal is slightly faster as one poster noted when dipping your front wheels into a pond or ditch. BUT you must learn how to operate the treadle pedal effeciently. There are times (most) to NOT put your foot on the top of the pedal, and there are times to do so.
The twin pedal setup on the small Kubotas, that Steppenwolfe hates DO suck and suck bigtime. They are not spaced side by side, but more front to back. But I suppose you could get used to them. Apparently he could not. But he is know for being rigid and set in his ways.
Bottom line, you pays your money and you takes your choice. Also bottom line, the hydro's cost more to buy, and sell for more when used. NO ONE (practically) wants to buy your used gear tractor. Very few people do anyway. Women and men now that have never driven a gear anything don't want them and will avoid them like a snake. It might be useful to keep thieves from stealing them though
I understand that most thieves now will not steal standard transmission cars, because only a percentage of them know how to drive them.
So if gear makes you happy, by all means get that. I am just expressing my opinion (I have a lot of them
) Get the hydro and don't look back. You will be glad you did.
