Comparison Tractor sizing and comparison and choices...Help me identify potential candidates!

MechanicalGuy · Jul 4, 2019

So it's come to my attention that as good as hydrostatic transmissions may be, they may not be suited to ground engagement work. Now I feel like I need to be coached along in this respect. I was really wanting the convenience for grapple work.

jeff9366 · Jul 4, 2019

90% of new compact tractors are sold with HST transmissions.

HST transmissions are somewhat more expensive than gear alternates. HST does consume slightly more fuel in field use.

However HST is the transmission of choice for most new tractor buyers.

Easier to use. More reliable when tractor is driven by farm employees, relative to clutch & gear.

Carl_NH · Jul 4, 2019

To frame it differently, if your main use is plowing (turning over soil) and harvesting crops where a constant speed AND or torque and PTO RPM is maintained, then a geared tractor is applicable as they put the most HP to the task where minimal input is needed by the operator other than at the end of the row or for guidance.

As Jeff states, most compact tractors are HST today for "usability" without getting into a gear vs HST debate, the majority of today's tractor users in the sub 50 HP bracket are not farming.

That said, the big tractors 100-300HP for farming ar some form of gear/direct drive now with GPS and auto steering and navigation control.

ericm979 · Jul 4, 2019

HST will do ground engaging work just fine. But it gives up about 15% of power to the wheels (except Yanmar's new HST). That'd make a difference to someone doing a lot of ground engaging work like plowing fields. You can compensate for it by getting a tractor with a bit more power but it'll use more fuel as Jeff points out. Of course many times your ground engaging power depends on traction, not engine power. It depends on the soil type and tires. With my 37 hp Branson, which is a heavy tractor for it's power class, and filled rear tires, I often spin the tires when pulling a loaded box blade or driving into a pile.

On hills when running a mower, HST makes it easy to get exactly the ground speed you want while keeping the engine at the right speed for the PTO. With gears there's only certain ground speeds you can travel at that RPM. You also don't lose drive when you change ratios on a HST while you do with most gear transmissions. If you want to change gears on a hill you might need to stop and hold the tractor in place with the brakes.

There are a lot of types of gear transmissions. Some require you to stop to shift gears. Some forward and reverse "shuttle" transmissions require clutching, others don't. There are some that don't require clutching to shift and don't lose drive too much between gears (i.e. Kubota GST). The non clutching transmissions/shuttles have automatic clutches which add complexity while also adding useablity. There's a Messicks' video about the GST. It sounds interesting but they're rarely sold.

For the uses you posted in your initial post, HST would be the way to go. You can do all those things with even the most primitive gear transmission but it will require more thought and planning to operate. Since you're a newbie to tractors the HST is even more of an advantage. There's a lot of new things to pay attention to, some safety critical. The HST removes many of the transmission ones.

MechanicalGuy · Jul 6, 2019

Thanks for all the info and replies. I have tested a Branson 4720, a few different Kubotas, a Kioti, and I've looked over LS, Yanmar, John Deere, Mahindra, and several others, and now I think I've made up my mind.

I am drawn repeatedly to the mx5200 with ag tires and hst. I will get the third function and probably dual rear remotes. I will have it delivered with the sgc1572 clamshell grapple, and the rcr1872 rotary cutter with a slip clutch and probably a box blade 72" wide.

I hope my wife doesn't piss and moan about it too much, because this is my happy time and I don't need her dragging me down with reasons why we only needed a bx25ish something rather.

BRMyers · Jul 6, 2019

Congrates on your new purchase! You have a done a lot of homework and found what will work for you. Enjoy and be safe!

MechanicalGuy · Jul 6, 2019

BRMyers said:
Congrates on your new purchase! You have a done a lot of homework and found what will work for you. Enjoy and be safe!

Thanks. Just met a guy on the 4th that recently lost 2 1/2 fingers from a log coming down on his hand on the steering wheel when he had a log in the loader and he was pulling a post from the ground. It popped up and fell back. I also never want to be part of the rolled tractor club. That sounds frightening.

ericm979 · Jul 6, 2019

When I was a teenager I met a man in his 30s who was paraplegic due to a tractor rollover. I still think about that guy.

jeff9366 · Jul 6, 2019

MechanicalGuy said:
Thanks for all the replies.

I am drawn repeatedly to the mx5200 with ag tires and hst.

R1/ag wheels are two piece, so the dealer can set the hub to make the tire stance wider without spacers.

Kubota compact tractors are shipped without wheels attached. If you tell your dealer to set rear wheels as wide as possible there should be no surcharge for doing so at time of dealer tractor assembly and prep. YOU DEFINITELY WANT THE WHEELS SPACED WIDE BEFORE REAR TIRES ARE 75% FILLED WITH LIQUID.

Good choice. Have fun.