2 speed tranny vs 3 speed. Is it really a big deal?

[Rock Crawler]

Member have posted saying their BX has no power on a hill... then find out they were in high range or had the 3pt engaged...

I have to be on flat to use the high range... 98% I am in Low.

Even the Deere 110 is seldom in High with 3 ranges due to the SF Steep terrain when roading it...

I use high gear moving around the driveway, that's about it. It really would be great if there was a mid range gear that split the 2.

 

[KennyG]

Having never driven a Kubota 2 range all I can say is they must be very different from a JD 2 range based on the statements here. As I have noted I usually operate my 2320 in high range. Snowblowing I usually use low range but today I made a couple of passes on the driveway and then noticed I was running in high range (just forgot to shift it). Only reason I noticed was the wheels didn't spin as quickly when I backed into a snow bank. Mine has a wide band in each range.

Bottom line is that I think there is more to the comparisons than just 2 range/3 range.

 

[paulfun9]

Having never driven a Kubota 2 range all I can say is they must be very different from a JD 2 range based on the statements here. As I have noted I usually operate my 2320 in high range. Snowblowing I usually use low range but today I made a couple of passes on the driveway and then noticed I was running in high range (just forgot to shift it). Only reason I noticed was the wheels didn't spin as quickly when I backed into a snow bank. Mine has a wide band in each range.

Bottom line is that I think there is more to the comparisons than just 2 range/3 range.

You are right in saying there is more to it than just 2 or 3 range but sadly in most cases the 2 range is too much of a compromise.
My JD would probably be fine if I had no other tractor experience and only ever operated it.

 

[check]

thanks for all of your help everyone. Sounds like the majority say 3 speed. Now I've narrowed it down to Kubota L3901 and Kioti CK4010. I fear the B2650 just won't have enough to pull a large cutter up my hill. You all are super knowledgeable and I hope to return the favor once I make a decision.

In my view, the biggest issue with the B2650 is the fact that the PTO horsepower is still less than 20 hp.

 

[dodge man]

With my BX I agree it doesn't take much of a hill before it sounds like its straining. Usually if I'm doing any kind of work, its in low, but that's also really slow, so if you get on flat ground, I just shift. It works, like someone else said, your just shifting more than if you had 3 speeds. Top speed is also really bad with a BX but that's more to do with the size of the tires. It would probably run 50mph if it was geared for it but you would die if you hit a small bump.

 

[Jimmy Joe]

My DX 40 has a two speed hydro with hi and low in each range two speed works off the joystick or a fender switch I use it all the time I don't think I would be happy with a two speed in my tractor.