4120 Power Reverser vs. Ehydro

[12VOLTMAN]

I spent most of Saturday morning driving and comparing Deere 4x20 series and Kubota Grand L series. Both are great machines, but in the end, I would have to give the Deere the nod because the cockpit had a much better "feel" to it. Everything just fell into place when I got in position.

Now here's what really shocked me. I went out thinking of only hydro drive and after driving the power reverser I loved it! I was not crazy about having the engine rpm's up all the time to get the proper performance out of the hydro drive (the powertech is not exactly quiet). I also liked the fact that the gear trans. did not seem to rely on as much electronics as hydro. There's not as many buttons to push which, in my mind, is a good thing. My concern is that I might regret not having hydro some where down the line so I'm asking your input.

My property is 38 acres, mostly flat, half wooded and half brush. Here are some of my uses:
-Maintenance and snow removal of 1000' gravel driveway
-Creating and maintaining of drainage swales
-Mowing
-Clearing of small trees and heavy brush
-Establishing food plots
-General F.E.L. work associated with these tasks

The salesman seamed to indicate I had to decrease engine rpm to shift. Is that true? Say I was mowing in a tight spot and then came to a straightaway or wanted to back up. If I had to decrease PTO speed to shift, I don't see much advantage over collar shift. Also, what's your opinion on the 400x vs. the 400cx. I don't see how self leveling is an advantage in any of my applications.

Please comment, I'm getting close to buying
Thanks

 

[rhomium]

Well I have a 4520 w/ Power Reverser and the 400cx loader. I love the transmission. Coming from all the older farm tractors we have that are gear trannys, the power reverser is nice. Especially for loader work. I like being able to shift the 1-4 ranges while still moving. Myself I specifically went with the Pow. Rev. because of spraying. I had test drove a NH w/ a hydro a couple years ago and it was too hard to maintain a contstant speed. With the hills around here, it always wanted to coast on the downhill. Granted I didn't try a JD hydro last year when I bought the 4520, but I already had scratched hydro off my list.

As for the 400cx loader, I chose it because of the increased lift capacity over the 400x. I really didn't care about self-leveling, just more capacity. Now that I have ran it, the self-leveling has come in handy once in awhile. I have thought about taking the self-leveling arms off and changing the front attaching brackets to the 400x style so I can get more bucket roll back, but so far it hasn't been that big of a deal.

JP

 

[jeffinsgf]

I have had a 4410 with ePowerReverser for about 3 years now. Your salesman is blowing smoke. You can throw between forward and reverse at full speed -- if you can stay in the saddle. Even in long roll-out, it is a pretty abrupt change of direction. I set the hand throttle a little above a high idle, then use the foot throttle to control travel speed. When I change direction, I drop off the foot throttle and throw the F/R lever at about the same time. Foot back on the throttle and away you go!

I test drove an eHydro when I bought mine. I didn't give it a good workout, and there have been times over the years when I have questioned my choice, but they have been very few and very far between. When I use a sprayer, mower or the like, having complete control of ground speed makes my choice look pretty darn good.

 

[radman1]

IMHO, the e-hydro is a much better transmission for FEL and mowing. I have used the power reverser equivalent on my prior kubota 3710 and the hydro just wins in nearly all situations. Hydro is superior for finese work any thing requiring back and forth movement. Power reverser can tear up the turf a little in higher speeds when changing directions too quickly. The e-hydro can move just as quick in direction changes or can be utilized gently. The rpms only need to be kept up for the more strenuous work on the e-hydro. If you need consistent speed, then add the cruise control and it will mantain the exact speed. If doing tillage work or heavy pulling then I would give the advantage to the power reverser because of increased efficiency of the gear transmission over hydrostat.
With e hydro and FEL work, one hand stays with the steering wheel and the other on the joystick. No hand switching with e-hydro to move the power reverser. The twin pedal e-hydro is hands down the best system for hydrostatic transmission. I have use the rocker type and twin pedal is the best.
Hydrostat will also have better resale and more desireable by most people.

 

[radman1]

Self leveling loaders work really nice if you use pallet forks. The load stays level as raise/lower the forks. I also have a small man lift and it would be nice to have self leveling for that use. Self leveling is also useful for lifting loads of dirt or rock up high and not having it spill over the back of the bucket.

Conversely with heaped loads in the bucket, it is nice to have the ability to allow the bucket to tip back more with higher lifts to help retain the material in the bucket. Self leveling can't do that. It is really a matter of $ vs choice with self leveling. If cost wasn't an issue, I would choose self leveling for most instances. Most self leveling loaders will also have slightly higher lift capacities. I can't understand why self leveling always cost much more when the design change and steel involved is relatively minimal.

 

[AKfish]

I'd have to throw my vote for the eHydro and the CX loader, too.

After using the neighbor's 4320 eHydro to mow and tedd and rake with I determined that the eHydro tranny with auto cruise and motion match was a clear winner over my gear tractor --- hand's down! When the hay got thick or the hills a bit steeper; the cruise would kick in some throttle and that turbo would whine and the digital speedo wouldn't loose a click!

And as radman indicated, for finesse work around buildings and fences, etc. with a loader or mower --- the eHydro is sooo much easier to get the job done with.

If you were planning on using a disk harrow or a big rototiller for some heavy tillage jobs, then I'd say the Power-reverser has the edge.

The extra lift capacity of the CX is worth the added $450 in my book, too. I don't think you'll be sayin' to yourself -- "gee, I wish this loader would haul less...."

The self-leveling is an advantage as well. The hood on my old tractor looked like I'd been dinging it with a ball-peen hammer from the rocks and snow that spilled over the top of the bucket.

I added a 6" high x 1/4" thick steel plate across the back of the bucket to stop the avalance!

My $0.02 sense. Best of luck with your decision.

AKfish

 

[Wobblin-Goblin]

Can't comment on the green tractors, but my TYM has twin hydro pedals and they make loader work (and everything else for that matter) lightning fast, buttery smooth, and incredibly precise.

My Massey has the equivalent of the JD PowerReverser and it is very smooth but not precise unless you are using the clutch...which negates the whole point of the clutchless reverser. I got this transmission because I figured it would be more durable for farm use other than loader work, such as pulling hay implements (I've heard that hydro transmissions don't stand up to that type of use).

One of these days I'd like to be in a position to buy a 4320 with a CX400 loader and e-Hydro, however.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

We have a 5420 with PowerReverser and a 4310 with ehydro.

I won't poo-poo either as each has its place but I'd have to give the ehydro the edge in convenience. If you are doing something that you need to get on and off the tractor a bunch, the hst is much simpler to use. Also, when mowing thick stuff and you are at your HP limit, the loadmatch will automatically slow down the tractor to keep your RPM up (even with cruise on), no shifting required.

I'd say the biggest difference is the ability for someone other than yourself to get on the tractor and feel comfortable with the twin pedals in about 2 minutes.

If your just trying to save a buck, don't let the $ stop you from getting an ehydro if you want one. You can't change it later if you regret it unless you trade it in.

BTW, I would love to have a 4720 ehydro cab tractor.

 

[tuolumne]

I have 3520 with power reverser. I love this transmission...you'll never regret it. Having a good old fashioned foot throttle and brake/clutch in the right places is a big plus.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

I'll have to admit that 2 months ago when I started seriously looking at buying I was a "Gear Drive" only kinda guy....I'm a tractor guy..been driving big & small ones for a while now...My mentality was the Hydro was best on grass cutters...drove the PRT and the eHydro along with many others...seriously my favorite during the "trials" was the Kubota GST...prolly helped that I've spent 10 years on a GST Equipped L2900, LOL...ended up getting a 3520 Cab...so I had no choice on tranny...boiled down to I'd rather press the noise pedals then freeze my you know what off. I've had it for almost a week now, and while its not been long, I'm LOVING the eHydro...I dont think theres a sweeter setup on a utility type machine...fast, productive & powerful. I'd reccomend it to anyone at this time.