Engine wear hydro vs gear

[NewToy]

Just got to thinking while dragging some logs out from the back acerage. I am curious how the engine wear characteristics differ in two identical tractors, one with a hydro and the other a gear unit? My unit being a gear model I use the foot throttle most often varying my speed while skidding logs, raking drive, and most other tasks where the PTO is not required. Using tiller or mowing I use the hand throttle and maintain a constant RPM. I assume with a hydro your engine is running at a constant RPM and your manipulating your speed with the hydro pedal. Just wondering how the two different tranny's affect engine longevity? I know, way too much time on my hands to be thinking such thoughts.

John

 

[CRAFTBENDER]

It seems to me that the hyro transmission is easier on the engine because there is no solid mechanical connection. I believe the hydro acts as a buffer to sudden shocks that come through a solid connection.

 

[Z-Michigan]

I think craftbender would be right on the HST providing much less shock load to the engine. But I also think most tractors with HST and a diesel engine (=nearly all are CUTs below 50hp and not used for heavy tillage) will see many other parts wear out before the engine wear is a big issue.

 

[art]

Just a few years back I'd tell anyone buying a lawn mower that I'd see them sooner with a gear drive then with a hydro. Not for the engine but a clutch. I've not seen any thing on these tractors that seems to make a difference on the engine as to life. Low grade oil and filters, lack of normal maintence will bring a premature engine failure of either top or bottom end.

 

[john_bud]

If you are fiend for keeping the AIR filter clean, a diesel will last and last and last and last. Air filters are much more important than oil filters.

As to the original Q, I can't say as I have ever seen much difference. Nor looked for that matter. It's probably about the same order of magnitude as the engine wear difference on indentical tractors, one with turf tires and one with Ag tires.

jb

 

[dirtworksequip]

If you are basing engine wear on the engine maintaning a constant rpm under pto load, then I have to say the gear tractor will be the winner. On second thought the gear tractor will maintain a more constant rpm under most conditions.

I also think that its something you shouldn't even be concerned about.

Sincerely, Dirt

 

[bx23barry]

My guess would be a hydo requires more hp than a gear unit through parasitic loss. So the engine will 努ork harder with a hydro unit to complete the same task. A gear unit will not be able operate in the engineç—´ 都weet spot all the time because of limited gear selection and the need to vary speed for conditions. I would think engine wear differences would be of little concern either way. Most equipment is worn out before a well maintained diesel engine goes completely south. Now fuel use may be better with a gear unit but I wouldn稚 trade the ç*¥tility of a hydro in a small utility tractor for the difference, unless it was only used for constant speed/power tasks.

 

[shane]

My guess would be a hydo requires more hp than a gear unit through parasitic loss. So the engine will 努ork harder with a hydro unit to complete the same task. A gear unit will not be able operate in the engine痴 都weet spot all the time because of limited gear selection and the need to vary speed for conditions. I would think engine wear differences would be of little concern either way. Most equipment is worn out before a well maintained diesel engine goes completely south. Now fuel use may be better with a gear unit but I wouldn稚 trade the *tility of a hydro in a small utility tractor for the difference, unless it was only used for constant speed/power tasks.

Barry, did you have the hick-ups while you were typing?

 

[Rara Avis]

Barry, did you have the hick-ups while you were typing?

No this is copied material from another site...quotes and possessives don't translate well...

 

[john_bud]

Really? what other site?

jb

 

[DmansPadge]

Really? what other site?

jb

I don't know if thats what it is or not... but I have noticed a few posts that turn out like that and I was wondering what caused it.

 

[wolc123]

This is a facsinating subject. While we are at it, what about tires? R1's may wear an engine out faster than R4's because they put more power to the ground, no? What about ballast? Certainly loading the tires can not be good for the engine.

 

[dirtworksequip]

wolc123, saying that the R1's would wear an engine faster than R4's???? Sorry.....................but thats way out there. You have way too much time on your hands. That would be like saying a 250 lb. operator would cause the transmission to wear more than a 150 lb. operator.

bx23barry got it right about the hydro's parasitic losses.

Sincerely, Dirt

 

[wolc123]

You are right it is out there, just about as far as the hydro/gear question.

 

[DreaminGreen]

I refuse to worry about parasitic losses,my R4's having less traction, a gear tractor being able to out pull me, how much I weigh affecting my traction, if my tires are filled or not. I need THERAPY I'm going to go spend some quality time with my tractor and not worry about it's inadaquacies.

 

[mjarrels]

I believe a head wind or tail wind may also effect engine wear!

mark

 

[johnk]

As long as the assemblers at the plant used the right materials and torque on all the bolts all brands will last a veeeery long time. You'll probably get bored with yours and trade up before you encounter any real problems... Now, back to that Hydro Vs gear...............Oh Boy.....

 

[bx23barry]

Barry, did you have the hick-ups while you were typing?

No I wrote it in word and pasted it here. I thought I went back and edited it; buuutttt??????????????

 

[NewToy]

This is a facsinating subject. While we are at it, what about tires? R1's may wear an engine out faster than R4's because they put more power to the ground, no? What about ballast? Certainly loading the tires can not be good for the engine.

I guess what I was getting at was if an experienced mechanic that had these two different engines on the bench, could he identify which tractor they came from by observing the engine wear characteristics? That's all, if you don't know or don't care, that's fine with me too. Wasn't concerned about the tires or the ballast but I'll ponder it while working in the woods. As soon as I reach a conclusion I'll let you know. Thanks for your valuable input.

John

 

[MikePA]

I don't know if thats what it is or not... but I have noticed a few posts that turn out like that and I was wondering what caused it.

This is a known problem when text is composed in a word processor like Word then pasted into a post. Anything I compose is done as a text file in Notepad.

A mechanic could determine if there was a gear or a hydro behind an engine with the same accuracy as looking at a car engine and determining, by engine wear, if the vehicle had a manual or automatic transmission.