I am thinking about upgrading my tractor. I mainly mow around 7 acres of pasture and yard I have a gear drive kubota (shuttle shift) and would like to know the pros and cons of the hydro for the jobs I do. With the gear I run low 4 with the hand throtle and just drive. Is it a pain to use the hydro pedals for large cutting areas. Thanks Randy
gear or hydro
- Thread starter vaskeet
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As stated above Hydro is an advantage when cutting in areas when you constantly have to slow down to mow around trees, building and the like yet the PTO speed would remain constant. Also very nice for loader work. I have a lot of trees so mowing with a gear tractor would be a pain. The negative is that you loose some power to the hydrostatic transmission. Hydro tractors do have a cruise control.
bp fick
Super Member
All things being equal, (that is both have the same PTO), the gear is quieter, puts more power directly to the ground and is cheaper to buy. Re-sale value is also lower.
The Hydro makes noise, takes a ton of fluid at changes, is more expensive to buy, but is WONDERFUL for close in work, such a loader, back and forth snow plowing, shuttling equipment in tight places, etc.
There is no one right answer, but in the smaller, sub 80 hp tractors, hydros are far more popular. Most people just don't row crop anymore with their tractor like Pa did with his FEL-less tractor in 1950. His was a substitute for the horse or mule. Today's estate tractor is used far differently.
It is your choice totally.
The Hydro makes noise, takes a ton of fluid at changes, is more expensive to buy, but is WONDERFUL for close in work, such a loader, back and forth snow plowing, shuttling equipment in tight places, etc.
There is no one right answer, but in the smaller, sub 80 hp tractors, hydros are far more popular. Most people just don't row crop anymore with their tractor like Pa did with his FEL-less tractor in 1950. His was a substitute for the horse or mule. Today's estate tractor is used far differently.
It is your choice totally.
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Airedale
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These answers are right on the money, I went from hydro to a shuttle shift recently. For tight close work especially with a loader the hydro is easier operate although with practice and becoming familiar with my new gear tractor I can get things done pretty well. The gear tractors do have some advantages over hydro as mentioned.
Al
Al
art
Super Member
Both systems are good, one does offer a little more flexibility to ground speed. A hydro will out do a gear drive on PTO work like a mower.
When you come to a rough spot, you don't have to adjust the RPM to sacrifice the cuting ability or to take the time to shift down.
Where the grass might be a little thicker or taller, you don't need to ride a clutch or to down shift.
Where the grass is lighter, you can just speed up.
The hydro allows you to change the speed to meet the ground conditions at any RPM.
When you come to a rough spot, you don't have to adjust the RPM to sacrifice the cuting ability or to take the time to shift down.
Where the grass might be a little thicker or taller, you don't need to ride a clutch or to down shift.
Where the grass is lighter, you can just speed up.
The hydro allows you to change the speed to meet the ground conditions at any RPM.
TripleR
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Very good information so far. I just spent several days operating a Hydraulic Shuttle Shift with a 10' rotary cutter and I am worn out. I mowed pond levies and brush with lots of direction changes, back and forth as well as transport between spots. I was constantly shifting gears, operating the FEL, Shuttle Shift, and foot clutch. I would love to have had HST on my M8540 for all of that, BUT other times the Hydraulic Shuttle Shift is just the ticket.
For your use, I honestly can't see any benefit to the Shuttle Shift and much prefer my HST tractors for that.
For your use, I honestly can't see any benefit to the Shuttle Shift and much prefer my HST tractors for that.
mostly_gas
Super Member
If all you do is just drive there is no real advantage to hydro. I have a gear drive and mow 3 acres. When I upgrade from an 8N to a Ford 1700 diesel 4WD and FEL I lost some ability to mow around obstacles. Acquired a 44 inch rider with a 30 inch turn radius. That mower trims faster and less effort than the large tractor even if it had hydro.
So from your description it really does not sound like a hydro trannie will help you :thumbsup:
300UGUY
Super Member
I had several gear tractors. At 55, I decided to go to a hydro. I am not getting any younger, this is probably the last tractor I will buy, and the hydro is a lot easier on my knee.
jinman
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Randy, it would help to know a few additional things like what you do besides "mainly mow." Are you buying a 2wd tractor with no loader? Do you ever plan to buy a rototiller? A boxblade? If you just mow and plow with a traditional disc or some other draft implement, then a gear tractor is by far the best choice. If you add a loader/4wd, rototiller, and maybe a boxblade, then you should consider hydro. As most have stated, jobs requiring lots of direction change and lots of variation in speed while maintaining full PTO power would be best served by a hydro.