Gear or Hydrostatic Transmissions for Compact Utility Tractors?

[RaydaKub]

Just another angle on how it fits your needs:
-- Do you want to have to actively do something to make it move?
example: hold the pedal all day to plow a field?
Answer: probably not, choose gear
-- Do you want to have to actively do something to make it stop?
example: push the pedal to stop when the bucket is full
Answer: might not, hst may be a better solution for you (granted, shuttles may qualify here also)

 

[4570Man]

My HST offers a solution to both problems. Most HSTs have cruise control.

 

[oldpilgrim]

As I said before, as a 25 year user of a gear tractor, and having an HST for 2.5 years now, I see nothing that an HST does worse than a gear tractor. It does everything as well and in most cases better, safer and more efficiently.

I really think there are 2 main reasons that gear users say a gear is better.

1) they have a gear and need to say it's better to justify their expense. That's a reason many people rave about many things they purchase.

2) Testosterone. You can't be a real man unless you shift gears in your tractor, truck or car. Shifting gives you a feeling of power and control.

Please don't take this as an insult to anyone here. It's not meant to be, but there is a definite psychological influence on most purchases that people make.

If you're happy with your 'system' then that's good and it's all that matters. I'm just trying to explain my point of view.

 

[SteveM70]

It sounds to me like you need two tractors.

Yeah, that would be nice or three as mentioned and I'll go ahead and add in a dozer.

Maybe someday

 

[noller9]

As I said before, as a 25 year user of a gear tractor, and having an HST for 2.5 years now, I see nothing that an HST does worse than a gear tractor. It does everything as well and in most cases better, safer and more efficiently.

I really think there are 2 main reasons that gear users say a gear is better.

1) they have a gear and need to say it's better to justify their expense. That's a reason many people rave about many things they purchase.

2) Testosterone. You can't be a real man unless you shift gears in your tractor, truck or car. Shifting gives you a feeling of power and control.

Please don't take this as an insult to anyone here. It's not meant to be, but there is a definite psychological influence on most purchases that people make.

If you're happy with your 'system' then that's good and it's all that matters. I'm just trying to explain my point of view.

or maybe it was just cheaper to buy

 

[k0ua]

or maybe it was just cheaper to buy

They usually are, and that is one of the advantages of a Gear transmission over a Hydrostatic. And if treated well, by a user with experience, even a gear transmission weakest link the clutch will last a long long time. If treated badly, the clutch will NOT last a long time and can be costly to replace if hired done. In my OPINION, a hydrostatic system is harder to break by un inexperienced person than a gear/clutch system. But it can be abused too, in the form of not doing proper periodic maintenance.

But lower initial cost and slightly lower maintenance costs (no hydro filter) is a plus for the gear machines, as long as you don't tear up the clutch. But if you do wreck the clutch, then you savings will be nil.

 

[noller9]

They usually are, and that is one of the advantages of a Gear transmission over a Hydrostatic. And if treated well, by a user with experience, even a gear transmission weakest link the clutch will last a long long time. If treated badly, the clutch will NOT last a long time and can be costly to replace if hired done. In my OPINION, a hydrostatic system is harder to break by un inexperienced person than a gear/clutch system. But it can be abused too, in the form of not doing proper periodic maintenance.

But lower initial cost and slightly lower maintenance costs (no hydro filter) is a plus for the gear machines, as long as you don't tear up the clutch. But if you do wreck the clutch, then you savings will be nil.

AAAHHHHHH yes wizoned words of wonder. My neighbor beats the daylights out of his hydro NH 45 and I see no strain on his drive

 

[ovrszd]

This thread has gone WAYYYYYYYYY past it's expiration post count.

We have been past this point at least half a dozen times.

James, being a supporter of HST, has stated many, many times that "to each his own".

James or I can destroy a gear drive system or an HST system in short order if we want.

My final stance is that each tractor owner should have one of each. Then the failure pace will truly display the operator efficiency.

 

[4570Man]

How would you destroy a HST short of running it out of oil?

 

[ovrszd]

How would you destroy a HST short of running it out of oil?

Overheating.