Gear or Hydrostatic Transmissions for Compact Utility Tractors?

[k0ua]

Yep. Never could figure out why any brand would design an HST tractor that you can't use the brakes in conjunction with the HST pedals. Now there will be posters talking about how they NEVER use their brakes and can't figure out why anyone would want to. They obviously have not been on our hills......

Well I never use the brakes to stop the tractor, and my hydro will stop you real quick. And you don't even need them to hold you on a steep hill after the charge pump bleeds down when you let off of the pedal, as you can just give it a little reverse pedal to hold you dynamically on the hill. But I do use them for parking and for brake steering. And having them on the left is ideal for brake steering. This is when you want to hold your line when scrapping ice and snow off camber when your tractor front end wants to drift downhill, or a rear blade wants to "twist" the tractor in the opposite direction. Whenever the front wheels are ineffective to keep your track straight the brake steer will keep you on your line. It is similar to working the rudder pedals of an aircraft.

 

[jk96]

Yep. Never could figure out why any brand would design an HST tractor that you can't use the brakes in conjunction with the HST pedals. Now there will be posters talking about how they NEVER use their brakes and can't figure out why anyone would want to. They obviously have not been on our hills......

Only posting for added discussion and am by no means trying to advocate one over the other but thought I would throw in a video of my Case with CVT on a fairly steep slope. I've been on steeper with the same result. The CVT transmission does not move an inch when off the pedal. I added a bucket full of gravel for added weight. When stopped I am not on the brake or pedal and no parking brake. I was surprised. With my hydro I would have to apply pressure in reverse or use the brakes.

 

[jk96]

Well I never use the brakes to stop the tractor, and my hydro will stop you real quick. And you don't even need them to hold you on a steep hill after the charge pump bleeds down when you let off of the pedal, as you can just give it a little reverse pedal to hold you dynamically on the hill. But I do use them for parking and for brake steering. And having them on the left is ideal for brake steering. This is when you want to hold your line when scrapping ice and snow off camber when your tractor front end wants to drift downhill, or a rear blade wants to "twist" the tractor in the opposite direction. Whenever the front wheels are ineffective to keep your track straight the brake steer will keep you on your line. It is similar to working the rudder pedals of an aircraft.

Will agree here. Before the cvt last three tractors were hydro. I can't recall ever finding a need for brakes other than steering regardless of slope.

 

[MossRoad]

When I had my IH2500b, a 50PTO HP HST industrial tractor loader, I frequently used the brakes to hold me on a hill. The forward and reverse pedals were on the left, the two brakes were on the right.

 

[MossRoad]

Again, I'll say the argument about power loss to the PTO on an HST is a red herring. If the machine is rated for XX HP at the PTO, that's what you'll get. You won't lose anything.

 

[oldpilgrim]

Again, I'll say the argument about power loss to the PTO on an HST is a red herring. If the machine is rated for XX HP at the PTO, that's what you'll get. You won't lose anything.

Yup and the argument that gear is better for Plowing is only subjective. Constant PTO speed with effortless, infinite ground speed control is definitely better in my mind.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Have you owned or driven a hydro??

yup...

SR

 

[ovrszd]

I will never say one is better than the other. I only say in certain circumstances one is better than the other. If not we wouldn't have a choice. If you have never experienced each of these circumstances that doesn't mean they don't exist.

I know it's difficult to imagine, but none of us have experienced every tractor situation.

 

[k0ua]

Again, I'll say the argument about power loss to the PTO on an HST is a red herring. If the machine is rated for XX HP at the PTO, that's what you'll get. You won't lose anything.

What you say is of course true, but I think what many are referring to is in the same tractor, one with gear and the other hydro, the PTO horsepower will be a bit lower from the same engine on the Hydro machine. You point of selecting a tractor with the PTO horsepower you want and need is a valid point.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

You cannot do this with a gear tractor. If you encounter a tough patch or rough ride if you back off of the throttle, the available torque at the PTO drops just when you need it most.. No, you have to stop and put the tractor in a lower gear ratio so that your available torque will keep the PTO spinning and the ground speed will be slowed down. This is one of the advantages of the Hydro tractor.

Why do you have to stop to change gears?? I don't have to stop with mine, I just push the clutch in and change gears, but having to change gears is rare as my tractors have enough torque to pull right through tough spots...

Perhaps I've done a better job of sizing my tools to my tractor??

SR