gear vs. hydro for pulling tiller

[DUMBDOG]

Last year I rototilled 40 acres with a hydro, it worked fine as being able to adjust the speed to the conditions, tractor was a little small for the tiller and heavy soil, so was able to go real slow. This coming year, larger tractor, plow and gear drive.

 

[thcri]

I agree somewhat with the others as far as PTO use hydro, drawbar use gear. Today's hydro's handle a lot more abuse than many years ago. The hydro versus gear debate will go on for many years. I remember pickups many years ago, "oh the automatic will never last". They last and last just fine. My real opinion is if you like Hydro then, Get it, if you like gears, Get it. I would not let what you are going to do change your decision. My left leg was busted up in a car accident 25 years ago and I hate lifting my left leg for a clutch. You won't see me ever get a standard transmission. If your drooling over the TC35 I would take and keep that smile on your face!!


murph

 

[KiotiJohn]

I think the important thing that has been mentioned here is that if you go gear, make sure there's a creeper gear so you don't have to slip the clutch a lot trying to keep the tiller right. With a creeper, you can keep your foot off the clutch as it should be, and without it, the lowest speed may be too fast for the tiller so you'll be hitting that clutch and riding it too much.
I vote for HST for many reasons, but with a creeper gear, you'll do fine.
Before you buy the used unit, I'd check around and see what you can get a new one for, and maybe with 0% or low % fincancing, it may be a better deal. John

 

[RockyMtDan]

I perdict some day you will be hard pressed to find new gear type tractors, much like you cant find a new gas CUT (only one mfg that i know of ,Cub). Go hydro and dont look back!

 

[beenthere]

I'd vote for hydro, as it is a real marked improvement over the 'old' gear technology (amazing what improvements and progress we've seen) and HST seems to be pretty bullet-proof and holding up well.
Gear used to work, and will still get you by, but even when working with the drawbar, backing up a wagon or trailer with HST is a breeze compared to the gear. I have very few chores I do that HST isn't better, and if I have long steady pulls of anything, I just use the cruise control and have the 'gear' feature. Brush hogging is a breeze with HST. So manueverable in the woods, backing into spots, working slowly around trees and other obstacles. The HST gives you the fine touch in movement that the gear cannot do, and forward/reverse is a no-hands manuever, rather than a hand shifting manuever. I like it, can you tell?
Tilling (often it is pushing you rather than you pulling it) is much better with HST rather than gear, IMO and from a fair amount of experience. Yes, gear will get you by, but sounds like the dealer is trying to help you make the best decision for you (probably him too), IMO.

 

[bluecarpenter]

The dealer has the same tractor that I guess he has even baled about 2000 small square bales with this past summer. I know it would be a dream to do loader work with. That and will evenually put a BackHoe on it. Also other small emplements. Brushhog,post holer, angel rear blade, sickle blade, pull rack, ect. Wasn't sure about the hydro at first but giving it a second though NOW.
Priced new they are about 21,000 with FEL. From what I can tell it is a good deal. Wasn't sure about the plastic hood or Fiber glass hood as this one is for lasting for 30 or more years but I can repair the fiberglass easyly. Guess I have hear about combines and such being around for a long time with hydro so guess hydro tractor should last for a long long time. I think it is like any thing else out there. Threat it right and it will last for a long while.
Any body have problems getting it going in the winter. Any warm up time needed?? gets down to -10 at times here in missouri. simetimes even worse. I sure enjoy reading these forums. It sure seems to help. Even if it raises for questions. mark

 

[CMunger]

I wish there was a tractor that had both?

In the future we might. The larger tractors, 100HP and above are marketing a CVT transmission (Constant Vilosity Transmission) has few moving parts, low HP usage and infinite speed slection. Some are introducing it in smaller tractors 80-90 hp.
Chuck M

 

[eee]

I have skidded over a 100,000 board feet of logs up 15 % to 20% inclines,logs 16" to 22" diamater and 16' to 20' long and rawhided the heck out of the tractor (JD 4400 hydro), I have cut roads and landscaped road banks with 400lb of weight in a ballast box on my JD 45 backblade with hard pulls on the tractor for hours at a time.I have had the front end off of the ground and the R-1 tires digging down in the red clay until the engine powered out under load and quit running and the hydro has never once given me any problems.

 

[beenthere]

No problems with hydro in cold weather, and your MO weather is warm compared to 'up North here' (although it to me feels colder because the humidity is high and a damp cold is much worse than a dry cold, IMO).

 

[WilliamBos]

Hi,

My dads 1959 MF 35 has a LIVE PTO. So, they are nothing new!! They have been around for years!! They are nothing new!! My 2 cents here, if you are looking for a long term tractor, go for the gear model, hydro will give you problems in the future, and they wont be cheap!!

Take care

Will