HST operation - Low or Medium Range?

[kco]

I just finished a solid day of bush hogging on hilly ground and had lots of time to ponder this question, and I've often done so before.

The tractor easily handles either low or medium range at the PTO 540 rpm throttle setting. So the option is to run in medium range with the HST depressed about 1/2 way or low range with the HST depressed about 3/4 way. I notice I normally choose low range, partly because I have finer speed control in tricky spots.

All else being equal and disregarding the finer speed control, I intuitively think that running in low range may be better for the tractor. But I have nothing to back that up.

So I'm curious as to others' views.

 

[phiferpharm]

I go it in medium range, but I don't have any hills to deal with, just Gopher Turtle holes. I guess I'm at about mid pedal and on Cruise control. I also never have it in 4wd for Bush Hogging, which seems to make turning easier. Now that I think about it, I don't believe I've put it in low gear yet. Guess I will try that tomorrow. :yes:

 

[k0ua]

Here is my take on it. If the rpm's are are not dropping excessively in MED when you climb hills , and you need and want to go as fast as MED will allow, then by all means use MED.. but if the opposite is true, then use LOW. I have noticed that I am able to use MED more with my new tractor, vs my last tractor. Yes it has a couple more horsepower, but it also weighs a lot more, and I would think it it would be more sluggish. But that is not the case. Perhaps the final gearing is different, or the engine just has more torque. I think it is just going to depend a lot on your individual tractor and how it is set up as to what range to use for what task. The good news is we have the 3 ranges to select from. Use the one that suits the task.

James K0UA

 

[rekees4300]

So I'm curious as to others' views.

I agree that running in low range is better for the tractor but the downside is that it takes more time/fuel to mow. On hilly ground I always use low range, period. On level ground I usually use medium range unless the vegetation is heavy. The goal is to avoid stressing the tractor by making adjustments as conditions dictate.

 

[DKCDKC]

The choice of speed for bush hogging is heavily dependent on the ground being mowed, and the operator's familiarity with it. With both my big old ag tractor and my CUT, I tend toward the slower side. It allows me more leeway in avoiding new woodchuck holes, fallen limbs and the like. It slows me down, but I rarely have to replace a shear pin, and the blades are less beat-up. I've found that slower also cuts grass better and leaves a neater product. If I had to cut 80 acres or something, I would probably opt for more speed, but I just have parcels totaling perhaps 10 acres. Slow and steady is the ticket for me.

 

[crazyal]

It sounds like the over all speed is the same, it just requires the HST pedal to be pressed further down in low to go the same speed. If so my take would be to use low as long as it goes fast enough. Even though the engine isn't bogging down in Med it still has more resistance which means the hydraulic oil will heat up more. I'm sure it's not a problem but lower temp is always better IMO.

 

[jenkinsph]

It sounds like the over all speed is the same, it just requires the HST pedal to be pressed further down in low to go the same speed. If so my take would be to use low as long as it goes fast enough. Even though the engine isn't bogging down in Med it still has more resistance which means the hydraulic oil will heat up more. I'm sure it's not a problem but lower temp is always better IMO.

I agree with crazyal if it will go fast enough since you still had pedal left then low gear would be the better choice. After you have smoothed up the field and want to exceed the speed of low range then make the change to medium range.

 

[Combustix]

I use med about 99% of the time. I try and keep the speed down as well just to get a better cut.

 

[rswyan]

I use med about 99% of the time.

Same here - high is usually only used for transport (although I might mow in high, depending on dry/hard the ground is) .... and I hardly ever use low .... just too slow for most stuff.

 

[TripleR]

For open areas I used MED and for tight work among trees or along drop offs, water, steep hills, I use low; don't really give it a lot of thought, just use what feels right.