Hydro or Gear

[Fullfan]

Have done the search thing and did not find what I was looking for. I am going to purchase a L4400 w the FEL in the next 30 days. I have located a Hydro at the Gear price
(20k) but I just do not know if the hydro will be the best choice for what I will be doing with the tractor.

90 % of the time the tractor will be dragging fire wood, logs will not be more than 18" X 35'. It will see some brush hoggin time and some FEL work.

What I am wanting to know will the Hydro be the best choice for me?? And the wife will be on the tractor doing her thing with the landscaping moving rocks and mulch.

 

[David_Kb7uns]

If you stepped up to the Grand L series the GST would be a good compromise, sometimes I would like a Hydro for the loader work on the hillside but the gears in the GST pull good with easy shifts and a shuttle to boot.

David Kb7uns

 

[Bird]

Does your wife prefer an automatic transmission car or a manual transmission? I think we're mostly talking about personal preference, but I'd go for the hydro without even thinking about it.

 

[dex3361]

Welcome to TBN, this is a great place to find all kinds of tractor info. I have a L4400 HST and i use mine for skidding logs.I have pulled many logs of that size and I have not had any problems at all. My Previous tractor was a gear shift trans IH424 (37 hp PTO) and I had it for about 10 years. I traded it in for the Kubota and I would not have another tractor without HST. It (HST) gives much more control and with infinitely variable speeds. I dont do a lot of ground engagement work like plowing fields if I did I would go with a gear shift tranny. I am truely impressed with the kubota, you will be pleased. Are you going to get rear remotes? Does it have SS quick detach on the bucket? What area do you live?

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I don't know anyone that would go back to a gear after owning a hydro. With FEL work the hydro is the best. Yard work the hydro is the best. If you just do straight ahead all the time I doubt it would matter but at the same price I can't see anyone taking a gear over a hydro. Some say a slight loss of HP to hydro but with the jobs your talking about your over HPed anyway. I know where you can get a L3240HSTPlus with 32 hours, FEL with QA bucket for $18500.

 

[MikeInEburg]

I was loading logs on a truck Sunday. The Hydro lets me easily move in 1/4 inch increments. I'd never go back to gear! Unless I spent my days plowing.
Mike

 

[Fullfan]

Guys thanks for the info. I have never owned any equipement with the Hydro transmission. My dad has a 1977 L245dt that has been a great tractor, never one problem. I just want to make sure the Hydro will be bomb proof like his gear drive tractor. And I do want the wife to be able to operate and enjoy the tractor.
I do not see a bunch of FEL work, but some and that sounds like the big selling point on the Hydro.
We live in NW PA on 398 acers. All are wooded but about 15. We have atv trails for the kids and old log roads that will be maintained with the tractor. Foodplots will also be maintained.

Sorry for so many questions, but we just want to make sure we make the right choice..

 

[GLC]

I recently bought an new L4400 gear with loader. It replaced an NAA Ford that I've had for a long time. My work is mostly plowing, discing, and a lot of Bush Hog mowing, basically straight line field work. To me, the loader was an added bonus and not the primary use. I'm happy with the gear model but if I was buying a tractor with primary use as a loader, I would probably reconsider and by the hydro. I pushed snow some this winter with the loader and the gear shifting gets tedious after a while. A better range of speeds would have been nice and would have been available with the hydro.

Also, plan on loading the tires or buying rear weights. The L4400 with loader is pretty tippy and has no traction without the weight. I went with weights and it is just fine now.

All things considered, I'm totally happy with the gear model I have.

My 2 cents.

 

[Fullfan]

GLC. thanks for the input. What part pf PA are you in?? I live in Mercer Co.

 

[JRobyn]

One of my wife's very most favorite things to do is bushogging! But I bet without the HST, she'd not like it near as much.

- Jay
L4330 HST