Hydro or Gear?

[ALB]

Ok Folks i have an old Ford Hydro Subcompact but looking at upgrading to a new Kubota L2501. Just can't decide on the trans. What do you think? Leaning towards teh Hydro but I like to old style Gear also. Thanks!

 

[crashz]

What will your primary application be? Even for consistent mowing, I like the hydro, but the gear will give your a little more power to the PTO. With 5 and 6 ft mowers, it doesn't take much to bog these down. But you can always slow down or take a smaller bite.

The 2501 was my first hydro tractor, and I love it for plowing snow, loader work and general chores. I wouldn't change a thing about it.

 

[nybirdman]

HST will be easier to use for anyone,resale value will be higher with HST.We have one of each and I much prefer the HST;my son loves his gear tractor.

 

[SDT]

Ok Folks i have an old Ford Hydro Subcompact but looking at upgrading to a new Kubota L2501. Just can't decide on the trans. What do you think? Leaning towards teh Hydro but I like to old style Gear also. Thanks!

Hydrostatic is wonderfully convenient and versatile but inefficient and some object to the whine.

Gear is quiet, efficient, and less expensive but less versatile and convenient.

If you decide on the gear transmission, be certain to investigate whether the 2501 offers live PTO with the gear transmission. Having had a hydrostat, you will NOT like any tractor without live PTO.

SDT

 

[Roadworthy]

With the HST you needn't find the best gear for mowing. You set the throttle to PTO speed and use the treadle foot control to adjust your ground speed. With a five foot mower behind my L2501 I mind medium range on the gear shift works best. The four wheel drive is a plus if you need it - I'd never had that before.

 

[Diggin It]

Gear: Guts, Grunt, Ground .... One task, one direction, long time or distance. Plowing, discing, rotary cutting, planting, crop work. Where power is more important than maneuverability.

 

[jbrumberg]

FEL work is much easier with HST

 

[3gunr]

I have 4 tractors each with a different tranny. The hydro is the newest one and now my favorite followed by the shuttle. No way would i go gear if i was doing much loader work or mowing anything with trees to go around.

 

[RickB]

If you decide on the gear transmission, be certain to investigate whether the 2501 offers live PTO with the gear transmission.

SDT

It does not. That would be a show stopper for me. An L2501 has many advantages but only in the hydro configuration IMHO.

 

[Fallon]

A HST eats up 15% of your HP. But it's way more maneuverable & so much easier to operate with precision. A good operator can make a gear work well but wont be as fast & will be worn out doing loader or precision work.

The 15% makes a big difference in a big field pulling a plow all day. But I find the increased flexibility & usability makes up for it & more in my mowing, loadering & dirt work stuff.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I also have both, the only time I would choose hystat over gear, is if all I did was mow yards...OR maybe blow snow...

For all else, including loader work, I prefer gear.

Also, that hystat tranny drives me nuts with it's constant whiiiiining!! AT LEAST when you are mowing grass, the blades are louder than the whine!

SR

 

[k0ua]

IF you have to ask...........

 

[pmsmechanic]

A HST eats up 15% of your HP. But it's way more maneuverable & so much easier to operate with precision. A good operator can make a gear work well but wont be as fast & will be worn out doing loader or precision work.

The 15% makes a big difference in a big field pulling a plow all day. But I find the increased flexibility & usability makes up for it & more in my mowing, loadering & dirt work stuff.

From tractordata.com

Kubota L2501 Power:
Engine (gross): 24.8 hp [18.5 kW]
Engine (net): 23.9 hp [17.8 kW]
Gear PTO (claimed): 20.5 hp [15.3 kW]
Hydro PTO (claimed): 19 hp [14.2 kW]

Show me the math for a 15% power loss.

 

[ptsg]

From tractordata.com

Kubota L2501 Power:
Engine (gross): 24.8 hp [18.5 kW]
Engine (net): 23.9 hp [17.8 kW]
Gear PTO (claimed): 20.5 hp [15.3 kW]
Hydro PTO (claimed): 19 hp [14.2 kW]

Show me the math for a 15% power loss.

Those are most likely measured on a PTO dyno so all the engine power is pretty much dedicated to the PTO.

Now if an HST tractor is moving while doing heavy PTO work, it's a totally different scenario.

 

[RickB]

From tractordata.com

Kubota L2501 Power:
Engine (gross): 24.8 hp [18.5 kW]
Engine (net): 23.9 hp [17.8 kW]
Gear PTO (claimed): 20.5 hp [15.3 kW]
Hydro PTO (claimed): 19 hp [14.2 kW]

Show me the math for a 15% power loss.

You have to look at data for drawbar hp. That’s where the parasitic loses of hydrostatic transmissions will show up.

 

[pmsmechanic]

So if most of your work is done through the pto it's really not that much of an issue then?

 

[RickB]

So if most of your work is done through the pto it's really not that much of an issue then?

That’s a fair statement. Certainly it will be less of an issue than if doing predominantly draft work.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

Shuttle shift gear all the way. I had a smaller B series hst and hated it. My 3301 is gear drive and is amazing. None of that hst whine and full throttle noise. ANY seasoned tractor owner can move dirt, do any fel grading with a shuttle as well and fast as any hst owner. Go for the extra power.

 

[Threepoint]

As for the noise difference between HST and gear, is that really much of a factor if we're all wearing ear protection?

 

[PsRumors]

Sold my hydro so I could buy a gear....but for me, even more important is how much cast aluminum is being used in the newer tractors. I sold my newer tractor to get an older tractor, gear drive and all cast iron