Hydro vs Gear Trans?

StoneHeartFarm · May 31, 2001

Doc,

Thanks for the tip. Any idea if all these transmissions are availble on all models (like optional car equipment?).

SHF

DDT · May 31, 2001

I have been a hrdo tranny owner, but learning too. when you swicth directions on a PowerReverser tranny is it smooth or very jerky?

dmccarty · Jun 5, 2001

DDT,

The PowerReverser tranny is very smooth when placed into reverse. The operator is supposed to wait until the tractor has stopped moving before changing to forward if moving backward or backward if moving forward. I still clutch out of habit before moving the lever to go forward/backward but its not required. I have found the PowerReverser very smooth if you do what JD tells you to do, wait for the tractor movement to stop and then change direction. Its very smooth. Far smoother than most of my gear changes in my truck. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Later...
Dan McCarty

cowboydoc · Jun 5, 2001

I agree with Dan the power reverser is very smooth. It's also nice because you have all the same reverse speeds as you do forward speeds with the power reverser. So I can set it fast or slow with the gearing. It works great.

raptor · Nov 21, 2001

Probably too late to get in on this, but what the heck. If you're going to use the tractor as a real tractor - only the gear tranny will do. For a lite weight wanna be tractor a hydro's the way to go. I can't abide a piece of equipment that sacrafices 15-30% inefficiency throuh the transmission. I know these a fighting words to alot of you all, but I ain't trying to get anyone's dander up - just stating my belief.
Stay safe

DocHeb · Nov 22, 2001

I think you're a little harsh on the HST in regards to ineffeciency. I know the most about NH Compacts, and in the example of the TC40, the PTO horsepower is 35 for the Gear and 33.2 for the HST. This is a drop of 12.8% for the Gear and a drop of 17% for the HST - not that great a difference between them.

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by DocHeb on 11/22/01 03:38 AM (server time).</FONT></P>

gerard · Nov 22, 2001

Is the difference between drawbar HP a similar % difference? Seems like the hydro's would lose more power transferring power to the wheels than to the PTO shaft

cowboydoc · Nov 22, 2001

Gerard,
They do and that's why the small decrease in hp is somewhat misleading. I believe that's more where raptor was talking about. For serious farming he's right the hst just doesn't cut it. That's why you don't see an hst in the bigger utility tractors. While hst is a serious consideration for someone not farming it's not a consideration when you need precise mesh of ground and pto speeds. The hst is completely variable in this aspect whereas the gear tractor is constant.

gerard · Nov 22, 2001

That's kind of what I figured. Getting the "economy" model gear is sometimes regretted (mainly when doing loader work!) but that being the only tractor I've ever had I don't miss the hydro that much. One thing I would have liked had I known more before buying is a live PTO.

kerr · Nov 22, 2001

Thats not as big a drop or lose in power as I was thinkin .I realy like my H.S.T. mower and 4200 J.D.But for working hard day after day,I would want gears or a industrial strength automatic of somekind.Ol- Rapter dont beleive in power steerin or seat pads er nothin!Die hard old school tracterin!