hydrostat vs. gears??

NIXON · Feb 12, 2004

I don't see is as a war, But as an ongoing skirmish /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
As to the winner .... The new poster asking a valid , if not oft asked question . John

slowrev · Feb 12, 2004

Well said Soundguy,
We will have to wait for some time till the word is in on the current HYDRO tranny's durability. I do know that they do/will cost more to repair than a good gear tranny. A small 4.00 O ring can go out in them and cost lots in labor time and gaskets to get to it and replace. I have seen this happen.

The hydro's are very fun and convenient to use though.

Henro · Feb 12, 2004

( The HST vs GEAR wars are now over ) 

 Uh, who won? 

Well, there was an unofficial cease fire [no officials available from each side to sign formally] and now we tend to have only the occasional pot shot here and there...or so it seems... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

A gradual consensus seems to have evolved leading to an understanding that it is the owner, rather than the tractor type, that determines what is best for each particular person... /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Or so it seems to me... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

JerryG · Feb 12, 2004

Well said, Bill, well said. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

MossRoad · Feb 13, 2004

who won? 

We all did. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Wal · Feb 13, 2004

For me, the HST adds a safety factor. I don't need to clutch to change speeds, and I can creep slower than a turtle if I want to, when I am on a slope, at an angle I am not comfortable with.

I love that ability to change direction without clutching sometimes. Other times it would make no difference at all.

I don't plow so the advantage of a gear machine in that application does not apply to me.

Also like the ability to creep up to implements for 3PH hookup, without needed any skill whatsoever to do that.

So for me the real advantage of the HST seems to be safety related. Lift you foot off the directional pedal and the tractor stops on its own. On a hill, you always have a wheel-to-engine connection, at any speed.

Henro,

Well said /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Most of my operating time is spent in "the woods" in tight quarters and almost always on some sort of slope. I enjoy a "stick shift" as much as anybody, just not off the road /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif Then again, I don't do any plowing either.

Now I'm kinda wondering what the really,really big machines used on commercial operations tend to have as far as transmissions? Its not really related, but I understand in the 18 wheeler world automatics are becoming common. I have heard on the CB more than once how certain operators really love their automatic.

JerryG · Feb 14, 2004

Now I'm kinda wondering what the really,really big machines used on commercial operations tend to have as far as transmissions? 
Powershifts

rambler · Feb 17, 2004

Yea, the new tractors of any power are all power shifts. Hydro or the typical automatic would waste far too much power.

Over on the NH board some folks are talking about their hydro's stalling out; or sticking in gear for a bit. (They mentioned other colors had issues too, so no color wars please. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Always wondered if that was an issue.

IH made big 100 hp tractors that were all hydro drive. Not very efficient, but handy for inching allong or loader work.

Fent (I think) has an infinite variable tranny, not sure how it works on the big machines.

Not trying to start a war myself, just talking. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

--->Paul

KNotMe · Feb 17, 2004

It is interesting that in a society where we are using 300hp cars and trucks to do things that can be acconmplished with less than half that power, we worry about 5% loss of power with HST.

KNotMe

cowboydoc · Feb 17, 2004

Yea if you're talking about cars or city slicker pickups but if you're talking about tractors and truck where you need that hp to accomplish the job then it's dang important.