Hydrostatic trasnsmission vs. gear drive

[cruz54982]

I have a 2013 tym 503 and it has syncro tranny with 4 gears so I can and have changed often while mowing plus I do not have to sit with my foot on a peddle to make it move = manual tranny for me !

 

[Redneck in training]

Gear models are great for spreading fertilizer and sprays as you have a constant speed you can dial in.

HST is no different. Most of them have "cruise control". Set the speed, press the Cruise button and as long as the engine maintains constant RPM it will move at constant speed. Speed will drop only when the engine is overloaded but that is the same for gear.

 

[murphy1244]

HST is no different. Most of them have "cruise control". Set the speed, press the Cruise button and as long as the engine maintains constant RPM it will move at constant speed. Speed will drop only when the engine is overloaded but that is the same for gear.

I did not say HST's are different ,just not as efficient as gear for farming.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

We have the old 265 MF that the FIL bought new in 1976 and it is an awesome tractor but I am sure for our use a HST would be much more efficient. Getting the left knee to bend enough means I have to lift my butt sometimes to get on the clutch fast.

 

[texasjohn]

Hermio, I'm with you re your safety thoughts for HST. And admire your even handed commentary regarding various post responses.

I've driven two gear tractors and HST. Years on each.

I have previously posted in TBN that I consider HST to be a safety feature.

Reasons:
extreme speed control, particularly slow. Good for when around people, carrying extreme weights, in critical slope/balance conditions.
Yes, it will stop when you take the foot off the pedal. This was a benefit to me within the past two weeks. Heat problems caught up with me unawares and I nearly fainted while driving the tractor. When I came out of it, tractor had slowed from about 5 mph to extreme crawl as my foot had become very light on the pedal.

Agreed, people can always do dumb things. However, I think that for my type of tractor work an HST provides an extra margin of vehicle control with less personal effort than I experienced with either of my two gear tractors.

Gale Hawkins, agreed, my MF165 exhausted me to drive it all day...Constant clutching and shifting left my legs and arms weak at days end.

 

[redman135]

Observation :Nobody has mentioned this,
30+ tears of driving gear tractors wears a deep groove/reflex. I had a hst tractor (borrowed) and it was good for loader work BUT in other situations the gear reflexes took over (moderate grades) and I could have got in trouble if I went to gear tractor experiance limits (much steeper).
I think that most older operators will have this problem until they have accumulated the hours to bed in a new reflex for a given situation.

 

[Hermio]

OP, do you drive a manual transmission daily in your car? How often and how much do/have you driven manuals? Makes a huge difference in how you view the ability to quickly stop a stick.

At the moment, no, though I have driven many over the years. The fact is, though, you must push in the clutch and step on the brake, versus just letting up on a pedal. But there are two major differences between a tractor with manual transmission versus a car: 1) If you push in on the brake on a car, the engine is at idle and the gear ratio is not that low, so you will simply stall the engine, with little effect on the stopping distance or time. With a tractor, the engine is set with a throttle, so you are not at idle, and the gear drive is at a much lower gear, so it is almost impossible to stop the tractor by brakes alone if you fail to push in the clutch. 2) Cars are not commonly in a rollover situation. If you are beginning to rollover in a tractor, I think there is a fair chance you will noit get your feet to the clutch or the brake before rollover occurs, while you are being tossed out of your normal operating position.

 

[Hermio]

Observation :Nobody has mentioned this,
30+ tears of driving gear tractors wears a deep groove/reflex. I had a hst tractor (borrowed) and it was good for loader work BUT in other situations the gear reflexes took over (moderate grades) and I could have got in trouble if I went to gear tractor experiance limits (much steeper).
I think that most older operators will have this problem until they have accumulated the hours to bed in a new reflex for a given situation.

I guess I don't have that problem, because I have spent roughly equal time on gear and HST. Also, my HST does have a foot clutch, so if I have a gear drive reflex, it has the same result. I understand the Mahindra HST has no foot clutch, however.

 

[Buckgnarly]

At the moment, no, though I have driven many over the years. The fact is, though, you must push in the clutch and step on the brake, versus just letting up on a pedal. But there are two major differences between a tractor with manual transmission versus a car: 1) If you push in on the brake on a car, the engine is at idle and the gear ratio is not that low, so you will simply stall the engine, with little effect on the stopping distance or time. With a tractor, the engine is set with a throttle, so you are not at idle, and the gear drive is at a much lower gear, so it is almost impossible to stop the tractor by brakes alone if you fail to push in the clutch. 2) Cars are not commonly in a rollover situation. If you are beginning to rollover in a tractor, I think there is a fair chance you will noit get your feet to the clutch or the brake before rollover occurs, while you are being tossed out of your normal operating position.

Mine has a gas peddle or a hand throttle, so the not being able to stop with brakes is not 100%.

We could also argue peddle malfunctions, slips, etc vs a clutch that will shut down the whole drivetrain. Hydros and their peddles add a variable that does not exist with clutch peddles. I just cannot see safety being a selling point or advantage, but I guess that's why they make both....different strokes for different folks!

 

[DK35vince]

At the moment, no, though I have driven many over the years. The fact is, though, you must push in the clutch and step on the brake, versus just letting up on a pedal. But there are two major differences between a tractor with manual transmission versus a car: 1) If you push in on the brake on a car, the engine is at idle and the gear ratio is not that low, so you will simply stall the engine, with little effect on the stopping distance or time. With a tractor, the engine is set with a throttle, so you are not at idle, and the gear drive is at a much lower gear, so it is almost impossible to stop the tractor by brakes alone if you fail to push in the clutch.

Most all model compact gear tractors have a foot throttle.
I always use the foot throttle when working in tight or rough areas so I have total control of the throttle and RPMs at all times.

 

[Hermio]

My old Ford has a foot throttle, too. But when I bushhog in the woods, or any other action that requires full engine speed, I have to use the hand throttle to maintain cutting speed. @Buckgnarly, I think you mean "pedal." "Peddle" means "to sell."

 

[k0ua]

I would say that hydro's are safer for new operators. I would not say that gear machines are less safe for experienced operators. Anyone that operates a gear machine for a number of years gets darn good at doing it. Just to be clear here, I prefer hydro machines, but I have far more hours on gear machines. Also as we get older the hydro machines are a joy instead of a chore to operate. I know when I am doing precision work up against a building, and working with people doing landscaping near the tractor, I appreciate the extra precision and safety margin of the Hydrostat.

 

[DK35vince]

My old Ford has a foot throttle, too. But when I bushhog in the woods, or any other action that requires full engine speed, I have to use the hand throttle to maintain cutting speed.

Once again I don't get it.
Why ???
I brush mow and finish mow with my gear tractor all the time. When mowing in tight areas, on hills or around trees I simply use the foot throttle so I can speed up/slow down as needed and it mows/cuts just fine. Always in control of the machine.

 

[Buckgnarly]

My old Ford has a foot throttle, too. But when I bushhog in the woods, or any other action that requires full engine speed, I have to use the hand throttle to maintain cutting speed. @Buckgnarly, I think you mean "pedal." "Peddle" means "to sell."

Yup....my thumb typing on this stupid Ipad that thinks it knows what words I want!:laughing:

 

[chuck172]

Just recently learned that I don't have to step on the clutch all the way. I have a dual stage clutch. I only have to press down about 1/2 way. Nice and easy on my knee now. I'm glad I went with the gear drive.

 

[motownbrowne]

Mine has a gas peddle or a hand throttle, so the not being able to stop with brakes is not 100%.

We could also argue peddle malfunctions, slips, etc vs a clutch that will shut down the whole drivetrain. Hydros and their peddles add a variable that does not exist with clutch peddles. I just cannot see safety being a selling point or advantage, but I guess that's why they make both....different strokes for different folks!

I'm exceptionally happy that my hst has a clutch. I grew up on gear tractors, so hitting the clutch instinctively happens once in a while.

In fact, my tractor has a live PTO, but if I hit the clutch, my PTO stops. That to me is an important safety feature, since I don't have to figure out how to turn off the PTO and stop the tractor at the same time.

 

[oldpilgrim]

I understand the Mahindra HST has no foot clutch, however.

my Mahindra 3016 hst has a foot clutch. It gets used to start it and when you shift the 3 speed gear box.

Many Mahindra models have one.

I have spent thousands of hours on geared machines and only about 50 hours with HST's and I much prefer the HST.

Safer? I hadn't really thought about it. More precise motion, easier to use, less tedious and easier on the old legs?

Absolutely.

 

[davepg1]

I just stepped up from a Ford Jubliee to a new Mahindra 3616HST this spring. The HST is a dream to work with a FEL. The Jubilee with the FEL was too much like work. I wouldn't go back to gears.

 

[DK35vince]

I just stepped up from a Ford Jubliee to a new Mahindra 3616HST this spring. The HST is a dream to work with a FEL. The Jubilee with the FEL was too much like work. I wouldn't go back to gears.

I have a gear drive with synchronized shuttle . It works nice.
I wouldn't want to do loader work with a Jubilee either.

 

[wedge40]

I used a Ford 4000 with FEL and broke FEL. My biceps were bigger back then. LOL
Wedge