John Deere owner for 1 day

JayC · Aug 21, 2004

Thanks for the explanation. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif So, could this be called CNH's version of what Deere calls LoadMatch on their machines?

( The combination of the mechanical high/low range and the rabbit/turtle switch gives you four gear ranges. )

That's pretty cool, but doesn't the Boomer have a medium range?

Dave4410 · Aug 22, 2004

That feature has actually been standard on Deere excavators since it was first designed for the 490D in 1987. It's about time we start seeing it put to use in more applications.

DocHeb · Aug 22, 2004

Nope, just I and II, and turtle and rabbit for each. Operators that are used to gear tractors (having to match the exact gear to the job) may find only four gears as "not enough", but with a hydrostatic transmission, there actually is an infinite number of "gears". I've found that I shift into a range for a job, and stay there, sometimes all day.

OkeeDon · Aug 23, 2004

A button on the joystick lets you go from "turtle" to "rabbit" range (and back) very quickly. Very useful in loader situations. 

Now, that's something that would be very useful all the way down in my little TC18's use. I move a lot of stuff with the FEL. I find myself shifting to low range to load, then high range to get to the other spot, dump, and return, then low range again to load again. Most of that time is in high range, using low only when digging into the pile. It would be fantastic to just push a button and go into low range. What happens now is that I often forget, try to dig into the pile in high range, wonder why it isn't working, then remember to shift into low.

jinman · Aug 23, 2004

( That's pretty cool, but doesn't the Boomer have a medium range? )

JayC, Some hydrostatic Boomers other than class III (TC35/40/45) have three ranges (TC29 and TC33), but no rabbit/turtle switch. That's an exclusive to our Class III tractors. All the other Boomers just have two ranges.

MikePA · Aug 23, 2004

(TC29 and TC33), 
Don't forget the TC25, also a Class II! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif All Class IIs have 3 ranges, engaged via a lever on the driver's left fender.

JayC · Aug 23, 2004

Another thing I wondered about the DualPower thing is, if you are in high, and put it in the low, is it as effective as actually shifting to low (and leaving the stick in high)? Say you are in low and put the DP stick in low, does that give you a "double low"?

jinman · Aug 23, 2004

( Say you are in low and put the DP stick in low, does that give you a "double low"? )

How low can you go? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

That's too darn many "lows" for me to keep up with. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Can you see why we say "Low-Turtle"? When you specify "turtle" everyone knows you are talking about the joystick button (or the fender switch). When you say "low" you are normally talking about the mechanical gear change low. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Actually I think I know what you mean and the answer is yes. Low-turtle is low-low and will spin the tires if you just slightly engage the HST treadle. I hope I didn't "muddy the water" with my response. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

jinman · Aug 23, 2004

( Don't forget the TC25 )

Yep! I did a quick scan of the spec sheets on NH's website, and of course, the TC25 is no longer listed.

...that's what I get for trying to be smart. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

JayC · Aug 23, 2004

Thanks for the response. Your answer wasn't "muddy" at all. I was afraid my orginal questions were going to be too confusing. I didn't know how else to word it since I've never used a big Boomer. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif