There are 2 members I avoid. You are not one of them. That should say something about your responses......I grew up on gear shifts, and enjoy them. Yes it takes skill, but more than that, a certain mindset. That many people may not have. I don't mind my Kubota
G6200 HST mower. Or my JD 750B HST dozer. But I have also driven a few loader tractors with HST. In low gear, I could not get a full bucket, that my gear shifts can. I just don't see equal pushing power. And using a loader is 70% of my tractor's work.