Tractor Sizing Logging with a 1652 HST?

[Backlash112]

I'm thinking of buying a Massey 1652 HST to run around my yard and 90 acre woodlot gathering firewood. Would an Hydrostatic transmission stand up to that kind of abuse or should I stick with a gear. I would like my wife to be able to snowblow the driveway (Approx 800ft) when I'm away so I figure HST is the way to go. But I don't want to be underpowered or break something when I'm out in the sticks. Any Advice???

 

[roger4400]

Hi. I own a 1643 and last summer used it for some logging. The biggest tree I logged with it was a 55 ft , 16 inches diam. green polpar ( Full of wather, in may) used my Farmi winch to bring it back to the trail, cut the poplar in two and attached it to the winch on the 3 pt link..put the tractor on low (Hst ) and I was surprised to see how it was easy to pull, a few hundred feet farther, changed range to medium, and it felt as easy........so enough power.
I also use my tractor to mow and just love it. Used it this winter to plow ......what a dream.I love HST so easy to use, so precise..so.. so..so everything.(many heavy machinery use Hst without any problem). On my opinion, feel confident. If you use a snowblower, no gear tractor can give you the precise speed you need not to overload the blower, a Hst has infinite speed. In the wood If I may suggest something take care, low branches or stump could do damages to your hydraulic tubes or filter, so use a logging winch to do the dirty job, a lot safer than going in bushes to pull a tree ( just my opinion ). Good luck. Roger

 

[Backlash112]

Thanks Roger, I just needed to hear it from someone thats all I guess. I know people that are doing the same thing that I will be doing and they opted for the gear tranny on their tractors believing the HST to be inferior for woodlot work. Maybe they did it out of ignorance, at least I'd like to think so anyways. I would like to hear more talk of this subject from anyone out there that has this kind of experience, both good and bad. Thanks

 

[roger4400]

Hi. Another thing, with HST you're always ?in gear算. By that I mean if you go on a hill (up or down) it is your pedal that will control your speed, with a gear the gear you choose will stand to the end of your way because clutching will put you in neutral for a second or so, if you badly choose your gear you will have to go with it, with Hst a lot more possibilities.....but try to get other opinions those are based on MY experiences (good and bad) :laughing:. Roger