"Low" gear on 855 hydro

[DaveNay]

\"Low\" gear on 855 hydro

When plowing the driveway this evening I did some experimenting with the speed range selector on my tractor. When changing from high range to low range, I could not detect any difference in the plowing ability of the tractor, other than the maximum speed was lower. Is the speed selector on a hydro transmission truely a "low" gear? I.E. there is an improvement in the final drive torque? I'm suspecting that there is no real improvement, and the selector changes some sort of bypass valving.

Dave

 

[joecdeere]

Re: \"Low\" gear on 855 hydro

Dave, when you shift the range on a X55 series tractor you are really shifting gears, so to answer the question you are changing the final drive torque. If you look under the unit, you will see that the pedal linkage is going to the front part of the case and the range and pto linkage are in the rear most section of the trans case right at the rear end. I would guess in your case you are not taxing the unit enough plowing that the additional torque is noticed

 

[Currmudgeon]

Re: \"Low\" gear on 855 hydro

That's my reading. I can't develop enough traction with my 855 and turf tires on snow to lug the engine. The wheels will break away first. So I plow in 4WD High range, because I want the cycle speed.

If I'm moving dirt, I can definitely feel the extra torque in low range.