Snow Equipment Owning/Operating Manual trans for snowblowing?

[Gary Fowler]

Comparing over the road tractors to farm tractors is not even comparing apples to oranges and those trucker fleets for sure didnt switch to hydrostatic drive from geared. Automatic shifting transmissions are not the same as hydrostatic drive. If you have the correct gearing and live PTO, a geared tractor can do as well or better than a hydrostatic drive given the same engine HP for both. It all comes down to personal preference. If you like the hydro get one, if you prefer gear drive then get one of those. Either one will get the job done if the load is matched. I would never buy any tractor that didnt have live PTO. Do they actually still make a tractor without live PTO or at least a two stage clutch? I thought those went out with the 8N back in the 1950s.

 

[RFB]

It is already a given that changing from a clutch operation to something "not a clutch" is part of the dynamic, regardless of the "not a clutch" system that is chosen. The OP chose the alternative as an HST vs. clutch. I was answering a question regarding clutch utilization.

Regardless of the alternative (either auto or HST), the utilization of a clutch increases cockpit workload by requiring increased operator input, and there is (at least a viable school of thought says so) more PM and/or repair (time and money) involved in clutched systems.

"Live PTO...Disadvantages are: more expensive to repair, extra routine adjustments (on dual clutches) to maintain proper operation, and a little more leg muscle is required to depress the clutch through both stages of the clutch."

http://www.tractorsmart.com/main/Tractor Power Take Off Types.htm

 

[some zilch]

Well, I'm not sure. In addition to my previously mentioned snow removal experience (that sometimes consumes up to 60 hours per week) I have 30+ years of operating and maintaining clutched diesel powered vehicles weighing up to 37 tons in high speed emergency operations. I don't know if that counts on understanding how a clutch works and wears.

That is the reason that, based upon education, training and experience, I am personally aware of a number of one-hundred million dollar fleets that have switched out of clutched vehicles.

Now for ground engagement duties WITHOUT ground speed speed variation while maintaining full PTO rpm, well thats different. Without devaluing farming operations in any manner, all tractor use is not farming. The question was about snow. Your mileage may vary.

they switched out of clutched vehicles so that they can put anyone behind the wheel. i work for a municipality, and there has not been a clutched vehicle in their fleet for 12 years. and its not because those allison autos in the dump trucks never mess up. its so they can tell anyone with a drivers license to go get in and drive, and not worry about burning up a clutch every other day. ive never been so embarrised to drive a truck in my life.

 

[RoyJackson]

they switched out of clutched vehicles so that they can put anyone behind the wheel.

Yep...an unfortunate fact that the younger guys are too stupid to figure out a clutch.
I drove one rental straightbody (18-20 foot) with an automatic. Hope I never have to repeat that episode.

 

[RFB]

I cannot speak to your experience, but I can to my own.

When I speak of education, training and experience, the vehicle operators that I am referring to have quite a bit more of that than most. As in literally thousands of hours prior to being permitted solo operation, with written (comprising vehicle maintenance, vehicle operation, and engineering), oral and practical testing, and then on probation for another year.

If I were to analogize this, it would be the difference between someone with a private pilot's license that flys on the occasional weekend, versus a fully trained Naval Aviator flying and landing high performance aircraft on a carrier deck.

The men of whom I speak operate stick or auto and everything in-between, bigger than big, and on crowded metropolitan streets, freeways and on single lane dirt mountain roads with sheer drops on one side and no room to open the door on the other.

Now maybe its different in your world, but that's mine.

 

[RoyJackson]

I cannot speak to your experience, but I can to my own.

When I speak of education, training and experience, the vehicle operators that I am referring to have quite a bit more of that than most. As in literally thousands of hours prior to being permitted solo operation, with written (comprising vehicle maintenance, vehicle operation, and engineering), oral and practical testing, and then on probation for another year.

If I were to analogize this, it would be the difference between someone with a private pilot's license that flys on the occasional weekend, versus a fully trained Naval Aviator flying and landing high performance aircraft on a carrier deck.

The men of whom I speak operate stick or auto and everything in-between, bigger than big, and on crowded metropolitan streets, freeways and on single lane dirt mountain roads with sheer drops on one side and no room to open the door on the other.

Now maybe its different in your world, but that's mine.

Uh huh...

So, what industry is this? Trucking (18 Wheelers)? Automatics never took hold with those trucks. Mining? Not on city streets although most of those big mining dumps are not manual transmission (diesel electric, I believe). Railroad? Again, diesel electric and not really comparable to trucks or tractors.
Come to think of it....probably intracity buses since most are a type of hydro transmission (company I recently contracted to sold and serviced bus transmissions).
No need to be so secretive...it's not like Greyhound is a state secret. Nor is the training particularly difficult.

 

[RFB]

One example, with about another 6 variations.

 

[ccsial]

I blew snow with my 1910 from 1982 to 2005 when the L3400HST took over that job. I would never go back to a gear for blowing. I guess I am spoiled now.

I do like the manual in my RAM diesel though.

 

[RoyJackson]

One example, with about another 6 variations.

OK, I'll buy that...

 

[Jay4200]

Your mileage may vary.

Hey. You must ride dirtbikes.

JayC