Manual vs Hydro Transmissions

[shvl73]

On bigger tractors (not the TC45, but at the TC55 and up) there is often a "power shift" feature which combines a manual gearbox with a electro-hydraulic clutch and allows you to move the shuttle lever without pushing the clutch. Very convenient, though not any more convenient than HST.

I used a Cat RC60 forklift that could be reversed without clutching, very nice but, I can't say if it was of the same design or not.
I think that most compact owners would benefit by going hydro and most farmers would benefit with gear. Just offhand opinion, not from vast knowledge, however. Hydro was right for me.
Good luck!

 

[jk96]

Of course it is A LOT more work and would not be my choice if I were going to do a lot of loader work or mowing in really tight areas.

Thats my point Z, I own a manual truck, ride 4wheelers, motorcycles also and have no trouble working the manuals quickly, but would I want to for 2-3hours mowing, not really....

 

[scott_vt]

Manual's are cheaper but the cluch will eventually wareout and cost me 1,800 to replace. How long should a clutch last under moderate to light use?

Mornin SOS,
Im not going to jump into the Hydro vs Gear war but I would like to mention that my MF-1040 is a 1986 model and has the original clutch with approx 1460 hours on it. I think its getting kind of thin on lining but Im gonna get everything I can out of it !

 

[MossRoad]

... I learned to drive on stick and have many tens of thousands of miles on manual shift cars and motorcycles. ...

Me, too. That's one of the reasons I went with Hydro!

Also, to all of you "right footers" out there running hydro.... Power Trac tractors have the forward pedal under your right foot and the reverse pedal under your left foot... the way it is meant to be.

My old IH2500b HST (may it rest in peace) was still running strong after 30 years when I sent it to the great salvage yard in the sky. Everything was worn out EXCEPT the HST tranny . It had the forward and reverse pedals under my left foot and the foot throttle, turning brakes and diff lock under my right foot. That was a decent setup, too, as you could be pushing into a pile of dirt with your left foot, give it some extra gas from the set throttle speed with your right foot and never have to take your hand off the wheel and joystick.

 

[jk96]

Also, to all of you "right footers" out there running hydro.... Power Trac tractors have the forward pedal under your right foot and the reverse pedal under your left foot... the way it is meant to be.

Moss, I don't mind my rocker pedal on my DX, but still can't figure out why they put the brakes on the same side as well. Split brakes aren't much use on a hydro when their on the same side as the pedal. Don't have much use for them anyway I guess. Would just tear up the yard.

 

[MossRoad]

Moss, I don't mind my rocker pedal on my DX, but still can't figure out why they put the brakes on the same side as well. Split brakes aren't much use on a hydro when their on the same side as the pedal. Don't have much use for them anyway I guess. Would just tear up the yard.

Yeah, I could never figure that one out either... seems to render them useless.

 

[TrippleT]

I have hydro on my NH TC33D, and I love it. However, it is not electronically controlled. I have pushed down small trees and pushed some pretty big rocks clearing land. In addition, I have broke ground for a garden, and many other tasks. I mow about ten acres of yard here and also use the rotary cutter for another two or three acres as well as mowing the pond banks. Have not had any troubles as of yet. Since I can't walk and chew bubble gum I would not personally want a manual shift anymore.

 

[HEC]

I was already to buy a hydro and the dealer rep. was there and talked me out of it ,do too what I would be using the tractor for. I use it in the woods for hauling out logs , use a 3 bottom plow for the gardens, pull cultivators etc.. He talked me into a hyd. shuttle shift instead and I love it.The benefit of a hyd. shift is two fold , the clutch system is in an oil bath, not dry like a regular clutch system so it will last even that much longer and so easy to use, my wife loves it,my grandson loves it . Hst is great if you are using your tractor for things designed for that type of tranny.

 

[Glowplug]

Keep in mind that many of the manual shift transmission have a "wet" clutch as well. They do tend to last longer. It all depends on your applications and your personal preference and comfort level.

 

[Z-Michigan]

Keep in mind that many of the manual shift transmission have a "wet" clutch as well. They do tend to last longer. It all depends on your applications and your personal preference and comfort level.

Kubota puts out a helpful comparison sheet for virtually all of its models and I've pored over them for their L and smaller M models. They generally list whether the main clutch is wet or dry, both for their tractor and the 2-3 brands it is being compared to, and I have not noticed a wet clutch on anything smaller than the NH TC55 with power shuttle (not with the regular synchro shuttle). Of course once I post this I will learn about whichever brand has a wet clutch on their 35hp model...

jk96 - I didn't mean anything about your skill level, just observing my experience regarding speed of operation. People without much stick shift experience would probably find the gear transmission a lot slower than you or I would. Now I should also have said that if I expected to do FEL work for more than 5 minutes a day, I would be inclined to HST - speed and ease of use are two different things.