PTO???

[kthompson]

Hmm.. I'm not sure i see a direct corelation between tranny type and turf damage??

cut faster? I'll race ya.. you in your hst.. and me in my gear... target field 10ac open grass.. pasture.. can you beat 2 hours?

soundguy

Think this was answered by Altex. I can run my HST as fast as I want to (normally as fast as it will in the range I select) then when ready to turn let up on the HST keeping blade speed up but slowed for turn. Make turn and back wide open. Creep over drains or such again without ever touching clutch and back to full speed. Same type with reverse in area you must drive into and back out or such. Have used geared trans for same and there is no way you can turn without damaging the turf as fast as you can mow straight or near straight lines. As Altex points out the more turns and trees and such the more the HST beats the gear.

Now as great as the HST over gear, can cut my two acres with plenty of trees and shrubs in 3/4's the time with my ztr. Both ztr and rfm are same brands but for same reason HST is faster with less turf damage than gear ZTR makes tighter turns and has a 20 inch narrower deck. 52 inch compared to 72 rfm.

For any damp or wet hilly land, keep ZTR off of it. Bad combo with there use of rear wheels for pulling and steering.

My mowers are not Dixie Choppers but they show some of their ztrs at 9 acres an hour, guess your rig is slow at 2 hours for 10 acres. Just kidding. Know that is using full deck width and wide open. Not real world. Mine are Bushog and they don't show full speed or full cut width in their brochures which to me is more like real world. Ten acres in 2 hours is moving unless you are pulling one really wide deck. Please don't now tell me you have a fold up finishing mower.

 

[greenmule]

Well,I can mow at least an acre an hour,could go faster,but I'd get scared.

 

[Altex]

... I can run my HST as fast as I want to (normally as fast as it will in the range I select) then when ready to turn let up on the HST keeping blade speed up but slowed for turn. Make turn and back wide open. Creep over drains or such again without ever touching clutch and back to full speed. Same type with reverse in area you must drive into and back out or such. Have used geared trans for same and there is no way you can turn without damaging the turf as fast as you can mow straight or near straight lines...

True. After a long row of mowing, when you have to make a turnaround, Everyone has to slow down a bit. One difference is that in Gear, when you slow down, so does the PTO and the quality of the cut.

In HST when you slow and turn, the engine RPMs and the PTO are constant, same as if running straight. Only the speed of the tractor is slowed. This includes going from fwd to reverse to fwd again. The PTO is still at a constant RPM where you need it to be cuttin'. This is an advantage of HST.

 

[greenmule]

Well,don't believe you've spent much time brushoging on a gear tractor.!Number one,I don't slow down a tad to turn around and go the other way,try never to back up,thats when you gotta slow down[well,stop actually].

I don't touch the throttle,just turn the wheels.

You select a gear,for you land you will be mowing and push throttle up till shes where you want it and relax,no feet involved,only one hand,for hours.

 

[gordyy]

my 2 cents worth on the whole thing is
go down a few weeks before the move visit the dealers close to your property
get in a little seat time if they dont have a dirt pile to play in they can probably give you the name of a customer of theirs who might let you come play (think of it as meet the neighbors early) drive em check out how they feel, after all if your going to put a couple thousand hours on something in the next few years it should fit you.
Not all of them fit the same I have an artificial knee thats not working out real good I bought the tractor I got just for the reason it fit me the best I drove all colors and styles available in my area and like I said got the one that fit the best
and really happy I did

 

[scoutcub]

Silverhawk;

See what you started? I always find it amusing reading these threads and the many entertaining spinoff "discussions".
Amongst the typical loyalty wars is a plethora of good advice. First and foremost you and hubby have some time on your hands to test the various brands and sort out transmissions/PTO's/HP, etc. etc. Enjoy this time and try to work the machines as much as possible, try to emulate conditions/situations on your property. Use the loader to move dirt as Gordyy said.....dig a hole with the backhoe, etc. etc.
Keep in mind every dealer wants to make a sale. If you ask the same question to three different dealers, you'll probably get 3 different answers. It ultimately boils down to what makes you (both) happy.
I will agree that compact backhoes are limited. I also have two, and only used one once (so far), but will certainly use them more in the future, as I also recently purchased some land. They will come in handy, and most new ones are quick disconnect so easy to change out. Having said that, I am looking for an excavator and dozer to work on the ponds, as the little backhoes just won't cut it. (pun intended)
I have a shuttle shift and 3 hydros. I like them both, each have their place, but I'm selling the shuttle and keeping the hydro. Works better for me.
Guess what....you get to choose!
Dealer support is critical, particularly if you plan on them doing the servicing. Personally it's not important to me, because I do my own wrenching. I own 4 Cub Cadet compacts, love em all (even the shuttle) but will absolutely not deal with the dealer 4 miles from my house. I get better technical and parts service (and better prices) from a dealer 200 miles away.
Enjoy the toy shopping and land!

 

[Soundguy]

Sounds kind of boring guy.

Borng? naa.... theraputic.. yes.

soundguy

 

[Soundguy]

I don't slow down to turn either.. I make wide sloping turns.. so far have not noticed my 10-16 wide fronts cutting the ground or damaging it in any way.

When I go out and mow my pasture, I clutch to select my gear ( 5th ) and then get underway at low rpm and then engage the pto. then bring her to speed and then the next time I clutch is when I'm done mowning and I need to get off and shut the gate... never thouch the throttle or gear shifter or clutch inbetween. That said.. I don't do any mowing backwards...

5th gear on my machine is about as fast as you can go over that pasture and stay int he seat comfortably.. so that pretty much maxes out the speed of travel issue.

so.. didja wanna race?

soundguy

Think this was answered by Altex. I can run my HST as fast as I want to (normally as fast as it will in the range I select) then when ready to turn let up on the HST keeping blade speed up but slowed for turn. Make turn and back wide open. Creep over drains or such again without ever touching clutch and back to full speed. Same type with reverse in area you must drive into and back out or such. Have used geared trans for same and there is no way you can turn without damaging the turf as fast as you can mow straight or near straight lines. As Altex points out the more turns and trees and such the more the HST beats the gear.

Now as great as the HST over gear, can cut my two acres with plenty of trees and shrubs in 3/4's the time with my ztr. Both ztr and rfm are same brands but for same reason HST is faster with less turf damage than gear ZTR makes tighter turns and has a 20 inch narrower deck. 52 inch compared to 72 rfm.

For any damp or wet hilly land, keep ZTR off of it. Bad combo with there use of rear wheels for pulling and steering.

My mowers are not Dixie Choppers but they show some of their ztrs at 9 acres an hour, guess your rig is slow at 2 hours for 10 acres. Just kidding. Know that is using full deck width and wide open. Not real world. Mine are Bushog and they don't show full speed or full cut width in their brochures which to me is more like real world. Ten acres in 2 hours is moving unless you are pulling one really wide deck. Please don't now tell me you have a fold up finishing mower.

 

[Soundguy]

True. After a long row of mowing, when you have to make a turnaround, Everyone has to slow down a bit. One difference is that in Gear, when you slow down, so does the PTO and the quality of the cut.

In HST when you slow and turn, the engine RPMs and the PTO are constant, same as if running straight. Only the speed of the tractor is slowed. This includes going from fwd to reverse to fwd again. The PTO is still at a constant RPM where you need it to be cuttin'. This is an advantage of HST.

Much as greenmule said.. most of us gear-mowers.. don't make kickturns and drive back down the same lane we just mowed next to. we instead plan our mow routes / pattern to be efficient without hard turns requiring throttle down, or reversing.

soundguy

 

[greggh]

Much as greenmule said.. most of us gear-mowers.. don't make kickturns and drive back down the same lane we just mowed next to. we instead plan our mow routes / pattern to be efficient without hard turns requiring throttle down, or reversing.

soundguy

I agree, no slowing or stopping if you plan your mowing first.

 

[phyxer]

Well,don't believe you've spent much time brushoging on a gear tractor.!Number one,I don't slow down a tad to turn around and go the other way,try never to back up,thats when you gotta slow down[well,stop actually].

I don't touch the throttle,just turn the wheels.

You select a gear,for you land you will be mowing and push throttle up till shes where you want it and relax,no feet involved,only one hand,for hours.

My tractor's HST has cruise control, sooooooo.....I set the throttle lever, depress the HST pedal and obtain the desired ground speed, engage the cruise, and wahlah.......relax, no feet involved, only one hand for hours!

Troy

 

[greenmule]

Well! you're almost having it as easy as doing it with a gear tractor,ain't you?

 

[scoutcub]

ouch. He walked right into that one.......

 

[phyxer]

Yes, but if I need to suddenly change speed all I have to do is step on one pedal! Welcome to the 21st Century folks were you can have the best of BOTH!

Troy

 

[Altex]

Yes, but if I need to suddenly change speed all I have to do is step on one pedal! Welcome to the 21st Century folks were you can have the best of BOTH!

Troy

And it's the same pedal for changing directions in reverse!

Yes it is the 21st Century!

 

[Altex]

I don't slow down to turn either.. I make wide sloping turns...

So with Gear, you have that spiral effect where you run over ground that has already been cut on the ends of the field.

Add trees or other obstacles to Gear and you're running over more ground that has already been cut.

With HST you don't have to run over ground that has already been cut.

So which is faster?

 

[greenmule]

You funny man.

 

[Soundguy]

So with Gear, you have that spiral effect where you run over ground that has already been cut on the ends of the field.

Add trees or other obstacles to Gear and you're running over more ground that has already been cut.

With HST you don't have to run over ground that has already been cut.

So which is faster?

Bottom line....The amount of cut overlap from a good operator is going to be nill.. no matter what equipment you are running... A good experienced op will make more difference than the equipment.

soundguy

 

[Altex]

Bottom line....The amount of cut overlap from a good operator is going to be nill.. no matter what equipment you are running... A good experienced op will make more difference than the equipment.

soundguy

In case you didn't know, The point here is NOT comparing different Operators. The point is comparing equipment, Gear vs. HST. The same Operator in a Gear Tractor vs. the same Operator in an HST Tractor. This is what Operator/Buyer wants to know when buying a tractor. Which is faster, more effcient.

Here's an example in golf (which I don't play). Your point is like saying Tiger Woods can beat some guy even if Tiger is playing with a crappy set of golf clubs. My point is that if Tiger had the best golf clubs, he would play better and beat that guy with a much wider margin.

Correct me if I'm wrong but, I believe the purpose of this thread is about the Equipment and how if performs. Not about how good of an operator someone is.

 

[phyxer]

Hey Al, remember the old saying "You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink"? I'm pretty sure that's where you're at right now

Troy