Rabbit & turtle button on HST

[dknarnd]

What does and how does this button work? I am seriously looking at the 40 and 45 and still can't pull the trigger on hydro.

I want to handle a 6' brushhog in Northeast PA rough and hilly terrain and I just think the 40 would be maxed out with the hydro and 6' cutter. I would also use the FEL for brush removal and general use but would have it off when cutting.

 

[daTeacha]

That's the optional loader mounted control that allows you to switch between hi and low range from the loader control, I think. It lets you drive into a pile and pick things up in low range, then switch to high range while backing out without stopping to change ranges. A very nice thing to have if you're going to do a lot of loader work where you carry the load a ways from the pile.

 

[Typhoon]

Here is my 2 cents worth.. If you are on the fence about shuttle or hydro, get the hydro (of course if your budget permits). When you are doing loader work and using a bush hog/finish mower, hydro is just great! When I bought my TC29D, I was going to go ahead and save the $$ and get the shuttle shift. If my memory serves me right, the hydro was an extra $2,000.00. Seemed expensive to me. But many of the guys on this site gave me the good advice to get it. Now that I have it, I feel 2,000.00 is a heck of a bargain. Another way to make the choice easy, is to test drive one. When you drive the hydro for the first time, you will love it! You lose just a couple hp (like 2 or something) but if 2hp is going to make the difference, then you need to get a bigger tractor anyways. And for the Turtle/Rabbit switch, my friend has a TC35DA and his switch is on his fender close to his 3ph lever. But I suppose it might be an option to have it on the loader control lever as well. Good luck in your decision!
-Brad

 

[jinman]

What does and how does this button work?

I want to handle a 6' brushhog in Northeast PA rough and hilly terrain and I just think the 40 would be maxed out with the hydro and 6' cutter.

Only you can make the decision whether to go gear or hydro, but the situations you described are ideal situations for the hydrostatic transmission. If you were planning on plowing or mowing large open flat areas, I'd tell you to get the gear tractor.

Here is how the rabbit-turtle switch works:
On the TC40DA, there are two ranges: High and Low. These are switched by a lever on the left fender which changes the gear ratio in the transmission after the hydro portion. The rabbit-turtle switches actually change the ratio within the hydro portion.

A hydrostatic transmission is made up of a variable displacement pump and a motor. When you step on the pedal for a hydro, you change a swashplate angle in the pump side of the hydro. This changed angle changes the displacement of the pump and more or less fluid goes to the hydraulic motor. Thus, you have an infinitely variable speed depending on swashplate angle.

New Holland took this one step further. They decided that the motor could also be changed so that it would drive at two different speeds. Instead of a fixed rotor in the motor, they installed a variable swashplate similar to the pump's swashplate. That plate is either at 9º deflection or 15º deflection. The angle is controlled by hydraulic pressure. New Holland used a solenoid valve to allow pressure to change the plates deflection angle. That solenoid valve is controlled by the rabbit-turtle switch. Thus, these tractors essentially have four ranges instead of two or three as are found on most hydro transmissions.

I think you will find the TC40DA will be ideal for your 6' cutter and your hills. You may have to switch to low range-rabbit for some hills, but most of the time you will probably be able to stay in high range-turtle. High range-rabbit is really a road gear.

I would surely recommend the hydro for the jobs you described. I think you'll be happy you made that decision. Of course, the gear tractor will do just fine too, it will just be a lot more work to operate changing directions and doing loader work.

 

[dknarnd]

Thanks for the responses...on the TC40 that I was looking at the rabbit turtle switch was on both the fender and loader control.

 

[dknarnd]

jinman...do you have to come to a stop before usning the turtle/rabbit switch?

 

[Typhoon]

I am 99% sure you do not have to stop.. you can do it on the fly. Am I right Jinman?

 

[rrs26ja]

I have a TC45D and you can change from the turtle to the rabbit without stopping, a great feature. I love this tractor.

 

[Doc_Bob]

What does and how does this button work? I am seriously looking at the 40 and 45 and still can't pull the trigger on hydro.

Hydro is a great tranny and should handle your location just fine. Ask the dealer for a demo.
Bob

 

[DocHeb]

jinman...do you have to come to a stop before usning the turtle/rabbit switch?

No stop needed - on the go - up or down shifting.