The biggest advantage of Shuttle Shift

To20Chris · Jun 16, 2004

Who needs 8 speeds in reverse? ME! Ok, I don't even think I've been in top gear reverse, but those low range gears in reverse are awsome for puting on implements, especially the BH. Makes me realize just how darn fast reverse is on my TO20!

As far as the back and forth thing with the loader, that's great most of the time. The rest of the time I want to change speeds too, which means two levers (yes, HST would be great there, but I don't like it for other reasons). And sometimes I even want to change ranges, which is three levers! If I have a pile of stuff to move that is located some distance away, I'll go into the pile very slow, cause I'm not that good, and then I want to speed up to move to wherever I'm going.

Overall, I still think shuttle shift is great, and I didn't realize how helpful those slow reverse gears would be.

Keith_TN65 · Jun 16, 2004

Chris,

I agree with you 100%. I've only had my TN65 for a couple of weeks, but I love the shuttle shift. It was even very handy while brush hogging in tight spots. Do I need 8 speeds in reverse? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif No /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif... well not yet anyway /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

And as for high speed reverse on older tractors, I imagine your To20 is very similar to my father-in-law's 8N. That thing is scary sometimes like when trying to back it on to a trailer and having to keep the engine RPMs up so it doesn't stall.

Keith

PineRidge · Jun 16, 2004

Chris I happen to be a firm believer of the HST but thats just my personal opinion and I respect your choice for the Shuttle Shift. A gradual consensus seems to have evolved at the TBN site leading to an understanding that it is the owner, rather than the tractor type, that determines what is best for each particular person.

tough451 · Jun 16, 2004

I have only used Hst on lawn mowers and it works great there have yet to use it on a tractor. I do know that my brothers 5410 JD with shuttle and power reverser will flat move putting shavings back in my chicken house. It will go faster backwards than it will foward. With a 96" bucket thats alot of shavings. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

To20Chris · Jun 16, 2004

Yup - I wasn't trashing HST at all, just bringing up something about the shuttle shift that I hadn't seen discussed. By advantage I meant over standard gear, not over HST, which I didn't realize until now that people might interpret my title to mean. The last thing I want to do is start the HST war up again! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif So to anyone who's about to fire one off to defend the honor of HST, just forget it!

Degree · Jun 16, 2004

How does shuttle shift work? it means you can change gears when moving?

AndyMA · Jun 16, 2004

( How does shuttle shift work? it means you can change gears when moving? )

On my NH TN75D with electro hydraulic power shuttle (16F, 16R) you have a normal clutch and you also have a forward, neutral, reverse lever on the steering column like a turn signal lever. You can flip it from forward to reverse at any speed and the tractor smoothly slows down, stops and then smoothly accelerates in the other direction. Great for loader work. You can also use the clutch. You need the clutch to shift 1,2,3,4 (syncro) and you need to stop to change ranges A,BL,BH,C. Some shuttles aren't quite as automatic. The shuttle on my Ford 2120, will snap your neck it you don't let off on the throttle.

Andy

To20Chris · Jun 17, 2004

On mine the shuttle is not synchronized (mechanical shuttle), so I must stop before shifting from forward to reverse. I would prefer a shyncro shuttle. Basically, I have a synchronized 4-speed gear box. A separate lever up by the seat changes from forward to neutral to reverse. A third lever controls the 2 ranges. This gives 8 speeds forward, 8 reverse. On mine, only the main gearbox is synchronized, the shuttle is not. Some have more speeds, but the neat part is that you can control all the functions separately.

slowzuki · Jun 17, 2004

Its interesting the manufacturers types of shuttles, Kubota glide models lets you flop directions and gears without clutching but you have to slow down to change direction as you say.

Don't feel bad for slowing down in piles, people tend to break stuff by slamming into piles in high gear just to avoid stalling.

To20Chris · Jun 17, 2004

Actually, I go pretty slow on tractors most all the time anyway. Things usually come out better, and I don't break stuff. Maybe it's a lot of years running a brush hog on a old tractor with a steel seat - you run it in 3rd, you find out pretty quick that field isn't as smooth as it looked! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

rockyridgefarm · Jun 17, 2004

Looks like Deere is dropping their basic gear trannies, and will only offer reversers and HSTs. Testimony to how great both are and by reducing the options will make them a little cheaper. That way, everyone is a winner.

Richard · Jun 17, 2004

While this subject is up...

I'm trying to better understand shuttle shift on these tractors that have them.

On Brutus (which isn't a cut), I have a stalk on the left side of steering wheel, much like a turn signal lever. I simply click this forward/middle/backwards and the machine is in forward/neutral/reverse. No clutching, no worries, no "pulling" (like a GST). Just the tip of my little finger is enough to flick this back/forth and all the rest is done electronically.

What I'm trying to figure out is... are there any tractors that have a "finger clicking good" lever to shuttle back/forth, or are these levers that require a PUSH/PULL like I've seen on the GST (where the lever manually changes something instead of electronically changing something)

I must not ever be asking this very clearly, because I've never felt anyone has clearly understood how Brutus works & how easy it is. I've done the push/pull lever with a GST (L-35) and though in principle it's the same, in execution it is WAY different and much more effort than what I have.

I'd love to find a tractor that is either HST, OR has this exact kind of f/r lever and NOT one that you have to manually push/pull like on a GST.

Sooooooo

Are there any tractors that have this as an option/feature?

(and the next obvious question...which ones?)

rockyridgefarm · Jun 17, 2004

What you describe is what Deere offers in their reversers. There are two flavors: electronicly controlled eReversers, which let you adjust the rspeed that they reverse at, and mechanical reversers.

eReversers are on the 4310 and 4410.
Reversers are on the 4510, 4610, 4710, 4120, 4320, and, 4520.

(I am not sure on other brands, so don't want to muddy the waters, I am sure there are more choices)

I have friend with a shuttle shift on another brand that does require clutching, and he is on his third clutch. I am afraid that would be the case for me, too. So the no clutch reverser looks like a good option to me.

RobS · Jun 17, 2004

I think I've asked this before and it's purely idle curiosity but how in the world do these reversers actually work??? I operated a buddy's dozer with a reverser and it defies all logical/mechanical thought but sure did work /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

rockyridgefarm · Jun 17, 2004

The transmission is full of this reall smelly smoke. If that smoke ever gets out - it don't work no more....

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

RobS · Jun 17, 2004

The transmission is full of this real smelly smoke 

What, no mirrors???

/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

mahlers · Jun 17, 2004

( On my NH TN75D with electro hydraulic power shuttle (16F, 16R) you have a normal clutch and you also have a forward, neutral, reverse lever on the steering column like a turn signal lever. )

Hey Andy, did you ever notice that, after doing a few hours of work with the tractor, you use the turn-signal in your car to change directions /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif ? There's been a few times where I'm in a hurry, put my car into reverse, and then hit the turn-signal lever like I'm trying to make a right turn - and I have a brief panic moment because my car keeps going in reverse.

To20Chris · Jun 17, 2004

That's funny! When I switch back and forth between my LK3054 and TO20, I get all befuddled! I reach for the shuttle & it's not there, etc. Same thing happens when I get on the Wheel Horse after using the cheap one-pedal lawn tractor I resurected - I keep forgetting to use the clutch. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

JerryG · Jun 17, 2004

Richard,
I am not really sure, exactly what you are looking for, but. With a power shuttle like mine, the shuttle lever is electronic and controls the fluid clutch. You just flip the shuttle lever and it changes directions.

FIREWALLIT · Jun 17, 2004

NEW HOLLAND TN's have an optional 16 X 16 electro-hydraulic power shuttle shift that works exactly as you describe. They use wet clutch packs, running in oil. There is a forward pack and a reverse pack. When you flick the lever a solenoid ports hydraulic pressure to the desired clutch pack. You can still use the foot clutch for tight work. Works great - lasts a long time.