What is the value of 3 range HST vs. 2 range?

[Deepdrop]

Hi all,
I'm very close to my first tractor purchase ever and it's become a choice between the Kubota B2601 and the Kioti CK2510. Both will be equipped with loader, backhoe, and grapple. I'm on 3 acres of hilly land, half of which is heavily wooded and unlikely ever to be fully cleared although I might remove a few very large overgrown pines and burn them. I would be clearing a lot of blackberry bramble, moving some rocks around, moving dirt/gravel, and helping with various jobs that come up such as my current re-build of a retaining wall.

I don't plan to do any mowing with the tractor although I guess it's possible someday in the future, but it's not one of my major decision makers.
I could probably get by with a SCUT but I'm trying to heed the advice to buy a bigger tractor than you think you'll need.

As I've never owned a tractor, I'm just not clear on the advantages of a 3 range HST (the Kubota) compared to a 2 range (the Kioti). Can someone explain how I might use a 3 range versus a 2 range? I don't want to wish I had purchased the other tractor when it's too late.

There are various other pros/cons between the two, most of which I think I understand reasonably well.

Thanks!
Dan

 

[jeff9366]

A three (3) range HST provides a lower LOW and a higher HIGH, relative to a two (2) range HST.

Your concern should be two (2) range HST tractor running out of power moving uphill with FEL and Backhoe attached. Do not load the rear tires with liquid, which would exacerbate the problem.

For some, lower overground speed of two range HST in "HIGH" can be tedious, but not a concern over three acres.



You do not have ground contact applications in your plans. If you wanted to plow, subsoil/rip box blade, etc., the lower LOW of a three (3) range HST allows you to tackle tougher dirt and penetrate soil deeper without stalling out. Tractor weight helps too, but less directly.

I'm close to my first tractor purchase ever.
I could probably get by with a SCUT but I'm trying to heed the advice to buy a bigger tractor than you think you'll need.

Nah. SCUTS have teensy front wheels. You would high-center on every downed branch >6", holes, burrows and ruts. A small compact tractor with larger wheels/tires is much better for your conditions.

 

[metalbender]

Get the three range. Better selection of torque ranges for different applications.

 

[Henro]

My B2910 has three ranges. I have 8 acres, nothing flat really. I find I only use range 2 (most of the time) and range 1 when I need more power. Last time I used range 3 was MANY years ago. I guess if I were roading the tractor I would use it...

For your use, probably either 2 or 3 ranges will work. You might want to compare what the low gear ratios are, as when you need the power lower is better...until you lose traction, that is...:laughing:

 

[Diggin It]

I wish I had three. Low is too slow for many straight on, one direction tasks and High doesn't have the guts to climb hills. I would think Medium would be very useful.

 

[nybirdman]

I wish I had three. Low is too slow for many straight on, one direction tasks and High doesn't have the guts to climb hills. I would think Medium would be very useful.

Exactly!I run in medium range 90% of the time.

 

[Deepdrop]

Thanks for the replies so far. I can see why it's confusing, because there are many factors involved and it sounds like I really won't know until I'm actually using the tractor on my property, doing my jobs. My tires will be loaded, and the tractor with 2 ranges is the heavier of the two. So, from what Jeff9366b says, it sound like I could struggle carrying a load uphill with this setup.

True, ground speed is not an issue for me.

I will probably use the loader to move snow in the winter, so would that qualify as ground contact?

The specs that I can find online don't mention the actual gear ratios of the transmission.

 

[Peter 315]

Take them for a test ride at the dealer...

 

[jeff9366]

1) I will probably use the loader to move snow in the winter, so would that qualify as ground contact?

2)The specs that I can find online don't mention the actual gear ratios of the transmission.

1) No. Floridians mostly cannot guide on snow work from personal experience. However, many living in the north consider split tractor brakes, "steering brakes" important for guiding a tractor over snow.

FEL BUCKET + SNOW: TRACTOR SNOW EDGE TAMERS - YouTube


2) HST ranges are actually gears, but wheel power is supplied by pump driven fluid circulation so no gear ratios can be calculated for HST, just ground speeds.

 

[rScotty]

Why three rather than two?

It's because for a tractor you have to have low range to get the heavy work done. Low range is your power range. It is what you use to get the tough or delicate jobs done. A tractor without a low range isn't much of a traction machine at all.

High range is necessary because tractors just don't travel very fast. In fact, they are surprisingly slow - and especially slow (but powerful) in low range. So if you want to do anything that involves traveling over about 30 yards you are going to want to have a high range or a good book.

Now that we know why we have low and high, the question is why have medium. The answer is simply that medium range is good for both. It is where you will spend most of your tractoring time.

Good luck with your choice.
rScotty