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

[crazyal]

Tractors are like cars. Do you need power windows? Of course not but it makes life easier. The same is true with an extra gear. You'll get by just fine with 2 speeds but with 3 you'll most likely be in M (as lots of people said) because it's a happy medium between low and high so it can do most everything. What I can say is when you do have an option you like, say the power windows, if you ever replace the car and don't get them you will wish you had. I say this as one of the few who have the Kubota with a 3 speed gear box and a 2 speed hydraulic motor giving 6 speeds. No way i could go back to just 3 now.

 

[nbryan]

I have 1/4 mile of municipal gravel road traversing our property and 300 ft of driveway, so 3rd range gets a regular workout when getting around on the land via the road and driveway using my B2650. 2nd is my most popular gear, but any day I work the tractor I'm popping it into 1st for loader work, pulling ground working implements, fine motion control, and rough terrain like bush work and getting unstuck from the mud lol.
It makes the machine more versatile imo. Combined with the split rear brakes and diff lock, the little beast is surprisingly strong and capable.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

I also agree with the thinking that the 2 speed hydro isn't really the same as the 3 speed hydro with just the "high" gear taken out. I think the difference in ratio between the "L" and "M" ranges is farther apart in the 2 speed. Where as the 3 speed version, yes there are 3 ranges, but they place the ratios closer together between them. So, I think you get more capability from the 3 speed hydro, with those ranges closer together, you end up more easily able to match your tractors range to the work you're trying to do.

Now if they just took the top "gear" or range out of the hydro, and left L and M alone, I think more guys that use them similar to me, would be ok with only 2 speed ranges. As infrequently as I use 3rd, or "high" range, I doubt I'd miss it. I almost never road my tractor since taking the DOC filter off. Maybe once a year my buddy (that lives close enough) may need assistance with a project that needs a bigger mule than his 1025r, but it's pretty rare.

Anybody else that needs help is farther away, and I'm loading it on a trailer anyway.

 

[finn1]

Kioti publishes speed in each range, so it’s easy to figure relative gear ratios for different models in a roundabout way.

Kubota keeps that information secret, and I haven’t checked the others.

Transmission gear ratio isn’t everything, though. Tire size, rated engine speed, and final drive ratio all come into play.

The tractor with the slowest road speed in low range and the fastest road speed in transport mode has the widest overall ratio spread.

 

[nbryan]

Kioti publishes speed in each range, so it’s easy to figure relative gear ratios for different models in a roundabout way.

Kubota keeps that information secret, and I haven’t checked the others.

Transmission gear ratio isn’t everything, though. Tire size, rated engine speed, and final drive ratio all come into play.

The tractor with the slowest road speed in low range and the fastest road speed in transport mode has the widest overall ratio spread.

No secret here for my B2650.

 

[i7win7]

My BX2370, Forward low 3.7mph, hi 7.8mph -- Reverse low 2.8mph, hi 5.9mph

B2650, Forward low 3.6mph, med 5.3mph, hi 11.2mph -- Reverse low 2.7mph, med 3.9mph, hi 8.4mph (12.4-16 farm)
B2650, Forward low 3.7mph, med 5.5mph, hi 11.7mph -- Reverse low 2.8mph, med 4.1mph, hi 8.8mph (13.7-16 turf)

Had the B2650 opened up on the road Monday, felt faster than 11 mph. Guess most of my tractor work between 4-5 mph. I mow with the BX at max speed.

 

[finn1]

Didn’t think it was a secret, just wasn’t published in the sales brochures I found.

As expected, low range is the same on the 2 and 3 range models, high is transport for the three range, and a compromise on the two range.

You are mostly giving up transport speed when selecting a two speed transmission.

 

[BRMyers]

As others have stated, I do most of my work in medium, although since I have the HST+ transmission in my Kubota, I have Medium-Low and Medium-High. Switching back and forth between those two I accomplish 98% of what I need to do. I have used High-high when going over to the north 40 acres which is about 2 miles down the road. I have used low-high and low-low when really needing some power. So, I would recommend the 3-range transmission and the HST+ transmission is AWESOME.

 

[i7win7]

Didn’t think it was a secret, just wasn’t published in the sales brochures I found.

As expected, low range is the same on the 2 and 3 range models, high is transport for the three range, and a compromise on the two range.

You are mostly giving up transport speed when selecting a two speed transmission.

When BX was delivered, I was cautioned about lugging the hydrostat. 3.5mph in hi range generates more heat than running wide open in low range.
While BX's can do amazing things it's basically a commercial grade lawn mower.
The B models same HP, larger frame expected to do harder tasks for longer periods of time has med range to better match ground speed to workload.

 

[Green Acres Homestead]

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

Agree. I have an L4740. Mid range is used most of the time. It also has a speed control lever high and low which is wicket. Looking at trading it because it’s getting old but I’m going to miss them options if I don’t have them.