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

[jeff9366]

Neal at Messick's facetiously describes H-M-L HST ranges as H = highway, M = mow, L = Loader.

 

[Henro]

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

I have found the loader as not being very useful for dealing with snow. For me a rear blade works much better. But I still do use the loader to push/move snow that has piled up. I guess if you get a couple feet of snow the loader would be the tool of choice if you did not have a snow blower. We rarely get that much here.

 

[RjCorazza]

Just restating what others have said...
If I only had 2 ranges I would likely be in H for getting around, and L when doing most of my work (sometimes painfully slow when not necessary). 90% of my work is in Medium range, but I also have a HI/LO in each range.

 

[JerryK]

Most of my tractor work year round is in M on the 3 speed HST's. Use L when pushing into a big pile of clay/gravel. H only get used when I am cruising down the road to the neighbors.... A two speed setup would probably not be that bad. The low range would probably be like the lower half of my M, and the high gear in it would be probably like the upper half of my M up into the H range. A lot depends on the tractors final gear ratio. I had a JD 420 20hp HST garden tractor with a two speed rear, and it worked fine... Might loose a little of the real low ratio's and some of the real high ratio's, but might actually be better if it is set up right ...

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

Same here I'm afraid. I'm almost always in medium range. It works for almost every task needed. I'm very seldom in low range for anything, usually only when I'm pulling something (or someone) out of the mud or snow that got themselves stuck, and I need maximum pulling power for that one single task only. The only time I'm ever in high range is if I have to road my tractor somewhere, which is very seldom these days.

And snow work is not ground engaging. I'm always in medium range when I'm pushing snow. I do engage the front diff, occasionally engage the diff lock, and frequently use the split brakes when doing snow work.

I would personally not want to be without a 3 range hydro, and same for split brakes and rear diff lock.

 

[Deepdrop]

Thank you all very much. I have a much better sense of it now. It sounds like many of you stay in medium. That makes me wonder if a two range HST would result in constantly shifting from low to high in order to find the sweet spot for whatever task. That would be fine as long as there was a sweet spot. I'm going to post on the forum discussion for that specific tractor to get a feel of what the owners' experiences have been, now that I know what to ask about.
Thanks again!

 

[paulfun9]

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.

You won稚 be struggling to get uphill. I have a JD with only 2 ranges and have worked it side by side my buddies 3 range on his hilly property and he couldn稚 keep up.
Like you noticed in the replies a lot depends on your property layout. If like my property it had some moderate hills and more distance to cover where your going up a moderate hill for extended periods then I would be looking for a 3 range.

Best bet is to test the tractors on a hill with some wieght attached if it痴 possible.

 

[buck12]

Neal at Messick's facetiously describes H-M-L HST ranges as H = highway, M = mow, L = Loader.

That is very accurate from my experience.

 

[Summerlin]

Have you looked at the CK2610? It has the 3 range HST

 

[i7win7]

Have B2650 with loaded tires use Medium most of the time, but Low comes in handy when pulling stumps