hydrostatic vs standard transmission
Lugnut
Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 2 Stafford, VA |
2003-10-17 66444
What should I select for a transmission on my new utility tractor, hydrostatic or standard? Do I have to control the drive pedal on a hydro like the gas pedal on my car? If so, this could be a pain when bouncing around the field. Should I choose a TC30 or a Boomer?
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hydrostatic vs standard transmission
Chief
Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 4299 Southwest MiddleTennessee Pics |
2003-10-17 66447
The bouncing around can be an issue. I keep my heel on the platform floor and pivot my foot from that point. If the bouncing around is so bad that I cannot control it, I slow down as I am going way too fast anyway. For a variety of uses the hydro is the way to go. If you have a specific use that favors another type trans. then you may want to consider the shift. All depends on personal preference and uses. Cost is the other consideration as the hydro type trans. definitely costs more. ....
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hydrostatic vs standard transmission
kwschumm
Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 5764 NW Oregon Pics |
2003-10-17 66453
Cruise control takes care of the bouncing problem until you can blade out those ruts :)
If others in your family will use the tractor ease of use may be a consideration. If that's the case the hydro wins.
The hydro costs more but has better resale. I have heard from dealers that hydro tractors are much easier to sell.
It is my opinion that reliability is about the same. Most reported hydro problems seem to be of the type where some safety switch or electronic gizmo causes a failure or a linkage needs adjusting or lubing. Most gear type failures seem to be clutch related (expensive repair!). If you have to replace a hydro transmission it's VERY expensive but that event is extremely rare.
The gear transmissions may be better suited for heavy earthmoving type work, but for loader work, mowing, bush hogging, etc. I like hydros. ....
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hydrostatic vs standard transmission
AC5ZO
Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 928 Rio Rancho, NM 87144 Pics |
2003-10-17 66489
I bought the 12X12 shuttle shift trany with my Boomer. The forward/reverse shift lever is located right under the steering wheel for very fast operation. The trany is also synchro, so you can shift on the move.
The Boomer is fancier and has a lot of nice extras and better visibility in my opinion, but the TC 30 is a very capable tractor. ....
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hydrostatic vs standard transmission
Art White
Join Date: Jan 2000 Posts: 6898 Waterville New York Pics |
2003-10-17 66492
Kubota offers a powershift transmission much like those on the bigger farm tractors to fill in between the syncromesh and the hydro. Many people chose that transmission for there work. It would be easier to recommend if we knew more of what you have to do. There have been some very good points brought up in the other posts for you to consider. ....
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hydrostatic vs standard transmission
TomG
Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 5406 Upper Ottawa Valley |
2003-10-18 66521
Couple of concepts: HST allows independence of engine rpm and ground speed within load limits. PTO implements have to be run at pto rpm and the only control of ground speed with gears is to change gears and often one gear is too slow and the next too fast. In the case of tillers and blowing heavy-snows the lowest gear may be too fast. HST's can creep. Ground speed control with gears can be a problem especially for 3ph snow blowers since a tractor may only have two reverse gears. I like my synchro-gears just fine but I do have four reverses. The lowest is still too fast for really heavy snows.
When HST's do fail it's often is due to poor maintenance--oil and filters have to be changed regularly. With good maintenance the expected costs of owning an HST are less than for gears. I have to add reduced resale value and a new clutch in a about 1000-hours onto my costs.
As you may find, the speed pedal isn't like an accelerator. It changes the gearing. Like shifting down, more pedal gives more power but less ground speed. ....
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hydrostatic vs standard transmission
Art White
Join Date: Jan 2000 Posts: 6898 Waterville New York Pics |
2003-10-18 66528
Excellent job Tom! ....
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hydrostatic vs standard transmission
drcjv.
Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 334 southeastern pa Pics |
2003-10-18 66530
This question comes up over and over and as many people answer it is how many differant answers you will get. I used gear drives for years but, now that I have a hydro I'll never go back. I used one of my old tractors the other day to do some grading. Blade on old tractor rake on new tractor. What a differance, much harder and slower with the gears. TC30 vs Boomer is alot like the choice b/w a standard pick-up and a loaded up version both are very capable vehicles but , the loaded-up version is a little nicer, easier to use and worth more for resale. You really need to go try the different tractors for yourself then decide. Good luck. ....
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hydrostatic vs standard transmission
kwschumm
Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 5764 NW Oregon Pics |
2003-10-18 66531
Tom is sure right about the creeper issue. The other day I was pressure washing mud that plugged my R4 tires. I had my wife washing them while I slowly backed up - and with the eHydro I could back up at an incredibly slow rate, probably 1-2 feet a minute. The speed control was fantastic. ....
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hydrostatic vs standard transmission
Lugnut
Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 2 Stafford, VA |
2003-10-20 66659
Wow! Thx for all the responses. Sure helps to have the wisdom of others a key stroke away. The input will help me make a selection. I like the fact that the engine speed can be maintained for PTO operation yet my ground speed can vary. Cruise control was mentioned in one response. Is this an option or a standard with a hydro transmission? I was also wondering about 03' vs 04' models. This wasn't mentioned in the quoute I received from the dealer. Should I expect to get a better deal on an 03' model or doesn't it matter? ....
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