ehydro vs power reverser

foodplot123 · Oct 19, 2009

Which would be the better choice for loader work ehydro or power reverser? thanks,foodplot.

jcmseven · Oct 19, 2009

This is a difficult question to answer. I have enjoyed having the e-hydro tranny in the machines I have owned. I would say it is the better of the two for loader and other back-and-forth type work. That said, I have seen some folks pretty slick with the PRT tranny and loader work. I think it depends on what else you wish to do with the tractor, too. If you are doing some loader work, but a lot of open field work, etc., the PRT likely is the better option. If you are doing mostly loader work or work where you have to finely regulate speed and are working in tight spaces or on steep hills, the control associated with hydro is better. One other thing to keep in mind: the hydro seems to suck some power away from the engine, thus I have found lower HP tractors with hydro tend to be a bit sluggish and not as "stout" feeling as the same HP machines with PRT. I like the PRT myself, but where I live with lots of tight areas and steep places, the control of e-hydro is almost essential for me.

John M

Spudland_Dave · Oct 20, 2009

Like John said..this is a difficult question to answer...but I'll answer it as to how I now feel thru my experiences...

I used to be a die hard gear drive guy...I thought the technological epitome of CUT Transmissions was the PR or Kubota GST (side note...I prefer the Kub GST over the Deere PR).... When I was shopping for a tractor last spring I was NOT gonna go without a factory cab, which essentially "screwed" me into getting a hydro machine regardless of color... Chose the 3520 for a few reasons, and almost 2 years later I would have to honestly say that they should eliminate the PR as a tranny choice for the 3x & 4x20's because I see no need...the eHydro is THAT good...
Realistically with the "enhanced cruise" or Motion match...whatever they're called....buttons Deere offers for the eHydro, there is ZERO benefit in my mind to the PR Tranny..

Thats just my take on it... I absouletly love my eHydro...and for the record the only reason I got the eHydro in the beginning was because of the Cab...Hindsight being 20/20....I'm SOOOO Glad I was forced to get the eHydro....

To answer your question, if your machine has a loader...it should have eHydro... Heck the way I feel...if you use ANY attachments, it should have eHydro, LOL.....

WH401 · Oct 20, 2009

If loader work was the only thing you plan to do then a hydro is the way to go. Just pivot your foot on your heel and push the corresponding pedal for the direction you want to go, nothing to it. That said, the PR isn't a complete slouch when it comes to loader work, it's slightly slower though. As opposed to moving your foot to push pedals on a hydro, all you have to do on a PR is flip a lever to move between forward and reverse. I like the PR because of it's better efficiency in putting the most power to the ground, and being able to putt around at lower RPM's without it affecting performance. On the other hand, hydro's allow you to be much smoother in directions changes. If your in mid range, 4th gear on a PR, and you flip the direction lever, it's going to start you off real fast without much warning. On a hydro you can ease into the pedal as you come up to full speed, a much smoother transition. They're both good transmissions, with their own ups and downs, but it all comes down to which one you prefer.

lungdoc · Oct 20, 2009

Another advantage of E-hydro is that you can keep the RPM's up easily for PTO work like brush-hogging or snowblowing without having a big effect on travel speed. Nice to go slow with full power to blower at times.

deere755 · Oct 20, 2009

I have both and I have found they both have there place. I like the PR for field work and spraying open areas. I like the hydro for close quarters. I think if I were doing mostly loader work I would like the hydro the best. Like what was said before PR takes you in reverse as fast as you go forward which can be unhandy in tight spots. I try to do all my mowing with the hydro unless we are mowing a big open area and even then you have more control over your speed with the hydro. Sometimes we have found with the PR we need a gear in between which hydro would offer.

soulasphil · Oct 20, 2009

I use my open station 3520 a lot for loader work and also for hedge trimming. Both tasks require very frequent changes in direction. That is the reason why I chose the power reverser and I am delighted with it. The change in direction at the flip of a finger is almost instantaneous. If you are moving rapidly, you can use the clutch to make it smoother, but most of the time I run the engine at low revs and there is no need for that. Add the possibility of driving at speed in reverse and you have an enormous improvement on my former tractor.

jenkinsph · Oct 20, 2009

deere755 said:
I have both and I have found they both have there place. I like the PR for field work and spraying open areas. I like the hydro for close quarters. I think if I were doing mostly loader work I would like the hydro the best. Like what was said before PR takes you in reverse as fast as you go forward which can be unhandy in tight spots. I try to do all my mowing with the hydro unless we are mowing a big open area and even then you have more control over your speed with the hydro. Sometimes we have found with the PR we need a gear in between which hydro would offer.

Why do you prefer the PR for spraying open areas, what do you feel is the advantage?

Steve

OtterBrookStables · Oct 21, 2009

I've owned both over the years. There are always trade-offs. We've found that the e-Hydro wins by a pretty big margin when all things are considered. The JD twin pedal design is lightning fast and super smooth. One good point already made is that for tasks like snowblowing where you need to creep at full power, the e-Hydro is not only better, but essential. We don't and won't own anything but e-Hydros. Just my $0.02

deere755 · Oct 21, 2009

jenkinsph said:
Why do you prefer the PR for spraying open areas, what do you feel is the advantage?

Steve

I like the PR for spraying because I can pick a gear, set my RPM's and get my rate of chemical on right every time. With the hydro it is a guessing game as to whether or not I have my ground speed right. For example B4 with my PR at 1850 RPM's, at 20 psi on my sprayer gets me 10 gallon of chemical per acre. I don't have a speedometer on my tractor so I have no way to tell if my ground speed is the same every time with the hydro.