hydro or power reverser

[area123]

I'm buying my 3320 this week and can't decide between the ehydro or the reverser. The price difference is $800. I'm used to a collar shift on my previous compact tractor so either one will be a nice upgrade.

I will have a loader but won't do much more than maybe using it as a wheelbarrow for planting trees, an occasional bucket of dirt, etc.. No heavy duty gravel spreading or unloading, etc. The other main uses will be grading my driveway, leveling my new yard, some tilling for gardening, etc. And quite a bit of finish mowing eventually.

Should I save the $800 and get a nicer attachment or is the hydro really worth the extra money. I've driven both and will have to get used to the reverser. I like the hydro but doesn't seem like its worth $800 to me.

 

[TripleR]

I'm buying my 3320 this week and can't decide between the ehydro or the reverser. The price difference is $800. I'm used to a collar shift on my previous compact tractor so either one will be a nice upgrade.

I will have a loader but won't do much more than maybe using it as a wheelbarrow for planting trees, an occasional bucket of dirt, etc.. No heavy duty gravel spreading or unloading, etc. The other main uses will be grading my driveway, leveling my new yard, some tilling for gardening, etc. And quite a bit of finish mowing eventually.

Should I save the $800 and get a nicer attachment or is the hydro really worth the extra money. I've driven both and will have to get used to the reverser. I like the hydro but doesn't seem like its worth $800 to me.

Then it probably isn't. I will never buy another non HST, but everyone is different.

I guess one way to look at it is it worth the gamble when you are spending this much money? Only you can tell; good luck and enjoy your new tractor.

 

[American Bulldog]

I believe that the power reverse will give a little more power, as it is direct drive once engaged. I have two of them (my 5420 is actually up for sale now) and once you get used to not using the clutch, it is very versatile. On my tractors the reverse is a little faster than forward, so it takes a little getting used to. When you switch to reverse, the tractor speeds up.

Another nice thing about the power reverser is that you can switch into neutral without using the clutch as well.

For finish mowing, I do prefer the hydro. For mowing larger areas, the power reverse works just great.

 

[area123]

I will be driving mainly, and my 17 year old son but he's used to collar shift as well. My wife won't drive it. We do have a lot of trees that I like to mow trails in but as far as finish mowing around the house I will do mainly w/ a rider and then will probably finish mow 2 acres w/ the tractor along the driveway & outside the yard around the trees.

One thing I didn't mention is that I do plan to brushhog about 40 acres about once per year as needed and I will spray with my 3pt sprayer the same ground. It is a previously overgrown pasture that I am trying to turn into a nice hay meadow but I don't plan to mow and spray forever or do any haying w/ this tractor for sure. I did brush hog the whole thing with my smaller 790, twice and it did just fine other than taking about a month of weekends.. but it was heavily overgrown w/ honey locust, blackberries, sumac, etc..

 

[JCB]

area,

Everything you listed says hydro to me, no. Tilling, mowing, brushhog, planting trees, trails.... Hydro, hydro, hydro, hydro, hydro.

Having infinite speed control always at your feet is worth the money for any pto or precision job required. It completely changes the tractor.

A lot of us grew up on gears and the new reversers are REALLY nice and they really have their place, but it's a pretty small group of hydro users who want to go back.

You'll be glad you got the hydro.

Joe

 

[jenkinsph]

Another vote for the hydro, very good for back and forth movements such as boxblading and general uses. I don't think you will regret it.

 

[RoyJackson]

I'd vote for the reverser transmission. More power to the wheels and a very easy transmission to use. Much more versatile then the hydro, especially for that 40 acres to mow. Unlike a hydro (unless you get the cruise control), you just set the range, gear, throttle and direction and go.
Also, it is 800 bucks cheaper...find another implement to buy.

I'd just test drove a reverser yesterday, in fact. Used machine, so it's not the power reverser...definitely a nice, robust transmission. And yes, I'm thinking about trading the 790 for it.

I do wonder how many of the folks responding to this thread ever drove a gear transmission...

 

[TripleR]

I'd vote for the reverser transmission. More power to the wheels and a very easy transmission to use. Much more versatile then the hydro, especially for that 40 acres to mow. Unlike a hydro (unless you get the cruise control), you just set the range, gear, throttle and direction and go.
Also, it is 800 bucks cheaper...find another implement to buy.

I'd just test drove a reverser yesterday, in fact. Used machine, so it's not the power reverser...definitely a nice, robust transmission. And yes, I'm thinking about trading the 790 for it.

I do wonder how many of the folks responding to this thread ever drove a gear transmission...

I have four geared units and one has a shuttle shift. I no longer farm just FEL work, bush hogging, box blade and such with plowing and disking for food plots.

I have three HST units.

 

[Wesdor]

I vote with Roy Jackson.

I have the power reverser and was accustomed to a shift tractor before. I like being able to select the gear and then pull the throttle down for "cruise control".

Have you tried a hydro for more than a couple of minutes? I think this is a personal choice and you should find a way to use each option for at least an hour on the same kind of job. That way you will be able to make the right decision for you.

 

[GeneD14]

I have had over 14 gear tractors, 2 shuttle shift and a hydro. For tilling, lawn mowing, snow removal or loader work I would pick the hydro hands down. No question.
I preffer the shuttle transmission for max HP applications like heavy box scraping, plowing or bush hogging tall grass.
I think it all comes down to you specific needs.

 

[deputy11]

You don't mention if you will be moving snow with the FEL but if so, eHydro is the way to go. Even if not, the other tasks you list are easier with it too. Another point is resale or trade-in, you'll get your money back right there.

 

[Jimmy Joe]

I borrowed a shuttle shift with a rear tiller, it had a very slow low gear I thought you would never have to go that slow, but for tilling new ground it was too fast. It was a small garden so I would till forward and back up and till again. I was constantly shifting to a higher gear to back up and riding the clutch in low to till. Go with the hydro for what you are doing after a while you will be glad you did.

 

[om21braz]

If you've already driven both, you'll make the right decision. P.S. - eHydro would be my pick

 

[8404]

dont some people have trouble with hydros over heating when brush cutting in hills and ditches?

 

[jenkinsph]

I vote with Roy Jackson.

I have the power reverser and was accustomed to a shift tractor before. I like being able to select the gear and then pull the throttle down for "cruise control".

Have you tried a hydro for more than a couple of minutes? I think this is a personal choice and you should find a way to use each option for at least an hour on the same kind of job. That way you will be able to make the right decision for you.

I like the ehydro adjust my speed to where I wan't and push the set switch or resume. I like the cruise control holding the speed within .1mph increments too.

I agree whole heartedly about trying each out for more than an hour to get a better feel for them.

 

[AKfish]

When you finish rennovating your 40 acres and decide to buy a bigger tractor - you'll be glad; and the next buyer will be glad - that you went with eHydro.

AKfish

 

[hrcarver]

dont some people have trouble with hydros over heating when brush cutting in hills and ditches?

Waiting for an answer to that too, mowing hills would be light use for mine.

 

[MFRED]

Buy what YOU want, not what everyone on here tells you to. You're the one that has to p ay for it & operate it.
If you're used to the collar shift, A power shuttle would be a nice, easy step for you.
Of course a hydro is a nice easy driver for anyone.

 

[TripleR]

dont some people have trouble with hydros over heating when brush cutting in hills and ditches?

Haven't had any trouble with mine. My son used my Kubota and 6' bush hog to fill in for our CX80 Case and 10'6" bush hog for three days when the Case sustained a wheel injury. The brush was over the hood in most places.

 

[pitt_md]

I have four geared units and one has a shuttle shift. I no longer farm just FEL work, bush hogging, box blade and such with plowing and disking for food plots.

I have three HST units.

You have SEVEN tractors?