Newbie question

[RebelHomesteads]

Hi,

im going to be buying my first tractor and the tractor I was looking at has a 12x12 shuttle shift. I’m wondering how similar this transmission is to a semi truck 10 or 13 speed? Can I “float”? If I’m going from low range to medium do I go to medium range while in 4th and then when I shift I’ll go to 5th gear by shifting back to 1? Can I go from mid range forward straight to mid range reverse? Will it hurt the transmission if I start in 5th on level ground? How difficult would a 75 hp tractor be for someone who has tractor trailer experience?

Thank you!

 

[mcfarmall]

Typically you must be at a standstill to shift ranges H, M, L. Depending on your tractor the individual gears may or may not be synchronized. On my Kubota M5660, I have to be stopped and select bunny or turtle range. Once the tractor is in motion, I can shift the individual gears (1-4) by clutching and shifting just like any manual transmission automobile. My tractor has a hydraulic shuttle shift and I simply move a lever on the steering column to go from forward to reverse on the go, no foot clutching required. The tractor has a hydraulic foot clutch I can use at my discretion, for example in an inching situation.

 

[RebelHomesteads]

Oh I got it way wrong. I thought I’d be shift up 12 gears. I was like, if I can’t float that’ll get annoying quick.

thanks for responding. I think it said they were synchronized. What does that mean?

 

[3 Horse Ranch]

Hi,

im going to be buying my first tractor and the tractor I was looking at has a 12x12 shuttle shift. I’m wondering how similar this transmission is to a semi truck 10 or 13 speed? Can I “float”? If I’m going from low range to medium do I go to medium range while in 4th and then when I shift I’ll go to 5th gear by shifting back to 1? Can I go from mid range forward straight to mid range reverse? Will it hurt the transmission if I start in 5th on level ground? How difficult would a 75 hp tractor be for someone who has tractor trailer experience?

Thank you!

The range selector is typically not synchronized and doesn't shift like a truck. My question is, why would you want to go through the gears like a truck? Usually you select a range that is right for the job you are doing and then change gears to adjust the speed faster or slower as needed, Normally I just use the hand throttle to keep a constant speed for using 3 point implements and because it keeps the PTO speed steady. I only use the foot throttle for loader work and shift from forward to reverse in the same range

 

[3 Horse Ranch]

Oh I got it way wrong. I thought I’d be shift up 12 gears. I was like, if I can’t float that’ll get annoying quick.

thanks for responding. I think it said they were synchronized. What does that mean?

Not Knowing the tractor, I'd say the gears are synchronized, but the range isn't. For transporting mine on our gravel road, I'd select my 3rd range, first gear to start and then up shift like an old car to get back to the house.

 

[N80]

For the most part if the transmission is not synchronized you pretty much have to come to a complete stop to change gears. That is the way my very basic tractor is. Most of the time it is a non-issue. If it is synchronized you can shift it just like a manual transmission car but even then that does not always include the lowest gears. Ask the dealer to explain it then get on the tractor and drive it around for a while. The dealer should be happy to accommodate a test drive.

 

[repete]

What make and model tractor are you looking at?

 

[IndyJay]

Oh I got it way wrong. I thought I’d be shift up 12 gears. I was like, if I can’t float that’ll get annoying quick.

thanks for responding. I think it said they were synchronized. What does that mean?

My 4wd trucks have always had 4wd low and 4wd high. I have to stop to shift from low to high range. That is even less of an issue with a tractor. It is not the same as driving a stick shift car or truck.

Typically you would only be using low for plowing or something that would require lots of low speed grunt; middle range would be where most people run for mowing and general travel in the field or woods; high range would nearly always be driving on a road or other smooth surface to get somewhere else.

My previous tractor was 16 gears and in 27 years I never had a need to shift ranges on the fly.

 

[RebelHomesteads]

For the most part if the transmission is not synchronized you pretty much have to come to a complete stop to change gears. That is the way my very basic tractor is. Most of the time it is a non-issue. If it is synchronized you can shift it just like a manual transmission car but even then that does not always include the lowest gears. Ask the dealer to explain it then get on the tractor and drive it around for a while. The dealer should be happy to accommodate a test drive.

Would this be a good time to tell you I’m buying it from China?

 

[RebelHomesteads]

My 4wd trucks have always had 4wd low and 4wd high. I have to stop to shift from low to high range. That is even less of an issue with a tractor. It is not the same as driving a stick shift car or truck.

Typically you would only be using low for plowing or something that would require lots of low speed grunt; middle range would be where most people run for mowing and general travel in the field or woods; high range would nearly always be driving on a road or other smooth surface to get somewhere else.

My previous tractor was 16 gears and in 27 years I never had a need to shift ranges on the fly.

I know my transmission gear and tons will effect my pto, but does it also effect the hydronic stuff? Like cutting down trees?

 

[Bavarian]

Trucker here.
Like the above posters have pointed out already, you could have any combination of gears being synchronized. In most cases, the ranges are not synchronized and have to be shifted while stopped. I tried it once on a model to keep shifting while moving. No chance.
As far as I can remember, a JD 5M has the higher speed ranges synchronized up and down.
The gears in each range are usually synchronized up and downshift.
The clutch needs to be used for all shiftings. Some models have a declutch button on the shift lever. That can be used instead of the pedal but can not be feathered like the pedal.

It's an entire different animal compared to an Eaton.

 

[rScotty]

There are lots of types of tractor transmissions but the 12 speed is common.

A lot of 12 speed transmissions will have 3 ranges and the ability to select gears from 1,2,3,4, and maybe Reverse within each range. The Ranges are almost never synchronized, the Gears within a range may or may not be synchronized, but that doesn't matter since you usually have a pretty good idea of what speed you want to work in. The throttle gives you finer control in that gear....just like in a car. All the tractor's gears are pretty low, so a tractor will start out in any gear, it just has more torque and less speed in the lower gears.

But tractors have something beyond just selecting Ranges & Gears. Lots of tractors have some form of "powershift" with hydraulic clutches that automatically clutch for you as you move from one gear to another. Sort of like syncronized gear shifting on steroids.

Another thing that many tractors have that cars and trucks don't have is a hydraulic "reverser". That is an amazing feature - often via a lever on the steering column - that simply moves between forward and reverse in any gear. One moment you are going forward pushing the loader bucket into a pile of gravel, and then you flick that lever and you are almost instantly going backwards in the same gear. Or you might hold the lever for a moment to stop all the drive power while you raise the bucket.

If you choose any form of manual shift, I think you will like it. They are well worked out, and lots of options. Very reliable. The one thing I would always want would be a reverser.
rScotty

 

[RebelHomesteads]

What make and model tractor are you looking at?

Lovol 504

 

[repete]

Lovol 504

Nice looking little machine.

 

[RebelHomesteads]

Nice looking little machine.

Less than 20k for one with a cab and ac/heat. I want to have my first tractor be cheap so if I break it while learning it won’t put me under.

 

[3 Horse Ranch]

Nice looking little machine.

I read their web description of the tractor and I saw it was certified for European use, but I didn't see anything about American tier IV final certification. Might double check that.

 

[RebelHomesteads]

I read their web description of the tractor and I saw it was certified for European use, but I didn't see anything about American tier IV fin certification. Might double check that.

I think it has a Tier 4 Shibura motor

 

[rScotty]

Less than 20k for one with a cab and ac/heat. I want to have my first tractor be cheap so if I break it while learning it won’t put me under.

You are asking pretty basic questions for someone who has already decided on a tractor brand. That's backwards. You would be better served to spend the money on an better known brand of used tractor.

 

[RebelHomesteads]

I read their web description of the tractor and I saw it was certified for European use, but I didn't see anything about American tier IV final certification. Might double check that.

554 my bad.

Welcome to Lovol USA...

American Diesel Tractor Products, LLC This is one company under God!

lovolusa.com

 

[RebelHomesteads]

You are asking pretty basic questions for someone who has already decided on a tractor brand. That's backwards. You would be better served to spend the money on an better known brand of used tractor.

I gotta see which one is the prettiest before I know which one I want.