Advice on Hydrostatic Transmission vs Gears

[hayden]

One advantage to Hydro while digging into a pile is that if you let off the go pedal, the tractor simply stops. On a geared tractor, you can let off the go pedal but those tires are still churning until something breaks or the tractor stalls.

You need to clutch or hit the reverser, depending on what you have. I've been practicing my timing on hitting the reverser with my new-to-me IVT transmission. That's still needed with an IVT. You can also brake and that automatically clutches.

 

[JTKub]

My first tractor experience, except my home made version, was an L3800 size Kubota that came with my girlfriend when she moved in.

Girlfriends that come equipped with tractors? Sounds great unless you tick her off. LOL

 

[Too many Kubotas]

Girlfriends that come equipped with tractors? Sounds great unless you tick her off. LOL

Hah, that was many years ago and we're still together.

Also, she bought two of the four we have now, although she has never used either one of those two. I sure do.

 

[redman135]

To the OP. HST would be better for your children as they are more forgiving of mistakes, than their gear driven equivilents, and easier to learn from a zero start.
BUT be aware that these small tractors are narrow and tippy. LOOK at the rear rims. You want the 2 piece rims that let you widen the track for more stability(surprising amount of difference) and ballast the rear. Significant safety gains.
I am off hill country and the tractors have wide track or dual wheels.

 

[Wobblin-Goblin]

You need to clutch or hit the reverser, depending on what you have. I've been practicing my timing on hitting the reverser with my new-to-me IVT transmission. That's still needed with an IVT. You can also brake and that automatically clutches.

LOL, no kidding. I was simply making the point that geared tractors will bury or break themselves if not operated correctly.

 

[Texasmark]

As I get older, I realize the kids really won't be comfortable (or safe) on the older 60's tractors I have that I grew up with (AC, Farmall). We don't farm full time but maintain the fields, odd jobs, etc. I am considering selling the older machines (well maintained and in excellent condition), and finding a 40-50hp size modern machine with cab and quick detach loader - something the kids can relate to and use more than the old stuff. Won't hurt me to plow snow in a warm cab either.

I am favoring hydrostatic for ease of use. But in general, how do they hold up compared to conventional geared machines? I realize this is a very broad question, but how trouble free are the newer hydrostatics?

Well I made that mistake when I bought my 25 HP "second set of hands" for general purpose, whatever comes up, help while working alone. So I bought the old school gear shifter.

3 years later, I traded it in on a hydro because the shifter was a PIA when doing the kind of support work for which I bought the small tractor......haven't looked back.......too many hydros out there on big machinery working hard every day and holding their own to worry about it working.

If you make the same mistake I did, once you get the hydro you can't believe the difference in convenience.

One fine example. As stated I work alone and hooking up implements is my biggest !@#$%^&&*. With the hydro you can back up to the implement, standing on the right side, easily access the 3 pt lift lever and the foot pedals....so if you need to back up a couple of inches, you don't have to mount the tractor, push the clutch find the right gear, let the clutch out and all that "crap". You just reach down with your right hand and put a little pressure on the necessary foot lever and move the machine to suit you with nothing more than a little hand pressure where you are standing.......just no comparison.

 

[walnutman]

Yanmar YT series. That trans is the cat's meow.

 

[Texasmark]

Yanmar YT series. That trans is yhe cat's meow.

YT2 Series | YANMAR Tractor

Explore YANMAR tractor models in the innovative YT2 series. Popular for 10 to 50 acres.

www.yanmartractor.com

Good looking tractor at 35 HP. The Yanmar was the first tractor brand of its kind to enter the N. Dallas area as I recall back in the late '60's or early 70's....just nobody else for a long time. Yanmar builds engines and tractors for JD and other companies too. The 3 speed hydro is common over a 2 speed in the industry. My 2021 LS MT2-25S has the Yanmar 3 cyl. 25 hp diesel....never had a minutes trouble with it.

 

[JRH02]

I think it has a lot to do with what you're used to, doesn't it?

My neighbor used my post hole digger so it was on his Kubota when I needed it. He said just take the rig to auger your holes. It was basically the same size as my B7100 but sat higher. Hydro. It was kind'of nice on the trail between our places. But when drilling/ positioning, I hated it.

I like gears.

 

[walnutman]

This is the 59hp YT359C
The transmission is amazing and he didn't even get into the A/B modes.