Creeping forward with a shuttle shift

[oldpilgrim]

Get an hst with a 'cruise control'. Set the control when you're in the field or on the road and don't anywhere else. Problem solved.

 

[holeycow]

The op's question was basically "how hard is it to position a tractor precisely with something other than an hst"?

Answer: It's not

 

[paulfun9]

So far I haven't driven a tractor that couldn't be precise.

So I don't know what all the hoopla is about with the "precision" of HST. Rubbish.

This is my experience so far!

I get just as close no matter which machine I am on and am actually faster with the gear/shuttle overall.

 

[GManBart]

Oh Lord, the guy asks a simple question and it turns into the typical gear/shuttle versus HST argument....again.

There is no simple answer to the OP's question, because it's not about a specific make/model of tractor, and it does make a difference.

Not all shuttle transmissions are configured the same, even among the same basic style (manual versus power, etc).

For example, the power shuttle on my backhoe doesn't even have a clutch pedal (although it does have buttons on the FEL control and shift lever)...you can ride the brakes and creep right up on something at idle without it stalling. Not many farm tractors have quite that complex a tranny, but some do.

The short version is try before you buy.

 

[GManBart]

This rubbish of HST being "more precise" is just that; rubbish.

Nobody said anything at all like that. The only HST reference was that the OP said he's used one....nothing more. Why bring up an instant argument for no purpose at all?

 

[holeycow]

The purpose it to try to tell the truth.

I assume the question only came up because of the prevailing misinformation regarding HST being "more accurate" or "more precise" than something with a clutch and brake. Different, yes. More precise, I don't think so. How could that be when many of us can place our machines over and over again and quickly exactly where we want it to be with any kind of transmission.

I recall someone asking a question about loading a pallet on a pickup with a geared tractor; seriously wondering if that was even possible with a standard shift without wrecking the truck or something. Holy smokes guys! Lets lay off the "more precise" thing, as that is simply bad information.

Anybody who can drive a clutch can drive a clutch in anything. Anyone who has a left leg that works can learn to drive a clutch tractor. A little bit of proper instruction helps.

 

[k0ua]

This rubbish of HST being "more precise" is just that; rubbish.

Yeah, right...watch my video, and tell me it is "rubbish". There is NO transmission as precise as a hydro. NONE. NADA. NYET.
there are a lot of pro's and con's to the various types of transmissions, and hydro's have cons's just like all the others. But the being able to precisely place the tractor when near obstacles is not one of them.

 

[dickfoster]

Yeah, right...watch my video, and tell me it is "rubbish". There is NO transmission as precise as a hydro. NONE. NADA. NYET.
there are a lot of pro's and con's to the various types of transmissions, and hydro's have cons's just like all the others. But the being able to precisely place the tractor when near obstacles is not one of them.

Yeah well not all of us are citified, sissy HST owners who can't drive.:laughing: Let the flames begin. :fiery:

I have no problem inching my gear/shuttle tractor to hook up the backhoe and other stuff, fractions of an inch at a time, at creepy crawly speeds.

 

[holeycow]

Yup. Or even like I said; while rolling along at a decent clip and dropping and rolling the loader bucket/bale forks/grapple bucket and turning and stopping exactly where I want to. And then backing out of there in a similar, reversed fashion. Over and over again. I've been bringing round bales into the yard with the Kioti lately, so it is kind-of fresh in my mind. It's just called driving. I wouldn't even consider myself a really good equipment operator. Not like some I know who run iron as a profession outside farming. Or even some of the other farmers I know.

I would love the "more accurate" lie to be laid to rest. Then we could at some point discuss the true merits of HST.

The video was watched a long time ago...it proves nothing whatsoever. Other than an HST may possibly be able to go as slow as a clutch set-up. I suppose the HST could go very slow for extended periods. You could only do that with creeper gears in a standard transmission. I have two creeper-gear tractors. So I can go pretty darn slow if need be. I basically almost never use those gears.

 

[holeycow]

Oh, and btw. A very experienced equipment operator told me that he loves the newer dozers because they are so easy to drive. And are less tiresome in a long day of dirtwork. This is thousands upon thousands upon thousands of heavy equipment operating talking.

I am only working with thousands of hours experience myself. Mostly farm tractors with a little dozer and big truck thrown in there.

One or maybe two benefits of infinately variable transmissions are apparent. I think there are more...

I get that.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

I'm turned sideways, my left hand is on the wheel and due to space considerations I'm doing a 20 point turn. With a shuttle, I'd let go of the wheel and flip the shuttle or more likely sit awkwardly with my left hand on the shuttle so I could be ready to bounce from gear to neutral, neutral to gear over and over while at the same time I steer with my right hand as I try to pay attention to the work being done in behind me.

If I have 100% of my attention to work with, shuttles require more attention to operate the machine than HSTs and that attention given to the machine saps attention given to the work being done with the machine and situational awareness around the machine.

 

[holeycow]

Except when the machine is very familiar, like part of your body, which happens with time spent and overall experience. Very experienced operators can jump in an unfamiliar machine and quickly adapt. Me; not so much.

Good point.

 

[holeycow]

I actually would prefer the forward reverse on the gear lever, like my Deutz rather than a long-throw lever by the steering wheel, like my Kioti. I think the devoted forward reverse lever in a sync shuttle is redundant and completely unnecessary. I am not a mechanic so I don't know the particular details, but give me some syncronized range shifting over that redundant forward reverse lever any day.

I think it is a soup-de-jour thing

 

[MinnesotaEric]

Except when the machine is very familiar, like part of your body, which happens with time spent and overall experience. Very experienced operators can jump in an unfamiliar machine and quickly adapt. Me; not so much.

Good point.

Yeah well, helicopters are harder to fly than fixed wing aircraft but we put up with it because helicopters can hover. In utility work shuttles and HSTs do the same work but HSTs are easier to operate. For this reason even CAT's medium 175hp loaders are now HSTs.

 

[k0ua]

I have said this before and I am sticking with it: If you have to ask what kind of transmission you need, you need a hydrostatic. It is that simple. Sure, guys with years of experience could make a coffee grinder sit up and whistle Yankee Doodle. So what? If you ask, then you need a hydro. If your old knees are worn out, you need a hydro. If you routinely work around obstacles or people, you need a hydro..

 

[MinnesotaEric]

I have said this before and I am sticking with it: If you have to ask what kind of transmission you need, you need a hydrostatic. It is that simple. Sure, guys with years of experience could make a coffee grinder sit up and whistle Yankee Doodle. So what? If you ask, then you need a hydro. If your old knees are worn out, you need a hydro. If you routinely work around obstacles or people, you need a hydro..

Exactly.

 

[GManBart]

The purpose it to try to tell the truth.

I assume the question only came up because of the prevailing misinformation regarding HST being "more accurate" or "more precise" than something with a clutch and brake. Different, yes. More precise, I don't think so. How could that be when many of us can place our machines over and over again and quickly exactly where we want it to be with any kind of transmission.

I recall someone asking a question about loading a pallet on a pickup with a geared tractor; seriously wondering if that was even possible with a standard shift without wrecking the truck or something. Holy smokes guys! Lets lay off the "more precise" thing, as that is simply bad information.

Anybody who can drive a clutch can drive a clutch in anything. Anyone who has a left leg that works can learn to drive a clutch tractor. A little bit of proper instruction helps.

HST versus clutch came up because YOU introduced it to the thread. The OP didn't ask anything about HST...he just said he's used one in the past.

The topic of the thread is can you creep up on something with a shuttle shift transmission....nothing more until folks bring in outside topics that are sure to ruin the thread with back and forth arguments about an irrelevant point.

 

[holeycow]

Read the first 3 or 4 posts.

The fellow who said that his kubota is unable to work precisely is what got me going.

If that kubota story is indeed true, then that is a sorry line of tractors indeed. I really do find it hard to believe. Sorry.
That is a serious flaw. One that would render the tractor almost virtually useless.

Every other clutch tractor in the universe is not like that, as far as I know...in my experience.

And once again the HST FANBOIS CLUB showed up.

Oh well. See ya next time.

 

[holeycow]

Yeah well, helicopters are harder to fly than fixed wing aircraft but we put up with it because helicopters can hover. In utility work shuttles and HSTs do the same work but HSTs are easier to operate. For this reason even CAT's medium 175hp loaders are now HSTs.

I dealt with that in a post.

I seriously doubt that you know much about heavy equipment.

How much do you know about helicopters?

 

[k0ua]

And as the charter member of the HST FanBoy club, I will unequivocally state I can operate a straight 6x2 or 8x2 gear/clutch transmission as well as any one of you on this board. And if you "seriously doubt it" bring your coffee grinder down here to Branson, and I will demonstrate said same. That all said, give me a hydro any freaking day of the week and twice on Sunday's. So there. :laughing:

PS:. my old knees are for chit so don't expect me to push that darn clutch in too many times.