gear or hydro

[Soundguy]

I am thinking about upgrading my tractor. I mainly mow around 7 acres of pasture and yard I have a gear drive kubota (shuttle shift) and would like to know the pros and cons of the hydro for the jobs I do. With the gear I run low 4 with the hand throtle and just drive. Is it a pain to use the hydro pedals for large cutting areas. Thanks Randy

wow.. i'm almost afraid to comment on a gear vs hydro thread

in general:

if you have open areas to mow, gears are fine, and more economical.

If you have lots of tight areas, back up frequently or do lots of loader work, HYDRO can be nice ( shuttle is great for loader work too.. either are bette rthan plain jane crashbox gear )

If you do tillage, plowing and that sort of thing.. you might go with a gear.. again.. more economical.

soundguy

 

[Kiotisooner]

I went thru this a few years ago. Went with a Massey GC2300. I recently bought a Kioti DK50 with a hydro. I would not go back to a gear. You will lose a few HP with the hydro, but it is worth every penny. Not to mention safer than a gear on slopes and inclines. My Dad is 72 years old, brush hogs and uses tractor everyday and he would not go back to a gear either. My hydro is very quiet and doesn't whine. Oh, by the way in the last 12 years, Dad has put over 5600 hours on 2 hydro tractors and no problems. They are very very tough.

 

[Soundguy]

I know of no other thread that generates flames like gear vs hydro..

kinda like agreeing on what kind of woman someone likes.. ( er.. or man.. whatever :~ )

soundguy

 

[Elcid76]

When I bought the L3240 HST six months ago I decided on the HST for the wife. After 140 hours I can honestly say that the HST was the best decision I ever made. I am now digging a new pond, and the tractor is so darned easy to control that it is impossible to compare. The HST allows me to concentrate on the loader without ever stalling. It is hard to imagine that I could ever get this type of precise control with a clutch.
Before finally springing for a new tractor, I had an AC D17 with snap couplers for over 20 years. The L3240 has done everything that I have asked including pulling a 6 ft BMB pull behind brush cutter. I am amazed every day!

 

[whistlepig]

Drive a gear tractor all day on Monday and drive a Hydro tractor all day Tuesday. Come Wednesday take your pick. All things being equal I'll climb on the Hydro.

 

[Soundguy]

usually all things aren't equal though that's why you got to take stuff into account. for instance.. if price is equal hp on the hydro will likely be less... or if hp is the same.. $$ on the hydro will be more.. etc.

hydro is not a cheap tranny option ...

soundguy

 

[jenkinsph]

Gosh haven't seen one of these threads this weekend.:laughing:


You might be a redneck if you buy a gear tractor.

 

[gauthier]

Well,gear of course.

 

[k0ua]

Hydro

I have owned 2 of each. They make both for a reason, If I was mowing or plowing a big flat field, probably gear. operating on steep slopes in the woods like I do here in Branson, and mostly front end loader work, HYDRO no question. Will gear work? sure, is hydro better, YES, much better. your left knee will thank you. The level of precision and control around trees and buildings in tight areas is just so much better. You can work faster, safer and easier. Do they cost more? yes, usually. Do they make more noise? yes usually. Do they generate more heat? and consume some horsepower? yes. All true, and you know what? I don't care. The ease of use, and all the other things I noted above far outweigh all of the downsides for me. Now as for women, I like them all, but some are more "comfortable" than others:laughing::laughing:
James K0UA

 

[Marveltone]

Which one? That's easy. The one that was on the used tractor that I could afford! :thumbsup:

Joe

 

[JoelD]

Which one? That's easy. The one that was on the used tractor that I could afford! :thumbsup:

Joe

Funny, there's been 100's of the these threads and the quote above about sums it up, at least for me.

Of course can't help myself so here goes. I stayed away from hydro because I was afraid of breakage. I've never had a gear anything fail on me yet (tranny wise).

Joel

 

[crusty 1]

this is the chevy,ford,dodge,blond,brunette,red question there isn't one right answer.Ya makes your choice on your own needs:laughingave

 

[_RaT_]

I personally like the hydro that uses gears, you know, Kubota, John Deere, etc.

 

[catskinner]

If you can find a dealer with both styles in the same model, you could possibly make a choice, or like my wife was fearing, one of each. Each has there points, if your doing field work plowing and discing, go with a gear, otherwise hydro is the better choice if you have the cash. I'd go with a 40 hp and hydro in my opinion. I won't say anything about color! :thumbsup::laughing:

 

[montelatici]

I used a gear tractor from 1985 to 2007. When I got my first HST it was a revelation. So much more comfortable and much less tiring. I have to say though that a gear tractor needs a lot less HP to do the same thing as an HST. Let's say that a 13 HP B5200 feels as powerful as a 23 HP BX24 from my experience.

 

[buck12]

Which one? That's easy. The one that was on the used tractor that I could afford! :thumbsup:

Joe

That is exactly why my tractor is gear. If I decide to upgrade in the future I will likely shop til I find a good used tractor at a fair price that meets my needs. Gear or hydro will get the job done.

 

[_RaT_]

I also went hydro...

 

[Interlaux]

The only thing I can figure is those who like gears have a much finer "touch" than I do. For me when doing FEL or mowing a HST can not be beat. I actually hate my FILs gear. Check resale - HST is like gold:licking:

 

[RoyJackson]

Which one? That's easy. The one that was on the used tractor that I could afford! :thumbsup:

Joe

Now me...I bought the transmission (Reverser). It just happened to have a 2000 Deere 4400 attached to it.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I have a Yanmar Powershift that I love so much that I am looking to buy a new Massey Ferguson 1648 with QPS because it has one also. I can run my Yannie all day without touching the clutch when mowing. I do clutch it when using the FEL most times so I can get a full bucket without spinning the wheels. I can Shift upward / downward 3 forward and 1 reverse plus go to neutral all without touching the throttle or clutch if I want. Only time to throttle down is when reversing direction so you can stay in the seat. I dont have any power loss either. Unfortunately it looks like you have to get to about 48 HP to get this transmission.
I think it is a good compromise between a hydrostatic and straight gear.