Gear or Hydrostatic Transmissions for Compact Utility Tractors?

[jenkinsph]

Yep.

It just seems a lot of people roll out that argument every time the subject comes up. If you need a 30HP PTO, then buy a machine with a 30HP PTO.

I agree^^^ and would also opt for the higher hp. models of the same tractor. I hear a lot of people say that they can spin the tires with their lower hp. tractor and don't see the need for more power. That is only valid at low gear settings, if you are in medium or higher ranges/gears the lower hp. tractor will bog down much more than the higher hp. model.

 

[k0ua]

I agree^^^ and would also opt for the higher hp. models of the same tractor. I hear a lot of people say that they can spin the tires with their lower hp. tractor and don't see the need for more power. That is only valid at low gear settings, if you are in medium or higher ranges/gears the lower hp. tractor will bog down much more than the higher hp. model.

Exactly.

 

[jenkinsph]

I will never say one is better than the other. I only say in certain circumstances one is better than the other. If not we wouldn't have a choice. If you have never experienced each of these circumstances that doesn't mean they don't exist.

I know it's difficult to imagine, but none of us have experienced every tractor situation.

I agree with this too.^^^^

Most tractor work can be accomplished with either gear or hydrostatic transmissions. Some things are better done with gear and some with a hydro. I recommend people think about their own uses carefully and choose what works best for their own uses.

I have read many times in many threads where someone will think they have some special ability and/or skill to depress and release a clutch pedal. These people feel they have "mastered" this clutch pedal operation . I am always humored by that.

 

[DK35vince]

I have read many times in many threads where someone will think they have some special ability and/or skill to depress and release a clutch pedal. These people feel they have "mastered" this clutch pedal operation . I am always humored by that.

You have to admit, some are good at it in tricky situations and some are not so good.
Seen it many times with my own eyes.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

HST Gear Wine!

 

[paulfun9]

I agree with this too.^^^^

Most tractor work can be accomplished with either gear or hydrostatic transmissions. Some things are better done with gear and some with a hydro. I recommend people think about their own uses carefully and choose what works best for their own uses.

I have read many times in many threads where someone will think they have some special ability and/or skill to depress and release a clutch pedal. These people feel they have "mastered" this clutch pedal operation . I am always humored by that.

Just this statement tells me a bunch about your misunderstanding of what those people do to operate a clutch much better than you. It isn't about how you use the clutch but rather a feel for the machine and the ability to time everything much better! I have gone round and round with people about my choice of gear/shuttle over the HST of which I own both many times and not one person has ever shown up here with an equivalent HST to any of my geared machines and proven they are faster or better at anything. Before you go off on that think with a bunch of friends and family like mine they actually have tried and each time they have found themselves wondering how they got outworked by this old man with his gear tractor!

I have watched and laughed out loud at many who claim they have driven clutch, gear all their life and then sat wondering how they never hurt themselves with them but never wondered why they decided to go with a HST or automatic with any of their vehicles. Thinking your a good operator and being one are two totally separate things! Just because someone has done something their hole life DOES NOT MEAN they are doing it better than anyone else or even that they know how to do it right! I would say that means if you went for HST for any reason other than you think its easy compared to a gear that you are on the list of those who never really got a feel for their machines. Belive me when I say there are plenty of those people out there. Just look around when driving at those who cant stay centered in their lane, brake for absolutely no reason, have to come to a complete stop before turning into their driveway, cant estimate time to distance and constantly cut other off forcing hard braking to avoid them, don't have the sense to accelerate when they have just cut off traffic so as not to create more problems and all those bad habits. All the bad drivers are not young people who haven't got lots of experience doing things right they are in many cases old people who have been doing them wrong and practicing doing them wrong for many years and simply because they haven't gotten hurt yet they think they are doing them right and are even teaching the young to do them wrong and saying its right!

 

[sd455dan]

Eric That's quiet, Can hear my neighbors Kubota (about 400 feet away) over my garage stereo some days..

and it is Not the engine that is loud,-can't say i remember seeing him without hearing protection (ear muffs) either.
Not sure how loud it would be in high range on the road,
but it is loud running a bush hog and especially when snow blowing after an hour or so. I have nothing against hydro units- really like having a mower with it and someday will possibly own a tractor with hydro.
JMO, but some hydro units are just plain louder than others, and I am definitely not saying that Kubota hydros are noisier than other brands, just my neighbors- and that is OK to. It still is quieter than my Old New Holland skid steers hydro unit was.

 

[TripleR]

Some Kubotas and some HSTs may well whine objectionably, but my Kuboa L5740 is just like Eric's Kioti, so the statement many make that all HSTs whine doesn't seem to hold up.

 

[California]

Can hear my neighbors Kubota (about 400 feet away) over my garage stereo some days..

and it is Not the engine that is loud, ... some hydro units are just plain louder than others, and I am definitely not saying that Kubota hydros are noisier than other brands, just my neighbors...

Ditto. 400+ feet away, far enough I can't see who is driving the 30hp(?) 2015 Kubota. Can't hear any engine, just a constant whine all day while he shuttles around in his orchard. About as annoying over here - indoors - as their prior MF135 with rotted muffler was.

If I had one of those I would maintain hearing protection too.

(I can hardly complain, I prefer my 18 hp Yanmar over the 24hp one because I need hearing protection on the larger one and I'm sure that one annoys neighbors too. )

 

[jenkinsph]

Just this statement tells me a bunch about your misunderstanding of what those people do to operate a clutch much better than you. It isn't about how you use the clutch but rather a feel for the machine and the ability to time everything much better! I have gone round and round with people about my choice of gear/shuttle over the HST of which I own both many times and not one person has ever shown up here with an equivalent HST to any of my geared machines and proven they are faster or better at anything. Before you go off on that think with a bunch of friends and family like mine they actually have tried and each time they have found themselves wondering how they got outworked by this old man with his gear tractor!

I have watched and laughed out loud at many who claim they have driven clutch, gear all their life and then sat wondering how they never hurt themselves with them but never wondered why they decided to go with a HST or automatic with any of their vehicles. Thinking your a good operator and being one are two totally separate things! Just because someone has done something their hole life DOES NOT MEAN they are doing it better than anyone else or even that they know how to do it right! I would say that means if you went for HST for any reason other than you think its easy compared to a gear that you are on the list of those who never really got a feel for their machines. Belive me when I say there are plenty of those people out there. Just look around when driving at those who cant stay centered in their lane, brake for absolutely no reason, have to come to a complete stop before turning into their driveway, cant estimate time to distance and constantly cut other off forcing hard braking to avoid them, don't have the sense to accelerate when they have just cut off traffic so as not to create more problems and all those bad habits. All the bad drivers are not young people who haven't got lots of experience doing things right they are in many cases old people who have been doing them wrong and practicing doing them wrong for many years and simply because they haven't gotten hurt yet they think they are doing them right and are even teaching the young to do them wrong and saying its right!

Funny:laughing::laughing:
I rest my case.