how well does TYM HST cruise & auto throttle work for bush hogging vs shuttle shift?

[2manyrocks]

I'm considering replacing my Mahindra 3525 gear drive 35 hp because it seems to be weeping transmission oil onto the brakes, the seals are not externally replaceable and dealer support near me is not what I want. The primary use has been to run a 6' rotary cutter. If I can get a decent trade in value, I may trade it towards a new TYM.

One area TYM dealer has a T474HST or for about $3,000 more, a T494 shuttle shift for $30,250. I'm thinking the T494 shuttle shift might be able to run an 8' cutter where the T474HST couldn't?

But one other question I have is how well the HST cruise control and auto throttle features work in comparison to a shuttle shift in real use. I'd like to be able to set and forget the RPM and ground speed down the straight cuts, but be able to throttle back to make the turns to come back the other direction while cutting much like I presently do with the gear drive. The areas I'm cutting have some modest changing slopes. I don't want to constantly adjust the HST pedal. So go for the cruise control/auto throttle with the HST or just get the shuttle shift?

 

[LD1]

Well I dont think the T474 will fare well with an 8' twin. Too light and lower lift capacity.

But the 494 specs out real similar to kubota MX......and I have mowed well over 1000 acres with an 8' twin cutter.

But for me, its HST all the way for mowing. I do set the throttle and forget it. I dont have auto throttle, but have used tractors that do, and I wouldnt use it even if it had it. A rotary cutter is ALOT of rotating inertia....Im not gonna throttle down and back up and get the rotating mass all going again every time I want to turn.

Now the cruise control....dont use it either. And the only time I would ever use it is for a more precise and consistant speed control for something like spraying, or broadcast seeding/fertilizer.

But the beauty of the HST is you can infinitely change speed on the fly to match conditions. I have yet to come across a field that mowing conditions were consistent for the WHOLE field. So with HST, I "want" to go as fast as I can in medium range. But conditions dont always permit. Maybe the ground is rough, or I got to go slow around a tree, or hit a thick patch of tall dense stuff, or cross a little ditch from eroison, etc etc. SO I modulate speed on the fly....slow down when I need to, go fast when I can. My tractor DOES have CC, but I dont use it mowing.

But all that said.....why overlook a 494HST? Best of both worlds. Gets you the bigger machine to handle a bigger mower if you choose....but still all the perks of a HST.

Literally......myself going from a shuttle (and smaller machine) with a 6' cutter to going to a HST (no matter the cutter size) is like going from a garden tractor to a ZTR on your lawn.

 

[ericm979]

While my Branson has auto throttle, when I am using the rotary mower I set the throttle to the rpm that gives me 540 rpm at the PTO, which is about 2500. That's more than the auto throttle will give me, at least at the speeds I mow at. Then I adjust ground speed with the HST. If I had mowing that was long enough and without much grade change I'd use the cruise control, but mine's all on varying slopes with enough trees and brush to work around that I'm not at the same ground speed for long.

The cruise on the Branson just sticks the HST pedal in place with a magnet. It doesn't adjust throttle or HST to try to keep the tractor the same speed like a car cruise control. Auto throttle is a cable between the HST pedal and injector pump. With the non Kujke TYMs that have EFI it may be more sophisticated.

 

[Torvy]

I went with the 574H to give me the additional size and a bit more PTO HP. I haven't tested out the cruise control yet, but it is a nice machine. Good luck!

I don't remember where you are, but the prices are a wee bit higher than I paid.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

I have auto throttle and cruise. I don’t use auto throttle when I’m looking for PTO RPM. I set the throttle, then use cruise for speed control. Using AT when using PTO implements isn’t really what it’s made for

 

[ericm979]

I have auto throttle and cruise. I don’t use auto throttle when I’m looking for PTO RPM. I set the throttle, then use cruise for speed control. Using AT when using PTO implements isn’t really what it’s made for

It's good for driving around to the next job or back to the barn or carrying stuff. For loader work especially with the grapple I often bump the rpms up with the hand throttle so things are not so slow.

 

[2manyrocks]

Dealer isn't interested in the Mahindra as a trade in.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Always get more $$ selling outright anyhow.

 

[2manyrocks]

I don't know if I'd have to have it repaired before I could sell it myself.

The nearest Mahindra dealer is 60 miles away. I asked them if they'd repair it and consignment sell it. They apparently aren't interested in the sale, either. They said "sales are real slow right now."

 

[2manyrocks]

I visited another TYM dealer (formerly Branson) to get a feel for what their dealership was like today. He had some smaller TYMs, but only one larger TYM and it was a 65hp cab I think. He showed me a 3515H ($26,625) and a shuttle shift 4820 at $31,000.

I'm not really getting why TYM puts these shuttle shift paddles near the steering column because all they control is forward and reverse. The paddle lever is something else to bump into getting on and off the tractor. If the actual gear ranges and speeds are controlled by shift levers at the seat, why do they even bother with this shuttle shift paddle on the dash?

The powershift lever on my Yanmar actually controls not just forward and reverse, but is also a three speed range selector. There's also a safety lock on the lever to engage before getting on and off the Yanmar. And the lever is much shorter making it less likely to bump.