hydrostatic vs power reverser?

[chrisdvorak]

I am thinking about buying a 3000 series tractor mainly for loader work and i have two hydro drive garden tractors right now and they are easy to drive but can have a week transmission at times and wouldn't mind trying something new, so my question is- is it worth saving a little money and going with the reverser for loader work or do i want to pay more for the hydro? do you have a hydro and wish you didn't? any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[WH401]

Since you have two hydro's already, and your pleased with them, (other than the week transmission point), than I would stick with a hydro. If your use is mainly loader work, than a hydro will be the fastest, though a PowerReverser (PR), won't be far off in terms of speed. Also, there's a big difference between the hydro on a garden tractor and the hydro on a CUT. The hydro on a CUT is built to much higher and stronger specifications because of the work load and abuse it may see. Today's hydro transmissions are just as reliable as gear driven types, as long as proper maintenance is taken.

I myself have a PR, and do some loader work, but mostly it's used as my grass cutter. I have 7 acres of my total 11 that consists of a lot of open fields and one large hill, so I wanted to be able to set it right to a constant speed and go, with not having to fiddle with any pedals or what not. A hydro tractor could do the same thing with cruise control, but I grew up with gear driven tractors and I've never really "fully" like a hydro. One main reason is the power loss through the transmission compared to a gear driven tractor. Gear driven tractors put more power to the ground and that was a big selling point for me.

I would suggest going to a Deere dealer and test driving both transmissions, and see what you like before you make a complete decision.

 

[jenkinsph]

Chris,
This has been debated many times here, you can do a search and find days of reading.

My vote is for the ehydro transmission in the 3000 and 4000 series CUT's. I would also say if you are planning on a lot of loader work to consider the 4520 instead of the 3x20 machines. The extra width of the 4x20 machines will help with stability. Overall I am very satisfied with my 4520 and 110tlb and both are ehydro.

 

[chrisdvorak]

the biggest machine that i could afford would be a 3320

 

[WH401]

I think you'll be fine with a 3320 for loader work. I also have a mid-60's IH 340 w/ an FEL, which is about the size of a 4x20 series JD, but probably a slight bit bigger. Comparing stability of the 3320 in loader work to the stability of the 340, it's very similar. There's two big things you can do to gain as much stability with a 3320 as possible. 1. Swap the rear tires around so that they are set up to run in their "wide" position. 2. Have a more than adequate amount of rear ballast, such as a weight box attached to the 3 pt and fluid filled tires. With those two things, you shouldn't have any stability problems, when common sense is used of course.

 

[ddivinia]

I am thinking about buying a 3000 series tractor mainly for loader work and i have two hydro drive garden tractors right now and they are easy to drive but can have a week transmission at times and wouldn't mind trying something new, so my question is- is it worth saving a little money and going with the reverser for loader work or do i want to pay more for the hydro? do you have a hydro and wish you didn't? any suggestions would be appreciated.

Go e-hyrdo - I have both a PR and e-hyrdo. If they offered a e-hydro in my 5525, it would have it.

D.

 

[beenthere]

Another vote for hydro.
Leaves a hand free to do the loader work, or hang on, or scratch.
I wouldn't go back to PR for any amount of money.

 

[Cocre]

Never used a PR, but the eHydro on my 3320 is a dream to use.

 

[ejb17]

I wrestled with the same choice on my 4520. But when thinking about using the rear snowblower and finish mowing 7-8 acres the e-hydro won and I am glad. Cruise is great when mowing and variable speed for the snow controlled by my foot wins hands down.

 

[Nuru]

e-hydro regardless of which size you choose. Also the widest setting you can get is good for the 3x20 series. I use Turf specials on mine and my stance is approximately 66" - 68" wide. If you want to go wider, then some have used Unverferth hub spacers to gain 6" on each side at the hubs.

 

[farmboy12]

It's a pretty fine line in my opinion. I have never used a hydro on a loader, except a skid steer (which I'm pretty sure is hydro). But I used hydro for everything else pretty much, mowing, gardening, etc. I can definitely see where hydro would come in handy and be better on a loader. I like changing between gears on the fly. I think you'd be better off with a hydro for your use. I would drive both and get a feel for them and see which feels better.


Kyle

 

[EquineNetworkCO]

I hate to sound like a broken record here, but I'll chime in too. I used a sync shuttle for the last few years and got very good using the loader, blowing snow, etc with that system. I upgraded to an eHydro 4520 this fall and I have been very pleased with how much more efficient I have become. Whereas a pickup - move - dump cycle might have taken 60 seconds before, it takes me 50 seconds now. Might not sound like a lot, but it surely adds up over the course of a day(s). I think the eHydro is much better for snow blowing. My previous tractor had a 12F/12R tranny. Even so, there were times I couldn't go slow enough to keep the engine from bogging down. Knowing what I do now, I don't think I would ever go back to a non HST tractor.

 

[radman1]

I hate to sound like a broken record here, but I'll chime in too. I used a sync shuttle for the last few years and got very good using the loader, blowing snow, etc with that system. I upgraded to an eHydro 4520 this fall and I have been very pleased with how much more efficient I have become. Whereas a pickup - move - dump cycle might have taken 60 seconds before, it takes me 50 seconds now. Might not sound like a lot, but it surely adds up over the course of a day(s). I think the eHydro is much better for snow blowing. My previous tractor had a 12F/12R tranny. Even so, there were times I couldn't go slow enough to keep the engine from bogging down. Knowing what I do now, I don't think I would ever go back to a non HST tractor.

You comments sum up the ability of HST in a CUT for people who have used both. For anyone who has used a PR and then used a HST, the HST will win the choice if they buy another tractor. I have used gear drive, glide shift (kubota), PR and HST. The HST with infinite variability of speed, ease of use, reliability and operator comfort wins almost every time. The only time a gear drive wins consistently, is if you need max power to the ground and heavy tillage/draft work. HST resale in a CUT will always be better. Most buyers want hst, and not PR. The twin pedal HST of the JD is, IMHO, a better setup than the rocker pedal used by many others.

I think it is fair to say, most PR users have never used HST and therefore promote the PR over HST. To be fair, PR will cost less up front but the resale will make up the difference later.

 

[jenkinsph]

You comments sum up the ability of HST in a CUT for people who have used both. For anyone who has used a PR and then used a HST, the HST will win the choice if they buy another tractor. I have used gear drive, glide shift (kubota), PR and HST. The HST with infinite variability of speed, ease of use, reliability and operator comfort wins almost every time. The only time a gear drive wins consistently, is if you need max power to the ground and heavy tillage/draft work. HST resale in a CUT will always be better. Most buyers want hst, and not PR. The twin pedal HST of the JD is, IMHO, a better setup than the rocker pedal used by many others.

I think it is fair to say, most PR users have never used HST and therefore promote the PR over HST. To be fair, PR will cost less up front but the resale will make up the difference later.

I agree with you, the PR tranny was a great improvement over the shuttle but pales in comparison to an ehydro. Now if you are pointing a larger tractor down a long row pulling a heavy disc then the more efficient PR is a better deal.

 

[slaveToHorses]

eHydro rules!

I have had most transmission types and for a utility tractor, doing a lot of loader work, there just isn't a better choice than the JD eHydro.

I was moving a bunch of manure, mud and chips last week, in snow and slick clay mud. The eHydro did it's automatic down shifting thing brilliantly. The haul between the scoop and the drop was about 200 yards so being able to leave it in high range and have the tranny automatically down range when I was digging into a load was just wonderful. I am a huge fan now.

 

[joes_427_vette]

I would use both a couple days prior to signing on the dotted line. Personal choice... traded the hydro for a power shuttle. The power loss and the whining transmission noise drove me over the end. It also took more fuel. Yes the hydro is convenient if you do alot of loader work but I do many tasks and I feel the shuttle is far superior for my situation. My 4110 is a perfect example of hydro usage. It also depends on what your used to operating. That is the reason for building two types. The guy that signs the check must be satisfied with the end result.

 

[jenkinsph]

Joe,
You do have some power loss with the ehydro but the convienience more than makes up for it. On a very small tractor of 20 hp it may not be a paying proposition if you need all of the hp to get the job done. Once you move into a larger tractor it does make more since and allows me to get alot more done in less time with less agravation. I currently have both a gear tractor and two ehydros' guess which one is harder to manuever?

The ehydro with three ranges is a better unit than the smaller hydro transmission too.

 

[KB9UDE]

I am glad to see there is at least one person on this site with the same ideas about hydro as myself

I have a 4120 Power Reverser and a 2320 hydro. The hydro is ok for mowing and such, but I much prefer the power reverser (shuttle shift) for loader and ground engaging work.

I would use both a couple days prior to signing on the dotted line. Personal choice... traded the hydro for a power shuttle. The power loss and the whining transmission noise drove me over the end. It also took more fuel. Yes the hydro is convenient if you do alot of loader work but I do many tasks and I feel the shuttle is far superior for my situation. My 4110 is a perfect example of hydro usage. It also depends on what your used to operating. That is the reason for building two types. The guy that signs the check must be satisfied with the end result.

 

[ovrszd]

I am glad to see there is at least one person on this site with the same ideas about hydro as myself

I have a 4120 Power Reverser and a 2320 hydro. The hydro is ok for mowing and such, but I much prefer the power reverser (shuttle shift) for loader and ground engaging work.

Why can't you and Joe just conform and go along with everyone on this??? You guys are gonna get the "you don't know what you are talking about" critics fired up!!! I love it when people know more about running my tractor than I do.....

 

[slaveToHorses]

Why can't you and Joe just conform and go along with everyone on this??? You guys are gonna get the "you don't know what you are talking about" critics fired up!!! I love it when people know more about running my tractor than I do.....

Yeah, you guys clearly don't know what's best for you. So we are here to provide that service, free of charge.

Now, my field tractor doesn't even have synchromesh much less shuttle or power reverser. Real men double clutch!